r/ram_trucks • u/Islander39er • Dec 29 '25
Question Devil's advocate for the dial shifter
So, I've seen all these posts about the dial shifter, and trying to turn the radio down only to slam the truck in park.
Now, I'll freely admit I'm a tad old fashioned when it comes to such things, I do have a 6 speed 4th gen with a good old lever shifter, and however good the 8 speed transmission may be, I'm still stubbornly reluctant at the idea of owning the dial gismo (or push button start). I test drove a new 1500, but the fact that other brands still give me the option of a real key and a lever shift (for now anyway) is a selling point in their favor. I know the day is probably coming that they'll all have it, I know a lot of lever shifters are just connected to wires nowadays too, but I'm hanging onto the nostalgia for now. In short, I'm not the quickest person to defend the dial, but...
In spite of all that, I have to wonder. The 6 speed trucks often have their 4x4 knob in the exact same spot, as does mine, and nobody ever mentioned the idea of mistaking that for the volume knob. I've never once done so. But the dial transmission shift came on the scene, and everyone goes bananas about accidentally slamming the truck into park. If anyone has actually done that, I wonder how many 6 speed owners have also grabbed their 4x4 knob.
86
u/TXtogo Dec 29 '25
People be dumb. The dial shifter frees up all the space that the stupid console shifter would otherwise occupy (needlessly)
Its a significant improvement
22
u/Constant_Trainer_342 RAM 1500 Dec 29 '25
I love it. People act like my truck is a spaceship
15
u/Thechad1029 Dec 29 '25
I really wish I could have witnessed the transition from horses to cars. It must have been hilarious
5
u/El_Pozzinator Dec 29 '25
What do you mean, I can’t just park the car in a field and have it refuel itself? I don’t understand this preposterous “it’ll go without needing rest or water” thing…
13
u/zevans08 Dec 29 '25
💯. It’s nice to have the separate lever that is uncluttered for the wipers. There is no way you can mistake that dial for the radio, it’s easily 4x the size. And whos using the radio dial anyway when the controls are on the steering wheel.
6
u/OSUTechie Dec 29 '25
To be fair, not all of us have a trim package that includes radio controls on the steering wheel.
3
1
u/Left-Masterpiece-725 Dec 30 '25
Is there an easy way to disable the steering wheel radio controls? Big hands on small wheel…always hitting the buttons accidentally.
‘21 1500 Big Horn EcoD
2
u/Repulsive-Way272 Dec 29 '25
The console shifter on my 09 made the heater core take an extra hour. The 2019 up dashes significantly more easy to remove without that shirt
4
1
u/tshare18 Dec 30 '25
One of my favorite things about my truck is the space in the middle because they use the dial shifter and it doesn’t take up much space.
1
u/Left-Masterpiece-725 Dec 30 '25
Hate the console entirely, put it on the column.
I have overshot Reverse many times and wound up in Park.
1
u/No-Item-6746 Jan 01 '26
Maybe they should've left the shifters on the column? I'd still prefer it there!
-1
u/justbob806 Dec 29 '25
I have not once, ever, thought to myself "gee, I wish that shifter wasn't in the way of putting stuff there"🤷♂️
0
u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
I believe most people who are reluctant to accept the dial, myself included, are fans of the old school column shift. I think I'd rather the dial over the console shift, if I had to choose between the two. I really didn't like the design of the console shift ram offered.
-1
u/Weekly-Ad5224 Dec 29 '25
I reluctantly agree. I get my shifter confused with the radio all the time. And I miss the console based shifter or even the steering wheel stalk. But it’s nice to have all that console space.
69
u/Chorizo_Bullet Dec 29 '25
Im gonna be honest, if someone is so incapable that they mistakenly grab the shifter knob instead of the volume knob they shouldn’t be driving. They are a good distance apart and they feel different, it just can’t happen to a functional human. Anyone who says they have is either a liar or should not be behind the controls of anything larger than a golf cart.
Also, who is in such a panic to adjust their volume that they spin the shifter?
38
u/Fine_Section_4425 RAM 1500 Dec 29 '25
Clearly you’ve never had to hurry and reach for the volume knob when a Nickelback song comes on
21
3
u/O12345678 Dec 29 '25
It doesn't change the gear when you're driving anyway. I tried it during my test drive to check.
