Hate that tranny knob

kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

Just bought my brand new 1500
4 WD and I'm kicking myself buying it for one dumb reason: I can't stand that knob on the console for the transmission. I've already more than once got the stereo knob and tranny knob confused while driving.
I really wanted a Ram and I thought I could get used to not having a lever on the steering column like every other truck on the planet has.
Now I'm stuck with a $40,000 truck that I'm unhappy with.
Why did Dodge design it this way???

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Hemipower95 · Aug 7, 2016

You saw it yourself, you chose to buy it anyway;
that's on you.This is new to me too, I don't mind
it, but that's my opinion. You'll get used to it eventually

kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

Hemipower95 said:
You saw it yourself, you chose to buy it anyway; that's on you. This is new to me too, I don't mind it, but that's my opinion.

I know it's on me. Just think I might accept it if there was a reason for dodge doing away from the column shifter

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rvj · Aug 7, 2016

I've been driving for 45 years. I avoided the Ram because of the dial shifter. I hated the transmission shifting issues of my 2014 Silverado so I bought a 2016 F150 because I still didn't want the dial shifter of the Ram. The F150 had so many wind noise leaks that the dealer couldn't fix that I decided it was going away no matter how much I was going to lose on it. I didn't want a Titan or a Tundra so I was really stuck in a hard place. I swallowed my opinions and figured there was no choice except trying the Ram out. I've only had it a couple months and I'm just now getting used to it and I no longer grab the wrong knob. I think if Ram would have put a colored bezel on the knob the transition would have been easier for my brain to figure out earlier than it actually did.
I will say this though, even though there was a learning curve, there is no comparison between the F150 or the Silverado when it comes to comfort of the seats, smoothness of the shifting or satisfaction of thinking I have finally found the brand I can be happy with.
Give it some time and like me, I think you will get used to it and be glad you made the jump to Ram. I couldn't be happier with mine at this point.

Hootbro · Aug 7, 2016

Evolve or die.

Gary's Hemi · Aug 7, 2016

You will get used to it. Only took me about a week before it became second nature to reach for the ***. Give it some time.

kccustom · Aug 7, 2016

One thing I have found out is turning up the fan does not make you go forward.

kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

rvj said:
I've been driving for 45 years. I avoided the Ram because of the dial shifter. I hated the transmission shifting issues of my 2014 Silverado so I bought a 2016 F150 because I still didn't want the dial shifter of the Ram. The F150 had so many wind noise leaks that the dealer couldn't fix that I decided it was going away no matter how much I was going to lose on it. I didn't want a Titan or a Tundra so I was really stuck in a hard place. I swallowed my opinions and figured there was no choice except trying the Ram out. I've only had it a couple months and I'm just now getting used to it and I no longer grab the wrong knob. I think if Ram would have put a colored bezel on the knob the transition would have been easier for my brain to figure out earlier than it actually did.
I will say this though, even though there was a learning curve, there is no comparison between the F150 or the Silverado when it comes to comfort of the seats, smoothness of the shifting or satisfaction of thinking I have finally found the brand I can be happy with.
Give it some time and like me, I think you will get used to it and be glad you made the jump to Ram. I couldn't be happier with mine at this point.

Thank you for the good response
I'll try. It just seems kind of cheap and unnatural. To just put a dial on the dash was a real leap by dodge. Just wondering what they were thinking

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kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

kccustom said:
One thing I have found out is turning up the fan does not make you go forward.

Lol. Yep! I found that out too! Same thing with the radio.
Thank you

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kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

Gary's Hemi said:
You will get used to it. Only took me about a week before it became second nature to reach for the ***. Give it some time.

Thank you!

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kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

Hootbro said:
Evolve or die.

Nice. Thank you very much

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crazy_luck · Aug 7, 2016

kirwinjd said:
I know it's on me. Just think I might accept it if there was a reason for dodge doing away from the column shifter

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Since there is no real mechanical need due to the electronic connections on the transmission, it's cheaper to use a knob (plastic) which consists of a knob, spindle (plastic), base (plastic) and electrical connectors instead of using a lever (metal), multipoint pivot joint (metal and some plastic) and a bunch of contact points just to close a circuit. In the grand scheme of things, it's always about eliminating costs on the manufacturing side to improve corporate profit wherever possible.

THE HEMI MAN · Aug 7, 2016

I think it brings a bit of luxury to the highend models, the lower end one come with the column shifter if im not mistaken. I like it alot actually.

Beauregard7765 · Aug 7, 2016

It's different, but I think it makes the cabin look a look cleaner.

CVX20 · Aug 7, 2016

When you get used to it you'll cursing everything else you drive for having a normal shifter .I drive a lot of different vehicles for work and after having my Ram for a couple of weeks you wonder why you even liked having a shifter in the first place.So much easier to use and nothing stuck out in the road of anything.

fla crkr 1 ton · Aug 7, 2016

I have been looking at newer rams and i have not bought one because of that damn knob i will not purchase something i plan on having for a long while if it has items on it i don't like i have found plenty of trucks i really love but then they have the knob and i walk away!!!!!!!!!!!!! Knobs belong on radios not as gear selectors!!!!!!!!! JMO!!!!

kirwinjd · Aug 7, 2016

fla crkr 1 ton said:
I have been looking at newer rams and i have not bought one because of that damn knob i will not purchase something i plan on having for a long while if it has items on it i don't like i have found plenty of trucks i really love but then they have the knob and i walk away!!!!!!!!!!!!! Knobs belong on radios not as gear selectors!!!!!!!!! JMO!!!!

I understand where your coming from.
All you can do is go with the 2500 ram truck if you want the column shifter

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Kytow · Aug 7, 2016

Wish they would put the G56 in these trucks.

Sent from somewhere with confusion.

Hootbro · Aug 7, 2016

kirwinjd said:
Nice. Thank you very much

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Yeah, I know it is snarky but it is what we tell the guys at my work who just kick and scream when a new process is implemented and they knew going in it was coming.

charonblk07 · Aug 7, 2016

fla crkr 1 ton said:
I have been looking at newer rams and i have not bought one because of that damn knob i will not purchase something i plan on having for a long while if it has items on it i don't like i have found plenty of trucks i really love but then they have the knob and i walk away!!!!!!!!!!!!! Knobs belong on radios not as gear selectors!!!!!!!!! JMO!!!!

Only way to get the 8 speed trans which is a night and day improvement over the 545/65rfe. There is no difference in function of the knob vs a gear selector and I have to get used to driving my F350 with the column shifter after driving my ram with the console shifter. I can't tell you the number of times I've reached for one or the other in the wrong truck, it's no different than the shift knob.

Hate that tranny knob

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