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New transmission

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ragoodsp

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New transmission
« on: December 04, 2015, 01:11:58 pm »
I have noticed that the new E-450/350 is now coming with a new 6 speed transmission.  Has anyone gotten a new PC that has this new upgrade?   Would love to know how the transmissions are working out and if there is any slight improvement in mileage?   With all of the movement of Ford truck production it does appear that the cutaway E-350-450 may in fact continue to be produced beyond what had been expected ( as long as demand continues to grow)with manufacturing happening in  OH.  That leads one to wonder if Ford will again begin to make improvements and additions to the chassis to keep it more up to date?   Time will tell I guess.   Thanks, Ron G.
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Pax

Re: New transmission
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2015, 07:48:21 am »
I've also been reading about the new 2016 E-Series and noted some interesting stuff.  First, apparently Ford has stated that they'll continue the E-Series for a while yet.  Responding to if they would be dropping the E-Series in favor of the Transit:

"According to a report from PickupTrucks.com, however, that's not the case, the report claiming that the highly modifiable E-350 and E-450 stripped chassis and cutaway versions will continue being produced in Avon Lake, Ohio until near the end of the decade.
Being decades old, the be-cabbed E-Series platform has found its way under an army of heavy-duty shuttle buses, work truck and ambulances. Ford spokeswoman Jessica Enoch verified the production horizon, telling Autoblog that the continuing E-Series configurations "are a higher GVWR than the Transit chassis cab and cutaway (available this summer), which is more Class 2 and a new segment for us." So there you have it."

As for the new E-Series....

The 2016 E-Series Cutaway Brochure:
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2016/2016+E-Series.pdf

Ford site now listing the motorhome packages for the 2016.  Interesting items include: Ford Sync, User Defined Upfitter Switches, Telescoping Trailer Tow Mirrors, and Trailer Brake Control System.

The available factory-installed integrated trailer brake controller (TBC) works in conjunction with the Anti-Lock Brake System and synchronizes the vehicle and trailer brakes for seamless braking while towing even the heaviest of loads. (TBC is compatible with electrically actuated trailer drum brakes only.)

The Upfitter switches make it easy to use add-on systems.....
Four switches can operate high-power relays for accessories
Two 30-amp, one 10-amp and one 15-amp circuits provided
Smartly integrated into the instrument panel
Prewired and ready to go
Requires optional alternator

The 2016 line also has available alternate fuel packages like propane and CNG.

It seems the new Triton engines in this line have also been detuned and are now at a lowered 305 hp? 

Lastly, I don't know if it was available prior to this or not, but the 2016 has a factory option for 40 gallon gas tank (vs 55 gal) which would possibly free up room for increased fresh/black/grey tank capacities, or at very least allow greater carrying capacity.  Unsure if this option is only on the E350 or not.

All that together with a better-gas-mileage-transmission and the future looks hopeful!

   - Mike
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2015, 11:33:58 pm »
Interesting Mike.  Thanks for sharing that information.

About the 40 gallon fuel tank... I believe the 2 lesser duty versions of the 3 flavors of E350 cut-away are equipped with the 40 gallon fuel tank unless special ordered with the 55 gallon tank.  Only the Super Duty E350 with the highest weight rating of 12,500 pounds comes standard with the 55 gallon tank.
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jfcaramagno

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2015, 06:04:21 pm »
Our E450 has 5 speeds and with all the torque of the V10 engine, I think that's enough. My transmission complaint is that it is difficult to control which gear is engaged. Our previous two motorhomes were built on the MB Sprinter chassis and that transmission was easily controllable. You can select all 5 speeds, 1-4, 1-3, 1-2 or only first gear with a flick of the shifter. The Ford transmission will downshift with sufficiently depressed throttle but as soon as you back off the throttle, it upshifts. The shifter will only select 1-5, or only 3rd, or only 2nd, or only 1st. Downshifting from 5th to 4th when off throttle is sketchy at best; the cruise control can do it and so can tow/haul mode. Tow/haul mode, however, leaves you vulnerable to a downshift to 3rd if you tap the brakes. In summary: transmission shifts tend to wake up my wife in the passenger seat.  ;)
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2015, 11:20:59 pm »
I agree with you John.

I believe our 2007 E350 chassis transmission is the same TorquesShift installed from 2006 through 2015.   There are many times I wish I could control 4th gear better but the transmission has a mind of it's own and likes to drop down two gears too easily from 5th to 3rd which has the motor rev-ing much more aggressively than what the actual conditions call for.  Many Ford E350/E450 chassis owners comment about it.  We find it most irritating dropping two gears when driving on the interstate highway with the cruise control on and are climbing a simple rise for an over-pass.  The irritation continues when the transmission downshifts to slow down the rig when descending the over-pass.

