Manual shift 6 liter trucks

[mike100]

Thanks to Mark ("Stripped") for letting me test drive his stick 6 around the block at the J&D meeting... and also I noticed a manual 6 posted a high number on the dyno too.

It's not that bad (fun, actually) to drive, although no weight was pulled. Sure it doesn't grunt like a 20:1 compression IDI with a granny first or even a six speed granny cummins, but I didn't stall it and like the six's power band for regular driving. I'm not saying it's for everybody, and seeing as how I have a 7.3 for low end work, I wouldn't mind having a 6 with any trans behind it.

I guess I'd compare it halfway between a gas V8 and torque diesel for twist upon clutch release. Nothing a couple of pounds on the flywheel or low range wouldn't take care of.

Anybody pulled with one yet?

[Open Wheel Racer]

My '03 6-sp is bone stock and pulls my 24' tag pretty easily. With the trailer, I take it down a gear from overdrive to get over the Grapevine but I only slow to 60-65 for fuel economy reasons! (I'm a cheap sob).

[stripped]

Hey Mike, you're welcome for the test drive. I would agree that it is a very driveable everyday truck. I like the powerband also. Don't know if you could call it "speed shifting" but rowing quickly through all the gears between 2000 and 3400 rpm keeps me up with traffic no problem. Have not towed with it yet but I imagine it'll do just fine. Good luck.

[SOCAL]

I pull my boat with mine which weighs around 9500 lbs. It does alright, but I think it could use a 4.10 or 4.30 gear in the axles.

[Tom]

I pull my boat with mine which weighs around 9500 lbs. It does alright, but I think it could use a 4.10 or 4.30 gear in the axles.

yeah, 35" tires make your rear end an effective 3.42 or so. 4.10's would cure that.
-T

[PAUL ROTHMAN]

I had 99.5 7.3litre 6speed. I had a complete clutch replacemtn at 42,000 miles due to the slave cyclinder going bad taking the clutch fork out. Then at 69,000 another slave cyclinder went out. After the second slave cyclinder went I got an auto hopefully by now they have solved that problem.