What year would you look for?
Hello all, we are beginning our search for a used Class C and have 3 questions. 1). In what year did Ford switch from the 4 speed automatic to the 5 speed Torqshift transmission? 2). What year...
Forum Discussion
As I understand it, 2005 cutaway van chassis year is when the computer controlled 5 speed (6 speeds internally) TorqShift transmission began to be offered. What you get with this tranny is more than just one (or two) more gears. I'd recommend getting a 2005 or later chassis under a Class C if going with the Ford V10 hardware.
By the way, the V10 on our Class C has been superb. I haven't noticed any pulling power loss in our mountain touring up to the highest we have traveled - 9600 feet. As a couple of bonuses .... it's cooling system far surpasses that on any truck I've owned, and it idles quieter than any generator so we idle it sometimes for really stealthy first-hour RV charging using it's 130 amp alternator to supply up to 50 amps into the coach's AGM batteries. However, we do have the E450 chassis with the more aggressive rear differential ratio and we are not afraid to use it's high RPM band to tap it's horsepower .... since it's designed for it anyway.
Also, if getting a Ford chassis based Class C over 24 feet, make sure it's the E450 chassis instead of the E350 chasis .... so as to get the better differential gearing, increased brake size, and wider rear track width for more laterally stability on curves and in cross winds.
By the way, the V10 on our Class C has been superb. I haven't noticed any pulling power loss in our mountain touring up to the highest we have traveled - 9600 feet. As a couple of bonuses .... it's cooling system far surpasses that on any truck I've owned, and it idles quieter than any generator so we idle it sometimes for really stealthy first-hour RV charging using it's 130 amp alternator to supply up to 50 amps into the coach's AGM batteries. However, we do have the E450 chassis with the more aggressive rear differential ratio and we are not afraid to use it's high RPM band to tap it's horsepower .... since it's designed for it anyway.
Also, if getting a Ford chassis based Class C over 24 feet, make sure it's the E450 chassis instead of the E350 chasis .... so as to get the better differential gearing, increased brake size, and wider rear track width for more laterally stability on curves and in cross winds.
