New Dodge Diesel Truck - Auto or 6 speed?

[RedRocker]

No wonder my life is messed up, I don't use input parameters, I'm not sure we have those in Texas. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rswyan]

Egon,

I too wouldn't mind being in your shoes. For one thing, I actually prefer the more squared body styling on the older RAMs more than the rounded newer ones.

I looked around for used but the problem was 1. they were hard to find and 2. and the ones that were out there were pretty pricey compared to a new truck.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm quite happy with my truck. It only has 100K on it )</font>
Then it's just getting broke in /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Egon]

I also prefer the extended cab to the four door models. The regular cab just does not allow for any of the necessary junk one seems to carry.

One of the RV dealers in town has a 97 with 738,000 on the oddometer. No major problems - three auto transmissions. It's used for bring RV's up from down south of the border.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tom_H]

Will Mrs. Kelvin ever be drivin' this rig? Some ladies get excited pushin' that lever back and forth and others think it makes drivin' too complicated. What are her "input parameters" on the trannie?

 

[milkman]

Reading the posts in this and I haven't drooled this much except when I get into the RTV threads. Just can't seem to get my "WANT" to lay down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kelvin]

Hghbeam,
Regarding your statement...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .... if you go to sell it I would assume that there is a larger market for the automatic. Regular Joes don't want to shift gears. )</font>

I won't presume to KNOW what the actual truth is (and these numbers could easily be different for various areas of the country or various terrains [flat or hilly/mountainous?]), but based upon many 1st hand conversations from Dodge diesel owners as well as a few "hear-say" quotes from several other Dodge diesel owners, it appears that so far 0% of the manual transmission owners wished they had gotten an automatic, while around 50% of the automatic transmission owners said they wished they'd gotten a manual transmission.

The numbers for Ford & Chevy owners may very well be quite a bit different (I'd say those with the Allison automatic transmissions are very happy with them; I only know one person and he really likes his).

Kelvin

 

[Kelvin]

Tom,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Will Mrs. Kelvin ever be drivin' this rig?)</font>
Back in the mid 1980s I taught my wife how to drive my old 2wd truck with manual transmission (no granny gear). She had to drive that truck back-and-forth to work for about a month, and the drive to work included at least one stop sign on a steep hill. She was pretty proficient at driving that truck when that month was up, but didn't try to drive the truck again until 8 years or so later, and had COMPLETELY forgotten everything about how to drive that truck (so much for the "riding the bicycle theory").

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What are her "input parameters" on the trannie? )</font>
Her first priority was for me to get what I would be happy with, but she preferred the automatic. This truck is huge, and I think the size will be as much of a deterrent as the manual transmission is. She has no problem mowing with the hydrostat Kubota (which is the main reason I two: "his-n-hers") so I suspect that she'll eventually start driving this truck, especially if we take a trip in it.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Some ladies get excited pushin' that lever back and forth and others think it makes drivin' too complicated. )</font>

I had gotten rid of the old truck with manual transmission when my daughter started driving. She has been driving several years now and has always expressed a strong desire to know how to drive a stick-shift, but I had nothing to teach her on. My wife was very hesitant to operate the tractor until she saw my daughter operating it, then she HAD to be taught how. I expect that if my wife does not try to drive this new truck initially, she will after she sees my daughter driving it.

Kelvin

 

[Kelvin]

Milkman,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just can't seem to get my "WANT" to lay down. )</font>

Here is one of my favorite quotes: "Be careful for what you ask (or pray) for; you might just get it!"

I have always wanted a truck with all of the capabilities of the one that I just bought; I just never had that strong of a desire to get one NEW. I don't anticipate any regrets other than having vehicle payments that I haven't had for over 10 years! Hopefully 5-10-15 years down the road I'll still be happy with this decision.

Kelvin

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I've been driving bud's 98 four wheel drive dually with the Cummins and five speed while Lucy has been in the shop getting warranty work done ( injectors replaced at seventy three thousand).

Bud asked me if I was going to tell them to keep my chevy after driving his dodge. I pointed out to him what his dodge would be like if it had two pallets of Portland on all the time. That would put his dodge at the weight of my chevy before I pick up a load.

Driving the dodge manual has helped me firm up my choice on Lucy's replacement next year. It will have an allison.

That said, if I was wanting a one ton I'd probably go with dodge.

 

[RedRocker]

The Dodge NV4500 5 speed is pretty bad, big gap between 3rd and 4th. The 6 speed is a much better deal.