• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Off Road Preference? Stick or Automatic?


sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,388
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Each has it's benefits and negatives. Check out this video, it might help you make your decision:

 


85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
farmer up the road from me took care of soil fertility this way last week. That's a heck of a load of liquid BS.

manual valve body in an automatic
Probably what that that has, aka a "Powershift"

That said my tractors have gear drive manual transmissions, my newest one is kinda funky about getting into third gear but it is 66 years old and has never been opened up so I cut it some slack.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
whats a power shift?
Basically a manual automatic.

Like if that one is a powershift it has 12 gears, you just bump the lever ahead to the next gear and the trans takes care of how to make that shift happen. Kind of like shifting gears on a bike (pedal bike)

Different generation (1960's vs 1990's) but same theory of operation. Trans shifter is to the right, keep bumping it ahead to go faster. Not built exactly the same as an automotive trans but the theory is the same:

 

JOLENE_THE_RANGER

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
469
Reaction score
202
Points
43
Location
long beach, ca
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
yeah kinda like that. haha. i switched from a stock 5 speed manual to a manual valve body C4 and its still my favorite thing ive ever done to my truck. makes it so much more fun to drive and is great for the dunes since im 2wd and keeping rpm is key there
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
yeah kinda like that. haha. i switched from a stock 5 speed manual to a manual valve body C4 and its still my favorite thing ive ever done to my truck. makes it so much more fun to drive and is great for the dunes since im 2wd and keeping rpm is key there
I went the other way because I wanted overdrive lol.
 

JOLENE_THE_RANGER

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
469
Reaction score
202
Points
43
Location
long beach, ca
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
yeahhhhhh i miss that sometimes. but the pros for this trans offroad out weighs the 5 speed by a long shot in my opinion.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Another thing too, there are different kinds of off-roading.

Not many dunes around here.
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Auto would be my preference.

I have a 4 speed manual in my crawler rig and I like it for the most part. It's geared low enough that I don't have to shift and rarely have to three foot the thing. However it's real nice with an auto where you can feather the throttle while holding the brakes... just a lot more finesse.

I'd probably never use a manual in a race environment, mud, Baja style or otherwise. The truck I've been racing has a C6 and my race Explorer has an automatic too.

FWIW I will probably never go back to a tow rig with a manual either.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Auto would be my preference.

I have a 4 speed manual in my crawler rig and I like it for the most part. It's geared low enough that I don't have to shift and rarely have to three foot the thing. However it's real nice with an auto where you can feather the throttle while holding the brakes... just a lot more finesse.
If it wasn't such a bugger to find I would have probably gone AOD for the reasons you state.

Most AOD based 4wd's (AODE/4R70W) need computer to tell them what to do so then you have to mix and match crap to end up with a non computer 4wd AOD. Real stupid AOD's were not in trucks for very long.

I will say the M5ODR2 is a very fun trans to take apart and put back together too. I really enjoyed that winter project. I do wish it had a lower first and/or my 205 had a lower low. Just putzing around the barnyard 1st low is about where I would like 1st hi to be. :cautious:
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Yeah... I have never seen a 4x4 AOD in the wild. Lots of 2wd truck ones in the mid 80's. As light duty as those are, I sold a bunch of them to hot rodder guys who wanted an overdrive trans in their old car. Seems like just about everyone who bought a 4x4 full size truck in the 80's wanted either a manual trans or a C6. Can't say I blame them!
 

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
1,039
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
Just putzing around the barnyard 1st low is about where I would like 1st hi to be. :cautious:
Sounds like your looking for a granny gear, like 250/350's, 2500/3500's have. I had that in my 73 Dodge 1 ton w/318 ci. and loved it for creeping around the yard. My friends F250 diesel has it and it idles "up" his driveway, keep in mind I live in the mountains so up really means up, without throttle which is pretty cool in itself, IMO. Maybe a doubler would work for getting the low creep gear you want and not loose the street ability
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,206
Reaction score
17,520
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Sounds like your looking for a granny gear, like 250/350's, 2500/3500's have. I had that in my 73 Dodge 1 ton w/318 ci. and loved it for creeping around the yard. My friends F250 diesel has it and it idles "up" his driveway without throttle which is pretty cool in itself, IMO. Maybe a doubler would work for getting the low creep gear you want and not loose the street ability
I have thought about a doubler but that is a pretty expensive road to go down.
 
Last edited:

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top