What F150s have the 6R80 transmission?
The 6R80 six-speed automatic was used on a subset of Ford F-150s built roughly from 2011 through 2016, paired with several engines, before Ford shifted to the 10-speed 10R80 in 2017. If your truck came from that era and had one of the common engines, there’s a good chance it shipped with a 6R80.
Overview of the 6R80 in the F-150
The 6R80 is part of Ford’s family of six-speed automatics and was deployed in the F-150 during the early-to-mid 2010s to support a range of engines with relatively smooth, mid-range gearing. While it delivered adequate performance for daily driving and towing, Ford introduced a more advanced 10-speed automatic (the 10R80) starting with newer model years to improve efficiency and acceleration. This article outlines which F-150 configurations commonly used the 6R80 during that transition period.
Which F-150s used the 6R80
The following list highlights the main F-150 configurations that shipped with the 6R80 transmission, across the engines Ford offered in that era.
- 2011–2016 Ford F-150 models equipped with the 3.7L V6 engine
- 2011–2016 Ford F-150 models equipped with the 5.0L V8 engine
- 2011–2016 Ford F-150 models equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine
Note: The 6R80 was commonly paired with these engines during the 2011–2016 period, but Ford began rolling out the 10R80 in 2017 for most configurations. If you’re unsure which transmission your F-150 has, check the stamped transmission code on the case or consult the VIN/dealer documentation.
Transition to the 10R80
As Ford moved toward improved efficiency and performance, the 10-speed automatic (10R80) became the standard replacement for the older 6R80 in most F-150 configurations starting with the 2017 model year. The 10R80 offered more gears, smoother shifts, and better fuel economy across multiple engine options, including the EcoBoost and V8 powertrains. Some fleets or special orders from earlier years may still feature older units, but Ford’s mainstream lineup shifted to the 10R80 for new purchases and warranties after 2017.
What changed with the 10R80
The shift from 6R80 to 10R80 introduced a wider gear spread, improved torque handling, and more efficient highway cruising. For owners, this often translated to crisper acceleration, smoother shifting, and better overall fuel economy in everyday driving and during towing tasks.
- Ten forward gears vs. six, allowing lower engine RPM at cruising speeds.
- Smoother shifts and better load handling across varying driving conditions.
- Widespread adoption across EcoBoost and V8 configurations in the 2017+ F-150 lineup.
In practice, most new F-150 purchases from 2017 onward are equipped with the 10R80, while the 6R80 appeared mainly in the 2011–2016 period.
Summary
The Ford F-150s most commonly fitted with the 6R80 transmission are model years roughly 2011 through 2016, including trims equipped with the 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, and 3.5L EcoBoost engines. Since 2017, Ford’s mainstream F-150 lineup has predominantly used the 10R80, delivering more gears and improved efficiency. If you own or are considering a used F-150 from the 2011–2016 era, it’s likely to have a 6R80, but verify the transmission code to be sure.
