No Manual Option When Building 2018?

[JR]

When RAM stops building that transmission then I will stop buying (about a truck every 60 days). Cant stand automatics. I cannot fathom the idea of a computer doing all the thinking for you. I also have a F150 for the kid. That stop/start is the biggest waste of over engineered nonsense ever put in a truck. They have engineered out any human thought out of these trucks. Just point the darn thing in the right direction (nope thats also done for ya) and control the engine load (done also) avoid the other trucks (done too) stop when you need too (done). Well I reckon you best drink your coffee and take a nap and let the truck do all the work. Sign of the times. Just how lazy are we wanting to be?

Ok I'll bite, you buy 6 trucks per year. How many a year do you sell?

I'm sure you realize Ram is the only pickup manufacturer selling standard trans. Not too sure what you plan on buying afterwards unless moving up to MD.

 

[cerberusiam]

the only reasons i bought a ram was the cummins and the manual.

That is probably the worst reason to buy the truck. The manual transmissions have always lagged badly in efficacy and longevity, even the detuned engines. Even the G56 is under missing adequate gears and overmatched for the engine, pretty much a niche market anymore given how effective and a well tuned auto transmission is. For towing heavy loads the triple planetary autos are almost perfectly matched for a diesel engine. Setup and driven correctly the engine is always in the power band, no boost spool down\up on shift points, 12 effective forward ratios, double OD which no manual has.

Fleet trucks are almost all going to auto transmissions because they are easier and less tiring to drive and can handle more power effectively than any manual trans.

 

[nukegm]

" fleet trucks are almost all going to manual transmissions because they are easier...."

try again. or proof read your reply.

i like the manual. its just preference. my 16 hemi shifted 38 times up the hill to my house. drove me insane. the g56 i shift 3 times.

 

[Newsa]

Actually, in 10-15 years most cars will be self driving with continuusly variable transmissions and hybrid systems. But for towing, they will need an automatic with lock up. But will still be self driving.

 

[cerberusiam]

my 16 hemi shifted 38 times up the hill to my house. drove me insane. the g56 i shift 3 times.

No way to make a valid comparison between hemi and diesel shifting. All completely different application and programming.

 

[nukegm]

aside from offending everyone who has a g56 ram, whats your overall point?

your post began with :
me - the only reasons i bought a ram was the cummins and the manual.
you - That is probably the worst reason to buy the truck.

 

[RT395]

That is probably the worst reason to buy the truck. The manual transmissions have always lagged badly in efficacy and longevity, even the detuned engines. Even the G56 is under missing adequate gears and overmatched for the engine, pretty much a niche market anymore given how effective and a well tuned auto transmission is. For towing heavy loads the triple planetary autos are almost perfectly matched for a diesel engine. Setup and driven correctly the engine is always in the power band, no boost spool down\up on shift points, 12 effective forward ratios, double OD which no manual has.

Fleet trucks are almost all going to auto transmissions because they are easier and less tiring to drive and can handle more power effectively than any manual trans.

I remember looking up the specs on the g56 and 4th gear is one to one - so 5th and sixth are both overdrive?

 

[cerberusiam]

I remember looking up the specs on the g56 and 4th gear is one to one - so 5th and sixth are both overdrive?

5th is 1:1, 6th is the only OD gear and it is a bit short. Better than the 47\48 but it leaves one looking for 7th gear at times.

aside from offending everyone who has a g56 ram, whats your overall point?

I guess you missed the title of the thread, the general flow bemoaning the lack of manual transmission options, and the discussion around the WHY. The comment was around the reasoning for buying a Ram with a Cummins engine in it, "because it has a manual option" is far down the list most people would use when assessing the suitability of vehicle for specific uses, predominantly towing, as most of these purchases are intended.

Much more pertinent would be:

Ability
Efficacy
Longevity

That would be the predominant WHY a manual in a LD truck is a niche market and could easily disappear entirely. The G56 needs help in heavy applications, it is limited on input TQ no matter what you do because there are just no upgrades, and the DMF is just a bad joke.

Being offended because some one explains how you took a step backwards in all the important areas sounds like a lack of confidence and buyers regret rather than an informed purchase. Reminiscent of the the OTHER brand diehards when it doesn't work out like they want it to and the ugly truth gets exposed. Just like some need training wheels, some simply cannot do without 2 pedals and lever to play with. Nothing wrong with that, but, it is leaving a LOT on the table from important areas.

The really big question becomes; what will you do when the manual transmission is no longer available in an LD truck?

 

[Newsa]

The really big question becomes; what will you do when the manual transmission is no longer available in an LD truck?

Paddle?........... like the rest of them

 

[andymac]

Lets see.. What will I do when the manual option goes away? I cant buy a GM because as comfortable as it was to drive on the freeway, I high centered the frame on our roads on a daily basis when I had a GMC long bed crew. The engine was great and I had the last of the GM manuals many moons ago. The GM trucks are too low to the ground for my line of work. It seems like many have their skirts in a bunch defending the automatic and thats fine. I didn't chime in for your approval or the trucking industries or whomever. The trucking industry cries when they have to deliver to me on the roads I drive and many times they won't. I am not sure why so many are absorbed by the power differences. I have never wished for more power. Is it that important to get up the hill 30 seconds faster? I guess I am not in that much of a hurry and appreciate the things in life that I still have a bit of control over.

 

[andymac]

Ok I'll bite, you buy 6 trucks per year. How many a year do you sell?

