Manual transmission

[ROADWARRIOR]

Is this option going to be a thing of the past for Dodge too?

 

[Dieselnut59]

God, I hope not! In the future, I will purchase a new truck. I will NOT purchase one with an automatic transmission. I HATE automatics, no matter how "good" they are. I WANT to change my own gears, using a stick and clutch pedal. I would say Dodge will have a lot of customers that insist on manual transmissions, especially since the "competitors" no longer give their customers a choice!

 

[truckin-on]

One of the primary reasons I bought a 2010 3500 Laramie was due to the availability of a manual. GM lost my business, for a few reasons, but the lack of a transmission choice was a significant factor.

-truckin-on

 

[Zak Smith]

-

 

[robertyoke]

the cars are going to all clutch-less manuals. not really a bad thing as the smg in my m3 works really well.



More and more you will see semi manuals and less autos just for the efficiency factor.

 

[SierraRam]

I am with DieselNut. I wint own a truck without a manual with a clutch. Well that is if I have a choice.

 

[HBarlow]

Government Motors and Furd don't offer manual six speed transmissions because their lousy V8 diesel engines don't produce torque at low rpm like our Cummins inline 6s.

I drove a Furd 6. 0 with manual six speed several years ago when the 6. 0 was new. It was pitiful. The only way to avoid stalling the engine on launch was to rev it up and slip the clutch, just like a small block V8 gasser.

 

[rscurtis]

In the past, I don't doubt that your statement is true. With these new engines making their 700+ ft lbs of torque at 1600 RPM, it's probably not an issue any more. One factor could be their dismal performance with a stick in the past which resulted in very low sales. Another factor could be finding a manual transmission to handle this torque without de-rating the engine like Dodge does now.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I sent Dodge an e-mail with this concern and they didn't make me feel warm and fuzzy with their response. They said something like they didn't know what their future offerings would be, but that it was an option for 2010.



I also wrote to Furd and said they lost a customer and they never responded.



Dan

 

[Grizzly]

The only auto transmission I've had is on my 03 Toyota Avalon, only because Toyota won't make that car with a stick shift. All the trucks I've had have been stick shift, which is what I prefer.



Having said that, I believe that the 6 speed Aisin auto may be worth considering.

 

[surfbeetle]

Mine is a manual and I have only had two autos in the family since the vehicles my wife liked didn't come with a stick. The thing I hate about the semi manuals like the one in the new Charger is that you have only a left and right toggle on the stick for shifting. If you you're going to take a way my clutch, then give me the same shift pattern as a regular manual and that way I won't have to look at what gear I'm in. I always know what gear my stick is in. You can also have a fully auto mode on it for those that don't want to shift manually.

 

[jgillott]

I think there are a couple of factors going on here. I'd guess that the major issue simply comes down to production cost. If you are only offering one configuration, each and every chassis, steering column, wiring, etc. can be standard down the line. This is the reason why you see very few trucks, including the ST's, without power windows, locks, AC and the like. It's just more cost effective to keep everything the same on the line, even if you are including what would be considered additional equipment.



I would also assume that an electronically controlled auto, makes it much easier to design control systems to handle the new standards that the good old EPA has mandated. Allowing the ECM to make the driving mode decisions within a given duty cycle instead of the driver, has to make it easier to handle the torque management, emissions cycles, etc. under their design conditions.

 

[HBarlow]

In the past, I don't doubt that your statement is true. With these new engines making their 700+ ft lbs of torque at 1600 RPM, it's probably not an issue any more. One factor could be their dismal performance with a stick in the past which resulted in very low sales. Another factor could be finding a manual transmission to handle this torque without de-rating the engine like Dodge does now.

How do you know the V8 diesels produce high torque at 1600 rpm? Have Government Motors and Furd provided a torque graph for the new engines? I"ve never seen one in their literature for previous engines. I've read their advertising hype but never seen any proof.

 

[rscurtis]

Visit www.pickuptrucks.com- the specs for the Ford and the Chevy are listed there- both at 1600 RPM. Does seem to be an interesting departure from the maximum torque speed of their predecessors.

 

[rashwor]

I have to admit, I love my NV5600 and would not trade it. But from what I understand, Dodge finally got it right with the Aisin (not the 68RFE, although it may be a good transmission).

 

[sfritts]

I too think that a manual is what real trucks need if you check my signature you'll find i have 2stick machines , but the wife wants to buy a new one with a shiftless in it so she can drive it when she wants to I guess the new 6-auto is OK, but don't know anyone who has one and braggs about it.

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... . I guess the new 6-auto is OK, but don't know anyone who has one and braggs about it.

I do and I do.