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

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Plus an automatic behind a turbo diesel is the way to go as well for towing because you don't lose your boost when you shift.

 

[Hahnsb2]

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.

This, it's frightening how many people can't drive a manual properly.

 

[superds]

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

True, but it's going to get harder and harder to do swaps if there aren't donor vehicles anymore to find the components needed to do a swap.

 

[OilPatch197]

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.

and this says SOMETHING about Dodge Ram automatic transmissions!

 

[superds]

I would be willing to give up traditional, clutch pedal operated manual transmissions on new vehicles if they would at least give us the option to have driver operated dual clutch transmission options on all (or most) vehicles.

 

[maemae]

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.

Totally agree. I'm probably one of the few in my age bracket who know how to drive a manual. Sad ain't it .
When I was looking for my ranger, I had the hardest time finding a truck with a stick in it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

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.

I wasn't aware that automatics were made with a ball type shifter knob and a leather boot...

I know what a console mounted automatic shifter looks like, this wasn't one.

 

[JohnnyO]

They haven't made a stick Explorer since at least 2001 when the old body style ended. Sticks were available in 4x4 Sport Tracs up through 2003, after that only on 4x2's and only on fleet orders through 2005.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They haven't made a stick Explorer since at least 2001 when the old body style ended. Sticks were available in 4x4 Sport Tracs up through 2003, after that only on 4x2's and only on fleet orders through 2005.

2002 was the last year, I know I saw one, I swear.

I vividly remember it because my mom had just got hers and aside from the tranny it was about a twin.

This supports it:

Both manual and automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive were available (with 2002 being the last year of being able to order a 4-door and manual transmission).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer#Fourth_generation_.282006-2010.29

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2002-to-2005-ford-explorer.htm

 

[chittybangbang]

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.

Buy a Nissan Xterra.There problem solved.