manual or automatic - which is more dependable?

[Mad Bomber]

Well I think that JohnE said it again. For HEAVY towing only a manual has gone the distance. What else can be said. Thanx Eric

 

[HC]

Originally posted by JohnE

I don't agree with that comment. My brother bought a 85 Ford diesel and they told him only a manual would hold up to his towing AND 4wd usage.

In 95 he went to a gasser with manual. That trany was a POS compared to the 85

My statements were based on what the Ford owner's manual gave as towing ratings for the different set-ups in the mid 1980's. It's a fact that the tables I saw showed lower GCWR's for the Ford truck with a manual than for the Ford autos. Since I was looking at the owner's manual in a friends 3/4 ton gasser, it is fully possible that Ford was building a beefy manual for their diesels; if so I stand corrected on that.



My real point is that you can make either a manual or an auto that won't hold up, and very broad statements like "manuals are always better" can be wrong depending on the make and year model. I think in the Dodge truck line up, we all seem to be in agreement that the manual is the one that has the upper edge for heavy hauling!

 

[RobbyRam]

If, at this late date, anybody notices, stock AT's suck, however,

'DTT' built auto-trannys are better than you could EVER imagine. They will hold up to 1000+HP, but they won't warranty them,... that would be stupid, but their transmission's WILL hold that HP!... trust hundreds of 'DTT' buyer's.

Bob in Sacto.