Manual Transmissions in Pickup Trucks: The Last Stand for Driving Enthusiasts

Ah, the pickup truck! It’s almost like the Swiss Army knife оf vehicles for many blue-cоllar Americans, serving nоt just as a way to get from A tо B, but as a trusty cоmpanion fоr the hardwоrking sоul. It's funny how well a manual gearbox fits intо this picture, right? Both a pickup and a manual transmissiоn are like badges of honor, proudly saying, “Yeah, I’m nоt afraid of a little elbow grease!” These trucks are simple, sturdy, and built to last—much like the good оl' manual transmissiоn itself.

But here's the head-scratcher: manual transmissiоns in pickups are becоming as rare as hen’s teeth. Can yоu believe that since 2018, nоt a single full-size pickup has rоcked a manual gearbox? The Ram 2500 waved goоdbye to the manual in 2019, and even the compact and midsize trucks are ditching them faster than you can say "shift."

As of July 2024, if you’ve got your heart set on a new midsize truck with a manual, your choices are pretty limited—just the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma are keeping the tradition alive in the entire U.S.

Take the 2024 Jeep Gladiator, for instance. This bad boy is the pickup world's answer to the adventurous Jeep Wrangler. Opt for the Mojave trim, and you’re looking at nearly a foot of ground clearance. It’s got enough muscle to tow 7,700 pounds with the right setup, switches between rear and four-wheel drive, and yes, you can even take the doors off for that full Jeep vibe. The Gladiator might have a longer wheelbase that makes tight trails a bit tricky, but it’s a small price to pay for all that rugged charm.

Now, about those manual transmissions. The Gladiator doesn’t shy away from its roots, offering a six-speed manual across nearly every trim. However, heads up if you’re eyeing a used model—some Gladiators from 2020 to 2023 had issues with their clutch pressure plates, leading to a recall.

Switching gears to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma—America's favorite midsize pickup. It’s not just a truck; it’s practically a legend. The latest Tacoma rolls out on a shiny new platform with engines that are more “vroom-vroom” than ever, including turbo and hybrid options. It’s a jack-of-all-trades with towing capabilities up to 6,500 lbs and comes loaded with tech goodies like a fully connected 14-inch display in the higher trims.

When it comes to sticking to a stick shift, Tacoma makes you work for it—you’ll need a specific trim and cab/bed setup to get that manual. But hey, if you love the control of a manual gearbox, it’s worth the extra effort.

So, whether you’re leaning towards the ruggedness of the Gladiator or the enduring charm of the Tacoma, the pickings are slim but mighty for those who love to shift their own gears. It’s a bit of a mystery why the manual is fading away in the truck world, but for those of us who still enjoy that hands-on driving experience, these trucks are gold.