No Manual Option When Building 2018?

[JR]

I'd take a manual trans truck personally, but I can drive one, so....

I can jump off a bridge too, doesn't mean it's the best choice for my longevity.

Fleets switch to autos due to wear and tear. No other reason.

And fuel economy. That's a pretty big one when jivin' in fleet speak.

 

[Dl5treez]

I can jump off a bridge too, doesn't mean it's the best choice for my longevity.

lost me

And fuel economy. That's a pretty big one when jivin' in fleet speak.

I should not have used an absolute like 'no', although in my direct fleet experience idle times are the mpg killer, as we don't really see enough miles per tank per year to metriculate auto vs. manual transmissions. We do metriculate auto vs manual when rebuilding driving front axles, replacing axle shafts, clutches, universal joints, et al.

When one hires a "truck driver" to "drive truck" and the mechanic drives the lowboy back to the garage because it has an 18 speed and the newly hired "truck driver" is afraid of it, one's eyes open to the new world......

 

[JR]

When one hires a "truck driver" to "drive truck" and the mechanic drives the lowboy back to the garage because it has an 18 speed and the newly hired "truck driver" is afraid of it, one's eyes open to the new world......

I grew up on a big dairy farm and have been around standards all my life so first let me say I can relate to your nostalgia .
Now, taking "feelings" out of the equation, there is a distinct and definite reason why autos have slowly but surely become the go to...and it isn't because there all the sudden became a shortage of drivers that couldn't adapt to a stick and a third pedal. If the standard trans was still the lowest cost, most efficient, reliable option the auto would have never came into play. What you are seeing regarding the lack of ability to drive a "real" truck is the end result, not the cause, of the third pedal going by the way side to modern technology.

 

[Newsa]

lost me






I should not have used an absolute like 'no', although in my direct fleet experience idle times are the mpg killer, as we don't really see enough miles per tank per year to metriculate auto vs. manual transmissions. We do metriculate auto vs manual when rebuilding driving front axles, replacing axle shafts, clutches, universal joints, et al.

When one hires a "truck driver" to "drive truck" and the mechanic drives the lowboy back to the garage because it has an 18 speed and the newly hired "truck driver" is afraid of it, one's eyes open to the new world......

If your fleet drives deliveries in an urban area and idles at stop lights.... The engine is under a slight load and not more efficient.
When in gear there is fluid resistance pushing against the brakes. (Between engine, transmission, and brakes)

 

[Dl5treez]

I grew up on a big dairy farm and have been around standards all my life so first let me say I can relate to your nostalgia .
Now, taking "feelings" out of the equation, there is a distinct and definite reason why autos have slowly but surely become the go to...and it isn't because there all the sudden became a shortage of drivers that couldn't adapt to a stick and a third pedal. If the standard trans was still the lowest cost, most efficient, reliable option the auto would have never came into play. What you are seeing regarding the lack of ability to drive a "real" truck is the end result, not the cause, of the third pedal going by the way side to modern technology.

You're arguing a point I made already lol.

 

[andymac]

I grew up on a big dairy farm and have been around standards all my life so first let me say I can relate to your nostalgia .
Now, taking "feelings" out of the equation, there is a distinct and definite reason why autos have slowly but surely become the go to...and it isn't because there all the sudden became a shortage of drivers that couldn't adapt to a stick and a third pedal. If the standard trans was still the lowest cost, most efficient, reliable option the auto would have never came into play. What you are seeing regarding the lack of ability to drive a "real" truck is the end result, not the cause, of the third pedal going by the way side to modern technology.

Sorta. It is lowest cost and efficient if you know how to drive one correctly (hmm, that’s a problem when an entire generation doesn’t even know what that peddle is for) Autos are easy for those who live their lives on pavement who don’t really care about extra complexity because AAA will pick it up and fix it or just call someone to deal with that extra computerized nonsense when it goes haywire. When my trucks go down, work stops, cattle aren’t fed and crops don’t get to sell or definently not on contract. Modern America doesn’t get that because they all grew up or visited farms but so few stayed and actually live life on a 5% margin wiped out when one stupid truck goes down. Simplicity is my choice because I cannot depend on others to fix it. The reality is people want easy. That shifter gets in the way of Starbucks, cell phones and eyeliner. Can’t swat the kids and send emails when driving at 70 mph when you have to worry about the actual behavior of the engine. Technology is fine and dandy but sure takes your brain out of the process. In some views that’s progress. Eh. Beg to differ. I guess I have beat this topic to a messy pulp. Let’s talk tractors. Green or red?

