2015 auto or manual trans?

[CMgoFast]

So, can you get a manual transmission and coil rear springs?

 

[photowrite]

As for the cracked beds, I just bought a new 2014 2500 and the bed didnt make it to 20,000 miles. As usual I go to the dealer (3 hour trip) and they give me the run around. You must be abusing it etc. They say they are the "official truck" of the rancher yet when a rancher has a quality issue they leave you hanging. The Fords we have do exactly the same thing and crack at the same place (front corners) but they do it at around 150K miles. So no more pickups. Only chassis cabs. Anyway, I digress. What were we talking about?

Constant dirt/off-highway use is surely tough on any rig, and I'm not really surprised about the trucks falling apart with the duty-duty use they are subjected to. Going with chassis-cab truck does make sense. Your cattle use is interesting, do I remember correctly from a previous post that you are in Texas?

Though I prefer single rear wheel trucks for most of what I do, I have considered a dually and/or a chassid-cab in the past on occasion (actually had a custom flat bed made for a 1993 chassis-cab back then) . I like a flat bed for some uses and I'd also like a slightly larger DEF tank.

However, I had lighting company's a Ram 5500/Cummins in my shop a couple weeks ago replacing bulbs, and it looked like the DEF tank was outside the frame rail and low on the driver’s side, similar to pics I saw recently of the DEF tank on GM pickups. This location might not matter to most, but it would be a deal-breaker for me... I love how the Ram ‘pickups’ DEF tank is tucked up and protected with steel.

On topic---I just made a 300 mile round trip over Donner Pass I80 in Calif. (as I have countless times before) in my very nice, low mileage and 'built' Toyota Tundra gas rig that I plan to sell soon. It's a great truck, good power and torque by (for gas) modern standards, and has 4.88:1 gears. But it also has an A/T with a reasonably tall 5th, but a ridiculously tall 6th. Even with 4.88 gears and only 33" tires 6th is too tall for pulling many grades, at altitude, and pushing wind. The drive over empty and retuning with a 1,500-pound camper in the bed just reinforced how much I prefer driving my G56 Ram, unloaded and loaded. Turbo-Diesel + manual transmission is a much better driving experience for me.

James

 

[photowrite]

So, can you get a manual transmission and coil rear springs?

Yes, the new 2500s have coils in the rear, and the G56 manual is available behind the Cummins engine.

 

[Newsa]

Constant dirt/off-highway use is surely tough on any rig, and I'm not really surprised about the trucks falling apart with the duty-duty use they are subjected to. Going with chassis-cab truck does make sense. Your cattle use is interesting, do I remember correctly from a previous post that you are in Texas?

Though I prefer single rear wheel trucks for most of what I do, I have considered a dually and/or a chassid-cab in the past on occasion (actually had a custom flat bed made for a 1993 chassis-cab back then) . I like a flat bed for some uses and I'd also like a slightly larger DEF tank.

However, I had lighting company's a Ram 5500/Cummins in my shop a couple weeks ago replacing bulbs, and it looked like the DEF tank was outside the frame rail and low on the driver’s side, similar to pics I saw recently of the DEF tank on GM pickups. This location might not matter to most, but it would be a deal-breaker for me... I love how the Ram ‘pickups’ DEF tank is tucked up and protected with steel.

On topic---I just made a 300 mile round trip over Donner Pass I80 in Calif. (as I have countless times before) in my very nice, low mileage and 'built' Toyota Tundra gas rig that I plan to sell soon. It's a great truck, good power and torque by (for gas) modern standards, and has 4.88:1 gears. But it also has an A/T with a reasonably tall 5th, but a ridiculously tall 6th. Even with 4.88 gears and only 33" tires 6th is too tall for pulling many grades, at altitude, and pushing wind. The drive over empty and retuning with a 1,500-pound camper in the bed just reinforced how much I prefer driving my G56 Ram, unloaded and loaded. Turbo-Diesel + manual transmission is a much better driving experience for me.

James

Agreed off highway use can be rough on a truck. I was thinking of constant torque on an uphill grade at hwy speed causing g56 overheating. Seems the torque on dirt roads is significantly less because the wheels slide easier even though you're also turning the transfer case & more wheels.