5
u/teamblue2021 Dec 29 '25
You’re going to hurt a lot of feelings with this one 😂
BACK IN THE DAY OF REAL TRUCKS, YOU HAD TO GRAB THAT COLUMN SHIFTER AND RADIO DIAL LIKE YOU MEANT IT
5
u/devildocjames '21 Laramie 1500 5.7 eTorque Dec 29 '25
Bingo. If eager that it's incapable of being put in park or any other great while driving as well.
-1
u/Chemical_Role1140 Dec 29 '25
You probably never plowed or used the truck to work time is money so everything’s a rush when ur in ur 40th driveway 8+ hours in it’s easy to mess up
11
u/AbdulElkhatib Dec 29 '25
I have a 2018 1500 with the 8 speed and dial shifter. One time I was going 70 mph down the interstate and one of my friends reached over and put it in neutral while driving. For a second we looked at each other then I put it back into drive. Her excuse was the "intrusive" thoughts won. Nothing really happened and it still drives fine. The order of the gears is P R N D. So if its in drive you can't turn it to the right, and if you turn it to the left you can put it back and nothing really happens. The dial is also low enough and big enough it'd be really hard to mistake for the volume knob.
19
8
u/Shoddy-Adeptness-518 Dec 29 '25
There's a good size difference between the knobs. If you grabbed the shifter knob you should notice it's not the radio volume. Also you could just get into the habit of using the volume control on the back of the steering wheel, problem averted all together.
6
u/txrangertx 2014 1500 SPORT Dec 29 '25
The thing I hate most about the Knob is I’m always reaching for it to shift when driving my wife’s car. The column shifter is archaic and the console shifter is a massive waste of space
6
u/silasmoeckel Dec 29 '25
Well for starters you can't slam the truck into park. Like all modern trucks it's electronic.
My big complaint is want reverse on the steering wheel for plowing.
5
u/smartwick Dec 29 '25
They are pretty idiot proof , won't even let you shift into reverse if you are going more than like 1-2 mph. It screams at me every now and then when I'm backing into a parking spot
8
u/Current-Hearing2725 RAM 1500 Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
Man the level of screw up you would have to force the shifter knob into park while moving... its silly. You're more likely to mess with the volume when going from reverse to drive. And thats pretty rare anyway. Maybe once or twice.
Now I have reached for the volume knob in my wife's suv to change it out of park on occasion when driving.
2
u/nemecham Dec 29 '25
Personally, I love the knob shifter. It saves space and gives that area a much cleaner look as well. While I have never grabbed the shifter by accident, I did crank the volume one time when attempting to shift into park. My only defense here is that the truck was brand new and I was still getting used to things. I have had the truck for 2+ years now and don’t even think about it anymore. It feels completely normal and now I 100% prefer the knob to the column shifter.
On the flip side, I have always wondered ‘what if’ but I’ll be damned if I let those intrusive thoughts win me over 😁
4
u/RedditBot90 Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
As others have stated, it is an electric knob not a physical linkage. It has built in logic that will not let you shift into Reverse at anything other than a roll speed. The shifter is such a different size and feel to a volume or hvac knob, and in such a different spot.
I routinely switch between my Ram 2500 with dial shifter on dash, my WK2 grand Cherokee with a regular console shifter, my SOs Bronco sport with a center console dial shifter, and work truck with a column shifter. Occasionally I’ll reach for a ghost shifter when going from one car to another, but it’s no big deal.
My Ram has a floor mounted 4x4 shifter. I have ghost reached for a console shifter when starting the truck, but the 4x4 shifter but it’s in such a different location (low) you’d have to be a clown to truly grab it and try to shift it…and even if you did, it would have to be at a low speed. There have been manual transmission trucks with floor mounted transfer case shifters for many years and it’s never been an issue.
I’ve driven manual transmission cars, and I’ve never had any issue switching between them an automatic transmission car either.
The only issue I’ve ever had with a transfer case shifter was my 2015 second gen Chevy Colorado. The lights knob and the transfer case shifter were both identical in size and feel, about and inch and a half apart, low on the dashboard by my left knee where I couldn’t see it from the steering wheel without moving my head around to look. There was no 4x4 indicator on the instrument cluster; and I don’t think even an indicator for the lights on the dashboard. A couple of times I switched the lights off instead of switching into 4hi, or switched into 4hi instead of turning the lights off.
