automatic or manual?

[chevytruckclassics]

i was just wondering what you guys prefered and what kind of transmission you have in your trucks? i prefer manual cause i love driving them my truck has a 4 speed transmission.

[jocko]

depends on the planned use of the truck. As much as i love my T5 in my 66, you never forget you have a manual trans when you're on an uphill slope at a stop light and the rocket scientist behind you (with an automatic trans) stops about 2 inches from your rear bumper.

I love to row my own, but my daily driver would be, and is, an automatic.

[hayhauler71]

auto with a custom built stall converter always fun

[Billett]

Right now, manual all the way. After I come back from 6 months in the city, things may change. I think the one thing that really bothers me most is that with an auto you stomp on the gas and nothing happens for a half second while it down shifts. With my sm465 it just hurls itself forward without a second thought. Makes me grin every time. More than three usable speeds would be nice, but that's a matter of trans, not auto vs manual.

[AirSpeed]

I had an automatic in my 69 but it unfortunately died, instead of rebuilding it I put in a four speed I had laying around. I hate it! Granny first is useless for a cruiser. I had a Muncie that would have taken a bit more work to install but I wish I had! Gave the Muncie away like an idiot! I prefer an automatic and will eventually put one back in. I just rebuilt the TH350 in my 72, I had them put a shift kit in it and man what a difference, it shifts solid and I love it!
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[original-71]

automatic! i never have to put my drink down

[50bomb]

Automatic for me. I always had a th350 or powerglide. DOnt know anything else. Not to say these are the best transmission but it also seemed that I end up with either one of them. I dont care about taking off fast. It is better than walking! Plus like cruising NOT speeding.

[Tom Vogel]

tko 600.

[vectorit]

I am all about manual transmissions in trucks, especially 4x4's but if the truck was a lowered cruiser I'd probably be inclined to go with a nice 4 speed auto trans.

[54belair]

Mines going to be an occasional cruiser and then later on it will be a learning tool for the grandson-----right now its a 700r, when it goes back together it will be a muncie 4 speed out of a 67 chevelle.

[BIGBLU 72]

I dont trust an auto! engine gets hot its fried, wheeling a hefty stick pokes a hole in the pan your stuck, effin explode for no reason! I have a th400 in my 68 which will soon be replaced by 700r4 but thats only bc i cant stand the way a stick shift and bench seat look and function. evey truck other than that one will be stick....even my 04 SS if i keep it that long

[oklalawnboy]

Driving a 3 speed on the column right now. Thought it was cool to leave it original but after 6 months.... I'm ready for an a u t-o-matic

[chopnchaneled]

700R4 for me, cruises nice on the interstate and has a low 1st that pulls my boat
out of the water and up the ramp great.

[WorkinLonghorn]

I like my NP 435 manual. Has a 1st you can often use (4.56) and a third that is 1.31 so if you start to lose speed up a hill with a big load you can make the small drop down to 3d and maintain. Built to last too.

My Orthopedic Surgeon says to lose it though.-WLH

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by oklalawnboy

Driving a 3 speed on the column right now. Thought it was cool to leave it original but after 6 months.... I'm ready for an a u t-o-matic

Originally Posted by chopnchaneled

700R4 for me, cruises nice on the interstate and has a low 1st that pulls my boat
out of the water and up the ramp great.

My 4x4 was a 3-speed manual on the tree the first 10 or so years I owned it. I do LOTS of fishing and tow my boat with it. Let me tell you there is no larger PITA than pulling or attempting to pull a boat out of the lake than with a manual let alone a column shift jam-o-matic transmission.

I started putting parts together the time my engine side z-bar ball stud snapped on the bridge over the Mississippi down by Red Wing, MN. 100 miles from home with my boat on the back.

The last 10 or so years I've had a th350 in the same truck. My fuel mileage went down some but for what I use my truck for, the auto is the way to to.

I do miss the ability to leave the hubs locked and then just have to jam the clutch to shift the transfer case. With the auto you need to come to a full stop, put the truck in park, let everything spind down, then shift the transfer case.

And I still kick myself for not spending the extra money back then to do a 700r4 instead of the th350.

[vern650]

i prefer the manual, i enjoy flippin my stick around, an auto takes all the "driving" out of the equation. just wish i coulda found a manual dmax when i bought mine, but they're harder to find than an original unmolested 67-72 short bed.

[lolo33]

interesting post.

In France, 95% of cars are equipped with manual transmission
In USA same but for automatic transmission.
I've got
a '07 Mustang GT convertible ==> automatic
a '70 C10 350Ci ==> automatic
my brother has a '56 Bel AIr ==> automatic
in our opinion an american car is equipped with a V8 and automatic transmission

but it's a french opinion

[MidLifer]

When I first set out to buy a 67-72, I was looking for auto. Ended up with a 4-speed SM465 and never looked back. Will some day regear the rear (14-bolt, will put in 3.42) for gas mileage, but the syick is nice. Plus that means my wife cant borrow it.....
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[1955 mancave]

well in my 57 car i have a 4 spd, but in my truck it will be a automatic. hot rods need 3 pedals, but after getting caught in traffic you will want that auto.

[jborders]

T5 manual for me. I like it but i don't drive it everyday.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

tko 600.

Ditto. The only way to go. Got one going in my truck right now!

[72 K20]

I switched 1 truck from 4 speed to TH350, like it a lot better. The latest C20 is getting built for road trips, it has the 3:54 (?) dana rear and will have a 700R4 with a mild small block built for mileage. My K20 is a 4 speed and I wish it had an automatic.. Can you put a 700R4 in front of a 205 TC ?

Have a great evening everybody !!
Tom

[JointTech]

auto in my truck. I dont want to pay attention to shifting when towing or hauling or trying to keep from sliding off the bench seat. Theres enough noises and shakes and sounds I need to pay attention to

Stick in my daily driver. Its a gutless scion that would barely move if it was auto and I drive like a maniac generally.
I can drink my coffee and roll a cig while shifting and driving so thats not really an issue.

[Frijolito1988]

I personally wouldn't mind either, but since this truck is just gong to be a nice cruiser with decent power it will stay auto.I dont intend to take it to the strip or race around in it. If i had a camaro or a chevelle in the other hand...nothing but a stick and buckets

[noco-k5]

I have a 6 speed manual in my 2012 Mustang. It's a blast to drive but sucks as a dd. My Blazer has an automatic which I Wasn't sure I would like but it's great for cruising around town which is my intended use.
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