Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

[bowman316]

I was just looking on chevy.com. and you can not buy a big truck, with a stick shift to save your life. Every truck bigger than an s-10 is an automatic. Why not offer the option? if i'm buying a new truck, i want every option avaliable to me.

IT makes no sense.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I have not looked at new trucks in a few years but must agree....that is strange!
Maybe they think all people are to lazy to shift. I enjoy driving a manual tranny.
I know many vehicles do not have turn signals....

 

[bowman316]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

dodge offers it for the 3500, and i supposed for the 2500. but not for the 1500. so you either have a tinny ranger stick shift, or a massive 3500. I have only seen one used F-150 stick shift. But it had a small engine. Seems impossible to get a big engine, with manual tranny.
shouldn't that be OUR choice, not their choice?

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I just looked at the Ford, Chevy, Toyota and Dodge websites...not a manual trans option to be found on any of the 1/2 ton trucks.

Unreal, say goodbye to the good ole days!

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I love sticks but think the auto traney advances these days are superior for towing. Let the computer do the work.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

They're hard to come across. You can still find them sometimes in a work model, but they'll generally be stripped down, or mated with a 6 cyl.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

...Every truck bigger than an s-10 is an automatic...

IT makes no sense.

He he he, you have been out of the loop for a while! The S-10 hasn't been made since the 2004 model year.

Since most people who buy trucks just use them to drive around in (or at least they did before gas hit $4/gal) and most people can't/don't want to shift, offering just autos is the way to go. Makes the production line easier to set up and run too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

the automatics holds up better, than having to replace clutches and throw out bearings.

when i was still in the building business, went decided to go all Auto, for maintenance reasons. too many people driving and different styles of operating the clutch.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

Not to mention how difficult it is to text and twitter while shifting.

 

[carbineone]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I only drive manual trans stuff.Sorry but the autos are junk or atleast they have been in the past and I see no chance they could have improved them much recently.The autos just do not get the mileage a manual does either.

As far as shifting it is like the VW ad used to say.Once you drive the manual a little while it becomes automatic,something like that anyway.I say as long as there are manuals available thats what I will drive but my Isuzu is a 95 year so I feel sorry for me and the rest of the smart people that want manuals if they go away.My Isuzi Rodeo has 210,000 miles on it and I have put 150,000 of them and never had to replace the clutch or had a tranny problem.As far as I know it could be the original clutch.Either way a new clutch is a fraction the cost of a new auto trans...

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

Yup...manuals do get more MPG for sure. I never had to replace a clutch in stick cars. If your a smooth shifter, the clutch won't wear. I'll take the comfort though of the auto. My allison transmission does a great job towing!!! In a couple years it'll be towing it's max (bigger boat). Should be a breeze with the allison.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

Yea, Td, I would rather replace a clutch, that the whole tranny. Replacing a tranny is 3 grand, a clutch is 500.
WIth fords, at least, the automatics are almost certantly going to give you trouble.
And anything else that is automated will break. Like the bush-button 4WD switch. Power windows break too, but crank windows are a pita.

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

Manufacturers found out many years ago that vehicle drivelines were giving much less problems when coupled to an automatic tranny.
Chrysler and Don Garlitz pretty much perfected the torqflite and when they brought the 426 Hemi to market they much preferred to sell them with the automatic transmission.Ron G

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I certainly wish they still made them.... I've never worn the clutch out in a vehicle. My current truck has 160k and is still running the original clutch.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

There are two reasons you don't find them now.

1. Autos tend to hold up better.

2. Nobody buys them.


If you're not a new truck buyer, then your vote doesn't count, and yes it is their choice as to which products they bring to the market.


I had an F150 with a manual tranny and a V6, it got no better mileage than my F150 with an Automatic and a V8.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

I love sticks but think the auto traney advances these days are superior for towing. Let the computer do the work.

that's because they started putting small clutches on 1/2 ton trucks. example is the Ford F150 actually uses the same clutch as a Mazda/Ranger pickup.

It does stink that they are discontinuing stick but that way it makes manuf easier for them.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

you say it is their choice what hey they bring to market, but if i build my own truck on their website, they are guaranteed to sell that truck. they are building that truck personally for me.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

Clutch wear is a matter of operation. If you start out hard, slipping the clutch, and slip the clutch with every shift, it won't last long.

I used to run old (1947 - 53) chevy 2 ton trucks. They came with a 6 cylinder and an 11 inch clutch that took both feet to disengage. Usually the clutch was worn out.

I'd replace them with a 9 1/2 inch car clutch, as well as the flywheel and the pressure plate. The clutch was soft, but would hold all the power the engine could put out. I'd start in granny, and match shift through all 8 or 10 gears after that, and I never wore out one of the little clutches.

Engines, however, were another thing. It got to where I could change out a chevy 6 truck engine, working alone, in under 4 hours.

On this issue, a manual transmission can and will invite abuse, especially in this age where most people have no feel for the machinery. A modern electric shift transmission will keep operating parameters within bounds under all conditions, including abuse, and thus relieve the manufacturer in the warranty area.

my 02
John

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

you say it is their choice what hey they bring to market, but if i build my own truck on their website, they are guaranteed to sell that truck. they are building that truck personally for me.


You and the four other people that want a manual trans. It just doesn't pay for them to do all the R&D, build parts, stock them, and then have very few sales.


I have nothing against them, I have and drive both, but for 98% of what they get used for an auto is much nicer to drive.

 

[carbineone]

Re: Why don't they make new trucks with manual transmissions anymore?

If you are getting the same mileage in that Ford with a auto or manual.There is something wrong.Also your statement autos hold up better is nonsense. A auto trans takes huge amounts of power to turn them and will never get the mileage a manual will on the basis of weight alone.They are never going to be near as reliable as a manual trans.Just by the nature of the auto with all the crap inside them and outside make them unreliable.I know there are less manuals out there but most women do not like them for one and those that think they are a pain to shift maybe will not want one but I do not even think about shifting when I drive mine.My boy has a manual car now and said I was right he will never go back to an auto.I know its a personal preferance but the smart money is definitley go with the manual if possible.Go talk to a trans repair shop and ask how many manual trannys he replaces and how many autos.I am sure he will tell you probably no manuals and thats not just because there are not that many manuals its because they are just superior design.Without auto trannys the trans repair shops could not stay in buisness long...If we all had manuals they would go broke.

The reason they do not make tham is a common perception against them that they are hard to drive and from people telling others they are unreliable.Its no differant than the diesel powered vehicles and people saying they do not make them and sell them here because no one wants them.If they knew what a diesel is capable of and once had one they would change thier mind quickly.Just most people put them down too because they never had one and have a love affair with the gas burner..