No manual transmissions on Chevy trucks?
mmoogie
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
So I’ve been thinking about getting a new truck. I’ve never had a chevy, and was thinking about getting one this time because I like the look of the new ones, and have had bad luck with my last couple of dodges, and you couldn’t pay me to be seen in one of those ugly-a** heavy-duty fords (ducking for cover now…)
I go into the dealer and say I want a 3/4 ton work truck, regular cab, regular bed, manuual transmission 4×4.
He says chevy no longer sells manual transmission trucks at all. Can that be right? And if so, what the heck are they thinkin?
Steve
Replies
too many soccer moms buying them with auto tranny so they can talk on their cell phone in one hand and mocha krappa chino in the other.
No longer a market for them I guess.
I went to the chevy site and see if I could build a truck with a manual tranny with no luck. I could, however add the "snow plow prep package" for $90. Like I need that in Dallas, wonder why they needed my zip code, Hmmmmm?
I'm with you, as long as my left leg still moves, I'll drive a stick. It's been a couple of years now that the General doesn't offer 3 pedals on the floor. I even believe that in the Vette the Std. tranny costs more than the slush box. Say good-bye to crank windows also, no loss in my mind though. Im driveing a Dodge Dakota with the small eight and a 5 speed.
we bought one last year
BB,The dealer told me this was the first year they dropped them altogether. I told them they just lost me as a customer. I just can't believe they haven't had howls of complaints from the trades.Steve
Looks like Ford is getting away from them, too. But there'll be two percent available in manual:
"The company also said that 98 percent of its North American transmissions will be six speeds by the end of 2012 as it moves to meet increasing government fuel economy standards."
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/07/business/NA-FIN-US-Ford-Transmissions.php
"Where will our children find their enjoyment when everything gets itself done by steam? Frederick Law Olmsted, 1850s.
"
My Dodge is a 6-speed manual.Steve
Why would a manual be a "must have". With advances in automatic transmissions (especially the duramax/allison combo) I wouldn't even think of a manual. The auto trans in the 3/4 ton truck is a 4L80 based unit which is basically a computer controlled overdive that has a first-third gear that is very similar in design to an old turbo 400 which is basically bullet proof. With fluid advances (synthetics) and proper change intervals you could see hundreds of thousands of miles out of this set up and you don't have to spill your coffee every morning. Considering a clutch job costs around 30% of an auto rebuild and the auto is always going to be in the right gear for the load/speed and probably get better mileage the auto wins for me. Now in the case of a diesel with an Allison behind it (My current set up) it moves out to more like 500k before rebuild. Mine has 150K on it and has never been to the dealer for anything other than a piece of door weatherstripping that kept falling off.
Scott,When shopping for the last two trucks I bought, I test drove automatics in direct comparison to manual models, one after the other in several brands because there were a lot more options on the dealers lots if I was willing to automatic. I just plain don't like them. A manual is a must-have for me because I like to drive a manual. I get bored driving automatic transmission vehicles. I would rather drive my truck than ride in it. I feel more connected to the vehicle. I feel I have more tools at my disposal to handle road conditions. I like the sensation of running through the gears. I like a non-fluid connection between the engine and wheels. I like my vehicle to slow down when I take my foot off the gas and to move forward immediately when I step on the gas. I like something to do when I'm driving while tired. It helps keep me focused on driving. I'm not even saying any of my reasons are rational. I'm just saying I can't believe it isn't an issue for a substantial number of buyers.As an aside, it's not an issue of durability for me. I've not had to repair or replace a clutch in anything since I blew up the clutch in my 69 AMX when I was a kid. I've taken trucks well past 200K and not had any clutch problems.Steve
Very well said. I once read the difference is being a driver versus being a "car pointer". Most people look at a vehicle as just a way of getting from point A to point B. I love to drive - there is nothing like being in the right gear and hitting an apex in a turn and rotating the car just so. I have 3 cars - all manual and my 17 year old daughter is learning to drive on a manual - just like my wife did. I too would never buy an automatic. I have driven them all and no automatic is "always in the right gear" and most still have torque convertors and there is nothing worse than pressing the gas pedal and waiting that split second for the car to respond.
I personally feel that driving is too important not to pay attention and having a manual trans. makes you part of the whole driving process. People who spend their driving time drinking coffee and talking on the phone should have a special place reserved in hell.
Just my opinion.
I am with you. Why would anyone want a stick shift with auto tranny being so trouble free. Even the military has done away with stick shifts because of the extra maintenance.
