Manual transmission gasser
Any one remember when the last big cubic inch. Gas engine with a manual trans came out. I bet they are rare if the owners are like me. Lol The new autos just don't seem right for my mountain dri...
Forum Discussion
buddyIam wrote:
Turtle
Most of my camping miles are on very bad/steep Roads no matter what truck you have 90% of driving is done in 3rd gear or below. You don't need the gears for power you need them to help control speed. Trying to go up a 8% grade then make a hairpin turn requires gears.
I need the lock to hold speed or slow down for those hairpin turns also.
When you hit one of those hairpins you may hit it initially at a 8% grade. But the grade increases dramatically in the middle of the turn. Your looking straight up at the sky or straight down. They can be difficult even on foot. And disastrous for a bike becase they usually are covered with dirt or sand.
It is scary to lose lockup in the middle of stopping for those turns. My brothers older dodge even with the added manual lock up was not great. I had hoped they were better now.
Gotcha.
I have a lot of miles on a manual tranny and a lot of miles on a T350 and T400. Did I have more control with the manual than the 350 or 400? Yep, sure did. But I was never out of control with an auto that NEVER locked up. Did I use more brakes? Sure did, but it was never a problem.
But then I went to a 4L80E and I had as much control as a manual IMHO. I was all over the west coast and Co with it. Never a problem going down even the steepest of mountains even without an EB on a diesel.
Then I bought a 06 Duramax. It is light years ahead of the 4L80E. Not even close. It's literally a manual tranny without a clutch if one wants to look at it that way. (yes, yes, yes, I know, not really but it is that good) I can shift up or down or whenever I want. I can hold a gear or upshift to 6th at anytime.
One thing you want to think about is if you ever sell your truck, you're going to be in trouble. I read not too long ago how many people can even drive a standard tranny. I forget the number but it was only like 10% of the public can even drive a standard tranny anymore! :E
I guess one way to look at it is if you do buy a standard you won't get your truck stolen from you! :)
In any event I think you should drive a new truck with an auto. I think you will be surprised. If not, you are one of the 3%ers that like manuals. BTW, better get one soon. IMHO smog will knock out the manuals in the pickup market within a few years.
