I was trying to buy an 09 1500 today and man, am I ever disapointed! They seem to be a really great truck, and I love the looks. But I was told that I can't get a quad cab long bed, and even worse, I can't get a manual transmission. It's like there not even bulding trucks anymore, the 1500 is now a station wagon for the soccer moms. It's no wonder they are having financial problems at Chrysler when they don't even offer a real 1/2 ton truck. What are they thinking? Have the men of this country become so pussified that they will go along with this?

Does anyone know of any possible way that I can get a 2WD quad cab hemi long box manual trans truck?

Thanks, Joel

 

You'll probably have to wait for a HD version to get 4 doors and a real bed. Here is to hoping they keep the solid axel in the front and the leaf springs in the back. I'm due for a new truck and I am waiting to see the 2010 HDs. Without those two features it'll be a...(OMG) Ford,.

 

Forget abought the 09 1500 Ram and wait for the new generation of H/D 2500 Rams, If your wanting a 6sp, your never going to happy with the new 1500 Ram, I share your views of the 09 Ram, its more of a car than a truck, In 06 I had to buy a 2500 Ram to get the 6sp and hemi, A lot of people think the 6sp hemi is a drag racer, its not.

 

yup.i like a truck to be a truck.i don't have to have a qc ,but i do need an 8 foot box and i will only drive a standard.i figure i have to keep my 03 until i can afford a 3500 with a diesell

 

The problem I have is that I want to take advantage of the bonus depreciation to help out my tax situation. The bonus depreciation expires at the end of 08. So I need to buy a truck now, or pay a bunch more taxes april 15th. It's a tuff choice. Reward Chrysler for not making a real truck in the new style, or give my money to pelosi and osbama.

 

Why the standard transmission?

I honestly like driving a manual transmission better but they are weak and break alot more often than any auto tranny with heavy offroad use and hauling that Ive had experience with.

 

All current half ton trucks are basically soccer mom commuters with beds! A shame, the SFA 2nd Gen Dodges were the last half tons made by anyone that were real trucks.
Blame demographics and research. When 94% of all half ton buyers are looking for a plush SUV interior with a bed, you get a plush, quad cab with an SUV suspension and NO manual transmission even offered.

Yeah, I boo-boo'd when I bought my '04, had just gone from a '98 second gen 1500 that was still a real truck, so I never gave it a thought. But the 3rd gen went to IFS and it SUCKS.
Yep, my next truck will be a 2500 (hopefully a CTD), when the new body style rolls out, provided they don't funk it up too!!!

 

I just love driving gas jobs with a manual trans. I have been since a long time ago. I like winding thru the gears. And also I drag race a Hemi powered 67 GTX with a stick, so a daily workout in the truck keeps my shifting coordination from fading away.

For diesels, I don't mind a slushbox.

I am thinking that I might go ahead and pull the trigger on a 09 Crew, then if I really like it, keep my eyes open for a 09 8' bed from a wreck, and stretch the frame and install the long bed for a one off custom. I think that would be pretty cool, but it might get costly.

 

Autos might be preferable to manuals off road, with all the lugging and slipping...but for heavy hauling and trailering, manual trans FTW. Especially when talking about Dodge automatics. 1st in a 2500 6sp is something like 6.5:1 isn't it? That makes the 4.23:1 in my Dakota look sporty.

I've pretty much given up on the half-ton offerings. Hopefully my Dak lives a long life, and when it dies there are still manual transmissions...either in small Japanese trucks or HD American ones.

 

off road, towing, plowing, towing, Id take a 6sp over a automtic any day, I have put a 2 ford automatics into the grave, never ever replaced a clutch or manual transmission.

If joe and jane average can't grasp the concept of driving a manual trnasmssion, they can be killed off quickly, were as automatic can take more abuse at a higher cost to replace.

THe 6sp in the 2500 Ram is a torque monster, even with the hemi...