What year did Dodge stop putting manual in trucks?
The last Dodge Ram pickup with a factory manual transmission was the 2012 model year; since 2013, Ram trucks have been automatic-only.
Dodge, which transitioned its truck branding to Ram, gradually moved away from manual gearboxes as automatics gained in reliability, efficiency, and towing performance. Manuals persisted only on a limited subset of heavy‑duty Ram models with diesel engines into the early 2010s, but the lineup has been automatic-only since the 2013 model year.
Timeline: manual transmissions in Dodge/Ram trucks
The following bullets summarize when manual options appeared and when they disappeared from the Ram lineup.
- The 6.7-liter Cummins-powered Ram 2500/3500 offered a factory 6-speed manual transmission through the 2012 model year.
- Starting with the 2013 model year, Ram stopped offering factory-manual transmissions across its pickup lineup, moving to automatic transmissions exclusively.
These points capture the core shift: manuals were available in a limited, diesel-focused subset of Ram trucks for a span in the 2000s and early 2010s, but the brand ended the practice entirely after 2012.
What this means for buyers today
Current state of Ram transmissions
Today, Ram’s pickups (including the 1500 and the heavy-duty 2500/3500) are sold with automatic transmissions only. The automatics come in multiple gear configurations across generations (for example, 6-, 8-, and even beyond, depending on model year and engine). There are no factory options for a new manual in any Ram pickup.
For collectors and enthusiasts
For those interested in a manual Ram, options are limited to older, pre-2013 models with the manual transmission or diesel configurations. These vehicles are relatively rare, may carry a premium, and can require careful maintenance and verification of the transmission and drivetrain condition.
Summary
The era of factory manual transmissions in Dodge/Ram trucks effectively ended with the 2012 model year. Since 2013, Ram has offered only automatic transmissions across its lineup, driven by shifts in technology, efficiency, and market demand. For enthusiasts, a true manual Ram from the modern era remains a rarity, typically found only in older, pre-2013 models.
Does RAM still make manual trucks?
No, Ram does not make new full-size manual transmission trucks for the U.S. market, as they discontinued manual options for the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 after the 2018 model year. While manual transmissions are still available in some Jeep and Toyota mid-size trucks, the only full-size Ram with a manual is a fleet-only model, the Ram 4000, sold in Mexico.
This video explains why manual transmissions are becoming rare in heavy-duty trucks: 1mPickup Truck Plus SUV TalkYouTube · Jan 17, 2019
- Discontinued for U.S. market: Ram stopped offering manual transmissions in its 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks with the 2019 model year refresh.
- Sole exception: The Ram 4000 is a cab-and-chassis truck sold in Mexico that still offers a manual transmission option, but it is not available to U.S. consumers.
- Reason for discontinuation: The removal of the manual transmission option was due to very low customer demand, with over 90% of buyers opting for the automatic transmission.
This video discusses the possibility of Ram introducing a manual transmission in future models: 1mBobby J FarmsYouTube · Mar 31, 2024
What was the last year of the manual transmission F-150?
2008. For 2008, a 60th anniversary package became available to celebrate 60 years of the Ford F-Series. This was also the last year for this generation, as well as the last year of the F-150 with manual transmission.
What was the last Dodge truck with a manual transmission?
Offered through the 2018 model year in the Ram 2500 and 3500, the G56 was the last manual transmission offered in a heavy duty diesel pickup truck—ever. While Ford and GM had given up on manuals years prior, RAM kept the G56 alive for as long as they thought they could.
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
