Fellas,
I am considering buying a 2005 6.0 50000 miles 4x4, long wheel base, with 6 speed manual transmission. Primary purpose for buying the truck would be to tow my future 5 th wheel camper.

Does anyone have any experience with this truck? I have a 05 short wheel base 6.0 and very familiar with these engines... Just never messed with the manual and would love to have one. The truck is my dads and is all factory, no problems, and is in immaculate condition... Would just be an awesome truck to have.

Pleas give me your opinions. Would it tow much better than my current 6.0 with an automatic? I believe I have 355 andthis one has 373 rear end.

Thanks

 

Posting from my iPhone, forgive me for the butchered text....

 

The truck in my sig is a 6 speed, 2006 F350. I guess you could say I'm from the "old school" thinking a truck should have 3 pedals. I've heard too many bad things about automatics in trucks, and have had some experience myself. But I do believe the automatics in the 6.0 are pretty good. I wasn't fully happy with the throttle response of the stock tuning, it was too much geared toward emissions. So if you want it to drive like a P pump Cummins, you are going to want a custom tune, but I wouldn't do it without head studs. Either way, the ZF6 is a great transmission. It shifts pretty good, clutch is decent, and its got full pressure lubrication and an oil cooler. When its time for a new I'll probably go with a F550 flywheel and clutch.

 

I wouldn't trade my zf6 for anything. I only towed about 12k lbs, but even with that is was smooth. I had to replace my clutch at 120k miles, but I was pushing 800 ft lbs of torque through it. I went with the upgraded south bend dual friction clutch and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I really want this truck!!!! I am a little different than most, this truck is plane Jane.. Cruis and tilt steering other than that it is plane. Perfect, no carpet to mess up. Will be a nice machine to have!

 

Also, if I get it i will probably go ahead with and bullet proof it ( studs, delete ect...)

 

Mine is a 2004, not a 2005, but I still like the 6 speed. About the only time I don't like it is in heavy traffic with a heavy load and my clutch leg wears out. Other than that, it's a great transmission.

It's a BIG transmission. And you won't speed shift it. At least I can't. Just take your time and put gentle pressure on the shifter and it'll drop in after a few seconds. It gets better after it warms up and it gets better after it wears in a few 10k miles.

 

My grandpa use to race fords in the 30s so my dad was raised in a ford family and that got passed down to me. But I remember as a kid my grandpa use to buy his trucks new after he retired and when it was time for him to upgrade my dad would always buy his trucks from him. The reason being that he knew that his dad kept great maintenance and drove the truck how it was made to be driven and dident abuse it. All I can say is between the two of them they did well and So did I after buying a 1985 f-250 4x4 and selling it in running condition and a 1993 f150 4x4 with 200k that only ever had a starter burn out. Point being is buy that sucker if you know your dad keeps good maintenance. Thats my opinion.

 

Agree! I'll do what i can to get it. Thanks for the input!

 

What kind of maintenance is required for that transmission?

Also, will it tow much better than the automatic? Thanks, getting siked thinking about this!!

 

Just serviced my 04 350 the other day, 160k don't know if it had been done before only had it for 30k, but oil was clean & no burnt smell, put it in low it will move about anything!

Jim

 

Thanks jimbo!

 

I think you will like the manual for towing. The only downside is the speed of shifts on hills towing heavy, you can't shift fast enough to not loose some boost, like an auto can. Other than that, tranny is heavy duty. There are still times I wish had ordered my lariat with a stick. I know a friend has had good luck towing the horses heavy with a stick, they both drive it and like the manual. One clutch and throwing bearing down. Remember, don't leave your hand on the stick when not shifting and don't ride the clutch pedal as these will cause premature wear of syncros and clutch. They are really quite common. Also, remember you have a lot of power so, before pushing the go pedal to the floor, that clutch has to be fully reeleased, she will smoke a clutch very quickly. Have fun.

 

Have a 06 f350. Love the manual. Mileage is great when towing or not. You have full control over engine rpm's which you don't have wit the auto. The only problem I have with mine is the throttle response when shifting, combine that with a sticky turbo, well its a pain in the *** once and a while,
As far as maint, Mercon V only, every 60,000 miles.
Does anyone have any insite into the manual trany for the new superduties one day????

 

The ZF transmission is excellent. The oil cooler is a great design. I've run down the freeway with 23,000 lbs on a 9,000 lbs trailer with no concerns about the transmission. Downside: You lose boost between shifts- the 6.0 likes to be at full boost when pulling. And fully loaded at 3,000 RPMs, the 6.0 is NOT a smooth power plant. But it sure does pull. As long as it has not been hammered by the previous owner, I would not hesitate to go with the ZF sp. -Mike