Ford could do much better with that.  I personally would appreciate a special gear shift selection or a button to control that behavior.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2015, 11:24:00 pm by ron.dittmer »
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KB9OMH

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2015, 11:13:55 am »
Ron,
     Have you look at the 5 Star Tuner for the v10. I put it on mind and it works great, drops into 4 gear on most up grades and holds at about 500 RPM, if the speed drops another 5 to 10 MPH it will drop into 3rd gear, It only drop from 5th to 3rd if it is going down a long hill and right back in a steep up grade. Been using it for a couple of year and love how it works. Did not help that much on the fuel, but it states up to 10 percent of 8 MPG is only .08.

Jim
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2015, 09:01:08 pm »
Quote from: KB9OMH on December 13, 2015, 11:13:55 am
Ron,

Have you looked at the 5 Star Tuner for the V10. I put it on mind and it works great, drops into 4 gear on most up grades and holds at about 500 RPM, if the speed drops another 5 to 10 MPH it will drop into 3rd gear, It only drop from 5th to 3rd if it is going down a long hill and right back in a steep up grade. Been using it for a couple of year and love how it works. Did not help that much on the fuel, but it states up to 10 percent of 8 MPG is only .08.

Jim
Hi Jim,

Could you expand on the 5 Star Tuner?  I never heard of it.  Is it software down-loaded through the OBD-II, a module plugged into it, or something else?  Where is it purchased and how much?
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KB9OMH

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2015, 08:38:43 am »
Ron,
     The Web site is www.5startuning.com/got-a-v10-rv I didn't look up the price but if I remember it was around $400.00. You hookup the programmer to the OBD-II Port.   You can more information on the IRV2 Forum under a search for  5 Star Tune Ford V10. Hope this will help.  Like I said I really like mine. 

Jim
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2015, 09:20:18 am »
Hi Jim,

I quickly reviewed the 5-star tuner.  It appears to re-program the on-board computer.  The website does not get into some details so I did not get some of my questions answered.  I hope you can help.

1) Does the 5-star tuner X4 unit need to stay plugged into the OBD-II all the time to do it's job, or once the vehicle computer is re-programmed, is the tuner unplugged and put away?  I ask because my 2007 has a Scan Gauge-II plugged into the ODB-II all the time and want to keep it that way when on trips.  I also ask this because they offer a smaller device (not the x4) that appears to be something plugged in and staying in to work.

2) Is the re-programming permanent?  Or does the re-programming go back to the original factory settings after the chassis battery has been disconnected?  If I don't like the adjusted behavior, can I revert back to the original factory settings?

3) The tuner appears to be applicable to many different vehicles.  Does one tuner work on all of the vehicles they list, or do you need a particular tuner model?  I ask because $400 does seem to be the "purchase new" price which is out of my budget.  I may consider buying a used one and want to make sure to get the right model.

Thanks!
Ron
« Last Edit: December 14, 2015, 09:27:57 am by ron.dittmer »
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2015, 09:39:21 am »
Oh never mind Jim.  I dug deeper and got most of my questions answered.  :)
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KB9OMH

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2015, 10:55:05 am »
Ron,
     OK,  if you anymore questions let me know.

Jim

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ron-n-toni

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2015, 08:03:01 pm »
Just picked up our new 2016 2351 on a E450 chassis. It has the new six speed transmission. Drove it from Elkhart to Northeast Pennsylvania. At 60 mph into a stiff headwind and towing a Jeep Trailhawk  and with less than 200 miles on it, I got 8 mpg. I kept the cruise on into the hills of western PA to test the new transmission and was impressed. At that 60 mph, I had 2200 rpm and the first downshift ran it up to 2700 with a smooth shift. The next downshift brought 3500 rpm, again smoothly and maintained 60 mph minus one or two mph. No more screaming up hills. The E450 chassis rode nicely. I had a Born Free (2010) on a E450 and rode harsh. Even with Mor-Ride installed. This one is much smoother right out of the box.
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Pax

Re: New transmission
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2015, 08:30:23 pm »
Congrats and welcome!  Good to hear the new transmissions feel right!

  - Mike
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: New transmission
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2015, 09:22:28 pm »
Nice!  Thanks for sharing Ron-n-Toni.

I would like to read of the details on your decision to choose a 2351, along with optional features such as a slide out or not, a dinette or couch, a bigger bed or pantry on the driver side, etc.
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