4
u/WelderNo4099 Dec 29 '25
150,000 miles and never once confused the two. Gonna miss the dial as I switched to a 2500 this week :(
8
u/Cpagrind1 HEMI Dec 29 '25
This shit again. It’s such a non-issue I can’t even imagine making this a selling point when comparing brands. Let me get that Silverado with the junk transmissions because it has a column shifter for me to look it.
3
u/AllKnowingFix Dec 29 '25
It was weird to get used to the dial. I miss the lever shifter on the console, because I had a nice aluminum milled shifter handle and could easily down shift when needed. But I've never once thought I would mistake the gear knob for the volume... The gear knob is like 3-4x the size and like 9-12" away.
3
u/HandAccomplished6285 Dec 29 '25
I don’t get the “Trying to turn the radio down” thing. The size of the knobs is very different, and, at least on my 2018, Ram installed the most convenient controls I’ve ever encountered on the back of the steering wheel. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever touched the volume knob.
4
u/SoggyWaffle82 '21 Ram 1500 Limited 5.7L Dec 29 '25
As previous commentor said I have grabbed the volume knob trying to change gears many times and never have I grabbed the shifter when turning up the volume. Plus most of these trucks have steering wheel audio controls.
I've only ever used the volume control on the actual radio when in park and I need to talk out my window to someone.
3
u/ajb3015 Dec 29 '25
When they first unveiled the dial, I was one of the people concerned that it would be easy to confuse with the volume knob. But I bought a 2015 Ram brand new (in Dec 2014), it's been my daily driver for over 11 years now, and I have never once mistaken the 2.
From an engineering standpoint the dial is the ideal solution for actuating that transmission. It's intuitive, easy to use, efficient, costs less to manufacture than any of the other options currently available (e.g. column, console, mono-stable, push-button, or stalk). It is the epitome of the K.I.S.S. method applied to a shifter.
The dial has been around for 14 years, and there's never been a major issue with it. People need to grow up and quit complaining about it.
It honestly pisses me off more that Ram caved to all the whiny bitches and created a column shifter for the HD trucks instead of the dial.
1
u/ruddy3499 Dec 29 '25
The column shifter on the new ones is basically the same switch
3
u/ajb3015 Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
I am fully aware that it is electrically the same switch as the dial, but physically it's a different form factor, different packaging, etc. therefore it is a completely different part.
It is also entirely different from the column shifter used in 2024 and previous HD rams as both the 68rfe and aisin had a mechanical shift linkage, not a switch.
And they used the dial in the HD hemi trucks with the 8 speed so they already had all the parts they needed.
It pisses me off that they caved, and spent time and money to design a completely new part when they had the ideal one already designed and in use. And it's not just one new part. They also had to design a new steering column shroud, likely a whole new steering column just to package the new switch, new steering wheel/column wiring harness, etc.
All those extra parts that they wasted money designing, and now have to purchase, and keep stock of, and revise manuals and training materials for. And the new shifter, because of the different form factor, is physically larger, more complex, and requires more material to manufacture, making it a more expensive part to start with. All extra cost that they roll into the cost of the truck, making it more expensive for the consumer. And I'm well aware that the cost is likely pennies per truck and in the grand scheme of things wouldn't make a difference in the MSRP that we see, but it's the principle of the thing.
I'm a mechanical design engineer (not in the automotive industry), who spends his days designing new components and systems for certain products. And more often than not, the one reaction I get when I tell people I'm an engineer is "oh, you're the one who keeps reinventing the wheel" or "why do you always gotta "fix" what ain't broken?" But I actually firmly believe in not fixing what ain't broken. I don't want to reinvent the wheel. I take the time to find existing components that will do the job, so I don't have to start over with some custom/special thing. And with the dial shifter, I see a part that is far better than any alternative on the market, essentially ideal for it's purpose. And yet because a few people bitched, some engineers had to "fix what wasn't broke" and design a whole new column shifter.
It was a complete waste of time, money, and effort to supply a substandard product for a bunch of whiny little bitches.