 

[JR]

Green or red

Red! Still have the 656, 966, and the 5088 that was on the farm when I was in diapers.
Although they are no longer field tractors and are now primarily used for duties around the farm.

 

[jhenderson]

Sorta. It is lowest cost and efficient if you know how to drive one correctly (hmm, that’s a problem when an entire generation doesn’t even know what that peddle is for) Autos are easy for those who live their lives on pavement who don’t really care about extra complexity because AAA will pick it up and fix it or just call someone to deal with that extra computerized nonsense when it goes haywire. When my trucks go down, work stops, cattle aren’t fed and crops don’t get to sell or definently not on contract. Modern America doesn’t get that because they all grew up or visited farms but so few stayed and actually live life on a 5% margin wiped out when one stupid truck goes down. Simplicity is my choice because I cannot depend on others to fix it. The reality is people want easy. That shifter gets in the way of Starbucks, cell phones and eyeliner. Can’t swat the kids and send emails when driving at 70 mph when you have to worry about the actual behavior of the engine. Technology is fine and dandy but sure takes your brain out of the process. In some views that’s progress. Eh. Beg to differ. I guess I have beat this topic to a messy pulp. Let’s talk tractors. Green or red?

AAA will tow your handshaker as well. As a percentage of production, how many autos have failed compared to failed DMFs? How about dry release bearings? Or broken clutch hub springs. This is my first auto in almost a million miles of Cummins pickups. I never wore out a clutch plate lining but plowing and towing a 9 ton gn off road is tough on clutch hard parts. Particularly with an effective exhaust brake. In 385,000 miles on my 04 I replaced 3 release bearings. I replaced 2 clutch plates due to broken hub springs. No pressure plate failures although one did have junk fingers due to the bad release bearing. At this point I can’t see myself going back.

 

[RT395]

I grew up on a big dairy farm and have been around standards all my life so first let me say I can relate to your nostalgia .
Now, taking "feelings" out of the equation, there is a distinct and definite reason why autos have slowly but surely become the go to...and it isn't because there all the sudden became a shortage of drivers that couldn't adapt to a stick and a third pedal. If the standard trans was still the lowest cost, most efficient, reliable option the auto would have never came into play. What you are seeing regarding the lack of ability to drive a "real" truck is the end result, not the cause, of the third pedal going by the way side to modern technology.

For those of us here reading this thread, that makes sense, but also remember that the vast majority of drivers prefer to drive an automatic for a variety of other reasons that have nothing to do with the cost or the efficiency. Members of this forum do not represent the vast majority. Automatics rule because the majority of buyers drive in traffic, text while driving, apply make up on the way to work, or simply want the easiest option. Now that manuals are rare, it is also the familiar option. It has become the obvious choice... in fact, for most vehicles the choice is already made for you - automatically.

I agree JR, - its the "End Result"

I'll keep buying the manual as long as possible. It's the best choice for me.

 

[Newsa]

AAA will tow your handshaker as well. As a percentage of production, how many autos have failed compared to failed DMFs? How about dry release bearings? Or broken clutch hub springs. This is my first auto in almost a million miles of Cummins pickups. I never wore out a clutch plate lining but plowing and towing a 9 ton gn off road is tough on clutch hard parts. Particularly with an effective exhaust brake. In 385,000 miles on my 04 I replaced 3 release bearings. I replaced 2 clutch plates due to broken hub springs. No pressure plate failures although one did have junk fingers due to the bad release bearing. At this point I can’t see myself going back.

www.dieselworldmag.com/diesel-technology/ats-diesels-innovative-new-4r-package/

 

[JR]

www.dieselworldmag.com/diesel-technology/ats-diesels-innovative-new-4r-package/

Did you even bother reading your own link? Let me cue you in, it's a hot rodding column where guys put down big horsepower. Who woulda ever guessed a stock transmission wouldn't hold up to Dyno runs behind an engine pushing how many hundreds of horsepower above stock. Shocking!
That article is pretty bias to say the least.

