I think you're a little misguided Ben. Yes manuals are generally stronger built, but automatics are not imminent failures. Hence them running just fine in millions of cars and trucks (yes trucks, big ones) around the world.

I was thinking manual for my truck, but factors like the rest of my family not being able to drive it and my recurring leg problems were enough for me to stick to an auto.

 

Got the automatic w/AutoStick in my 5.7 Charger, and love it. Which is good, because that is the only transmission available in the Charger.

Drove a 6-speed Ram, didn't like it much. Knew I'd be doing some off-roading for work, and some towing, and definitely wanted the Hemi; liked the 1500 over the 2500. So, forced to get an automatic again. I like it OK, not perfect but bearable. It does hunt for gears a lot when towing.

Anybody have good experience with the Superchips Flashpaq for towing?

In a couple of years, I hope to get a Challenger, it will be a 6-speed.

 

I'vwe owned and driven trucks since 1990. I've had manuals and automatics and I vastly prefer driving a stick. I have complete control over when the gears change, for one thing. And if you know how to work a clutch, manuals last basically forever without doing a second's worth of maintenance to them.

Yeah, autos are easier when you're in stop-and-go traffic. So what? My only complaint is that it's difficult to get a full-sze truck, especially a 4x4, with a stick anymore.

Plus, no dead battery worries!

 

They each have their merits, but for me, definitely a stick. Driven MT all my life, wouldn't trade for anything else. You exert a greater degree of control over the vehicle when it's stick shift. Brakes go out? Down shift till you've stopped. Need a slow, jerk-free start? Start in second.

I realize this can be done on most ATs, it just seems cooler in a MT I guess.

2nd that on the no dead batteries bdhuntr.

$.02

 

I can understand buying an auto if you anticipate being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on a regular basis, but I'm seldom in that kind of traffic, and a manual is sooo much more fun to drive! Honestly, the sole reason I'm driving a Dodge truck for the first time in my life is the availability of the manual in a 4X4. Dodge has been the only option for the drive train I prefer for several years now, unless I move up to a 3/4 ton, and I have no particular need for a 3/4 ton. As far as my wife is concerned, her PT Cruiser is also a manual, her only problem with the Ram is its size, when you're use to driving something as small as a PT, then you get behind the wheel of a QC 4X4 it does take some getting use to!

 

Betcha can't drink coffee and shift and drive all at the same time----without spilling it or wearing it---------

 

+1 The RAM is a 5-speed auto and the 88 5.0 Mustang is a 5-speed manual.

These days, the auto transmissions are usually stronger than the manual's in 1500 series trucks.

For a daily driver, I prefer the auto. It's easier on the old knee in stop and go traffic.

 

actually that's ez. cup in my hand being held by thumb index and middle finger ring and pinky on shifter and left hand on the wheel. or i put the coffee or drink in the cupholder and grab it when i want to drink it.


actually not really misguided autos are terrible. there's just a terrible mentality with autos. every time you hear a weird clukn every time the truck stutters every time anything awkward happens you always have that feelign in the back of your head that .... o boy what could happen.


and how you gonna even say that a Getrag 238 six speed is not as strong as a 545RFE lol. that almost made me die of laughter. no offnese but it's common knowledge the 545rfe transmission in the half tons is junk. the getrag transmissions are used by tons of top end sports cars and are effectively bomb proof. other than the norm wear and tear of the clutch but the internals are bombproof.

 

Has anyone put a allison transmission in these trucks? Could it be done?

 

Actually did a test with two identical Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4s, one was Manual the other an Automatic. Went out 4x4ing, the difference was amazing the Automatic Hooked up in all conditions where as the manual just spun its tires, now I could say I was a better driver than the other guy. But when we switched I had the same problems, and I had only driven Manuals until that day.

Bottom Line if your 4x4ing give me an Automatic Thanks