Why Automatics, Not Standards?

[BarryBob]

Looking at a 1998 Explorer with a V6 5-spd. Obviously the guy is having trouble selling it because he has gone to $3,950 OBO for a rig with only 107K. An automatic would go for $5,500 easily.<br /><br />Thoughts?<br /><br />Barrybob

 

[JB]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Moving to Non-Boating tech.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

just the way it goes.<br /><br />Whats kbb for the manual version though?.. in line with his offer price?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

More people want an automatic. Also automatics can tow alot more.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

If you ever drive in big city traffic, you will want an auto. You can tell the standard drivers by the size of their left calf muscle.<br /><br />Plus an auto is easier to pull the boat out of the water.<br /><br />Ken

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

My Ranger 4X4 is a 4 liter 5sp. (basically same drive trane youre looking at. I like it up in the hills, and I believe it gets better mileage than if it had an auto, But I hate it in traffic, guess what My next truck is going to have in it, and it will be a full size.

 

[11 footer]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I didn't know they made manual Explorers.<br /><br />Auto trannys are just better most of the time, the only way I'd get buy a standard would be if it was a sports car.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Like a Corvette with an automatic. Yuk, Like "What part of SPORTS CAR dont you understand".

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I used to only drive standards, but since the onset of Laziness, I now prefer automatics. As far as the Explorer, is it the 2 door Sport, or a 4 door? Plus, Explorers are Soccer Mom mobiles, and they much prefer automatics to sticks...

 

[BarryBob]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I'm referring to towing ratings. Why are autos rated for more than standards? What makes them preferable for towing, other than trying to slip the clutch on a ramp?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[magster65]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Good points but really it's quite simple. Why shift manually when you don't have to. It's the same reason there's remote tv's, cell phones, atm's... etc. Creature comforts are the way of the millenium and are here to stay.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

That 5 speed is refered as a Mazda type. As in, made by Mazda.<br />This particular transmission is the weakest link on the whole vehicle.<br /><br />They are very prone to leak oil from the rubber shift fork rod access bores. This is rectified by replacing them with steel Dorman plugs.<br /><br />The mainshaft and pocket bearings are also prone to starve for lubrication. It has a fluid collector that gravity feeds to a nylon dipper that directs fluid throught small holes in the mainshaft to the pocket bearings. <br />Strange, lowtech, haphazzard setup. <br /><br />Rebuilt units are expensive, hard to come by and are problematic.<br />My daughters '98 V6 Ranger 4x4 blew a pocket bearing/input shaft a year ago. <br />I ordered the parts through the local Ford dealer where they've sent me about ten of these to rebuild over the past year.<br /><br />Nice gravy cash jobs.<br />They drop off the steam cleaned removed unit at my garage here at home. A day later I'll have a parts list faxed to them. They'll drop off the parts and pick up the unit when It's done.<br />Flatrate pays 15hrs,takes me about 7.

 

[Link]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Well maybe I'm a bit older than most here. But as a kid my father always bought manuals because he could work on and even rebuild them. This was before the trans axle. <br />Except for sports or vintage cars WHY!<br />When permanent press came out I threw away my iron and never looked back.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I'm a bit confused on an automatic is better for towing? Then why is the big rigs mostly all standards? Lots of farm equipment are standards. I do know one thing for a fact and that is a good standard will not over heat on the hills and boil out your tranny fluid.<br /><br />I think the manufactures will push the common public to buy automatics for towing. This is probably due to most people don't know how to co-ordinate their leg and arm at the same time. They also don't have to explain to the consumer that a clutch is a expendable part like brakes.<br /><br />One other thing is that the bigger horsepower/torque engines in trucks seems to be devistating to automatics. Especially when the engine has been modified. Dodge and Ford is especially bad for the tranny being the weak link.<br /><br />Yep, I agree the automatics are easier in the city. It sure is hard to eat, talk on the phone, put your makeup on, brush your hair, read the newspaper, and then be able to shift gears while doing those things. If your driving a standard.<br /><br />Either or, I can drive both, but I prefer the standard for heavy pulling. JMO

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

The car manufactures make more profit on a automatic trans than a manual.<br />That's one reason why they push them, some trucks cabn not be purchased with manuals anymore, I know, I've been looking at the new trucks lately.

 

[magster65]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I agree with ya' Mayfloat. The standard will outperform the automatic with lower temperatures and less power loss. I just meant that people these days give in to creature comforts. I like your statements about some folks getting ready for work in the car... how true

 

[gsbodine]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

tell it like it is, Mayfloat. I think you're right!

 

[jinx]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

I do not automatics, and it is increasingly hard to avoid them--witness the Durango that I have.<br /><br />I enjoy driving and do not mind shifting.<br /><br />I have a section of road coming in to my place that is a steep grade with a 90 degree turn at the bottom and a drop off. It gets no sun in the winter. I'll take a manual any day of the week for control of the vehicle with marginal conditions.<br /><br />Jinx

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Any automatic that will not allow you to start in second when on ice or to select second or third manually (If 4 spd) for engine braking on downhills is a guaranteed loser. Not that you'd ever tow with it anyway, but Ford never did have a decent tranny in the Taurus. All the various automatics I ever saw were trash IMO. Had they used a decent tranny the Taurus might have been a pretty good car.<br /><br />Seems like the auto makers have had a flair for grabbing some off the shelf transmission and stuffing it into a vehicle not well suited for it. It is not that manual trannies are inferior, it is that engineers put the wrong one in sometimes. They do that with auto trannies, too occasionally. My first Ranger had a french made 4 speed auto. What a POJ. My five speed manual in the second one is starting to howl a bit, but it has 250K miles and has been towing my 16' boat. No complaints there. Not sure why the makers are rating the auto trans higher towing capacity but it doesn't have to be that way. One thought might be that they might favor automatics since programming in automatics can limit the RPMs which might help the maker keep their mileage and exhaust emissions controlled a little better? They do have a lot of pressure from the feds and a few states to keep this down as they sell all their gas guzzling SUV's.<br /><br />How many of you have ever put a mild aftermarket shift kit into your tow rig's auto? Some of these kits really help the tranny stay together by improving how they shift. A tranny whose clutch packs apply too slowly make for a nice smooth shift, but at the expense of extra slippage which means extra wear and heat. Like a manual shift lower unit, gentle shifting over a period of time can cause more damage than firmer shifting. I've personally installed a couple with excellent results. My boss at the tranny shop long ago swore by these shift kits, as do most other shop owners I've talked to. Synthetic fluid and having a good transmission cooler are also must haves on my list for serious towing with an automatic.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Why Automatics, Not Standards?

Automatic trannies are used in all the big military rigs, even that huge rig (called a HETT-T) that hauls M1 Abrams tanks are automatics (nothing is more abusive on equipment than offroad, heavy loads, and a driver that doesn't have to pay for the damage if he drives it hard). The military adopted all automatics because reaction time under fire is critical, who wants to stall a rig when bullets are flying. Automatics could be put into civilian big rigs reliably, but they are very expensive, and it would not be cost effective.<br /><br />An automatic is superior in towing because the torque converter acts to eliminate the jerking that can occur with a manual due to driver inexperience or lack of skill, resulting on less wear and tear. Yes, a manual is simpler, but modern automatics are proven to be equally reliable, and the economy gap is much narrower than it used to be. I'll take a stick in a sports car any day, but anything else is slushbox city....