The price of wanting a "stick"
Not debating manual vs automatic plenty of threads on that already, however for me personally I like a manual and considering I'm a dodge fan they still offer one. But as I look at the numbers payload...
Forum Discussion
I'm a bit late to this topic, but since I'm in the market for a new Ram, I thought I'd put in my impressions:
I originally wanted the manual. They are more enjoyable for me (I live in a rural area, only 1 stop light within 40 miles), cheaper, and had a 200lb payload advantage over the ASIN.
Further research showed a couple of flaws in the G56 manual in the RAM: The 6-speed clutch is notorious for burning out, and the recommended aftermarket clutch is obviously heavier duty and likewise harder on the knees. I believe the housing is aluminum and the torque from the Cummins causes some flex which has been known to strip gears. Since it's a german tranny, she ain't cheap, rebuilds are at $4500, which puts it pricer than most autos.
There is a reason the engineers locked it at 450 ft*lbs, and I don't believe an instant on the forums that it's because of "marketing and pushing people to autos". I just don't believe it can handle the torque. It's too small.
Now go under a new 2014 with the ASIN and look at it. Good grief, that thing is huge. The added diff cooler on rear-end of ASIN equipped RAMs looks sweet (not sure if it's really needed, but it really makes the DRWs look like they mean business).
Compared to the standard auto, the ASIN is much bigger in diameter and heavier (in fact, the Chrystler automatic is actually the lightest of the bunch and has a higher payload rating than the manual.)
When I buy my truck, I'm only going to need 4000lb payload and 6000lb towing capacity, so the ASIN is overkill; however, it just looks like it's built for commercial use and *should* last longer. It seems to be to be the smartest option if you have the money.
Because of the ASIN, my wife and I have downgraded our search from the Big Horn (with lots of luxury options) to the Tradesman base model with the ASIN. The new Tradesman's with carpet kits are not your father's work trucks. They are extremely quiet and well-featured. I just figured it'd be a smarter use of my $$ to buy the ASIN tranny vs. using that same money on heated seats and a 12" touchscreen on the center console.
I also second the other poster about rock crawlers. I don't own a dedicated rock crawler, but I grew up going on all the Moab, Utah trails. The manual is by far the funnest, but it only takes one look at the Devil's Crack on Moab Rim watching an auto-equipped jeep vs. a manual jeep, to realize that the driver with the auto has much more control.
I've found that the biggest pain with the manual off-road is hill stopping and starting. Sure, you can get good at it, but there is always some clutch slip, and sometimes that slip can kill your traction and cause you to lose your line.
I originally wanted the manual. They are more enjoyable for me (I live in a rural area, only 1 stop light within 40 miles), cheaper, and had a 200lb payload advantage over the ASIN.
Further research showed a couple of flaws in the G56 manual in the RAM: The 6-speed clutch is notorious for burning out, and the recommended aftermarket clutch is obviously heavier duty and likewise harder on the knees. I believe the housing is aluminum and the torque from the Cummins causes some flex which has been known to strip gears. Since it's a german tranny, she ain't cheap, rebuilds are at $4500, which puts it pricer than most autos.
There is a reason the engineers locked it at 450 ft*lbs, and I don't believe an instant on the forums that it's because of "marketing and pushing people to autos". I just don't believe it can handle the torque. It's too small.
Now go under a new 2014 with the ASIN and look at it. Good grief, that thing is huge. The added diff cooler on rear-end of ASIN equipped RAMs looks sweet (not sure if it's really needed, but it really makes the DRWs look like they mean business).
Compared to the standard auto, the ASIN is much bigger in diameter and heavier (in fact, the Chrystler automatic is actually the lightest of the bunch and has a higher payload rating than the manual.)
When I buy my truck, I'm only going to need 4000lb payload and 6000lb towing capacity, so the ASIN is overkill; however, it just looks like it's built for commercial use and *should* last longer. It seems to be to be the smartest option if you have the money.
Because of the ASIN, my wife and I have downgraded our search from the Big Horn (with lots of luxury options) to the Tradesman base model with the ASIN. The new Tradesman's with carpet kits are not your father's work trucks. They are extremely quiet and well-featured. I just figured it'd be a smarter use of my $$ to buy the ASIN tranny vs. using that same money on heated seats and a 12" touchscreen on the center console.
I also second the other poster about rock crawlers. I don't own a dedicated rock crawler, but I grew up going on all the Moab, Utah trails. The manual is by far the funnest, but it only takes one look at the Devil's Crack on Moab Rim watching an auto-equipped jeep vs. a manual jeep, to realize that the driver with the auto has much more control.
I've found that the biggest pain with the manual off-road is hill stopping and starting. Sure, you can get good at it, but there is always some clutch slip, and sometimes that slip can kill your traction and cause you to lose your line.
