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For Drivers Who Prefer Stick Shift

These are the pickup truck options you can find on the market

By Jen DemkinPublished 2 years ago 7 min read
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Photo Credit: Robra Shotography

Once upon a time, buyers do not have any other options but stick with manual transmission. Back then, almost all pickup trucks have a manual transmission, but technology has changed the way people drive. As the technology improved, fewer drivers learned to drive stick.

These days, many drivers prefer buying vehicles with automatic transmission due to the convenience and safety tech features that come with them. When shopping for a pickup truck, a manual transmission is hard to come by. The steadfast shift to automatic transmission led to limited options for those who want to drive stick shift pickups.

Stick shift pickups

According to Edmunds, a manual transmission vehicle gives an unusual driving experience to drivers than the easier automatic. But before anyone can drive a stick, a steep learning curve is needed to ensure safety on the road.

Not many pickup trucks left on the market come with a manual transmission. Here are some of the options you can check out if you still want a stick shift pickup:

Toyota Tacoma

Most Toyota Tacoma variant comes standard with an automatic transmission, but they still have an optional stick-shift variant. The 2022 TRD Pro model has a six-speed manual transmission and a four-wheel drivetrain. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that outputs 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet torque.

If you want a used Tacoma, the 2021 model comes with manual transmission too. Choosing the manual transmission makes daily driving feel slightly sportier. You can row the gears and rev the engine but do not expect it to ride like a sportscar.

But on the good side, the manual Toyota Tacoma has a shorter axle ratio than the automatic. The stick shift version is a 4.3:1 axle ratio, while the automatic transmission has 3.909:1. The shorter one comes in handy on the off-road trails as it provides quicker acceleration off the line and through the gears.

The automatic transmission has a crawl control mode which is beneficial for off-roading. For some, it can be a deal-breaker without the crawl mode feature, especially if you regularly enjoy off-roading and like to climb on the rocks.

But for the manual, shifting into the lower gears allows you to make your hill descents easier. The clutch start cancel button on the dashboard is helpful in some instances, so you won't need to shift much. If you stalled on highlands, you could use the button as a way to prevent rolling backward. The driver can start the truck without pushing the clutch when the button is activated.

Moreover, it is possible to modify a used manual Tacoma. For better acceleration, you can upgrade them to a higher gear ratio. They are also generally cheaper, so you can put headache racks, new wheels, beefier tires, and other accessories.

Jeep Gladiator

Jeep is known for its off-road capable SUVs. But their pickup truck model, Jeep Gladiator, comes standard with manual transmission. Sticking with the truck's manual transmission will not restrict you from different trim levels.

The six-speed 3.6-liter V6 gas engine under the hood puts out 285 horsepower. The diesel counterpart only comes in six-speed automatic transmission. The Gladiator is also an off-road capable vehicle that can endure the roughness of the trails. You can put tonneau covers, mudguards, and other truck accessories to customize it.

However, the Gladiator has been recalled for a faulty clutch pressure plate for the 2020 and 2021 models. The faulty clutch can fracture and overheat, which increases the risk of fire. According to Car and Driver, Jeep recalled thousands of Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles, including 2018 to 2021 Wrangler models and 2020–2021 Gladiator models with manual transmissions.

Jeep said that the damage was not a faulty part but a design issue. The automaker has remedied the problem with updated software to reduce engine torque when the temperature of the clutch assembly rises too high.

Despite the recall, the Q2 2021 was their best quarter ever for the U.S. retail sales, with 29,962 sold vehicles.

Understanding transmissions

Transmission is the least understood part of any automobile, and the engine is useless without it. The power navigates through a complex gear mechanism with the engine's rotating force. The term transmission is also referred to as a drivetrain, including the gearbox, clutch, differential, prop shaft (for rear-wheel drive vehicles), and other components.

The transmission enables the gear ratio between the wheels and engine to adjust as the truck speeds up and slows down. When it stops, the transmission disengages the engine from the drive wheels. When the wheels are not in motion, the engine can keep idling. The transmission allows quick acceleration from a stop and helps the engine to run gradually to cut down while the pickup is at consistent speeds.

Automatic

Drivers have to vary their speed on a busy highway, so the trucks with auto transmission can keep running safely and quickly roll with every slight change in pace. Unlike manual pickup truck models that need to change gears as the speed varies constantly, automatic pickups only take minimal effort.

Without worrying about what gear to select, the driver has the full attention and keeps their eyes on the road. It also has a significant appeal to the trucking industry and urban drivers. Driving a truck with an automatic transmission is significantly more accessible.

Auto transmission is far easier for most pickup truck owners because of its simple system. Many industries that use pickup trucks let their employees drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission than a stick shift.

Manual

Some newbie drivers will have difficulty operating a stick shift, mainly if they are used to driving modern vehicles with automatic transmission. Stick shift drivers are rare and challenging to find. Those who can drive with manual transmission are more professional and qualified because of the effort of operating the vehicle. The truck's manual transmission has a shifter and a clutch pedal that the driver uses for gear changes.

Many people think that driving a stick shift is such a chore. Unlike automatic ones with easy-to-press or pull shifters, drivers should move the shifter physically to change the gear in manual transmission vehicles. Also, the driver must select the proper gear and then engage or disengage the clutch.

In 2006, it was not hard to look for vehicles with a manual transmission when you asked the dealers. They used to offer standard or optional stick shift models—but the number fell over time. One decade later, manual new cars were only 27 percent, and 13 percent by 2020. In 2019, brand-new vehicles with manual transmissions were just under 2 percent. It seems most manufacturers continue to drop stick shifts from their lineups.

Is it the end for M/Ts?

The high demand is one of the main reasons most pickup trucks are automatic. Very limited truckers still want a vehicle with a stick shift. It is not worth making a lot of manual pickups for automakers just to sit on the dealer lots and only sell a few per year. It also costs more money to produce and maintain trucks with manual transmission.

Instead, the truck manufacturers chose to create more profitable and top-selling trucks with automatic transmissions. They are now across the board, so anyone and everyone can drive a pickup truck.

Despite the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), internal combustion engines (ICEs) will still stick around in a few years. The growing popularity of EVs seems to further marginalize automobiles with manual transmissions.

In a CNBC report, they also used the term "connectedness" for driving a stick. Driving manual transmission may not be easy, but it gives a feeling of control. The options for some diehard stick shift drivers get smaller as pickup trucks with manual transmission disappear from the auto market.

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About the Creator

Jen Demkin

Hi, I'm Jen from 4WheelOnline. My fascination with vehicles started in my childhood. I like cars more than dolls. I enjoy writing about automotive industry news, vehicle maintenance tips, and more.

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