automatic vs manual

[tdawg]

ok i have read alot of the gas vs diesel trucks. know how about automatic vs manual transmission. i have seen alot of dodge diesel trucks for sale with manual but i havent saw many ford or chev. with manuals

[SAD]

Manual is going to be most common on Dodge. Second on Ford. And, although I don't have any specific numbers, I'd suspect almost impossible to find on Chevy.

I prefer a manual personally. But the reality is, a new 2013/2014 is going to be an auto.

[fla-gypsy]

I don't believe the Ford and GM products are available with a manual any longer. Really no need for it any longer

[Jim W]

Ram (new marketing name for Chrysler trucks) offers the manual transmission because certain users of the trucks demand this style of transmission. They feel that the operator has more control over the shift points and RPM's of the trucks. Most of these operators of the RAM trucks are know has hot-shooter; they want a reliable truck that will pull a load for 300,000 to 400,000 miles with just doing the maintenance to their truck.

One hot-shooter that I know of parted out is 2007.5 Ram, 3500C&C model truck at 425,000 miles in 2011. Engine was still in good shape but the transmission was toast after his third clutch install.

Now Ram is offering a medium duty truck transmission the AISIN; in the pick-up model for the first time 2013. This is to court the manual transmission users in hopes they will prefer the AISIN in the future; only time will tell.

Jim W.

[rhagfo]

I don't believe the Ford and GM products are available with a manual any longer. Really no need for it any longer

That is correct, only the de-tuned RAM 6.7 still has a manual transmission. I believe the biggest issue is RAM not wanting to step up and install a double disk clutch that can hold the horse power.

While modern autos are far better than those of the past, there are still those of us that don't mind rowing gears. There is also the level of control, there is that magic pedal on the far left, that disconnect the engine from the wheels. It is also a theft deterrent, most car thieves can't drive a stick.

[hankpage]

That is correct, only the de-tuned RAM 6.7 still has a manual transmission. I believe the biggest issue is RAM not wanting to step up and install a double disk clutch that can hold the horse power.

While modern autos are far better than those of the past, there are still those of us that don't mind rowing gears. There is also the level of control, there is that magic pedal on the far left, that disconnect the engine from the wheels. It is also a theft deterrent, most car thieves can't drive a stick.

Yep! But after they drove it like they stole it ... do you want it back????
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1106

[Ken / Claudia]

95 to 01 I worked auto theft full time in PDX. 12 of us recovered 5030 stolen vehicles and got nearly 1000 behind the wheel. It was funny to watch a person try and drive a stick. But, really none of them care about YOUR vehicle and will damage it as much as they want. The worse ones where the vehicles that carried or were used to made meth inside. Those vehicles should never be used again, just cushed.

[Bluewater]

The GM diesel is now only available with the very durable Allison automatic. My son works for a large used car dealer and they have a policy that every Ram truck coming in with an automatic should have a tranny rebuild done. The newer autos a getting much better they say.

[rnkburg]

That is a good policy on the ram however rebuilding it back stock is a waste, you have to upgrade to make them dependable towing, been there done that. Everyone I know with auto dodges have made that call to georand brothers to get a reliable tranny

And the manual dodges we always upgrade the clutch to a dial disc, put in hydraulic helper so pedal isint hard and then depending on the use billet shafts.


Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[rhagfo]

Yep! But after they drove it like they stole it ... do you want it back????
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1106

Point is most will just jump right back out and not try.

[DanandDonna]

Well it will not be much different in the future as all manufactuers are going to Automatic transmissions especially the big boys. Volvo, Western Star, Kenworth, etc. have all announced that the Standard Transmission will become a thing of the past and for GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota, etc. it becomes a no brainer to go Automatic as well.

[2014Fuzion300]

I read somewhere that the computers in the Allison transmission (the one used by GM and Chevrolet Trucks) can shift better and faster than any professional driver...!

[f6bits]

Good timing on this. I was *just* wondering (yesterday) how long big rigs will continue to have automatic transmissions. Many automatics let you switch gears manually, so why not for the big trucks?

[2014Fuzion300]

GM and Chevrolet have been using the Tiptronic system (the one that allows an automatic transmission to switch gears manually ) for quite some time.
But you have to be on automatic and in tow mode for the Engine break (either compression release break or an exhaust break for diesel trucks) to work.
****update****
You don't need to be on automatic for the engine break to work, it also works on the Tiptronic mode.

[Jim W]

The Ram trucks that offer the Cummins 6.7L engine with the 68RFE 6-speed auto have had this feature of shifting the transmission from 07.5MY (Jan 07) year trucks and on. The Exhaust brake will work either in tow/haul mode or not; the operator has control over the brake by engaging the switch for the brake. The brake will slow down the truck in any gear and will disengage at 1,100RPM’s thus saving the brake wear on rotors and pads. I now have 70,000 miles on my truck and the front brake pads should last until 100,000 miles before needing replacement. I use the exhaust brake 100% of the time when I am driving my truck; I start the truck and then engage the brake since this aids in warming up the truck faster.

This feature is also available for the AISIN transmission that is now being offered on the 2013 trucks and up.

Jim W.

[davidjsimons]

The Ram trucks that offer the Cummins 6.7L engine with the 68RFE 6-speed auto have had this feature of shifting the transmission from 07.5MY (Jan 07) year trucks and on. The Exhaust brake will work either in tow/haul mode or not; the operator has control over the brake by engaging the switch for the brake. The brake will slow down the truck in any gear and will disengage at 1,100RPM’s thus saving the brake wear on rotors and pads. I now have 70,000 miles on my truck and the front brake pads should last until 100,000 miles before needing replacement. I use the exhaust brake 100% of the time when I am driving my truck; I start the truck and then engage the brake since this aids in warming up the truck faster.



This feature is also available for the AISIN transmission that is now being offered on the 2013 trucks and up.



Jim W.


I had a 2003 Dodge 3500 with the six speed manual. The truck was equipped with an exhaust brake as well. I drove it 192,000 miles before I put in my first set of brakes. The exhaust brake makes a tremendous difference in brake wear.


2013 Cougar 28 RBS
2012 Ram 3500 Dually
6.7 Cummins H.O.
4.10 rears.

[Hansel]

Can't speak about Dodge, but Ford sold I believe only about 15% of the super duty trucks with a manual transmission, and most of those where probably the XL trim for construction and lawn guys. I know there is a small number of guys that love too row gears but my days of that are long gone. With todays updated drive train why buy a stick:rolleyes: