What was the last manual transmission RAM?
In brief, the last RAM truck to offer a factory manual transmission was the heavy‑duty Ram 2500/3500 with the 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel paired to a six‑speed NV5600 manual, available through the 2012 model year. Since 2013, Ram’s heavy‑duty pickups have been sold with automatic transmissions only.
As Ram—and the broader pickup market—shifted toward automatic gearboxes for reasons of efficiency, durability, and towing performance, the manual option disappeared from the lineup. This piece traces the final manual era, the key engine–transmission pairings, and the move to automatics that followed.
Historical context and the manual era
Engine and transmission pairings
Manual transmissions in Ram trucks were most closely associated with diesel-powered Heavy Duty models. The last notable pairing was the 6.7L Cummins inline‑six with a six‑speed manual NV5600, which defined the final phase of Ram’s manual era.
- The manual option was primarily offered on Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty models equipped with Cummins diesels, rather than the lighter 1500 line.
- The NV5600 six‑speed manual became the defining element of Ram’s final manual configuration with the 6.7L Cummins.
- Production of factory manual-equipped Heavy Duties effectively ended with the 2012 model year; 2013 and later model years for the 2500/3500 shifted to automatic transmissions exclusively.
In short, the 2012 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty with the 6.7L Cummins and NV5600 manual represents the end of Ram’s factory manual transmissions in the brand’s current lineup.
What changed after
Ram’s move away from manual transmissions mirrored broader industry trends toward automatics, driven by improvements in fuel economy, drivability, and emissions compliance. Automatics also better support modern towing tech and traction control systems that customers increasingly expect in heavy‑duty pickups.
Note: While factory manuals ended after 2012, a few one‑off or aftermarket conversions might exist in the used‑market or custom builds, but they are not part of Ram’s official lineup and void the warranty coverage in many cases.
Summary
The last RAM truck to offer a factory manual transmission was the Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty with the 6.7L Cummins diesel and the NV5600 six‑speed manual, available up to the 2012 model year. From 2013 onward, Ram’s heavy‑duty pickups were automatic‑only, marking the end of the manual era for RAM trucks in the factory lineup. This shift reflects a broader industry move toward automatics, despite continued interest from enthusiasts in manual gearboxes.
When did Dodge Ram stop making manual transmission?
The discontinuation of the G56 for the 2019 refresh of the Ram trucks marked the end of a nearly century-long era of manual transmissions in North American full-size pickup trucks.
What was the last truck with a manual transmission?
The last manual transmission truck is the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, which is the only new pickup truck in the United States to offer a manual transmission. The Jeep Gladiator, its only previous competitor, discontinued its manual option for the 2025 model year.
You can watch this video to see a review of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma with a manual transmission: 59sAlanis KingYouTube · Jun 5, 2025
- Availability: The manual transmission is available on four-door, four-wheel-drive models across several trims, including the base SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road.
- Engine: It is paired with the 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing slightly less power than the automatic version at 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
- Fuel Economy: The manual transmission models are estimated to get 20 mpg combined, which is less than the hybrid automatic models.
This video explains the features of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma with a manual transmission: 58sJalopy JeffYouTube · Mar 26, 2025
Can you get a RAM with a manual transmission?
No, Ram does not currently offer a manual transmission in any of its trucks for the US market, having discontinued the last one after the 2018 model year. The G56 six-speed manual, previously available in the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models, was the last to be offered.
- Discontinuation: Ram ended the manual transmission option for its North American heavy-duty pickups with the 2019 model year.
- Last model: The last full-size Ram truck with a manual transmission was the 2018 Ram 2500/3500 with the G56 six-speed manual.
- Reasoning: The shift away from manual transmissions was due to declining customer demand and sales, as the automatic options became more capable and desirable.
- International availability: While not available in the US, Ram still produces a model with a manual transmission for other markets, such as the Ram 4000 in Mexico.
What was the last year RAM offered a manual transmission?
The last year Ram offered a manual transmission in the U.S. was 2018, specifically for the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 models equipped with the Cummins diesel engine. This marked the end of an era for full-size pickup trucks with a manual option in the American market.
- The G56 six-speed manual transmission was the final manual option available.
- After the 2018 model year, the heavy-duty Ram lineup transitioned to being exclusively automatic.
- While Ram stopped offering the manual in the U.S., there are some reports of them still being produced for other markets, according to MotorBiscuit.