Dodge had to replace its aging 48RE transmission: the only six-speed that they had in house was the 68rfe, so it got the nod to be installed in this new generation of Ram trucks.

Wrong, the 68 was designed specifically to handle the torque of the new 6.7 , and is the only application that transmission is used .


I get a kick out of this one here:

The six-speed proved to be a problem behind the torque of the Cummins engine however, and failures (especially in the ’07-’11 model years) were common. It was hard to tell exactly when the 68RFE might fail, but somewhere between 50,000 and 150,000 miles is the norm.

Guess I better tell the guys I know with 300k+ on their original 68 they better start saving up for a $10k+ trans swap. What a deal, and you even get to sacrifice two gears at that price point.

Just more Newsa nonsense.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I am getting ready to order a 4500 Tradesman 4x4 4 door with the 6 speed manual. Why? because I have had great love and success with the manual transmissions in my current 1996 and 2003 trucks. I am the only one who drives them and they have served me well. Original clutches both lasted over 150,000 miles and then were upgraded with South Bend units. The Aisin automatic is very tempting because it is a tough unit. Aisin builds transmissions for some forklifts and they really take the abuse well. I trust them but still like to change my own gears.

 

[andymac]

That will be a good truck. In related news has anyone read anything at all about if the G56 will continue in the refreshed 2019 HD?

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have wondered that myself, and have also wondered what will be different in the new truck.

 

[Newsa]

Did you even bother reading your own link? Let me cue you in, it's a hot rodding column where guys put down big horsepower. Who woulda ever guessed a stock transmission wouldn't hold up to Dyno runs behind an engine pushing how many hundreds of horsepower above stock. Shocking!
That article is pretty bias to say the least.



Wrong, the 68 was designed specifically to handle the torque of the new 6.7 , and is the only application that transmission is used .


I get a kick out of this one here:



Guess I better tell the guys I know with 300k+ on their original 68 they better start saving up for a $10k+ trans swap. What a deal, and you even get to sacrifice two gears at that price point.

Just more Newsa nonsense.

You may disagree with the article. But where does it say they upped the torque or HP?

 

[Busa Dave]

www.dieselworldmag.com/diesel-technology/ats-diesels-innovative-new-4r-package/

LOL did not read the article but have been running Clint's transmissions since he was in his old building and married to the gorgeous bodybuilder Renae!! My monster diesels were not Cummins (no I do not build fire breathing monsters anymore) but he does build good stuff. Had to for me to drive to Denver to have the work done before he started letting select shops build and install under license.

 

[jhenderson]

Follow the money. This is an article extolling the virtues of an advertisers products. They talk at length about hotshotters. Once again I wonder by percentages how many hotshotters with manuals have had to upgrade the stock clutch. How many have had the dmf replaced under warranty only to need to upgrade to an aftermarket single mass flywheel to quell the noise and vibration when the stock setup fails once again.

 

[dfb]

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?

I think your opinion would change if you had left knee surgery. Stop and go traffic for miles towing our fiver on the 5 outside Dodger Stadium. It sucked! Big time!. Give me the aisin auto over the oldest, arcaic piece of machinery used today..the manny transmission.. i can control my gears in my auto... the eb works like magic...

 

[RT395]

I think your opinion would change if you had left knee surgery. Stop and go traffic for miles towing our fiver on the 5 outside Dodger Stadium. It sucked! Big time!. Give me the aisin auto over the oldest, arcaic piece of machinery used today..the manny transmission.. i can control my gears in my auto... the eb works like magic...

Maybe your decision to drive in stop and go LA traffic while towing a fiver wasn't the wisest one? and with knee surgery? Just saying...

Ive been told that the eb works better with a manual. Maybe someone here has driven both and can speak to that?

 

[truckmen]

The manual transmission option was why I bought ram.

same here