Manual or Automatic?

you have some good points. I'll give you that. My wife can drive the truck if she has to but chooses not to. I am perfectly ok with that . I would rather that I was the only person driving the truck. All situations don't allow for that. I always had a mannual trans growing up, and never had problems. I bought a truck with an auto in it and then went through 5 transmission in 2 years. I know that all trans are not like that but I got in on the early 700r4's. I am capeable of rebuilding my own mannual and installing my own clutch, but am a complete idiot when it comes to auto transmissions. I also feel that in the long run with the experience in mannual transmission work that I will save alot of money. I plan on keeping it for a while

 

I love shifting a 6 speed behind a Cummins, but when it comes to goin fast, AUTO baby! Let the truck shift!

Must be working!

 

I had a 02 CTD auto that was not quite up to grade pulling our 37' 14000# 5th ,now have a 06 dwr ctd ho auto that works great love the tow/haul mode ,I will not add so called power boosters to my engine ,seems like the engineers at Dodge have more savvy than me

 

I personally prefer the stick. Reasons being is you get the gear selection without putting excess wear on the trans from downshifting and upshifting into overdrive all the time. Plus you don't have to worry about the heat an automatic transmission puts off.

Though if i was to get a new towrig i would probably get an 05 or so duramax with the allison. Considering how strong the allison is i would tow with it any day.

 

You right!

Dave

 

well i just got a new BTS auto tranny it came with a niced warnty and looks very solid brian said if i had any issues sent it back ... wanty includes pulling and drag racing cost a little bit of money but worth having it if you are a puller or drag racer or even hauling heavy loads this is a extremly nice trany

 

how much does a E4Od or r100 go for?

 

Personally, I will always go for the manual. Its just a personal preference, considering many autos are strong enough or can be made strong enough for almost anything. No matter how good they are though, I will always prefer to shift for myself.waytogo

 

i love the 6 speed behind the cummins because even though you shift a bit rowing the gears rocks especially when floored and every shift a little smoke pukes out on the poor loser sitting at your fat 4 inch pipe! imp: rotfl

 

Both of you have GM trucks, Are you going from hear say. I wouldn't trade my Dodge Auto for anything. If you want a rock solid auto tranny builder Call Dave at (563) 778-2719 Goerend Transmission, Inc http://gbtransmissions.com/

 

Yeah those arent stock off the show room trannys eithers 99% of the trannys out there can handle aton of abuse if built right but not off the show room floor.

 

I love manuals, but...

It depends on what you do with your towrig and if we're talking about late-models or older trucks.

If you spend all your time on the freeway or you're driving an older diesel pickup, then a manual is great.

If you spend time in traffic and you're driving a newer model, then you should get better performance with an automatic, because you don't have to wait for the turbo to spool up with every upshift and the new 6spd automatics are amazing.

 

Not going from hear say. We have two more Cummins at home!!! One with the auto and the other manual. The auto does not perform as well!!! Not a bad tranny, but the manual just performs better. Ive driven and owned both, Im just going from experience!

 

I have have both, in the Ford versions. I put the manual tranny through hell & back and all it did was ask for more. I have the auto now, and well, I don't put it through the paces I did the manual. Maybe because I'm not sure what it can handle. Maybe because I'm getting to old to crawl under the thing on a regular basis if need be. Just my 2 cents.

 

every time I have to pull a vehicle to start it because the starter's fried or the battery's dead (happens alot at 30 below in January) I'm reminded of why I'll never buy an automatic. I can shift the ZF in my F350 as smooth as any auto and in 15 years I've never needed a second one. How many autos run that long trouble free?

 

manual is the way to go for towing w/dodge, in MY opinion... if u are young enough to handle the clutch, JUST DO IT and u wont regret it... opcorn:

 

it depends on what i am doing...
sports car-stick
every day driver-auto
towrig long distance-stick
towrig city-auto

 

I drive a manual Ford and love everything about it. I want a truck with the ZF-6 but I can't afford one now.

 

I went with the manual and I haven't had one since 85.waytogo

 

All the manufacturers have had issues with Automatics holding up to the diesel torgue. I would go with the stick shift just do to that. Also in hills you will get a better braking action from the stick. You may also want to invest in an exhaust brake. They work well and will save your brakes on the downhill grades. They make a good aftermarket one that you can turn on & off from the cab.