4wd shifter: electronic or manual?

[woof]

Hi guys in my nationwide search for a 2018 truck with the G56 transmission I have been crossing off vehicles with the electronic shifter knob simply because I have always had the manual transfer case shifter. I had viewed the electronic knob shifter as something else to fail that I have no idea how to fix. Many, many trucks have been crossed off the list because of this feature. Is my distrust of this feature valid or am I being an old guy?

 

[Ozymandias]

Millions of these TCs work flawless for the life of the vehicle.
There is absolutely nothing to fear. It is a proven simple technology.

Me myself wouldn't want a manual TC as I remember them often binding and fighting the shift lever to get the low range in or out. Now electric for the last 10 years, a charm to use it.

 

[lpennock]

Is my distrust of this feature valid or am I being an old guy?

Both.

I had electronic shift on my 08 and have it now on my 18. Had manual on my 06. I prefer the manual for the same reason as the manual trans. It is just more reliable. Never had a problem with the 08 except a occasional fail to go into 4 lo. Usually pulling slightly forward or back would solve it though. I don't live in a area with a lot of bad weather so I can't say how the E-shift holds up under constant rain/snow/ice.

 

[Tuesdak]

I would recommend the combo I have and even electric push button 4x4. I have a Tradesman manual 4x4 lever with the HO and Aisin.

IMO it doesn't make a difference anymore. Like you I don't trust the electric shift reliability and think it's not necessary, but, even with the floor lever: electric is involved for the front differential. Mine likes to shut the light off when I shift out of 4X4 and all 3 Mile Island Style indicates what's commanded not what it is doing: It hangs in 4X4 till it unbinds and can drop out. IE turning hops with the 4x4 light off. (We have had some trouble with the GM electronic shifting over the years mainly the contacts being dirty from not enough use. Running through several shifts can fix that. Don't get me started on the unreliable thermal actuator GM used for the IFS front diff at first. Or burning up 3 IFS differentials because something came loose and ate the gears.)

Now I will suggest you look at the Aisin auto trans in the 2018 as it's as close to a manual as one can get without being a manual. And if you are going to make that leap you may as well order/look for a new 2021 (or 2022) due to used truck prices being insane. IMO the 2020's were way better for throttle lag off the light than the 2018's. I did not like the standard output just over the lag even at 60 MPH.

I have posted about the Aisin being unrefined in rare cases encountering a steep grade: it goes 2-neutral-1 and will test the rear locker if you are heavy on the throttle. The latest flash has it still clunky on a 1-2 shift in a parking lot banging it in about the time I just let off the throttle. All in all it's no worse than being sloppy with a NV5600. The updates have addressed the other shifting problems it had.

Yes, I miss my NV5600 at times.

 

[nukegm]

comrade woof - i have the exact truck your searching for. i throw it in and out of 4hi every day ( crazy driveway ) i have found that the manual lever is one of the most reliable things on the truck in its 53,000 miles. other things, not so much. cheers!

 

[SSchang]

My 2020 has the electric shift, as did my 2015. I think the 2011 had it as well, but not sure. Either one is fine for me, but I prefer the manual lever as it's in 4wd instantly vs a couple seconds of blinking with the electric. I've had unexpected slippery situations as the back end kicked out that the lever made a quick correction vs a couple seconds of butt pucker waiting for the electric.

 

[Tuesdak]

Show 4Low a little love too! @nukegm Yeah it’s fun when a steep driveway makes the most powerful diesel for 2018 reach for 1st gear.

@SSchang my 2018 isn’t instant into 4x4 as it has to wait on the front differential motor. So I am not sure the push button is slower.