2011 Superduty are out! ! !

[Patches]

Drove a 2011 F250 with 6.2 gas, auto, 3.31:1 rear...comparing it to my F350 V10, auto, 4.30:1 rear (everyday drivability, not towing)...good ride, plenty of low end torque, good road manners, but the 6 speed auto tended to "hunt" at lower RPM's, found that annoying but will attribute it to the high gearing...may do better with a lower ratio. Not quite as torquey as my V10 so as of right now I'd say it doesn't pass the test. I did notice the missing 45 cu. in. No replacement for displacement. Felt like my friend's Hemi Dodge (which I don't like).

IMHO, that 6.2, V-8, 6 speed, will never satisfactorily replace the V-10. Thankfully, I'm no longer a Ford groupie, but that move doesn't make any sense to me, except Ford forcing buyers to purchase their diesel :thumbsup:

 

[mustangsallysdad]

IMHO, that 6.2, V-8, 6 speed, will never satisfactorily replace the V-10. Thankfully, I'm no longer a Ford groupie, but that move doesn't make any sense to me, except Ford forcing buyers to purchase their diesel :thumbsup:

...and at one heckuva premium, at that. I'm not a big diesel fan for "joe blow" everyday use...contractors, daily towing and fleet use is where they belong, IMO. I like my gas engines, but I also tend to like large displacement engines...the 415 cu. in. V10 is one of the smallest gas engines I own (460's, 428's, 429 and one 390, all Ford). Even my rollback has a gas 460, although I'll admit, if it weren't for the split diff. I would probably have a diesel in that truck.

 

[Patches]

...and at one heckuva premium, at that. I'm not a big diesel fan for "joe blow" everyday use...contractors, daily towing and fleet use is where they belong, IMO. I like my gas engines, but I also tend to like large displacement engines...the 415 cu. in. V10 is one of the smallest gas engines I own (460's, 428's, 429 and one 390, all Ford). Even my rollback has a gas 460, although I'll admit, if it weren't for the split diff. I would probably have a diesel in that truck.

Ya, tough to beat "big blocks", but the fuel penalty is significant now, cost wise. I tow a couple trailers, the heaviest weighing 8,000/8,500 lbs loaded, with a 5.7L Tundra with 4:30 gears, 6 speed auto. The truck has no problems towing the trailer, but fuel mileage is around 9 to 9.5 MPG. The saving grace, is empty mileage, which is most of my mileage, better than 18 MPG. A friend has a F350, 6.8 with 4:30,s and an older F350, 460 with 4:56 gears; guess which truck he prefers? the 460

 

[Ford850]

Drove a 2011 F250 with 6.2 gas, auto, 3.31:1 rear...comparing it to my F350 V10, auto, 4.30:1 rear (everyday drivability, not towing)...good ride, plenty of low end torque, good road manners, but the 6 speed auto tended to "hunt" at lower RPM's, found that annoying but will attribute it to the high gearing...may do better with a lower ratio. Not quite as torquey as my V10 so as of right now I'd say it doesn't pass the test. I did notice the missing 45 cu. in. No replacement for displacement. Felt like my friend's Hemi Dodge (which I don't like).

That was a very big gear ratio difference. I wonder how one with a similar ratio would compare to your V10.

 

[Big Bri]

That was a very big gear ratio difference. I wonder how one with a similar ratio would compare to your V10.

The new 6 speed that the 2011 come with are geared lower in the first 4 gears so you can use taller rear gears. the 5 and 6th gear are both over drive gears, this allows for better hwy millage.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

That was a very big gear ratio difference. I wonder how one with a similar ratio would compare to your V10.

I don't think the final drive ratio is the problem as I observed it...more like the individual transmission gearing...seemed it couldn't make up it's mind between 2-3 and 3-4 most times...I did try it on a hilly section of highway as well and the biggest "hunt" seemed to take place between 3-4. I think it's time the manufacturers looked at something like the Gearvendor's type of overdrive system...also, if you are going to build a truck capable of towing the kind of weights we're dealing with, I'm ready for a manual with a split rear for my needs...probably wouldn't be a real popular option but I'd sure take one. But, I was raised on big blocks with manuals and I do miss being able to downshift for engine braking (although I catch myself doing it with the auto). I guess I'm just getting old.

 

[swines]

I'm ready for a manual with a split rear for my needs...probably wouldn't be a real popular option but I'd sure take one. But, I was raised on big blocks with manuals and I do miss being able to downshift for engine braking (although I catch myself doing it with the auto). I guess I'm just getting old.

I'm sure that would be a really big seller - given that the manual transmission made up less than 1% of Superduty sales last year.


If you were aggravated by it "hunting" then you should have driven the truck in the manual mode where you do the shifting. You could also program out one of the gears so it went from 2nd to 4th as an example.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I'm sure that would be a really big seller - given that the manual transmission made up less than 1% of Superduty sales last year.


If you were aggravated by it "hunting" then you should have driven the truck in the manual mode where you do the shifting. You could also program out one of the gears so it went from 2nd to 4th as an example.

I need to manually shift the automatic transmission on a $62K heavy duty truck??? On an open highway under no load? This ain't my first rodeo. Again, this was just a basic road test on a $62,000 vehicle and you honestly are telling me that I shouldn't be able to turn the key and drive away...I need to manually shift this electronically controlled high tech 6 speed transmission? This wasn't towing or some special test session...just regular everyday driving. I love my Fords, but this combo leaves me wanting. And yes, I acknowledged a manual with a split rear wouldn't be a popular combo (read post thoroughly, please) but if I am going to have to manually shift an automatic trans to keep it in the proper torque band for everyday driving, I (maybe not you) would prefer a true manual transmission.

 

[MikePA]

If you were aggravated by it "hunting" then you should have driven the truck in the manual mode where you do the shifting. You could also program out one of the gears so it went from 2nd to 4th as an example.

This reminds of the old saying/joke in the computer software business, "That's not a bug, that's a feature." Talk about turning a vice into a virtue. :laughing:

 

[jayste]

I may have missed it here or something. Help me understand something-Are all manufacturers getting away from manual shift transmissions? Can you special order them?