5 Speed VS. Automatic
 

I just ordered a 2001 F-150 4x4 Sport with a 4.6 and a 5 speed.


I wanted to know how the 5 speed hooked up with the 4.6 compares to the automatic combo?

I test drove one with an auto and thought it was ok, I imagine the 5 speed would be much better.

I’ll be getting it in May.

It will kick your ass. : )
I have the same set up. Very very nice. Spin tires in 2nd...

theone

2001,

The Automatic is a dog compared to the 5 speed. Good choice. https://www.f150online.com/f150board/wink.gif

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Hedman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips :)
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jmc.chartier/splash1.jpg

I wish I had a 5 speed but didn't like the feel of the 5 speed in the truck I test drove and ended up with a auto of course I was going from a Mustang GT to a truck and expected the 5 speeds to feel about the same but there not the same.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

Hi Have 99 SC 4X4 AT 4.6L with 3.73 RE

Had 5speed(od) manual with last truck. Got more hook up to rear wheels, etc. There were times i regretted it.but overall, it did what i was looking for at the time. https://www.f150online.com/f150board/smile.gif

On my 99 SC, i do have snug-top & stuff in shortbed, so im pretty heavy. With my set-up, yep, kinda a doggie! Test drove empty, but after all my mods,(weight) oops https://www.f150online.com/f150board/frown.gif

That 5 speed gotta work better. This 4.6l was hunting all over for the right gear, etc. still not used to it, elect. trans, gotta gear between 3rd & 4th(OD) Sometimes i dont even know what gear its in. HA

Supechip has helped out on shifting & little more power etc. https://www.f150online.com/f150board/smile.gif

Driving solo 90%, so AT great in city-stop&go. Dont burn clutch or tires anymore, going up boat ramp, so thats a plus. Sometimes they say AT better for towing, but?
that might be debatable. HA Lost my 4R70W @ 17000mi. https://www.f150online.com/f150board/frown.gif Besides, manual cheaper!

Had to do it over again, 5.4L minimum. AT ?

Good luck. OT https://www.f150online.com/f150board/smile.gif

Is there anything I should check for before I sign the papers?


I am pretty sure that the bigger radiator is not included in the sport package. It's the same as the regular XLT as far as I know.

Does the warranty cover the rock chips? Will I get rock chips from driving on the highway?

With a 5-speed, you'll probably want a tach. Check to make sure you are getting a tach with the Sport Package. If not, it comes with the XLT and can be ordered as a stand-alone option on XLs if you hunt through the sales person's options binder. Hard to find and most sales people don't know about it.

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Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner, rear fender inner splash shields (TSB 00-09-05).

My third F-series ordered new. The other two: '73 F-100 Custom, 240 cube 6, 3 on the tree, tan, "West Coast" mirrors, step bumper, knitted vinyl seat, AM radio; and '98 F-150 SC short-box XL, XLS package, Pacific Green, 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 LS, FM-cassette.

GREAT trucks!

Just finished driving my buddies 2001 short box reg cab orp, and it has the new 231 hp 4.6 with a 4sp auto. My 99 with the older 4.6/5sp, same body and trim and 70,000 on it absolutely purrs in comparison.

I mean the motor is nice and new, but the feeling, control and driveablity is nice on the 5sp. The auto is a slug, and finds gears like it's looking for a needle in the ol' haystack.



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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; twin 6" kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it is and XLT so it comes with the tachometer.


I had a feeling the 5 speed would be much better. I drove and automatic and felt the same way about how the transmission didn’t know what gear it wanted to be in.

I also test drove a 2001 mustang gt automatic and the same car in a 5 speed. Their was a HUGE difference between those two cars. So I figured there would also be a big difference in the f-150 too.

Thanks for responding

You can tow more with an automatic though, if that's a factor in your decision, but I don't know why. Question for anyone: Why is the tow rating higher for automatics?

I got the exact same setup, and all i can say is the 5-speed as amazin, much better than the auto's.
Since these trucks are very light in the back, yet with tons of momentum, they are a pain to stop in slick conditions, and if i werent for being able to downshift in 4x4 mode, i would have probably clipped a few people from behind by now! PLUS, you arent driving when you have an automatic, as my friend says, "you are just directing!"

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The TRUCK:
1999 Black F150 XLT Sport 4x4 Flareside, 4.6 Triton V-8, Manual Transmission, Captains Chairs, Power Everything.

Appearance Changes:
Button-down Tonneau Cover, Webasto Sunroof, Spray-on Bed-liner, Xenon Fog and Headlights, Blackwidow Car Alarm, Window Tint, Wet Okole Seats (ALL).

Stereo:
2 10" Kicker CompVR's on Fosgate 360a2, Kicker Components Front & Fosgate 5x7 Rear on Fosgate 200a4, Blaupunkt Muchen Deck.

Performance:
265/70 R17 Yokohama Geolandar A/T+, Borla Split-Rear Cat-Back Exhaust, K&N FIPK.

A couple guys at work told me why would I want to go back to a manual as they said with a auto all you do is put it in drive and floor it. I told them that may be true but it makes you lazy plus it eats more of your power and gas. Boy do I miss shifting gears I should have had the dealer do a search for 5 speed V8 and everything else my truck has instead of getting this auto gas guzler.

I think that the tow rating is higher on the auto-magics becuase of your weak clutches. At least, thats what i think when i'm towing...

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

My preference is definitely with the 5 speed. But this kind of a decision is so dependent on personal preferences and situational factors. If you tow a lot, do a lot of low speed back and forth (construction), live in the city, or don't like to shift, I can definitely see the automatic. The 5 speed gives me the control I want, the involvement in driving, and I think a performance advantage. I like the feeling of being directly hooked up versus the slippage inherent in the torque converter.

I agree, the weakness of the clutch makes for a lower tow rating. I had a V-6 with a 5 speed and got rid of it at 75K because there was almost no clutch left in it. I didn't tow much with it at all. Took my lawnmower to the shop a couple of times behind the truck on a trailer. I have a 4.6 with the auto now and am much happier. I will miss being able to downshift during bad weather, but that's about all.

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'97 F-150, 2WD, 8'bed, 4.6L,Auto, 3.55 LS, Duraliner, D. plate toolbox, K&N filter, 3" air box mod, silencer removed, Westin nerf bars,towing pkg,headlight flasher