Just wondering if anyone had heard any good or bad news about Ford's new 6.0 PSD w/ the new torqshift 5 speed auto that will be available in November?? My dad is looking at getting a F-350 PSD 4x4 and is undecided on whether to get the 7.3 PSD with the 4sp auto now or wait until November to order the new 6.0 PSD w/ the Torqshift? I searched the web, but only found mostly Ford press releases:
http://www.off-road.com/ford/news/2002_06/trans.html
Thanks for any info anybody can provide.
-Brian

There is lots of on it info at www.Ford-Diesel.com

It's supposed to be like the Allison, with a tow-haul mode, and it will downshift for engine braking (what little there is on a diesel)..

After driving the 6-speed F350 yesterday, I'd be real tempted to have an auto.. that clutch/shifter was terrible!

Thanks for the link Zukster. I tried to go to that web site yesterday but it would not load for some reason. Got it to work and was what I was looking for.
-Brian

Originally posted by Eskimo
It's supposed to be like the Allison, with a tow-haul mode, and it will downshift for engine braking (what little there is on a diesel)..

After driving the 6-speed F350 yesterday, I'd be real tempted to have an auto.. that clutch/shifter was terrible!


Sheesh.. I love having the 6-spd in my F350. No, it's not a race-car shifting action, but it's a strong tranny and will last a heckuva lot longer than the 4-spd auto that was available when I bought my truck. It should be interesting to see how this new slushbox works out for Ford. Maybe they planned for this one to last past 75k miles. I'd love to test one out if someone wants to pay my trade-up cost. Oh yeah, and there better be a loooong warrantee too.

-John

it better be my truck is on its third auto, but the new psd sounds unreal now if I could get a sponser for my tow rig...

Honestly, anything you could say about this combo in terms of long-term performance/longevity is pure speculation at this point - good or bad. It certainly looks good on paper. It probably WILL be good eventually, if not now. The way I see it, the big question is whether or not there'll be some bugs to work out in the first year or two of production.

TEX

John, what do you tach in O/D at 60-65mph? I think the one I drove must have had deep gears, because at 60mph, I was already over 2000, and around 65, I think it was near 2400-2500rpm..

Maybe I was being a bit of a :crybaby:, since it is a clutch that has to take 500+ lb-ft of torque, but the shifter was pretty vague (hit 5th more than once trying to get 3rd)

Once I drive the other 2 (Dodge and GM) 6-speeds, I'll better know if that's the norm rather than the exception.

TEX- I think you hit the nail on the head - looks good on paper, but we will have to wait and see. My dad is going to go ahead and order one and hope that there are not too many bugs. Thanks for the info guys.
-Brian

im really growing fond of my 6 speed.. i wanted an auto.. but none were available near me.. so i got the manly thing.. and the more i drive it.. the more i like it.. hell to me it does shift like a race car.. compared to my T-18... i dont lift my arm off of the console.. :D

Originally posted by Eskimo
John, what do you tach in O/D at 60-65mph? I think the one I drove must have had deep gears, because at 60mph, I was already over 2000, and around 65, I think it was near 2400-2500rpm..

I think I usually tach around 2000 in O/D at 65 mph. I know I run about 2800 at 95 mph. My rig has the 3.73 gears which work well for me. It feels like it need another gear when I'm driving around unloaded, but when towing, it's perfect.

Maybe I was being a bit of a :crybaby:, since it is a clutch that has to take 500+ lb-ft of torque, but the shifter was pretty vague (hit 5th more than once trying to get 3rd)


The only time my shifter is at all annoying is when sometimes I hit reverse instead of 1st and the Low to 1st shift can be a PITA. However, overall, it works great and I've had no problems with it at all.

I've got about 35k miles in just over a year and I recently put the banks powerpack on the powerstroke. Now, smokin the tires is no problem and I can get a chirp out of 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts. Also, while towing, I am faster than most of my friend's trucks unloaded.

-John

I drove a dodge and a chevy with six speeds, All the trannys are compairable..

I went the six speed for longevity. The wife origanlly didnt like the idea of a stick, but now that we own it and she drives it, she loves it and wouldnt get an auto in the truck unless it was an excursion.

We just got back from portland and I tell ya the six speed was nice. Never once wished I had an Auto.

Theres only two things I dont like about it,

One, Low is way over by my leg.
Two, first's gate is hard to get into if you havent drivin the truck over a period of time.

Originally posted by Eskimo
[B
Once I drive the other 2 (Dodge and GM) 6-speeds, I'll better know if that's the norm rather than the exception. [/B]

The Dodge 6 speed is a lot like a 5 speed as far as shift patterns. I don't really care for the 6 speed Ford because of the shift pattern. The clutch is comparable between the 2. It really feels different driving the two different trucks - the Dodge is much quicker.

when i was shopping for a new tow/family truck,i wanted the 6-speed.but my wife went with me so we got the auto.it tows good and i like it,but my uncle has a 6-speed and man thet SOB will pull like hell in high gear...

Originally posted by Rover Addiction



Sheesh.. I love having the 6-spd in my F350. No, it's not a race-car shifting action, but it's a strong tranny and will last a heckuva lot longer than the 4-spd auto that was available when I bought my truck. It should be interesting to see how this new slushbox works out for Ford. Maybe they planned for this one to last past 75k miles. I'd love to test one out if someone wants to pay my trade-up cost. Oh yeah, and there better be a loooong warrantee too.

-John



I'm wichu. :D

Maybe the used F350 6-speed I drove had somethign amiss with the clutch... It was a total POS compared to the HO Dodge I drove the other day. That shifter was rpecise and solid, and the clutch action was MUCH better...

Maybe it was a new vs. used thing, maybe the Ford had a problem...

Go to www.pickuptrucks.com for a review on the new Ford. Shame they couldn't get ahold of a Dodge HO, huge differance between it and the regular version with an auto.

Another link full of info about this combo. It has a ton of info along with a shoot out with Dodge & Chevy also....

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2003/ford/superduty/first_drive/page1.html