Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 10-18-2017, 09:51 AM

Hi,

I have a 2005 Damon on a 2004 F53 chassis with a 4 speed Transmission with a 5 star tune.

Not yet in the market for a newer coach but doing research.

The coach drove like a pig before, but after
Front end alignment, steering stabilizer, CHF and 5 star tune it's much better.

What chassis years did the 5 speed and 6 speed come out?

Has anyone used all 4 transmissions and can compare them?

BirchyBoy · 10-18-2017, 10:25 AM

The 5 speed hit the Super Duty trucks in 2005, I think, so maybe a year or so after that for motor homes? I think the 6 speed may be in some 2016’s and newer. My 2017 has the 6 speed and it seems to work very well.

Fordfixer1 · 10-18-2017, 10:28 AM

The primary difference in the 4, 5 and 6 speed transmissions is the gear ratio between 1st and overdrive. Over drive is the same. Closer intermediate gears tend to reduce engine RPM and hopefully increase MPG. Since you don't necessarily need to go to a higher percentage of throttle to accelerate and maintain speed. I don't think they will all enter change since the newer transmissions require an electronic control module. Either done by the PCM (powertrain control module) pr the TCM (transmission control module)

twinboat · 10-18-2017, 10:42 AM

The 4 speed is 2 underdrive, 1 direct and 1 overdrive.

The 5 speed is 3 underdrive, 1 direct and 1 overdrive.

The 6 speed is 4 underdrive and 2 overdrive. The top gear is lower then the 4 and 5 speeds overdrive.

Sweetbriar · 10-18-2017, 11:28 AM

The five speed arrived on the F53 platform for model year 2006 and the six speed for model year 2016. No guarantee that a 2006 or 2016 coach will be built on the same model year chassis so if a potential buyer is looking they will need to verify the chassis year.

Final gear ratios and RPM for a given speed is where you'll see the biggest change. Four and five speed were the same at 0.71:1 but with the six speed the top end is now at .67:1.

E40D
2.71:1 1.53:1 1.00:1 0.71:1

5R110W
3.11:1 2.20:1 1.54:1 1.00:1 0.71:1

6R140
3.97:1 2.31:1 1.51:1 1.14:1 0.85:1 0.67:1

I was discussing the change with an owner the other day. Same 18K lbs. chassis between our rigs with 19.5 tires and comparable weight loaded. Mine is an 2006 his an 2017. At 2000 RPM in top gear he's doing 68 MPH. For me to go that fast I'll be at 2650 just based on the gear ratios. My coach transmission top gear is .71:1 and rear end at 5.38:1 while his transmission top gear is .67:1 and rear end is 4.30:1. I might do a bit better holding speed on a hill climb but on the flats he pass me with fuel economy.

Unicorn Driver · 10-18-2017, 11:46 AM

Thanks all,

My 4 speed runs at 2600/2700 at 62mpg which is my normal cruising speed.

I am looking at high end 4 speed coaches, mid 5 speed and entry level 6 speed, it's a tough decision.

BirchyBoy · 10-18-2017, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Thanks all,

My 4 speed runs at 2600/2700 at 62mpg which is my normal cruising speed.

I am looking at high end 4 speed coaches, mid 5 speed and entry level 6 speed, it's a tough decision.

Keep in mind that the V-10 changed as well, going from a 2 valve design to a 3 valve design, the newer transmissions have a great tow/haul mode and other things that may have improved in the coach as the newer designs came out.

Unicorn Driver · 10-18-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

Keep in mind that the V-10 changed as well, going from a 2 valve design to a 3 valve design, the newer transmissions have a great tow/haul mode and other things that may have improved in the coach as the newer designs came out.

Thanks,

That's good to know.

When I do upgrade I would hope to get the newest one possible.

fpresto · 10-19-2017, 07:42 PM

My 2016 has the six speed. I have had a four speed in a truck, a five speed in another truck and now the six speed. There is no comparison. The six speed is great.

DryCreek · 10-19-2017, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Thanks all,

My 4 speed runs at 2600/2700 at 62mpg which is my normal cruising speed.

I am looking at high end 4 speed coaches, mid 5 speed and entry level 6 speed, it's a tough decision.

I'm envious. When my rig is turning 2600 rpm, I'm lucky to get 7 mpg.

staggerlee · 10-19-2017, 09:31 PM

We have a 2002 with the Allison 3000.
It has 6 speeds with a high, and low setting.
If you were to climb a hill, the more gears the better.
H.P. don't hurt either.

Unicorn Driver · 10-20-2017, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryCreek

I'm envious. When my rig is turning 2600 rpm, I'm lucky to get 7 mpg.

I often only get 7mpg at that speed also. To get 8mpg I need to slow down to 58ish

Unicorn Driver · 10-20-2017, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staggerlee

We have a 2002 with the Allison 3000.
It has 6 speeds with a high, and low setting.
If you were to climb a hill, the more gears the better.
H.P. don't hurt either.

I would definitely consider a workhorse for the next coach.

Yellowboat · 10-20-2017, 11:02 AM

I had a 2005 Winnebago Sightseer built on a 2006 5 speed Ford chassis.

I now have a 2016 Winnebago Sightseer built on a 2016 6 speed Ford Chassis.

Handling of the 2016 6 speed chassis is much better than my 5 speed chassis. White knuckle driving is greatly reduced. Because of my experience with the 5 speed chassis I had a Roadmaster trac bar, sway bar, and a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer added to my 6 speed chassis before delivery. Compared to my 5 speed chassis my 6 speed is a dream to drive.

I had a Roadmaster trac bar, sway bar, and Safe-T-Plus on my 5 speed as well.

My 5 speed chassis had 19.5 wheels and my 6 speed has 22.5 wheels. I'm not sure if the difference in tire size is a factor in better handling.

Another big change with the 6 speed chassis is the top rpm. My 5 speed would rev up to 5,200 rpm's prior to shift change. The 6 speed chassis revs up to 4,200 rpm's making the for a much quieter drive.

An easy way to identify a 6 speed transmission is to look at the shift lever display. The 5 speed has D321 and the 6 speed has D421.

Safe travels. JD