Why did you choose a manual?

[turbojet]

OK, all you six or five shooters out there, why?

 

[JNutter]

You forgot 'Factory approved for exhaust brake. '

 

[turbojet]

Oops, I knew I would forget something

 

[klenger]

I think another interesting poll would be just to count the autos vs manuals.

 

[PJereb]

1) Engine braking, with an exhaust brake and a manual you can slow yourself down in a hurry. They are also cool for city driving in gridlock, since you can keep a constant gap in front of you with only the accelerator pedal to speed you up and slow you down.



2) Durability, I am hard on stuff, and I know I am going to have a hard time screwing up a New Venture transmission, where as I know I could scatter an automatic. We blow up the autos in our powerstrokes at work about every 60K.



3) Coolness factor, there isn’t much better than all the racket a truck makes when you are rowing up or down the gears.



4) Cost, it is going to cost me less from the factory, and it is going to cost me less to keep it on the road.



5) Man factor, if you can’t drive a manual proficiently, you need to master that skill.



These are all reasons why when I order up an 04. 5 it will have the six speed

 

[boonsur]

Another Strong Argument...

My biggest reason remains - Dodge CAN'T build an auto!!! (that will stand-up long-term to the torque these engines are capable of).



I'd rather get it from a company whose main business is building the transmission (New Venture). Just like Cummins only makes engines. If their livelyhood depends on it, they'll do it right.

 

[bighammer]

I don't know how to drive an automatic.

 

[Dean Upson]

I think it is mostly a matter of personal preference, but this NV5600 with the Cummins HO is the sweetest setup I've driven in my 62 years (46 years a legal driver). I have driven the 48RE and liked it better than the 47RE but no cigar.



Dean

 

[JHardwick]

This poll is impossible ... ... ... ... ..... I choose "D", all of the above ... ... ..... plaus what PJereb said

 

[Jengle]

It's all about power and control, man. Plus what PJsaid too.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Originally posted by bighammer

I don't know how to drive an automatic.

:-laf



control, durability, much cheaper to BOMB, and besides... autos don't make the right noises!

 

[HOBrian]

when I ordered mine it was the only way to get the HO! I love it!

Oo.

 

[timjones]

01) The O'L Lady can't drive a Stick, so Baby Is Safe. Oo. Oo. :-{}



1) Engine braking, with an exhaust brake and a manual you can slow yourself down in a hurry. They are also cool for city driving in gridlock, since you can keep a constant gap in front of you with only the accelerator pedal to speed you up and slow you down.



2) Durability, I am hard on stuff, and I know I am going to have a hard time screwing up a New Venture transmission, where as I know I could scatter an automatic. We blow up the autos in our powerstrokes at work about every 60K.



3) Coolness factor, there isn’t much better than all the racket a truck makes when you are rowing up or down the gears.



4) Cost, it is going to cost me less from the factory, and it is going to cost me less to keep it on the road.



100000) The O'L Lady can't drive a Stick, so Baby Is Safe. Oo. Oo. :-{}

 

[klenger]

Comparing this poll to the one on auto transmissions, it looks like there are lots of reasons to get a manual, but only one reason to get an auto.

 

[Mad Bomber]

6 speeder

1. Like a stick

2. Ex brake

3. Don't like dodges auto

4. Cheap to (bomb) build up transmission

5. Love to pull heavy loads

 

[Swayse]

BOMBing for me, and I got the 5 speed. Sometimes I wish I had an auto after a long day of stop and go, but what's the fun in that. The new autos defuel when trying to launch hard, even with ATS torque converter and valve body, and BD's RAD won't work on the 3 gen trucks.



Good news is that I bought an old 92 W250 4x4 auto to do the dirty work, now my 03 can rest in the garage a bit more.

 

[JHardwick]

LOL klenger, don't go there!

 

[lil red cummins]

1. it was time for a change - been driving autos for too many years. time to get back to basics.

2. the neighbors and friends won't ask to borrow it because they don't know how to drive it.

3. i love sitting at a traffic light and not holding my foot on the brake.

4. everybody in my family does or will know how to drive a stick!

5. 1st gear is great for creeping along in bumper to bumper traffic.

6. bombing safely to 500 hp/1000 lbft.

7. only downside - not so trailer friendly.

8. i don't drive in stop and go traffic often, so holding the clutch in for prolonged times is not an issue. - see #5.



the only problem i have is finding reverse. it is a PIA still after 2+ weeks.

i have never had a transmission where ALL the gears are syncronized - including reverse.



jim

 

[rbattelle]

I once rebuilt an automatic transmission. 'Nuff said.



(Fewer parts = simpler = better )

 

[Prairie Dog]

I will be keeping this truck for many years and figure the six speed will save close to 4k on a auto rebuild during this time.

By the way, lots of folks berate our auto but fords and chevys are junk at 150 to 200,000 as well. If they haven't been rebuilt by that time, they need it.

I didn't have much choice though, the auto wasn't available w/ the H. O. when I bought.



Scotty