Manual or Auto?

[WantaDies]

I'm semi new to the diesel world. I'm looking for a diesel and have narrowed my search to the 99-03 Powerstrokes. The average price around here (Klamath Falls, Oregon) is anywhere from 13k to 20k for what I'm looking for. I don't want to spend more that 17k and have found some pretty nice trucks through autotrader.com. Here is my question;

Is it worth finding a truck with a little more miles(150k +), if it is a manual trans?

I plan to eventually run at least 35" tires, and want to upgrade the usuals like chip, exhaust, intake...

From what I've heard and researched the manual trannies cause a lot less headaches, and they can handle 850+ torque with a heavy duty clutch. Where as an automatic gives out way less stock and costs' a lot more to upgrade to handle the power.

Thank you guys for any input. It will be appreciated.

Steve

[CHenry]

The problem is shifting fast enough with a manual. If you plan to race, sled pull or any of that, i would imagine you would be best off with an auto.

[nathan]

I dont know where you got your info but the auto will handle as much or more power then the manual. The cost to repair an auto is also much cheaper then a manual depending on who does it and what parts it needs. When I rebuilt my 4r100 it cost $400.00 for all the clutches and steels with a converter.

[CHenry]

Originally Posted by nathan

When I rebuilt my 4r100 it cost $400.00 for all the clutches and steels with a converter.

WTF????
You can't even buy a converter alone for 400 bucks let alone pay for it to be installed!

[Maintain]

The auto's are weird, there is no rhyme or reason why they go out. Some go out behind stock powered trucks at 55k (like mine) or go 250k?! It really is determined by how you drive, aftermarket stuff and luck.

An aftermarket built auto will cost in excess of 2500 usually more if including a T/C which is usually over a grand itself...

The auto will be a bit faster then a manual simply because the shifts are much quicker. If you plan on racing it, I'd get the auto. For sled pulling you can use a manual just as well as an automagic. For a lift with oversize tires the manual might be better for you on the hwy but generally I like the auto better just because I talk on the cell, drink my mountain dew and don't have to jam gears anymore (like I did in my old truck)...

As for the price, you should be able to find a late 99 or 00 model Crewcab, lariat 4x4, 7.3 with around 100k under 20k. The reason I say late 99 to 00 is because they came with forged rods, which hold up better to power then the PMR's that came in the 01-03 trucks. If a chip is the only poweradder you want then any year from 99-03 will do fine.

[nathan]

A&Reds transmission parts give them a call and see what the cost of the converter is !!

[Maintain]

Clay notice he said he rebuilt it himself!?
Nathan, is that a used T/C?


A brand new T/C is usually over a grand. Even for an OEM product which I believe is now a superior Triple disk unit over the previous single disk is in that price range.

[nathan]

It is a rebuilt unit from my transmission parts supply store. All they do is cut them open replace the clutch and inspect the parts and replace if any need.

[tylerp]

I would definately do the manual. I have the auto and it is nice until it goes out. And it has done that. It did it to me when I drove to cali. I had to pay ford to put in a new one because i had no tools with me and it was like $2700. As long as you do not put insane power infront of the manual all that you should ever have to do is change fluid and clutches. However if you put insane power in front of the auto it will go as well. I can tell you my next truck will be a manual.

[WantaDies]

Thanks for all the information, you guys are great. I am mainly looking for dependability. The manual tranny seems to be less problematic, and less money to upgrade and maintain. The auto seems to be more problematic, and a lot more money to maintain. But I am a rookie and might not be seeing it all since I actually don't own a diesel and never have. I do have a '94 Bronco with a 351W and an E40D tranny that I do not care for (the tranny that is). However, I do have 37's on it so that probably doesn't help with the shifting.

I don't plan on racing this rig. Sled pulls would be cool since they are pretty popular around here but it's probably not a good idea anyway. I am definitly looking for a 4 wheel drive truck, which is another reason that I like these diesels with the bullet proof Dana 60 and 10.50 sterling. The front end is another maintainence problem though on these trucks with the ball joints and rotors giving out.

What does it cost for centerforce clutch?, slave cylinder/master cylinder...? I can prolly find it in the forums but if someone wants to chime in that's great.

Thanks again.