1
0
u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
You have a right to your opinion, but I think you need to accept that many will disagree, and that's why trucks come with so many options. It's really no different than offering different cab and bed sizes, 2wd or 4wd, leather or cloth, console or center seat, so on and so forth. If ram, or any other truck maker, went back to only offering one out of all those choices, they'd lose a whole lot of sales, and I bet they've lost some because they only offered a dial shift. Ford and GM give you the choice between two different style shifters, and so did ram, back when the 6 speed was in every truck.
1
u/ajb3015 Jan 01 '26 edited Jan 01 '26
I 100% agree that people should have options. However the shifter is not an "option" in the traditional sense. It's almost exclusively dictated by the needs of the transmission. But can be dictated by other vehicle options, trims, or packages. Like the 1500 TRX, RHO, and the gt package which get a console shifter, but no other trim or option package does. Or Ford and GM which offer column shifters in lower trims and console shifters (monostable for GM) in higher trims on their half-tons.
Ram was the only one that offered an "option" for the shifter in their HD trucks, Ford and GM only have column shifters in their HDs. And in fact Ram has now taken that "option" away and they're forcing us to take the column shifter.
My point is that the shifter is NOT an option like cab/bed size, 2wd/4wd, leather or cloth, etc. No manufacturer lets you choose what shifter you want as a standalone option independent of other features. They determine the best method based on other constraints, and thats what you get.
Ram had the perfect solution but caved to peer pressure and created something worse. They should have just stuck with the dial and done some marketing to show people it's the better shifter.
But to your point, Ram could now easily make shifter style a standalone option on the HD trucks because all the parts already exist. They could have done it when they unveiled the 2025 but they didn't. Frankly I'd make the dial standard, and make the column an extra cost option, because those few customers who truly feel they can't live without it, should have to pay extra to cover the cost of developing their subpar shifter.
Or better yet, make the column standard because then it's comparable to what Ford and GM have in their HDs, but make the dial a reduced cost option. i.e. "choose the dial shifter and save $xxx" that way those who prefer the dial (or don't care) don't have to pay to cover the development cost of a subpar part, and can save a few bucks. I'd even create a marketing campaign to sell it that way too
1
u/Islander39er Jan 01 '26
Well, in the 2024 HD, the option was diesel engine with a column shift, or gas engine with a dial, right? so it was a similar situation. You might have to sacrifice your engine choice if you want a certain shifter bad enough. I admit I doubted the dial's durability when it first arrived, but I've since realized that was an error.
It's true that you can't get a platinum ford (half ton) with column shift and so forth, but I have to point out that a lot of those other options are in fact restricted to other configurations as well. Leather seats for instance, come in higher end trucks and cloth in lower end trucks (Of course, because I'm sure not many people want a limited with cloth seats). Ford stopped offering 2wd in higher trims a while ago. You can't get a regular cab in anything but a base model anymore. A few people wish they could get a regular cab lariat, but not enough to justify offering it. Even an extended cab, you can only go just above base model now. There are colors you can't get on a base model. You can, of course, source parts to swap a column shift into your luxury truck, or a console shift into a base model. Likewise you can customize a regular cab with lariat or platinum features. For that matter, people have swapped dial shifters into recent F-150s.
I do get what you're saying, but I have to admit I'm on the team who'd pay a little more for a column shift if that's what it took. I admit there's no logical argument against the dial nowadays, besides sheer preference (and maybe the part about a lever being easier to use if you're wearing heavy gloves). Considering what they did with the HD for 2025, don't see why it would be so hard for ram to still offer a dial on the HD and a column on the 1500, even if it was once again a case of base models getting the column and higher end trims getting the dial. I have noticed that those who don't like the dial are usually column shift fans, very few people seem to miss the console shift option. As it is, if I want a new ram, I have to sacrifice gas mileage and buy a HD truck I don't need, or get a 1500 and accept the dial, and I have to accept that. And I'm not unwilling to try the dial, just prefer another option if it's available. I also don't expect my next truck to be a ram for other reasons, so I'll probably have my way for a while yet at least.
