Hi all,

I'm new to the whole truck scene (never owned one before) and had a couple quick questions about the 4.2L manual tranny. Two days ago I bought my first truck: black F150 STX RegCab w/ 5 spd manual. So far driving it has been somewhat frustrating. I used to drive stick shifts all the time and would say I'm decent, but this truck has got me frustrated. It feels totally different from driving a stick shift car, and I still stall every now and then (or come close), and my shifting is still not flush. Are brand new trannys not as forgiving as used ones? Are there any nuances involved with driving a stick shift truck versus a car that I should know about? Can anyone offer any tips in general of how to properly drive a stick shift truck?

Thanks a lot,
Tyler

 

Hey Tyler! Well, you are asking the right people, at least me. I just got myself a '07 F150 V6 4.2l 8' bed, 4x2, and it is much different from driving a car, by a lot!

The reason that it is much different is because that a car usually has shift cables and a truck uses shift rods. Which makes a little bit more tougher to shift. Not only that, but since the transmission is new, it will be VERY tight.

Also, don't drive it like you would a car... and try to power shift and junk. It can handle it, but it isn't a car with a short throw. A friend really messed his Dakota's transmission when he was always power shifting and he really drove it into the ground. He shifted well, and the friction plate was well, but he messed up the synchros and all sorts of stuff.

As far as the stalling, I've stalled my '07 a few times... It seems to be a very stall happy truck... just give it a little gas and you are good to go. But I generally drive slow and easy, so I don't need to give it much gas. Remember too, it ain't no little engine, if not careful you can really mess up your friction material by giving it too much gas, as in wear and tear.

But, I'm not saying the M5OD is poorly designed... it is a well built transmission. Just treat it well and it will last you a lifetime.

 

My M5OD is one of the nicest shifting trannys I've ever owned and the clutch is very easy to modulate.

 

The clutch and tranny should shift smooth. Trying making your shifts a bit more deliberate than you would the shorter throw on most cars.

Stalling should not be a problem. My 5spd V6 will start out in 1st without even touching the gas pedal. Maybe you just need a bit more time getting used to it.

I strongly recommend replacing the transmission fluid with Redline MTL the very first chance you have. The tranny will run quieter and shift more positively - and you'll avoid the occasional 2-3 upshift grind that affects some of the 5spds.

Scott D

_________
2000 F150 XL Extended Cab
4.2L, 5spd, 2wd, Ford Racing Traction Lock & 4.30 gears
285/75-16 Dunlop Radial Rover AT
ProComp lift kit (3" spindle lift, 1.5" add-a-leaf, ES3000 shocks)
OEM fog lights and valance.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries/....cfm?gnum=1990

 

I have the same set up in my 06. Yes it is different than a car. I was having difficulties with it at first. Just like any other clutch you have to get used to it. I have mine just right. Just give it time man!

 

Thanks all for the responses. I noticed that as I am slowing down to a stop like at a red light I can put the shifter into neutral effortlessly without disengaging the clutch. Is this not a good idea?

 

Not really. I've slipped and done it before without harm.... but it's not generally a good practice. That's merely there for an emergency... like some freak runs out in front of you and you need to take it out of gear quick while hammering on the brakes.

 

That's not going to hurt a thing if it slips right out - just don't force it. It will slip right out when the RPM's drop to normal idle.

 

You will get used to it and every thing will be just fine . I've taught 4 people to drive a MT in ford trucks their tough.

 

Please do not take offense to this, but how the heck can you even get your 07' to move with the V6? I didn't even know that they still offered that motor. Did they increase the power to compensate for the extra weight of the new body style? I have an 02' XL reg cab with 3.55s / 5spd and the damn 4.2L can barely keep up with traffic!

 

I seem to keep up with traffic very easily with mine and I don't exactly drive like the old fart that I am. Just lean on the pedal a bit harder and wind it a bit tighter. You ever drive a 4 cylinder Ranger? Now THAT'S a dog. My nephew has a 3 liter V6 Ranger with a 5 speed and I can blow his doors off.

Hint - if you are out for max performance, wind 1st to 30, 2nd to 55, and 3rd to 80. Watch the gas gauge go down every time you do it too.

 

I've gotten up to 33 mph in first gear. Everytime I do that I think to myself "there goes another cup of gasoline." It sounds pretty good though with my intake and exhaust. I wish I had a tach.

 

I wound my F150 up today, I did a 0-60 just for kicks... for a 1/2 ton truck running a v6, that 5 speed makes this truck fly.

Yeah, I agree with all of you on the gas... you peg that engine and you drink gas like water or beer.

 

With 3.55's and stock tires, those 3 speeds are approximately 5000 rpm. I put the odometer into the tach mode and made a few runs just to see where it was at.

 

They only put the 4.2 in the reg cab 2wd's since '04. We own 2 f-150's, mines a '05 RegCab with 4.2 auto 2wd w/3.55's and 275/65/18 FX4 wheels and tires and 2" AS in front and 4x4 blocks in the rear and my wifes is a '06 SCab 2wd with the 4.6 auto with 3.55's. My regcab 4.2 will absolutley walk off and leave her 4.6. They are pretty close off the line, in fact the 4.6 actually starts to pull on me just a little off the line, but once they shift into second its all over, the 4.2 steadily pulls away from then on. Funny thing is when I drive her '06 the v-8 just feels so much more torquier, you would think it would just run circles around my truck, but it doesnt. I'm actually pretty pleased with my little 4.2, it has all the power a person really needs unless they are planning on doing a lot of heavy towing. In fact I tow a 18 1/2 bass boat several times a week and it does just fine with that too. I just leave the O/D off.