So there is NO Explorer with a stick shift?... WTH?

[fixizin]

In either 2010 or 2011 models... How LAME is that? Out of one side of their collective mouths we have much talk of "going Green" by Big Auto, yet... the trend is clearly to eliminate the fuel-saving manual transmission... hypocrites.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

In either 2010 or 2011 models... How LAME is that? Out of one side of their collective mouths we have much talk of "going Green" by Big Auto, yet... the trend is clearly to eliminate the fuel-saving manual transmission... hypocrites.

Lately automatics have had higher milage ratings than manuals... they know exactly what they engine is doing and can optimize shift points.

With the variable cam timing and intakes, it is hard for the driver to know what the engine is doing and vice versa.

Automatics have been thin and far between since the '02 remodel, someone posted one that was on ebay once and that has been the only one I have seen in that style. Heck before that they were only remotely common in the Sport, and Sports themselves are not all that common.

 

[Mac]

I think it's really been awhile that people bought the manual over the auto for the gas mileage. Most buy the manual for the fun of it. So many don't know how to properly get the mileage from them anyway. The EPA rating are kind of miss leading, being they are such a controled test and not based on the real world. Think we will be seeing a lot more of the smaller motors running the CVT type transmissions. Think the manuals all gone from the F-150 or not?
Dave

 

[hoosier1104]

In either 2010 or 2011 models... How LAME is that? Out of one side of their collective mouths we have much talk of "going Green" by Big Auto, yet... the trend is clearly to eliminate the fuel-saving manual transmission... hypocrites.

Sorry I got side tracked by your avatar. What did you post again?

 

[exbass94]

Dude, where have you been? The Explorer hasn't been offered with a manual trans since 2001. Is this a recent discovery, or have you been bitching about this for the past 9 years?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Dude, where have you been? The Explorer hasn't been offered with a manual trans since 2001. Is this a recent discovery, or have you been bitching about this for the past 9 years?

I have seen a picture of a newerish one with the stick where the big cubby hole is in the center console.

 

[4x4junkie]

Lately automatics have had higher milage ratings than manuals... they know exactly what they engine is doing and can optimize shift points.

With the variable cam timing and intakes, it is hard for the driver to know what the engine is doing and vice versa.

This sure ain't the case as late as '07

My dad bought a Honda Civic with an auto a few years back. The car gets about 2 MPG less than the old Accord 5-speed he had (yes, a bigger car even).

 

[adsm08]

I have seen a picture of a newerish one with the stick where the big cubby hole is in the center console.

A shifter on the floor doesn't make it a stick. Just like a shifter on the column doesn't make it an auto.

Exbass is right, its been the better part of a decade since the Explorer came with a stick. A lot of them sold in that time, particularly the Eddie Bauer, had floor shift autos.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Back in the day, The old cars had a shift light set at certain rpms based on Throttle position. Its not economical for manuals anymore like said above. The 5spd auto accord is better mileage and actually faster than the 6 spd manual. Based on the model year 02 SE version.

Who needs manual from the factory anyways, Just do a swap.

And because of towing needs the f150 will always have a package with manual just like the f350.

 

[OilPatch197]

A shifter on the floor doesn't make it a stick. Just like a shifter on the column doesn't make it an auto.

Exbass is right, its been the better part of a decade since the Explorer came with a stick. A lot of them sold in that time, particularly the Eddie Bauer, had floor shift autos.

HAHAHAHAHA!

Lately automatics have had higher milage ratings than manuals... they know exactly what they engine is doing and can optimize shift points. With the variable cam timing and intakes, it is hard for the driver to know what the engine is doing and vice versa

In many cars you can run the transmission in a manual mode or a automatic mode, and yeah the computers integration in the new automatics has given the auto the edge. If you ever have to replace those computer circuits in the transmission, $$$

Auto is where it's at, heck even the manual transmissions use ATF.

 

[BigJohn76]

Back in the day, The old cars had a shift light set at certain rpms based on Throttle position. Its not economical for manuals anymore like said above. The 5spd auto accord is better mileage and actually faster than the 6 spd manual. Based on the model year 02 SE version.

Who needs manual from the factory anyways, Just do a swap.

And because of towing needs the f150 will always have a package with manual just like the f350.

actually i believe the manual is gone from all half ton pickups, no matter what brand.

there are fewer manuals offered anymore because it isnt cost effective for the car companies to put them in. they sell more autos even if they offer a manual trans. it is all about consumer demand and the greatest demand does not want a manual. i think it is complete bs and everyone should learn to drive a stick before they get their license, but that will never happen.

 

[Hahnsb2]

And because of towing needs the f150 will always have a package with manual just like the f350.

Pretty sure all manuals have been axed from the F series as of 09 or so...

Pretty sure Rams are the only full size trucks available with a manual tranny anymore.

 

[Mac]

And because of towing needs the f150 will always have a package with manual.

Not sure about that one. Thought any auto had a higher towing rating than any manual with the same drive/power train.
Dave

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Not sure about that one. Thought any auto had a higher towing rating than any manual with the same drive/power train.
Dave

Yes it does.

 

[adsm08]

it isnt cost effective for the car companies to put them in. they sell more autos even if they offer a manual trans.

Very true. Manuals also have a lower profit margin because most people aren't willing to pay as much for them, but because most parts of a manual have to be machined, which is fairly expensive compared to the casting process used to make most of the parts of an auto manuals are more expensive to make.

Pretty sure all manuals have been axed from the F series as of 09 or so...

Up until at least 08 you could get a manual with a 6 cylinder. I think I may have seen a few 4.2 and 4.6L sticks in 09, and I know you can still get manual t-case because I just PDI'ed a brand new F-150 with that 3 weeks ago.

Not sure about that one. Thought any auto had a higher towing rating than any manual with the same drive/power train.
Dave

Again, true. The story I was given (Ford's "official" story) is that they rate the auto trans for pulling more because the gears are always in mesh, with more contact surface, allegedly making them less likely to fail at any one point. I still think it's because they don't trust most people to be able to tow and not fry the clutch and don't want to pay out a ton of warranty clutch claims though.