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
I would not worry so much about 4-speed vs 5-speed for highway performance, as once you are over 30 mph the gearing is the same. 1st in the four speed was split into two gears, a granny and an intermediate gear between 1st and 2nd, so that 3-4-5 on the 5 speed are the same gears as 2-3-4 on the 4 speed. When Ford reduced the size of the Powerstroke from 7.3 to 6.0 liters, it needed a granny gear to keep the same tow ratings in the heaviest applications.
The real advantages of the 5-speed are:
Built slightly heavier.
Engine braking smarts built into controller, active in tow-haul mode.
Actually a six speed. Goes 1-2-3-4-5 in normal acceleration, downshifts from 5th to a 3-overdrive for passing. This gear is slightly higher than 4 (direct) so it can be used to a higher speed before having to shift back up.
The real upgrades to the E-series were implemented in 2008/9 model years when the front axle and brakes were beefed up, front crush behavior improved, and the driveshaft parking brake may have disappeared (not sure about that for E-450).
There were also major improvements in the electronics, bringing a number of functional adjustments out to a monitor panel in the dash. Vans got stability assist as well, but motorhome chassis won't have that.
If you can afford a more recent model, look for the new squared off front end. My 2013 E-350 drives so much better than the 2003 E-450, front end behavior particularly.
The real advantages of the 5-speed are:
Built slightly heavier.
Engine braking smarts built into controller, active in tow-haul mode.
Actually a six speed. Goes 1-2-3-4-5 in normal acceleration, downshifts from 5th to a 3-overdrive for passing. This gear is slightly higher than 4 (direct) so it can be used to a higher speed before having to shift back up.
The real upgrades to the E-series were implemented in 2008/9 model years when the front axle and brakes were beefed up, front crush behavior improved, and the driveshaft parking brake may have disappeared (not sure about that for E-450).
There were also major improvements in the electronics, bringing a number of functional adjustments out to a monitor panel in the dash. Vans got stability assist as well, but motorhome chassis won't have that.
If you can afford a more recent model, look for the new squared off front end. My 2013 E-350 drives so much better than the 2003 E-450, front end behavior particularly.