"With advances in automatic transmissions (especially the duramax/allison combo) I wouldn't even think of a manual. "When that automatic tranny with the computers starts slipping and leaking in a few years and they hand you a $6000 repair bill, you will understand one of the many advantages of a manual shifter.
Anyone else taken a ride down a nice steep long hill, with a load of stone in the back, and have the brakes give out?
I have, and down shifting was a God send. Anyone else have to drive in blizzards a few times a year?
I do and having a choice of gears is a must. PS
The military switched to automatics cause the numbnut 18 year old's
couldn't drive a real truck.
PPS
Mooogie will drive anything with a schnoz for a hood.
I luv my standard transmission, I have three toyotas with standard. I also have a explorer with an automatic, that work perfect but if I can find a standard for it, I would
PSThe military switched to automatics cause the numbnut 18 year old's couldn't drive a real truck.
Uh....not exactly.
Did you know that most first time Jeep Wrangler buyers buy Manuals and most second time buyers buy automatics?
20 minutes of trying to unstick a truck in rocks or mud or sand can eat even the strongest clutches whole. Not so much with modern automatics.
We typically have FAR less trouble with the new auto 5 tons than with the old stick 5 tons.
If you'd ever driven a 2 1/2 ton truck in stop and go conditions at the end of a 20 hour convoy, you'd know why we got rid of those manual transmissioned dinosuars.
Edited 5/13/2008 10:07 pm ET by robert
I don't have the info on hand, I'll try and track it down tonight.
Mid eighties I think, The last upgrade of the Jeeps before the Hummers.
I remember some articles talking about the switch. Yeah the clutch is a drag in traffic.
So how does one rock an auto out of the mud?
And how do you pop the clutch when your battery dies?
You don't rock a stuck Hemmit out of anything........ Or five ton for that matter.
As for Hummers? An up armor weighs between 8 & 10K pounds combat loaded. I'd hate to be the driver of that truck pumping a clutch while trying to manuever that thing.
Manual transmissions in tactical vehicles aren't just an inconvenience, they are a hazard. When was the last manual tank or carrier?
Edited 5/14/2008 8:10 am ET by robert
Oh that's right you have to Waite for the Corp of engineers to pull you out ;) Overly large and heavy vehicles are a tactical nightmare regardless of the tranny. But they are the exception any way.
Very few of us are driving armored vehicles to the jobsite. The advantages of manual trannies are many. The drawbacks- consumer choice.
That is the death of manuals nothing else.
the good thing about having a manual is, nobody else at the office can drive it so they leave your truck alone
The bad thing about a manual-
Is watchin someone drive your baby WRONG!
No traffic here so a manual would be ok, I may be one of only 20 people in the world that likes an auto for this reason, We launch dorys in the surf and reload them at the end of the day. we put a rope on the boat , wait till a wave picks the boat up and run the boat up the beach, If i had to shift in the soft sand it would get stuck right away, Maybe not every time but enough, On the other hand my one ton dump 4wd chevy as a 4speed, When its loaded with roofing or gravel i like to put it in the gears i need, Also coming down mountain roads one does not need to ride the brakes as much. Although brakes are cheaper then transmissions, A few times i really needed that "granny" gear
I'm with you, always had manual trans. until my ACL tore in my left knee. I used to get great mileage too.
Holy smokes. I can't believe I'm reading about the demise of the manual transmission on Breaktime. I would have thought this would be front-page news. Is this true or do I suspect another marketing ploy like "Classic Coke"?Scott.
Edited 5/14/2008 11:38 pm by Scott
Scott,That's why I started the post. I'm just stunned that there isn't more of an outcry. If manuals really are down to 2%of the market share, I guess it's understandable. 8 years ago I was looking at GMC's and they had already phased out the stick in the GMCs at that point. I could sort of understand that, as the GMC is supposed to be a more up-market vehicle. One thing that I thought would have worked in favor of keeping the manual around is that it's always been a pretty expensive "option"--a good way to be able to advertise a lower base-price for the vehicle. Now Chevy's base price is going to look higher than the base price of the other guys.Steve
Edited 5/16/2008 8:52 am by mmoogie
mmoogie,
With manuals only 2% of the build, it's pretty expensive to have the option of a manual transmission available. think of all the stuff that needs to be differant.. engine, transmission, bell housing, clutch pedal assmbly, carpet, dash, wiring, radiator, etc. etc. etc.etc.etc.
I don't doubt that the decision was made because it would be cheaper to do. IF just from an engineering standalone not to mention inventory and I'm sure a higher warrantee cost.
