City kids do not leave keys in vehicles. . . It’s different out here...

[Smokeydog]

My 44 Dodge WC63 didn’t have a key like a lot of early military trucks, just a switch. Starter pedal to push the starter motor gear into the flywheel and make electrical contact. Work shop manual not only described how to repair but also how to destroy if over run by the enemy.

Like many never had means to lock the house growing up until the 70’s. Teachers knew your parents and siblings.

 

[MossRoad]

We never locked our house until 1969, nor did anyone else on our secluded block. Then, a divorced woman who lived with her 3 sons was attacked inside of her house when she was home alone, and two houses were burglarized, all in the same summer. I remember most of the people on the block then started locking their houses, and many, including us, got a dog. I remember my parents giving me a house key and I'd wear it on a chain around my neck with my St. Christopher medal. We kept the doors unlocked if more than 1 of us were home, however, if we were home alone, we were to keep the house locked. However, especially in summer, we'd just lock the screen doors, which, of course is about zero deterrent to a bad guy.

Anyhow, I remember twice someone trying to get into the house when we were home. Once during a power outage. My dad snuck out of the house and came up behind the guy. We all watched it, as the house had floor to ceiling glass 1/2 of the way around it. It was darker inside than outside, so he couldn't see in but we could see out. He was walking around the house trying all the doors. At the last second he saw my dad across a corner of the living room. My dad was huge! 6' 3" 230# WWII combat engineering vet with a .45 1911 coming at you in the rain! YIKES! He ran! My dad chased him about 2 blocks before he finally got away. He came back in holding that gun, soaking wet, and said "He got away gosh dang it." Then he called the cops. I asked him why he didn't shoot the guy? He said because he didn't have to. I was about 6-7 years old, as I recall. We got the dog shortly after.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I had a 1949 Ford Sedan. The ignition key was optional. It had little wings and you could leave it in the unlocked position and never use the key.

 

[MossRoad]

Soon after all of our neighbors started locking their doors, all the kids on the block learned where each others' hidden keys were. Under the mat. Above the door trim. Under the flower pot. In the garage on a hook. And a lot of people didn't take into account that they still kept their cars unlocked with the garage door opener on the sun visor.

When I was a kid, I did a lot of house sitting for our neighbors when they'd go out of town. Take care of the pets. Water the plants. Harvest the garden. Mail and newspaper, that kind of thing. They'd leave me a key somewhere in agreement. Rarely had to hand me a key. But the houses were all locked. And a light left on! The fancy people would use a timer.

 

[Farmer495]

Still don't know why we couldn't have this. 2020 Manual trans F350.

https://cedarsmotors.com/archives/car/2020-ford-f350-sd-xl-4x2-regular-cab-145-wb-drw-6-2l-petrol

 

[jyoutz]

Still don't know why we couldn't have this. 2020 Manual trans F350.

https://cedarsmotors.com/archives/car/2020-ford-f350-sd-xl-4x2-regular-cab-145-wb-drw-6-2l-petrol

Manual transmissions are being phased out due to fuel economy. Manufacturers are obtaining better fuel efficiency with 6-8-10 speed transmissions, and few people would want a manual transmission with that many speeds.

 

[Farmer495]

Manual transmissions are being phased out due to fuel economy. Manufacturers are obtaining better fuel efficiency with 6-8-10 speed transmissions, and few people would want a manual transmission with that many speeds.

The big one is most new automatics have two or more overdrives, helps the vehicle do better at highway speeds as it gives more options at speed. The last 5 & 6 speed manual HD pickup transmissions had a 1000 RPM drop between direct & overdrive at 65-70 MPH. Newer automatics split the difference. Not really much different that a 13 speed road ranger, 9 speed with splitter in the top 4 gears where things space out at highway speed. Gives 1/2 gear split.

Big point on the 2020 was Ford did not offer a manual truck 2011 and after in North America even though they were still making them for other markets with the new body style. I'd be the 1 in 10,000 customer that would want a manual truck with V-8 gas, no diesel emissions junk!

 

[Hay Dude]

Loved my 13 speed Road Ranger. Great transmission. Also a theft deterrent to some extent.

 

[KilroyJC]

Manual transmissions are being phased out due to fuel economy. Manufacturers are obtaining better fuel efficiency with 6-8-10 speed transmissions, and few people would want a manual transmission with that many speeds.

And CV transmissions that keep the engine operating in the most efficient power band.

Just don’t tow with them. . .

 

[ultrarunner]

And CV transmissions that keep the engine operating in the most efficient power band.

Just don’t tow with them. . .

Or try to plow snow!

6,600 miles and the trans shot at Lake Tahoe on a new Subaru that had fitted a garden tractor blade...

Doc learned his lesson on that... the CV was not robust like the previous Suzuki Samurai with the same blade fitted...