Standard shift trucks

farmerjohn

Well-known Member
A fellow was telling me at work today that you cannot buy a new pickup truck with standard shift anymore, standard shift is no longer an option. Is this true? And if so how long ago did it start?
 
And then only behind a de-rated Cummins.

Chevy/GMC did away with the manual behind the 2nd version of the duramax, and Frod with the 6.4L.

Not even sure you can get a manual in the Wrangler anymore.
 
If Dodge has not already discontinued manual transmissions in full-sized PU trucks, they will do so soon.

Dean
 
I'll never understand why some people can't learn to drive a standard. I've had several people work for me that I've tried to teach to drive my truck and can never master it. My wife is the same way. When her car is in the shop I have to drive here everywhere because she can't drive the truck. Then my son was given an old ford truck with a manual and he's going to change the transmission to a automatic because his fiancee can't drive it. This sort of thing is probably behind the standard going bye bye.
 
Dodge is the only manufacturer that still has an option of a manual tranny. It's only available with the Cummins diesel and it is a de-rated model. The de-rated diesel still has more horsepower and torque than the 2003 Dodge Cummins with the 6spd manual had.

I love manuals, I get better mileage with them and fewer people ask to borrow the truck since they can't shift.
 
This is really sad to hear. The truck I have now is an automatic and it will be the last auto I buy. I just want nothing to do with another automatic transmission.
 
(quoted from post at 22:50:48 01/03/13) A fellow was telling me at work today that you cannot buy a new pickup truck with standard shift anymore, standard shift is no longer an option. Is this true? And if so how long ago did it start?

Guess I should hang on to my '02 Chevy 4x4 p/u with 5 speed manual then. I love to drive a stick. When my oldest daughter was 16, I got a used '94 ranger w/ stick specifically so she would learn to drive one. She tried it, stalled it a few times, started crying and stomped off. I parked it at the curb and said "there's your wheels" Couple of days later, I see her get in and jerk down the street. She loved it after that. When she moved on, I bought the '02 used for the next 2 daughters to learn on. They love sticks now as well. When they bought a new chevy Cruze a year ago, they chose the manual trans. One of the reasons is that it keeps others from wanting to borrow their car as almost all of their friends can't drive sticks. BTW, they "name" their vehicles. The '02 Chevy is "Cheryl", the Cruze is "Charlotte". To me, it's "the truck".
 
I always thought a standard transmission was a good deterent to car theft - thieves weren't smart enough to shift them.
 
Ford dealer told me a while back they recommend automatics for towing now as clutches have been shrunk so much in manuals that they don't hold up to towing.
 
i dont think youve been able to get a standard transmission for some time. MANUAL transmissions are not classed as standard transmissions, i havent seen a true "standard" three speed transmission in a new vehicle for many years. nearly every manual transmission has extra gears or overdrives these days that make them so called non-standard. its basically a selling tool. five speed overdrive just sounds more manly than a standard transmission LOL.
 
You must not have been pricing trucks for a while. 2006, 7 years ago were the last standard General Motors 1500-3500 pickups.
US military got rid of manual transmissions decades . It was cheaper to run automatics instead of paying for extra training. Increased avalability and less shop time and repair expenses.
Personally I'm secure enough in my Manhood that I don't have to hold onto a phalic shaped device while driving.
 
I bought my GMC in 2007. It's equipped with the Duramax and Alison 6 speed Auto Transmission. Wife doesn't drive a manual transmission vehicle and I'm not going to try to teach her. A year later, found out only way to get the standard trans with the Duramax was to special order it. Have no idea if it's still available with special order or not.

Had not shopped or owned a pickup for several years (spent a lot of time overseas). Supposedly automatic transmission is better for towing/etc. Not sure I agree it's better but have learned to like it. Especially towing 5th wheel thru mountains.
 
Manufacturers are getting better at making automatics. Chevy's had no need for a manual in a diesel since 2001. Can't really understand why you'd want one if there's a tried and true Allison transmission available. Ford and Dodge are getting better at building a durable transmission that will stand up to the high output of today's diesels.
 
The simple fact of the matter is that manual transmissions weren't selling enough units in a year to justify the extra cost of producing them and maintaining parts inventory for them.

Automatic transmission technology is about 60 years old. People will gladly jump on a 60 year old tractor that was new technology at the time it was built, but they won't trust a BRAND NEW transmission with 60 years of refinement behind it.
 
Dodge is the only one still supplying a standard and I believe that's only in the HD models...
I guess I better start accumulating good used drivelines because I can't stand dealing with an automatic.

Rod
 
I doubt it. There's enough guys who would buy something else rather than run a Dodge automatic.
 
Well when your 60 years of refinement goes out and
costs $2500 or more to fix lets see who stands
behind it. All my experiences I will not own a truck
with a auto for the simple reason of towing.Now this
is just my opinion but when my buddies are crying
about how much it costs to have their auto fixed and
I"m still going thats enough proof for me
 
B and D.

Really? That is your response? I hoped for a better thought retort.

I had the opportunity to replace several auto- transmissions...expensive to say the least.

So, looking for an altenative expense, if I remenber right, the only US pickup truck made with a stickshift would be the RAM, with Cummins engine.

I wanted to "shop", but Ford, nor Chevy, provided that choice.

I do like the idea that I "can" and have shifted my vehicle gears.

I usually do not want to confront others, yourself included, online, but the comment made by you about the manhood-secure thing, well, seems to describe what I will not; seeing as we are on a forum that has a lot of folks that can and do drive stick-shifts.

Of course, I may have read your response incorrectly, so in advance, I do apologize if that's the case.

D.
 
Way to go..


Daughters have a wa about them, but they do work their way into your line of sight,

I too, had difficulty with them getting used to a stick-shift, but , today, they both are thankful that I spent the time.

Hope you and yours are well.

D.
 
I don't like pickups with automatics, never know if it is going into gear or going to strip the friction discs out when I take off. I like solid metal between the engine and rear end. Automatic is alright for a car. Boss has a Dodge pickup with a Cummins and automatic. I hate driving the thing.
 
Funny about what everyone is saying about Dodge derating the Cummings for the stick shift, its apparently the other way around, The max tow weight is reduced by about 900 lbs when you select automatic trans vs when you select manual trans on the Ram website.

Truck can haul more with the manual 6 spd.

Charles
 
I have a 99 F350 diesel 6sp 4x4 that will have the body replaced before I'll buy a diesel truck with an auto don't like them have driven a few and they drive me nuts don't have a problem with gas autos but have never had great luck with them had to rebuild 2 and the third was going to need it soon but traded it off before it died current one has 125k on it it may last 75k more but I never tow with it
 

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