Manual transmission gasser

The last year for the 8.1 big block in GM trucks was 2007...2007 was a transition year, the 8.1 was not offered in the new models, but they ran the old models one more year as the "classic" style, so you could still get an 8.1 in an 07 Classic but not many were built. Most of the 8.1's are 01-06. No manual trans was offered, but the Allison automatic 5 or 6 speed did have a full manual mode that enabled you shift it like a manual, just without the clutch :)

Once upon a time you needed a manual to hold up under a heavy load, and to be able to pick the right gear to control that load. Modern automatics like the Allison do it just as well, and I'm with T&P on this one, let the computer worry about whether the converter is locked or not, as long as the temp stays down, it doesn't matter.

Grit dog and Burb man.

My Brother had a late 90's Dodge Cummins with a after market lock up. It helped but was not great at the hairpin turns. He actually gave up. He got a 36' Motorhome and won't go anywhere that it won't fit. lol

When I talk about hairpin turns I am talking about being just short of stopped going both up and down. When his Dodge came out of lock up you better get ready to be hard on your brake. Some people may have to change a diaper. :>) With out the lock up and EB you would over heat your brakes very fast.

I would be very leery of taking a 5th wheel long bed up these roads. These are sharp up/downhill turns on at least 8% grade that is much steeper in the middle of the turn. These turns are like making a u turn in a 2 lane road.

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.

I think 2011 was the last year for the manual transmission (6-speed) behind the Ford V10.

All the new autos stay locked up in all but the lowest gear. Since they also have true manual gear selection in all gears, performance should be just as good or better than a manual transmission.

It's only a matter of time before all the big rigs are autos too. (Be it automated manual, dual clutch, or full Allison auto).

In my area we don't have to worry about rust. But I think you are right about there being very few late model manuals for sale. Even if I settle for a 5 speed.

I had the 351m but up graded it to the 400m and that was a big difference. It ran great at that altitude because of the 2 barrel carburetor. I would like to stay away from the 4 barrel carburetors. They fall flat on their face out of a hairpin turn from almost a dead stop at that altitude. Nothing gets good mileage at that altitude but 4 barrels are sick.

The newer apx. 350 cu inch engines would likely have the power. But I don't think I'd find any with manual in a latter model.

That's why I was thinking of the Ford v10. I forgot about the 8.1. So few of the Ram v10's were made I bet it would be an impossible task looking for a manual one. I think they all had port injection early on.
My four speed is fine. I just need the a overdrive if I decide to travel farther, more often.

I may have to start banking money for the new Ram 6 speed. I just need to push myself away from the slots more often. :>)

My 2012 silverado 2500hd with the 6.0 and 6L90E transmission is always locked in any gear but 1st in tow haul mode. I can use the manual selector and engine brake till my heart is content.

I think you are making an issue where there is no issue. The new 6 speed auto trucks do a good job.

Turtle, Carringb

It's less than 50 miles from my front door to 8000 feet. The last 10 to 15 miles from 3500 up to 8000 feet. Once you get up those last few miles all you have to worry about is the altitude until you turn off the paved road..

That is the reason your don't see anybody else in the camp were I am at, in my picture.

That's dispersed camping not a campground. I take a rake and gather rocks for my fire pit.

Tried to order my 1996 Suburban with a manual, but found that GM no
longer offers it...the fashion statement crowd (AKA Herd) does NOT
order manuals...many do NOT even know HOW2 operate a manual

Never been one to follow the herd...nor wish to part of it...but am
now because manuals for pickups/SUVs are almost unheard of these days

Even though there are many, many, many thread asking HOW2 manage an
automatic...the T/H button...etc

Not enough ordering/asking for/etc manuals (I think the folks back at
the HQ marketing/design teams also no longer know HOW2 operate manuals...

So the funding 'need' for development of higher torque manuals is just
not there. Double/triple clutch manuals are in some high end exotics

Hear/read on many forums where someone burned up their automatics
maneuvering in camp grounds, etc going slow. Not enough air flow to
cool the ATF while unlocked in high stall

Thank goodness my Sub is a full 4x4 (compound low) to help avoid cooking
the ATF. Even then, have to watch it, as the ATF does get hot and
have to stop a bit to rev it in N to cool it down.

My FJ40 could be left in 1st, compound low, with it's bumper against
a brick wall at idle. The tires would just SLOWLY grind against the
pavement. At the same brick wall (checking the out), my K5 Blazer and
it's full time automatic in 1st gear, compound low, would NOT grind
the tires and just heat up the ATF at idle.

The only place I want an automatic is on a city vehicle like my mini van

Bottom line is that the herd has the OEMs ear ($$$$'s) and manuals
are going away. Even in sports cars...

Taco

I will have to check but I don't think the 6L90E will stay locked up at 5 or 10 mph in first gear. With your foot hard on the brake. As I said the turns I am talking about are at a near stop. Even in granny gear I am still on the brake first because it needs a little brake. Second just for reassurance.

I am not familiar with the tow haul modes, but so far I have heard about 60/40 that they don't hold in the situation above.

I had hoped the new Auto's were better than my brothers late 90's Ram with a after market lockup switch. Even that wouldn't hold lockup through the hairpin turns. And when that came un locked in the turn the first time. It didn't send you home smiling.

Buddy,

The newer autos than my 05 auto are better yet. and the 05 allison is way better than my 2000 4l80e, and milleniums ahead of a th400 that I had behind BB gas rigs back into the 80s.

I would have no issues with a 6l90E behind one of GM's 6.0 gas V8's towing my 12K equipment trailer on roads way the he!! steeper than you are talking about, ie 15-20% with some in the mid 20% range. 8-10% are nothing grades in my book. i used to live on a hill that was 9 going one way, 11 the other. I know of many roads in downtown Seattle that are in the 20+ range......like I say, 8-10 are shoulder shrugger jaunts up and down.

marty