A Low and outside DEF tank could be a problem for any offroad use.

 

[kthaxton]

Turbo-Diesel + manual transmission is a much better driving experience for me.

I can assure you....the same is true with a TD and an auto transmission.

I've said before, I think some of the long time Diesel owners are just spoiled now (when they whine that their trans has to downshift once in a while towing on a grade).....and they don't realize it.

 

[photowrite]

I can assure you....the same is true with a TD and an auto transmission.

Like many things that depends on your point of view. A friend of mine likes to say "it's good if you like it". But I don't. I have owned and driven A/T-equipped turbo-diesel trucks, and I simply don't prefer them.

 

[RVTRKN]

I agree, I like the full power when requested by my right foot. I hate the way that there seems to be a soft acceleration with the autos's. However the G56 in stock form has many issues, first is the ATF+ oil, second is the heat, third is the aluminum case with the bell housing casted in a one piece and fourth is the DMF.

The first is a easy fix, however the issue with the trans running hot complicates using the preferred heavier oil. I have solved this by adding a cooler and pump to my G56. The second issue, again I solved. The third is more complicated, because the softening of the aluminum when it gets hot allows the gears to mesh improperly generating even more heat and can grenade the trans. I also think I have this solved with the cooler. But the fourth is a toss up, replacing the DMF with a SMF adds noise and harshness to it. If I had to do it all over again, I would replace the DMF with a DMF when it or the clutch fails. My recommendation for a brand new truck with a G56, is to add a cooler and temperature gauge, to keep it below 200*. If your going to be at or above the GCWR, replace the ATF+ with, fill in the ________, and forget about your warranty.

Again, the pump/cooler eliminates a lot of issues, but warranty is a big problem. To me it's worth it, if you think about it, why worry about a warranty, if it leaves it worthless at the end of it. And it's not like your going to have any issues with it out the door. If I were to buy a new truck, after the break in period, to make sure there's no manufacture defects, I would fill it with Mobil synthetic trans 50 oil and add a proper pump/cooler to it.

 

[Newsa]

Like many things that depends on your point of view. A friend of mine likes to say "it's good if you like it". But I don't. I have owned and driven A/T-equipped turbo-diesel trucks, and I simply don't prefer them.

I haven't driven an automatic transmission CTD. But I like the fact that it has a temperature sensor for the transmission fluid.

I did drive my parents' E450 RV with a Ford V10. It has nearly the same displacement as the CTD but geared much lower. Had plenty of torque, but at higher revs than a CTD. The 6th gear kept the rpm's at around 2000 at hwy speeds and transmission locked up nicely. I get about 2000 rpm's in 6th on my G56 @70 mph, so that's similar. Fuel mileage was lousey though.

It was nice, and I'm sure the Aisin/68RFE are both nice. They have nice operating and communucation features.
But I don't want a computer making my decisions for me. With the manual transmission, I don't need to worry about what tow/haul is going to do or not do to my shifting or exhaust brake. I have complete control over the RPM's and gears that I'm in and the CTD pulls like a mule when I ask it to. I love forcing it into low end grunt at 1400-1700 rpm's and leaving it there for as long as I want without it deciding I need a lower gear. No need to wind out this diesel.
I have manually selected gears on an automatic, before, but it's not the same feel. It's clunky and not smooth at all. The only advantage I can see to an automatic is it's easier to back into a narrow spot slowly.....especially on a grade. This hill assist has pretty much spoiled me, though when at a stoplight or stop sign. Actually, I think the hill assist feature is mildly annoying. Makes things too easy.

One thing I noticed is on a 7-8 hour driving day, driving continously at hwy speed on flat/level road can be monotonous.

I actually look forward to a hill or a stop to break me out of the monotonous trance that I can be sucked in to.

 

[RVTRKN]

I70 comes to mind crossing Kansas, worst drone driving I have driven, second worst is U.S. hwy 95 going north to Oregon out of Winnamucca NV to Boise ID.

 

[Newsa]

It's either shift or pick my nose. But I can multi-task

 

[kthaxton]

Like many things that depends on your point of view. A friend of mine likes to say "it's good if you like it". But I don't. I have owned and driven A/T-equipped turbo-diesel trucks, and I simply don't prefer them.

