pulled 24,000lbs of rv out of sand with my auto 5spd and a jeep with an auto. 12,000 a piece isn't bad, well i guess the rv was helping so maybe 8,000 is more like it

 

Try doing that over and over and over and then boom.

 

oh right forgot to mention i did lose my front drive line about a week later, got a used one for 65 bucks

 

TUGGING a vehicle out is WAY different than towing something for long distances....or even short for that matter.

 

also very true. but sudden shock isn't good on anything at that point. the most towing then my ranger does is a 2 place open sled trailer, and the occasional what ever i feel like pulling around

 

i was gonna sh*t myself if your ranger towed 45k lbs haha.

 

I have the same 4.0 V6.... The only thing I've ever towed with this... It didn't break a sweat though but it was just re-arranging our lot. Good to know you like the power though! Eventually I'll get a T@B trailer and something small for my quad....

 

^^haha...i like the security cam shot. that's hot!

 

Im on on this one. Manual owns for towing. So much more control. Just look at the big rigs... manual tranny's.

And before my 32" tires, my 4.0 SOHC 5 speed laid a beating on everything i raced, yes it does haul ***.

 

Yes manuals are better for towing but a Ranger manual is ****.

 

When I test drove a Ranger back in January, I was very impressed with the truck overall. But the price tag was not that great, which is why I still have mine.

$500 a month in payments JUST FOR THE TRUCK (Insurance would have been $250, because I did have an accident on my record) was a little much.

 

my deal was a small drip out the rear of the tranny and I didn't top off the fluid. It eventually had to give. I towed a lot with the manual, including another mini truck to the dragstrip. It did the job. When it did go, I figured I'd do the auto cause of the tow ratings. I wish I hadn't. I never got that auto tranny to shift right.

 

lets face the facts, all transmissions if used hard are going to need work.

i like my auto, but ive put a good fair amount of money in it to get it just the way i want it.

 

I have had problems with my tranny I guess that's why I'm bitter.

 

We need an Allison transmission stock. lol

I've never had a problem with an Allison.

 

a trans that's as big as the passenger compartment....sweeeet.

 

I know, can't snap something that big lol. It's the only reason I'd ever buy a Chevy truck.

 

18" rear shaft FTW!

 

Weird how this became a transmission thread.
I pulled over 3500lbs with the manual on my 98 ranger also, and it was "okay" when it got moving.
The tow rating is low because they have weak internals, a small clutch, and a tall first gear. Getting the truck/trailer combo moving from a dead stop up hill sucked big time.
The auto in my sport trac has been great so far, ever since I got the Xcal 2 and firmed up the shifts and such. Pulled a loaded up 6x14 enclosed trailer from Oregon to Kentucky. Shifted great all the way through, and with a bigger cooler it peaked once or twice at 200 degrees, and that was at the top of some mountains in Utah/Wyoming. Had I done that with the ranger I'd be replacing the clutch and tranny by now for sure.

 

Hmmm what if you throw a cooler on the manual transmission, swap the clutch for a centerforce DF.. then would you raise the overall strength alittle more???

 

heat is not a critical enemy of manual transmissions. futhermore, i don't think it would be possible, or atleast realistic to install a cooler on a manual. a manual transmission does not have a fluid pump as an automatic does.

there generally speaking are not many upgrades for manual transmissions. they are usually just strong, or just not. they can be upgraded, but not in the same way automatics are upgraded.

if you have a weak auto, it can usually be built to strong specs. if you have a weak manual, and you want a strong one, swap to a different model.

there are always exceptions though...

 

Seeing as though the manual trans doesn't have an oil pump, i don't think there's a way to put a cooler on it. PLUS...with it being ATF....atf likes being warm.

I love my spec stage 2. It slips when it needs to(wheeling/towing), something i've heard the Centerforce has issues doing(too grabby).





Back on topic...I rode in a '08 4.0L 4x4 w/5spd manual....was very impressed. I forgot what being pushed back in the seat really felt like(thanks 28" tires!). lol.