I'm sure you realize Ram is the only pickup manufacturer selling standard trans. Not too sure what you plan on buying afterwards unless moving up to MD.

Missed this one.. Yep I sell about as many. Or better yet scrap. I have two leaving us with broken frames. Actually one, we are welding up one for a welding supply truck. Yep, I am very aware of the only manufacturer with a manual. I bought the last run of Fords with manuals in 2009. I had close to the last ones in the GM lineup as well (Have only owned a couple GM trucks) I have a few MD trucks, the international 4400.. They are OK. Air Brakes are fun to drive.

 

[Newsa]

Lets see.. What will I do when the manual option goes away? I cant buy a GM because as comfortable as it was to drive on the freeway, I high centered the frame on our roads on a daily basis when I had a GMC long bed crew. The engine was great and I had the last of the GM manuals many moons ago. The GM trucks are too low to the ground for my line of work. It seems like many have their skirts in a bunch defending the automatic and thats fine. I didn't chime in for your approval or the trucking industries or whomever. The trucking industry cries when they have to deliver to me on the roads I drive and many times they won't. I am not sure why so many are absorbed by the power differences. I have never wished for more power. Is it that important to get up the hill 30 seconds faster? I guess I am not in that much of a hurry and appreciate the things in life that I still have a bit of control over.

If your torque converter never/rarely locks up, you might burn up those automatics.

 

[Newsa]

Missed this one.. Yep I sell about as many. Or better yet scrap. I have two leaving us with broken frames. Actually one, we are welding up one for a welding supply truck. Yep, I am very aware of the only manufacturer with a manual. I bought the last run of Fords with manuals in 2009. I had close to the last ones in the GM lineup as well (Have only owned a couple GM trucks) I have a few MD trucks, the international 4400.. They are OK. Air Brakes are fun to drive.

Do you like the Cummins over the international?

Or you just like the price better?

 

[andymac]

Do you like the Cummins over the international?

Or you just like the price better?

when most people load up trailers they strap em down and the load doesn't move. When I fill a trailer, the load moves, the load fights with each other, reacts to passing cars and generally moves all over the place. The beauty of the International is the air suspension and the air brakes. They have made these pickup trucks so powerful and capable but they cannot overcome the fact that the brakes are still just ok and the truck is only so big. Yes, the exhaust brake works well in the rams but air brakes really shine in many situations. The suspension soaks up lots of that commotion in the trailer that I have to deal with and the mass of the tow vehicle really does make a difference. The downfall of the MD trucks is that they are not made for the rough roads we have to travel on. They cost a bit more at about 110 for a crew cab but they have more capability and customization. OK.. back to topic.

 

[Newsa]

when most people load up trailers they strap em down and the load doesn't move. When I fill a trailer, the load moves, the load fights with each other, reacts to passing cars and generally moves all over the place. The beauty of the International is the air suspension and the air brakes. They have made these pickup trucks so powerful and capable but they cannot overcome the fact that the brakes are still just ok and the truck is only so big. Yes, the exhaust brake works well in the rams but air brakes really shine in many situations. The suspension soaks up lots of that commotion in the trailer that I have to deal with and the mass of the tow vehicle really does make a difference. The downfall of the MD trucks is that they are not made for the rough roads we have to travel on. They cost a bit more at about 110 for a crew cab but they have more capability and customization. OK.. back to topic.

Yeah. I transported 10 young steers less than 200 miles from central Florida to south florida in a 24 foot trailer. I imagine the 36 footers are a bit more with moving animals in them. I have a single rear wheel truck. But it still handled well with the dynamic cargo even on the interstate.

 

[andymac]

Yeah. I transported 10 young steers less than 200 miles from central Florida to south florida in a 24 foot trailer. I imagine the 36 footers are a bit more with moving animals in them. I have a single rear wheel truck. But it still handled well with the dynamic cargo even on the interstate.

My daily driver is a SRW 2500 and it pulls the load just fine. I guess I have reached that age where I appreciate having duallies (my foreman calls them training wheels). Anything over 32' loaded gets "training wheels" on our operation if nothing else for the stability.

 

[jhenderson]

If your torque converter never/rarely locks up, you might burn up those automatics.

I dont suppose you’d care to elaborate on that. You can use your years of engineering and ASE certification to help you explain.

 

[Newsa]

I dont suppose you’d care to elaborate on that. You can use your years of engineering and ASE certification to help you explain.

Well, I'll retract the comment soley because, the engine will derate if the transmission temp readings get too high. But running through bumpy roads, continuously shifting, and getting bogged down in sand and mud makes an automatic run much hotter than hwy driving in hot ambient temps. Running a transmission long distances when it is above normal operating temps is hard on it

You won't see that plowing snow because of the cold ambient temps.

 

[JR]

You won't see that plowing snow because of the cold ambient temps.

Oh boy .

 

[jhenderson]

Well, I'll retract the comment soley because, the engine will derate if the transmission temp readings get too high. But running through bumpy roads, continuously shifting, and getting bogged down in sand and mud makes an automatic run much hotter than hwy driving in hot ambient temps. Running a transmission long distances when it is above normal operating temps is hard on it

You won't see that plowing snow because of the cold ambient temps.

1st. What does any of that have to do with running with the converter unlocked? 2nd. Plowing. You really should stop pontificating about things of which you have absolutely no knowledge. All you do is confirm everyone’s suspicions.