Once lost the brakes in my '61 chevy with a full load of sheetrock going down a hill in San Francisco. Actually went down, up, and down backwards. I'll never forget that experience. Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
You've got my GM confused for a FORD.
I agree with Scott, why in the world would you want a manual? The automatics are so good now. If you want to drive an MG go buy one! I want to get around in my work truck as easy as possible, usually am on my cell and /or writing and have enough to do without shifting and clutching!
You shouldn't be writing while driving. You should be driving. And if you are on the phone, you should be on a headset with both hands free. Better yet, hang up and drive.Steve
To even ask that question, I don't feel you could understand. Some of us still like to drive, even if it's our work trucks. I still head for the APEX, and row my own gears
Shifting gears is fun..........In a vintage Ferrari. Or even a motorcycle, not in a dump truck or a work truck. I work hard enough during the day. I don't want to work my way home. I do understand the shifting thing but only when it is something that puts a smile on your face when you do it.......I guess thats why they call them options.
Scott
I've only got the one vehicle, no classics in my garage. It does dbl. duty. My last truck was a Jeep Comanche, had her 16 yrs and 173,000 miles. With reg. maint. and a paint job she was still cherry when I sold her. The new owner still driveing it with a new motor..
mmoogie,
Can you spell traffic jam? Ever creep along in traffic for a half hour shoving that clutch in every few feet?
morning rush hour? evening rush hour?
I started driving a manual transimssion in 1953..
I still own 5 cars with manuals. but not anymore will I buy one for the pleasure of shoving that clutch in..
If I want to feel like Mario Andretti I'll pull my manual transmission race car to the race track with my automatic transmission truck, unload and race.. load back up race car on to the auto transmission truck and go home..
Even Formula 1 cars now days have automatic transmissions. (or something like them)
Aside from that an auto trans is simply better in slippery going.. when you really need that 4x4
Frenchy,Not much of an issue when the population of my entire county is 60K. And I don't have a race car to take to the track. So I'll take my driving pleasure in my daily vehicle on my two-lane country roads. I get on the freeway once or twice a week to head into "Mt. Pilot" for groceries. I like it here in Mayberry.Steve
Steve,
looks like if you want a Manual, your choices are Ford or Dodge.
I've got a 2006 Chevy with an Auto. First auto truck I've ever owned myself (had a few comapny trucks). I wouldn't go back, but that's just me.
mmoogie,
Manual transmissions are down to 2% of the truck buying public. Even over the road semi's have modified their transmissions nowdays so shifting doesn't require the clutch.
I understand why you feel they way you do and if I were in your place I would like manual transmission.. However I'd go all the way. I'd buy an old Model A Ford with a hand crank and everything.. Oops!!!,,, I own one.. <grin>
I would really love a circa 1936 chevy pickup. I love the mid to late 30's automotive styling.Steve
mmoogie
Check with Hemmings.. http://www.hemmings.com I'm sure in a few months you'll find exactly what you're looking for..
One hint, buy one already restored.. to take one from from out of a barn or field and a do a nice driver restoration of it will cost you $20-30,000.00 over and above the cost of purchase.
To restore one yourself you will have $15,000 worth of parts and services invested in it over and above the purchase price..
To buy a great driver already restored might cost you between $10,000 and $15,000.
If minor details and signs of use don't bother you, you might save several thousand off that price..
The neat thing about older vehicles is that there are plenty of parts sources for them and they are sinple and straight forward to repair and maintain.. One of the local high end builders drives around getting bids etc.. in an old Ford Woodie. It's attention getting and has his company logo (and Phone Number) descretely on the door. Thus there is no question about it's tax deductablity..
Plus every single parade he's in his name appears for promotional reasons. He often puts various groups or Kids in it in parades and he's carefull to make sure the sign advertizing what group they are don't cover up his logo or number.. Little things like that mean a lot.
Does your dealer have access to any leftover 2007 trucks that would be acceptable? He should also be able to check inventory at other dealerships in the region to see what they have.
The only way to get a current year GM truck with a 5 speed is to order a midsize Colorado with a 4 cylinder. Not exactly gonna fit the needs of a lot of people here.
I have a friend that's had 3 of the exact truck you want (3/4 ton Chevy reg cab 8' bed 4x4) with an automatic since 1994 with no transmission problems - all see or saw heavy duty farm use like pulling 15,000 trailers, hauling pallets of seed, and going places they probably shouldn't go. They still have the 94 as a farm truck for close by errands - it has about 145,000 miles and gets used / abused by high school age help every summer and fall. The 1999 was traded at about 120,000 miles for a 2005. The 2005 has about 60,000 on it now.
