It's an unconfirmed rumor that Ford's going to make its Super Duty pickups shiftless, but the mere whiff of a reduction in choices is likely set enthusiasts afire with rage. The merits of standard versus automatic transmissions in trucks that routinely tow and generally work hard is a debate for another time, but the real crux of the biscuit comes down to cost. As it stands now, you can get a Power Stroke diesel with a manual for $1500 less than a self-shifter. If Ford removes the standard transmission from its Power Stroke offerings, does that mean that it will pass some of the savings on to consumers by reducing the price of the automatic? Not bloody likely. A more probable scenario would see the price of the Power Stroke option rising.
[Source: Four Wheeler]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thesvtautox @ Apr 12th 2008 1:11PM
altho, from operations standpoint, they'll be able to reduce production cost since there is less variations for the manual, and by getting rid of the lower cost option, they'll get more money out of it. now, im never a fan of reducing choices for the consumers, but ford needs to all the money it can get so they can turn the company around. and if thats what it takes for them to give me svt models, european models, im all for it.
chuck goolsbee @ Apr 12th 2008 5:12PM
If your car or truck doesn't have a Man Pedal http://www.zazzle.com/the_man_pedal_shirt-235442988664810234
Then you're a wussy.
A Big Girl's Blouse.
A pantywaist.
Mee-ow.
--chuck
thesvtautox @ Apr 12th 2008 11:02PM
oh, dont get me wrong, i drive a svt focus, so im all about rowing my own gears, but im talking from business operations stand point for ford.
Dan @ Apr 12th 2008 1:15PM
Biscuits gots cruxes!
Tim @ Apr 12th 2008 1:32PM
Kinda something that everyone is doing since forever ago....the writing is kinda on the wall... On the grand scheme of things, MOST (but not all) people prefer autos rather than sticks in these things... After working at a Ford dealer for 5 years, Out of all the factory orders I ordered, I can count on one hand the sticks I ordered... 2 to be exact.
Not that Im opposed to Manuals (my car and my F-150 are all stick) Its just something that Im sure makes the automakers think... it is worth having something that not many people buy? Just like any other less popular options... they go out by the wayside....
Stuka @ Apr 12th 2008 1:36PM
When it comes to regular towing, the autos just don't stand up. You also cannot fit an exhaust brake unless you have a manual. While ford needs to limit options, I dont think this should be one of them. I would sa close to half the people I know with super duties and dodge ram's have manuals. And I left GM out because not many people use GM's for heavy work.
Matt @ Apr 12th 2008 2:03PM
"Stuka:
When it comes to regular towing, the autos just don't stand up. You also cannot fit an exhaust brake unless you have a manual. While ford needs to limit options, I dont think this should be one of them. I would sa close to half the people I know with super duties and dodge ram's have manuals. And I left GM out because not many people use GM's for heavy work."
All of my departments fire trucks have jake brakes...and they are all autos.
I wish Ford would drop the suck from the interiors of their vehicles. The Super Duty interior is the biggest joke I have ever seen. It would be more at home in a $12,000 Smart Car than a $50,000-$60,000 truck.
Stuka @ Apr 12th 2008 2:12PM
That used in a fire truck (ie: Medium or heavy duty) is not the same as an auto used in a light duty truck. Although somebody mentioned below that you can get an exhaust brake on the dodge.
But the fact still remains that a manual has far less parasitic loss when compared to an auto. And the longevity of a manual is far greater. As rebuilding the auto in new 3/4-1 ton truck at ~60k miles is not unheard of. Especially fi you live in a mountainous area.
Mike Levine @ Apr 12th 2008 3:16PM
@Stucka: The current Ram 6.7-L Cummins I6 automatic has an exhaust brake.
stealth @ Apr 12th 2008 1:52PM
lame.
mammy @ Apr 12th 2008 1:57PM
I always like to have an opption between automatic and manual and thats what Ford needs.
Brian @ Apr 12th 2008 1:58PM
As for the exhaust break with manual only. That is not the case. Dodge currently offers the exhaust break with the automatic in the 6.7 with the Chrysler or Aisin automatics. I have no problem shifting gears as I have driven semis, but will ford come up to par with GM and Dodge and offer a six speed automatic much like the current Expedition and the 2009 Ford F150? If they offer the six speed automatic with the tow/haul mode as well as with the manumatic mode like Dodge and GM have. This would help in the competition. For example Ford made some MCE to the 2008 superduty to increase fuel economy. Examples are the gear ratios now offer 3.55 as opposed to just going to 3.73 as well as the lower air valance on the super duty to improve aerodynamics. The 3.73 to 3.55 had to be done to offer the better fuel economy because few people were wanting the manual. Which I do not believe has as high speed double overdrive as Dodge and GM do. Just my two cents.
AlmightyPants @ Apr 12th 2008 2:08PM
I thought the crux of the biscuit was the apostrophe?
ambientFLIER @ Apr 12th 2008 3:57PM
Ford should forget about the transmission and instead drop the awful interior from the truck. I'd rather drive an F250 with metal door skins than look at this.
Guenther @ Apr 12th 2008 5:55PM
I don't recall anyone saying peep when GM didn't carry over any Manual transmissions into the new 900HD's. At the end of the day, its good for Dodge, since they're the only ones to continue offering gear boxes, and a moderat handful of peop[le will continue to insist on having them.
jcar302 @ Apr 12th 2008 6:57PM
I haven't seen an F series with a manual transmission, ever.
I say drop it, honestly most in the real world don't care, so i can't blame ford for it.
Maybe put the money saved from losing the variation into making AT's better.
I think if you want a manual trans, buy a mustang.
Regardless of what the minority want, the general public likes automatics, you know so they can hold their cell phones, eat sandwiches, and drink coffee while they drive.
I assure you, if i was to drive a big ass pickup truck, it would be an auto
Logik @ Apr 14th 2008 2:07AM
I can eat a sandwich, drink coffee and talk on my mobile while driving my M/T 3 series. :-) However, seeing that the cup holder is right behind the shifter, I am forced to buy a small size coffee.
goat @ Apr 12th 2008 7:10PM
Instead of dropping the manual, drop gasoline engines instead.
Steve B. @ Apr 12th 2008 7:21PM
That's it. I'm not buying a Super-Duty!
Not that I was going to. White collar job, live in town and all. Never have to haul poop.
But still, just on principle!!!
big L @ Apr 12th 2008 8:10PM
to paraphrase Larry "Bud" Melman: "NO-NO NO NO no!