Owned manuals since the 60s'. Owned autos since 04' and wouldn't go back to manuals. Prefer auto hubs too.

Regularly, tow livestock, feed and heavy equipment offroad, rugged grade canyons, washes, desert mountains.

 

I drove a 6.7 w/G56 and I hated it. As you can see I am a manual fan. But, if I do commit to buying a new truck, I'm going to at least go drive the auto first. Go drive them both and then make your decision.

 

Well I finally made a decision though it was a tough one!!

I got a manual with the 3.73's, because I do plan on putting bigger tires on later. The auto with the 3.73's and stock tires was a great combo but I am still hessitant to put an auto behind a diesel and waste torque. If I were going to keep stock tires I would have gotten 3.42 gears with the manual. 3.42 gears with the auto is not a good combo from what I've experienced. Drove one and the overhead said 8.8 mpg!!! A 3.73/auto combo got 17 on the overhead on the same course and same driving pattern. My new truck gets 16 on the highway and 17 on country roads via the overhead. I have only got 700 miles on it and haven't been able to give a hand calc. yet but if the overhead is good for anything I thought it would at least give a comparison number for the different combos. Oh, I need to mention, regardless of mileage I LOVE my new truck!!!

 

you c an't get 3.42's with the auto...it is a manual option only.....

 

I used to think the same thing about the torque converter using up 40hp, but the auto can shift much much faster than you can a manual which allows it less loss of rpm to the next gear, which provides greater efficiency.

I agree that you can't get a 3.42 auto.

 

no 3.42 with the auto...

also concerning losing torque when going with the auto... the manual come with 610torque where as the auto comes with 650tq.

Dont put to much faith in your overhead though, most run about 8-10% optimistic.


Anyways, Congrats on the new truck. All that matters in the end is that you like YOUR truck!

 

Hayseed, is there a delay as you switch gears? I also plan on running bigger tires (35's) so I will go with 3.73's. I need to get to a dealer and do some test driving soon as I plan on ordering a truck as soon as the weather breaks in the spring. Thank you to all who have responded to my post.

 

I'm surprised you 35" tire guys aren't going with 4:10's. Glad to hear the good reports on the auto.

 

With the manual there is no "speed shifting", it will stumble if you try to go through the gears too fast. I didn't buy it for racing though so it is OK for my application. If you want a fast truck definitely get the auto! The salesman told me it ran really well and for me to try it out, so I did. Squalling tires through 3 gears on the auto with very little launch!!!! It did run very good, but I figured the rear tires would probably last longer on a manual

 

Auto.Manuals will be a thing of the past in another few years.