Boiler,I could probably find a leftover 07 somewhere, but I like the re-styled 08 chevy a lot better. I'm not ashamed to admit that aesthetics are very important to me when it comes to my vehicles. That's probably the only reason I rule out Ford. Still not crazy about the Chevy sheet metal, but I could live with the new design. Dodge has everyone whipped as far as styling goes.There are other things I don't like about the Chevy as well. The regular cab models don't have any space behind the seat for anything, and I don't want an extended cab. I'll probably just go for a Dodge again. I just hate the 11 mpg part.I have no doubt about the durability of the new automatics. As I said, it's about the driving experience for me. I just like to drive a stick.Steve
Surprised to hear that Chevy no longer makes a full-size truck with a stick. I have a 2002 Silverado 1500 with a stick. It's been a good basic, no-frills, work truck. No problems even though the date of assembly was 9-11-01 (the guys who put it together must have had their heads elsewhere that day).
I'm also suprised at how few basic work trucks you'll find on the dealer's lot these days (stick or automatic). There must be other folks out there looking for a standard size bed, hand-crank windows, AM-FM radio, and air. I paid $15,500. for that combination in 2002 and suspect that the current version wouldn't be all that much more if you could find one.
Chip
Does this mean i cant order a 3speed on the column with radio delete and no carpet???;}
Toyota does both, manual transmission and four wheel drive. If they're good enough for the Taliban to haul troops and materials in all that rough terrain, they're good enough for me.
What a great commercial!!!
Yeah, Henley is telling me I ought to go with the Toyota. I might consider it if they made a 3/4 ton and they weren't so ugly and so expensive. I had a little toyota about ten years ago. It was OK, but the bed was way too short for my needs.Steve
Tundra is the only "full size" PU they make and gas mileage isn't one of it's strong points and it is somewhat ugly, no question. On the other hand, what makes a truck attractive? ie...un-ugly!
Hey neighbor, do you know anyone that wants a 2004 dodge with 19000 miles?
auto, air, no carpets
Hi Frammer,Not offhand. You could put it up on craigslist.catskills. I would think a truck with low miles like that would go fast.Steve
I just bought my first "new" GMC truck. I am very impressed with the allison tranny.
last truck was f350 diesel w/stick. I feel like I moved into a cadillac
There have been fair advances in slushboxes over the past twenty years, but none that I've tried (Allison was closest) allow the control options for snow country, rough terrain, towing, or driving to maximize efficiency that a good manual provides.
When I converted my old Wagoneer to manual, it gained nearly 50% in fuel efficiency. Part of that had to do with dumping the horribly inefficient Torqueflight, but most was due to gaining the ability to shift when I wanted. Other benefits included much better function in rocks, mud & snow, and far less heat for the cooling system to handle.
Some will point to nearly identical EPA numbers for vehicles with manual & automatic, but those tests are run with both vehicles driven the same way, effectively factoring out operator intelligence and skill. When someone figures out how to add a mind reading function to an idiomatic it might become a good thing.
The most disappointing case of transmission function abdication I've so far experienced was with a Porsche 911 Tiptronic. It turned what was a pretty decent, if a bit goofy, car into something akin to a video game. I swear, a two-speed Powerglide couldn't have been a whole lot worse!
}}}}
Tedfoureagles,
I doubt I'll convince you but your thinking is sadly outdated.. That's hard coming from a former manual transmission guy who owns 5 vehicles with manual transmissions..
I live in Minnesota where snow is 8 months of the year and three months we have heavy clay mud.. it takes a really great driver to keep a manual transmisson vehicle from getting stuck but nearly any bone head can handle an automatic..
The ultimate racing cars, formula 1 don't have a clutch pedal anymore and only budget concerns prevent that from wide spread adoption in all racing..
To see what is really possible look at some of the high end BMW's and Mercedes Benz.. they are programmable to up to 7 differant shift points,harshness etc.. the rear differantal can have up to 4 differant engagements including fully locked up. AWD can have 3 bias in differantal splits..
What I'm telling you is the old Porche tiptronics has been replaced with some new high end transmissions that exceed the ability of the manual gearbox by several factors..
Yes modern auto transmission really can "read" minds.. that is they have a function that is constantly adjusting the transmission to the way you are driving and the terrain you are on..
OH, I'll keep my manual gearbox cars for the nostagia they offer, but I don't kid myself that technology that was last perfected in the middle of the last century is on par with modern technolgy..