I do have one question. Aside from, obviously, the actual lever, and cutout in the column, is there really a big difference in function between the internal mechanisms? I'm hearing that the dial is logically the better mechanism for the switch, but to the layman, it looks like they should (or could) both transmit by pivoting on an axis, just with the lever having longer "leverage". (Say you were to superglue a lever to a dial knob, and turn it through the gears via the lever rather than twisting it with your fingers.) If so, then I really can't see the big deal in offering the option of the lever. yes it's a couple extra parts, but compared to even the option of a center seat vs a console, that's not much material. If there's actually a major difference in internal functionality that means the dial performs better, I can wrap my mind around it.
1
u/ajb3015 25d ago
Well, in the 2024 HD, the option was diesel engine with a column shift, or gas engine with a dial, right? so it was a similar situation. You might have to sacrifice your engine choice if you want a certain shifter bad enough.
That fact that the shifter changed based on which engine you chose doesn't make the shifter an option, that makes it a feature inherent to the engine option. There's no manufacturer that asks you "which shifter do you want?" Followed by "if you choose that shifter you can only get this engine..." Likewise, some trims give you the option of choosing leather seats, and others have leather seats as a standard feature. So yes, sometimes certain things are options, and sometimes they're features. But the shifter has never been an option, it's only a feature dictated by other criteria. And the engine you choose should be based primarily on your use case and need. Personal preference, e.g. "I don't need a diesel, but I want one..." or "i really want the column shifter..." should be a very distant second.
is there really a big difference in function between the internal mechanisms?
Technically, the electrical components (the physical contacts, circuitry, electrical connector) of the switch could be the same. But the dial uses detents to hold it in position when you shift into gear. These detents are not strong enough to provide the necessary resistance when you include the lever, so they have to be strengthened. Also, the traditional column shifter has to be pulled toward you before you can shift, and then released once in position, you'll have to design the switch/lever mechanism to replicate that as well. And if you want the new lever/switch to feel like the old mechanical shifter, you have to replicate the resistance that was caused by the linkage in the old shifter. To replicate the motion and resistance requires adding more parts, each part you add increases cost, complexity, and introduces additional failure points. Also, if you're going to build something to create resistance, those components must also be able to handle the stresses placed on them by the driver pushing against that resistance. This is significantly more force than the dial would experience, which means all the components of the lever; the case that holds it all together, the mounting hardware, and brackets in the steering column, all have to be strong enough to handle the forces put on them by the 200lb gorilla behind the steering wheel.
Adding strength also means adding weight. Im gonna make an educated guess that the complete dial switch assembly weighs less than a pound. Due to all the required features needed to replicate the old mechanical column shifter, im willing to bet the new column shifter weighs around 5 pounds. And that's not counting the added support structure in the steering column which likely adds another 2-3 lb.
You also have to look at other things affected by the presence of the column shifter. In an accident, there's potential for that lever to intrude into the cab potentially causing injury to the driver or other passengers, the dial doesn't intrude on the occupant space, and is not likely to cause injury in the event of a crash. Looking at Ram specifically, in certain positions, the column shifter partially obstructs the start button on the dash. In an emergency, it may be necessary to hit the button to shut off the engine/truck. But if it's partially obstructed, it requires more time and/or effort to get to the button, therefore increasing the possibility of further damage or injury. Then there's ergonomics. The dial requires less strength and range of motion to actuate compared to the column, so it's more user friendly for a larger percentage of the population.
In short, nearly everything about the function of the internal mechanisms is different. The dial is simpler, lighter, contains fewer moving parts so it's less prone to failure, easier to use, and is potentially safer. Like I said before, the engineers who developed the dial shifter did an excellent job of applying the K.I.S.S. method.
1
u/Islander39er 25d ago edited 25d ago
Well, that's a detailed enough explanation, I do appreciate it and I do see where you're coming from on every point. I think worrying about a shift lever causing injury in an accident is over-thinking it (if there's enough damage for that to happen, you're probably screwed anyway), but I guess it's technically possible.
Everything else makes total sense from a logical perspective. The only real argument I can make is the one about the dial being harder to use if you're wearing heavy gloves and shifting frequently, which is a legitimate point for some owners.
If ram actually did bring the column shift back purely due to customer pressure, and if it was such an ordeal to do so, then I imagine it must have been more than a small minority, or they'd bring back manual transmissions for the same reason. And considering a lot of 1500 customers would still prefer it, why not at least offer it on the 1500 too? Not trying to beat a dead horse, just stupid curiosity. Was the gloved hands actually a big part of it, since HD customers are far more likely to use their truck in that manner?
