I am looking to buy a 1994 to 1997 Ford F250 diesel. I would rather get a F350 except they did not make a extra cab F350 those years. I had owned a 97 F250 in the past though it had 3.55 gears and that seemed a little tall for towing. My was an automatic transmission and it worked great. It seems that when I owned it, I never really heard much about the E4OD failing. Now I am a little worried about buying one and then needing to fix the automatic transmission.
If I can find one with a clutch that would be alright with me except I had heard the towing capacity is less with a manual transmission is this true? I do know that I one with 4.10 gears this time around.

 

I found the information I needed in here.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...rs%20Guide.pdf

Thanks

 

I tried to copy the one page to post here though the margins did not come out right.
And yes the towing capacity is less with the manual.

Here is the the direct link in case you don't have the owners manual.
Ford F-Series Fifth-Wheel Trailer Towing Selector

One could be very disappointed in the towing capacity if you have a 5 speed with 3.55 gears 4x4 extra cab.
8300 total towing capacity and 9300 with automatic.

 

I heard countless times that the reason for the lower towing capacity on a manual is that too few people know how to properly use one. They lower the rating to keep people from breaking things. I dont know for sure if that is true, but I have never had an auto that could hold a candle to the towing I do with a 5spd. The last C6 I had couldn't pull a 13' camper uphill faster than 35mph, when I swapped a ZF in there I was pulling the same camper up the same hill at 55mph. I save the auto equipped rigs for my wife.

That being said, my current ZF5spd moves 20k without complaing. Since a 94-97 PSD is only rated at 10hp more than my IDI, you should have no problems with that and you could probably do a bit more if you squeeze more power from it.

 

I did notice that for the 1999 and newer Ford diesels the towing is the same with either transmission.
So I am not sure if Ford really lowered the rating because they thought people did not know how to use the manual transmission.

 

Let me put it to you this way, do you see full automatics in heavy trucks? No, automated yes but still same principle as manual. Better off with a manual, I'd also go with 3:55s with a diesel over 4:10. You'll run out of top end quick.

 

I may be wrong here, but didnt that year range of standard tranny powerstroke have the 2 piece flywheel that was so prone to failure? I bounced around the country from 99-02 installing Church steeples in a 99 250 2wd ext cab 7.3 powerstroke, standard tranny. that was the truck that sold me on Fords forever. we put that thing thru Hell and were towing daily what the manufacturer said we needed an F450 for. all t ever needed in 350k was 1 clutch (after 30k with the company owner driving, 200K+ on the replacement stock one...but he didnt drive it anymore. and one pinion gear at 280K) I guess my point is that manufacturers rate towing capacity based on what the axle manufacturer is willing to rate their axles at, not what the truck can handle.
as long as you are one of the 50% of manual tranny drivers that really do know how to drive one, i wouldnt be scared of that truck for a second. i would verify that it has an upgraded 1 piece Flywheel if i have the vintage right, but other than that. have at it. i thought the first gen Powerstrokes looked better anyway.

 

You are correct on the flywheel, dual mass flywheel is what it's called. They started using those dam things on the IDI's in 87 and through to the 1st gen PSD's at least. The DMF is going out in my truck which sucks since the clutch is still strong. I'll be converting to a single mass when my truck comes apart.