See full version: Why don't trucks have manual transmissions anymore
With the 2019 Ram heavy-duty trucks abandoning the G56 six-speed, the manual transmission is gone from full-size trucks. Many tears have been shed by enthusiasts; manual transmissions in pickup trucks used to be the less expensive, stronger, more efficient and more reliable compared with their automatic counterparts. What led to the manual transmission's demise?
The main reason automatics have taken over, however, is demand. Demand for manual transmissions is so low that the expense of research and development, meeting regulations and having a supply chain costs manufacturers more to make and maintain than they are worth. With automatics now the norm in the U.S. truck market, more time and money is allocated to developing superior automatic transmissions to meet customer demands. here
More From PickupTrucks.com:
Sure, truckmakers could easily design a strong and smooth-shifting manual transmission with a heavy clutch to handle today's torque outputs, but the demand is so small, it's not worth the investment.
There's still room for improvement, but manufacturers have done well with modern automatic transmissions. [links]
The main reason automatics have taken over, however, is demand. Demand for manual transmissions is so low that the expense of research and development, meeting regulations and having a supply chain costs manufacturers more to make and maintain than they are worth. With automatics now the norm in the U.S. truck market, more time and money is allocated to developing superior automatic transmissions to meet customer demands. here
Improvements have been made in fluids, materials and design, making automatic transmissions so strong and reliable that there are no longer worries about using them in heavy-load conditions. Today, automatics are often preferred in heavy-load applications for their ability to quickly and smoothly upshift and downshift while pulling heavy loads uphill or slowing the vehicle when descending grades. Many also automatically downshift to provide engine braking when the brake pedal is pressed. here
Lastly? The continuously variable transmission, otherwise known as a CVT. Digital Trends reports that this type of transmission forgoes gears and relies on a neverending belt and pulley system instead. Basically, when you have a CVT, the transmission never actually shifts.
The bad news is that the Tacoma’s manual transmission isn’t available on every trim. Instead, it’s only available with three trim levels, the TRD Sport, the TRD Off-Road, and the TRD Pro. [links]
Yes, you certainly can. In fact, Car and Driver reports that when it comes to the Toyota Tacoma, you’re going to want to steer clear of its automatic transmission and stick with its manual transmission instead. here
At this point, there are only two pickup trucks available with a manual transmission: the 2021 Toyota Tacoma and the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. While the Nissan Frontier used to be included on that list, it’s definitely not anymore. Based on the 2022 model’s specs, the Nissan Frontier wasn’t able to hold on to its manual transmission. here
Among its credentials as a Popemobile and reliable worker, the Nissan Frontier can add ‘defender of the manual.’ Unlike the Gladiator, however, the Frontier isn’t quite as all-in when it comes to rowing your own gears. [links]
With both the Chevrolet Colorado and Ram 1500 dropping their manual options for 2019, this leaves the Jeep Gladiator as the sole American choice when it comes to new manual trucks. It’s also the only truck here to make it on our “Mid-Size Trucks with the Highest Payload Capacity” list. more
Only the base King Cab and Crew Cab S trim Frontiers have a manual option. And you can’t have it with all-wheel drive, again, unlike the Jeep. But owners can take some solace in the fact that their new manual truck has more speeds than the automatic. An updated Frontier won’t arrive until late 2020 as a 2021 model—let’s hope Nissan doesn’t follow Ram and Chevrolet in ditching the stick. [links]
In contrast to Nissan, Toyota fully embraces off-roaders who drive with three pedals. Although the Toyota Tacoma is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 trims, the only way to get a manual is to get all-wheel drive.
Modern automatic transmissions let trucks reach new levels of refinement and fuel efficiency. Not to mention the convenience in heavy city traffic. Also, vehicle electronics are now so interconnected, that a manual transmission simply introduces too many variables. The human brain and muscles are the weak link. So, for the most part, the stick-shift has gone away. In fact, right now, there are only three new manual trucks available on the market, and all of them are mid-size.
The long answer is: it’s difficult to find a heavy duty pickup with a manual transmission for testing, it’s even harder to find a truck that is comparable in configuration to another truck with an automatic (i.e. crew cab 4×4). There are other issues with a direct comparison of a Ram HD with a manual transmission versus an HD truck with an automatic. The 6.7L Cummins I6 engine that is paired with the G56 6-speed manual transmission has a lower output: 350 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 660 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm. This is basically a commercial grade HD truck configuration (class 4 or class 5), although you can still get a Ram 2500 or 3500 with this power train. (By the way, power rating for commercial trucks is performed on a chassis dyno, not an engine dyno).
We where wondering if you guys could do some kind of test with the Ram HD featuring three trucks with the three different transmission options. Viewers could see what the difference is in the real world versus just looking at the numbers. Being a manual transmission guy, I know that it will be slower and most likely lose due to the lower power numbers and loss of time shifting. Ram still makes the manual, and it would be fun to see how it stacks up. Long-haul guys have been relying on manual dodges for years to haul all kinds of heavy stuff and still do today. There are many of these trucks that have outlasted multiple rebuilds on auto transmission trucks. I was thinking the test would be towing whatever the maximum the manual Ram HD would tow, then use the same load on the other two trucks. If you guys could make something like this happen that would be awesome. Thanks Mickey
The next level up is the 6.7L Cummins with 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 800 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm that is paired with Ram’s 68RFE 6-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the high output 6.7L Cummins produces 385 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 900 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm. This engine is mated to an AS69RC 6-speed automatic transmission by Aisin.
The short answer is: yes, we would love to test a Ram HD truck with a manual transmission and see how it stacks up against the automatics! more
We recently received the following question about testing heavy duty trucks with manual transmissions, and it got us thinking. Why aren’t there more HD trucks out there with a manual transmission option? more