Manual or auto...?

[71f100]

My truck runs a mild 351C, has 3.5:1 9" with 31x10.5x15's, and it is currently manual. It runs the usual 4 speed with the crawl gear so drives like a 3 speed.
I have often thought of going automatic (for the wifes sake), but I enjoy swapping cogs...
Has anyone tried both options? had bad experiences one way or the other? recomend other manuals ie Top loader or T5 etc? I may just stick with what I've got yet , interested to see what people have experienced.
Thanks

[ICEMAN6166]

my wife does not like auto trans at all so we try never to buy a truck that has one, and if we happen to get one it goes in a pile with the rest i have removed and we put in a 4 speed.
her current truck is a 66 f100 4x4 with 390, np435 and 3.50 gears.it is a fast truck , i cant keep my foot out of it, but it slides around in 2wd in the snow a lot more than mine with the 4.56 gears.

[19674x4]

really it depends on the type of driving you plan to do. Are you going to haul/tow anything, or is it just gonna be a home-depot/errand truck. If you plan on hauling anything, I strongly suggest a np-435 or t-18, but if it is just a rand truck or a town driver then go for the auto. Personally i hate auto's, but it's your truck. I have a np-435, and 4.56 gears, so i can pull basically anything.

[71 LONG BED]

I like swapping cogs over slush boxes!

[fordman]

i look at it like this. what could go wrong with either tpye of trans.

The automatic. it has maintaince such as the fluid and filter. there is also a modulator valve that can go bad on them. if they go out you have to totally rebuild them.

The manual. it has some maintaince as maybe changing the oil. the clutch can also go bad on them but that is replaceable with not to bad a cost. if the trans gears break or forks or whatever. those pieces can be replaced by themselves but some can be kind of high.

i don't want to write a book but thats the basics.

[averagef250]

All personal preference.

If you've got good left leg/right hand coordination I say stay stick, if you like cruising along without the hassle of shifting then an auto's for you.

I will not own an auto anything. I can't stand an auto shifting when I don't want it to or not shifting when I do want it to. With a manual you're in complete control.

You can argue manual VS auto cost to repair, but it's all relative. I can fix a dead 435 for next to nothing. I have friends that can do the same with a C-6 or TH400.

[xxxtina63]

Personally, I've had nothing but problems with autos, no matter the make or model. Maybe they were all worn out by the time I got them? I don't know. An auto is a nice drive, but manuals seem to last forever. NP435 all the way.

[Heavenlyfire]

I agree with the problem part of an auto. I do have the auto in my truck now and it is doing ok so far. I guess the way I look at it is that if you like going 4 wheeling, a clutch is a great thing to have. If you want to go racing, I like my auto (not that I race ).

[71f100]

Cheers for the input guys, you've cemented my decision.
The stick remains!!! I do prefer manual, and I find the low ratio 1st very handy for getting heavy loads moving. I do tow a bit, and more soon, once I get the wife the twin horse float she wants.....yay, another project!!
Thanks again.

[jor]

Cheers for the input guys, you've cemented my decision.
The stick remains!!!

Hey, not so fast! One feature of the 4-speeds has not been mentioned. Neither the T-18 or NP-435 will allow you to really get through the gears quickly. If you get on it in second and plan to continue your speed run in third, good luck! I have T-18s, btw, in my two trucks but I'm changing one to a C-6. I'll let you know.
jor

[FLATBEDFORD]

Cheers for the input guys, you've cemented my decision.
The stick remains!!!

Hey, not so fast! One feature of the 4-speeds has not been mentioned. Neither the T-18 or NP-435 will allow you to really get through the gears quickly. If you get on it in second and plan to continue your speed run in third, good luck! I have T-18s, btw, in my two trucks but I'm changing one to a C-6. I'll let you know.
jor

I agree. These HD truck 4spds aren't by any means fast shifters. But they do seem to be pretty strong. In my '96 with the ZF 5 spd I can shift pretty easily, and quickly.

[ICEMAN6166]

Cheers for the input guys, you've cemented my decision.
The stick remains!!!

Hey, not so fast! One feature of the 4-speeds has not been mentioned. Neither the T-18 or NP-435 will allow you to really get through the gears quickly. If you get on it in second and plan to continue your speed run in third, good luck! I have T-18s, btw, in my two trucks but I'm changing one to a C-6. I'll let you know.
jor

i dont seem to have a problem with that at all but i have been driving the np435s and warners for a very long time and can even shift without the clutch if i want to.
i have rebuilt both the manuals and the autos, would rather deal with the manual.
the 3 speed on the column is the fastest 2-3 shift of all the stock stick shifts.i would rather have it than an auto too.

[averagef250]

I never had a problem with the time it takes to shift a 435. Every once in a while I get in a situation where I need to do a quick 1st to 2nd shift starting out with some weight with a 435 and they don't like that much. Going from the 435 to the slick shifting NV4500 didn't make my truck one bit faster, got a couple MPG out of it though. And 1st to 2nd is effortless with the NV.

I guess I just don't care how fast my truck is. You might find me in the fast lane with a loaded trailer up a good grade, but that type of thing isn't about shifting or acceleration and would make certain death for any auto.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I don't expect my F350 to be a racecar. The T18 is fine with me.

[67merc]

Manual!!!!! Auto is for minivans! I have manual everything in my truck and don't plan on changing any of it.

I once taught a lady to drive stick in about 10min just so I could sell her husband my car.