The reason for my response is that the specific issues you mentioned with your Toyota (pulling grades in OD), are engine related, not really trans related. You'd be hard pressed to find any gas engine that will pull a steep grade in OD with or without a load.....unless you've geared it really, really low.

 

[photowrite]

The reason for my response is that the specific issues you mentioned with your Toyota (pulling grades in OD), are engine related, not really trans related. You'd be hard pressed to find any gas engine that will pull a steep grade in OD with or without a load.....unless you've geared it really, really low.

You make good poiints and commnets, I agree.

The Toyota is geared to what many would consider quite low, 4.88:1 with only a 33" tire. However the top, overdrive gear in the Tundra six speed is really, really tall, 0.58:1. So it is pretty useless in much of the terrain I see, even slight grades, or just fast freeway speeds and wind, it doesn't a take a big mountain to unlock the torque converter or need a downshift. The next lower overdrive, 5th, is a more reasonable, useable 0.72:1. For my conditions and use, even with 4.88:1, I dislike the A/T and trans gearing much [agreed, the engine could have more low end torque, and a turbo].

Though my preference for a manual and a turbo-diesel goes deeper, there is little I don't like about operating one well. I enjoy the process. But I understand and respect that many do not, and the A/T is the hands-down, popular favorite.

 

[andymac]

Though my preference for a manual and a turbo-diesel goes deeper, there is little I don't like about operating one well. I enjoy the process. But I understand and respect that many do not, and the A/T is the hands-down, popular favorite.[/QUOTE]

Well said. I could not agree more.

 

[CMgoFast]

I still have not bought my new truck, but I'm getting close. I still can't decide on the transmission. I'm getting a 2500 so the Aisin isn't an option according to ramtrucks.com, so if I'm wrong on that let me know. My only hang up now is how is the fuel mileage with the manual vs. the auto? I've seen the display in our 2014 rental with an AUTO read 24mpg when cruising down the highway at 65mph. I've HEARD that the manual gets about 20mpg. Any truth to this? Thanks guys.

 

[Newsa]

20 mpg's is about right. I have 17 in wheels. If you get the 18 in wheels, you might do better on the hwy.

Both auto's have a double overdrive. So they do slightly better.

If you want the aisin, look into the 3500 srw. A lot like that option.

 

[SnoKing]

From the hunt for Red October:

Helicopter Pilot: Fuel status says we turn back now.
Jack Ryan: Wait a minute. Fuel status? You have a reserve, don't you?
Helicopter Pilot: Yes, sir. I've got a ten minute reserve... but I'm not allowed to invade that except in time of war.
Jack Ryan: Listen, mister, if you don't get me on board that ******* submarine, that just might be what you'll have! You got me? Now you have ten more minutes' worth of fuel, we stay here ten more minutes!

My hunt for Red October, is to beat October in with a Deep Cherry Red Crystal Clear Coat 2015 3500 Short Box Laramie, Buckets, Aisin etc. Last one in the nation with the options we wanted. Stay tuned to TDR 4th gen secret frequency!

 

[Newsa]

From the hunt for Red October:

Helicopter Pilot: Fuel status says we turn back now.
Jack Ryan: Wait a minute. Fuel status? You have a reserve, don't you?
Helicopter Pilot: Yes, sir. I've got a ten minute reserve... but I'm not allowed to invade that except in time of war.
Jack Ryan: Listen, mister, if you don't get me on board that ******* submarine, that just might be what you'll have! You got me? Now you have ten more minutes' worth of fuel, we stay here ten more minutes!

My hunt for Red October, is to beat October in with a Deep Cherry Red Crystal Clear Coat 2015 3500 Short Box Laramie, Buckets, Aisin etc. Last one in the nation with the options we wanted. Stay tuned to TDR 4th gen secret frequency!

He got off the pot. Sorta

 

[Ram4Sam]

He got off the pot. Sorta

Times 2......:-laf Pictures or it didn't happen......

sam

 

[Cummins12V98]

Can we all say "Amen"

 

[SnoKing]

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It is now ours, however 1300+ miles away in Greeley, Co

36 miles on the clock this morning when we completed the money transfer, Wednesday that will be around 1400. When is a boat a truck??? When you sell your boat to buy a new truck for cash!

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Snoking