Wow, I wasn't aware that people were having problems with difficult to shift 6 speeds...

Mine has been great since day one.

 

Been driving sticks all my life.Back into the Hot Rod years.I found the 6 speed to be the worst shifting/hardest gear finding manual other then a worn out 4 speed Fiat column shift I had driven in my life.Finally it loosened up and I got use to it.Still miss 4th or maybe its 3rd on some downshifts.But I can live with it.

 

I have the same problem in reverse, but it isn't too embarassing. I really get p.o.ed on downshifts as when I finally get it in something, it is usually the wrong gear (too low). I too have driven straight shifts for many years, and drive a 15 speed daily, but this thing is going to be tough to tame.

 

I had the dealer install a short shifter into my truck before it left the lot. First gear and reverse were a pain right from the word go. After talking with the dealer, we agreed to look into the transmission if the shifting did not improve. At about 8,000 kms the transmission seemed to be loosening up and life was good. At around 20,000 kms getting into reverse was starting to be an issue again and at around 22,000 kms the transmission would kick out of first gear (very hard too). By 22,500 kms a new transmission was in the truck and it was a completely different feel. My transmission was goofed right from the lot as the new 6-spd is very smooth and easy to shift. I can row through all the gears with my elbow resting on the centre console no problem.

 

Cannot stress enough to you guys to change your fluid over to Redline MTL.
It made a night and day difference in my 04.5.
Redline is a full synthetic manual trans oil.

The truck will now go into gear without a struggle.
You can get redline @ www.synlubes.com
Summit also carries it, but they are always out.

--Justin

 

On that note, let me ask you guys... is there a "best" time to switch to syn tranny fluids? What I mean is that with the motor, it's supposed to be best to wait until it's fully broken in to switch to synthetics... does the same apply for the tranny, or is this something I could do now??

Thanks!

 

I would change it over as soon as possible.
Mine has 9k miles on it right now.

I should have changed it sooner.
I also installed the eaton trans filter on my pto cover.

--Justin

 

I've got 36000 on mine and no prob. in any gear or missing gears for me. My wife on teh other hand sometimes forgets its a 6 sp. and thinks its her 5spd in the mustang. can get very UGLY.

 

i had problems going up into 5th for about 3k miles, loosening up now.