It has been years since Chrysler built a half ton pickup with a manual transmission option aside from the high priced SRT10 models. While the take rate of Ram 1500 pickups fitted with a clutch pedal were very low in their final years, many half ton Ram owners still pine for a manual transmission…preferably with the 5.7L Hemi.
Based on those pleas for a Hemi-powered Ram 1500 that offers gear banging fun, I bring you the DF Question of the Week: should the Ram 1500 feature a manual transmission option?
The advantages of an automatic transmission in the Ram 1500 are clear as they remove the “hassle” of having to shift your own gears. In the past, vehicles equipped with manual transmissions have traditionally been more fuel friendly than those fitted with an automatic transmission but advancements in self-shifting transmission technology have made modern autos just as efficient as manual models. This technology has also made modern automatics every bit as durable as manual transmissions so those who prefer a manual for its hard-working capabilities can now rely on the standard automatic to do the heavy pulling. When you look at the fact that these modern automatics are just as sturdy and efficient as a manual transmission coupled with the low take rate of manual transmission pickups in their final years during the second generation of the Ram (again – SRT10s not included), it makes sense why Chrysler opted to kill the manual option.
On the other hand, even with the improvements of automatic transmission technology over the past ten years there is no denying that a regular cab Ram 1500 with a 400 horsepower Hemi V8 and a 6-speed manual transmission would provide gobs more driving excitement than an auto gearbox. In addition to being better for things like towing in wintery weather or digging through deep mud while offroading, there is simply no question that a manual transmission would make driving the Ram 1500 far more engaging for those who know how to use the clutch pedal.
The Chrysler Group already has a sturdy 6-speed manual transmission that is hard at work behind both the 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi-powered Challengers and while that unit would likely need some beefing up to endure the abuse of “truck use” – this low take rate transmission would likely make a great many prospective Ram owners happy.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