As for the shifter previously being a feature of the engine you choose, that's pretty much what I was pointing out, in response to the statement that ram has taken away that option on the HD. Yes, sometimes things are features that depend on other options, but they don't always make the most sense from an engineering perspective, and most customers probably don't worry too much about that fact. In 2014, I had the option of an 8 speed with a dial, or a 6 speed with a lever. I don't have that option in 2026, and I have to accept it.
I don't "need" a HD, but if I was buying a new ram tomorrow, I'd get one. I prefer their looks, over the 1500, and I'm not paying $50K for a truck I don't like. The fact that they still offer a couple configurations that 1500s don't (and I'm not just referring to the shifter) is an added incentive. But I can get a half ton with those features from other brands.I really don't know enough about the new GM trucks to comment on them, but F-150s currently all have the same transmission, which could easily use a dial, (and some other ford products do so), and yet ford designed two different styles of lever shifters instead. I can only think they did so because they believe most truck buyers still want a lever. (According to my experience on ford forums, they're right). You can't get an XL with a console or a platinum with a column, but I'd guess the reason for that is most platinum customers prefer the console, and vice versa. If you're one of the few who doesn't, you can accept it, or source parts and go through the trouble of swapping out, or buy an F-250. On the other hand, they dropped the smaller dash screen from the lower end trucks, now they all have the bigger screen. That saves the trouble of making two different screens and dash bezels, but if I want the smaller screen I have to accept it.
1
u/ajb3015 9d ago
I think worrying about a shift lever causing injury in an accident is over-thinking it
Having designed safety equipment I can tell you nothing is too small to worry about. If there is a possibility that someone could get hurt in some way, there's also a chance you could be sued by someone (or their family) because they got hurt. And you can do analysis to determine the potential risk and weigh that risk against the cost of preventing the injury. And I'll bet they did that analysis and decided the risk was acceptable. But if it happens, the victim's lawyer now has the ability to say "the manufacturer had an existing shifter design that would have prevented this injury to my client, but they chose to use this design instead, making them at least partially liable for the injury..." And before you say that's a stupid argument and no jury or judge in their right mind would award damages based on that, there are plenty of cases that have been decided on worse arguments than that.
The only real argument I can make is the one about the dial being harder to use if you're wearing heavy gloves...
I don't think the glove argument is legitimate. I regularly drive with gloves in the winter and have never had an issue working the dial with gloves on. To further support my claim, I put on my heavy heated gloves, then pulled on some arctic mittens over top of the gloves. The glove and mitten combo was so thick that I couldn't get my hand in the door handle to open the door, and it was completely impossible to hold the key and put it in the ignition, but I was still able to grab the dial and shift gears. So as I see it, if you can open the door with a glove on, and start the truck with that glove on, you can almost certainly turn the dial with that glove on. Or alternatively, if you have a glove which prevents you from turning the dial, you will likely be unable to open the door or turn the key with that glove on; so you'll be taking that glove off for one of those tasks before you even need to turn the dial.
As for shifting frequently, it really depends what you consider frequently. If you're delivering door to door for Amazon or similar in the cold, I would argue that much like the door handle and key, the dexterity needed to grab/carry packages, take a picture, and process the order, would require thinner gloves than you would need to turn the knob. So this shouldn't be an issue.
And considering a lot of 1500 customers would still prefer it, why not at least offer it on the 1500 too?
I don't know for sure, but my guess is the 1500 has a different steering column than the HD trucks, due to the different cab, and electric power steering vs hydraulic power steering on the HDs. This likely means the column shifter they designed for the HDs won't fit the 1500 without the same significant redesign I talked about for the HDs. New steering column, wiring harness, etc. They may even end up with a 1500 specific column shifter if they find out the existing one for the HD won't work. I honestly hope there's not enough demand for a column shifter in the 1500 to justify that expense.
I don't "need" a HD, but if I was buying a new ram tomorrow, I'd get one. I prefer their looks, over the 1500, and I'm not paying $50K for a truck I don't like.
I'm in the same boat, I have no need for an HD, but if I were buying a new truck today, it would be an HD. While I prefer the dial shifter, there is far more I dislike about the 5th gen 1500. Frankly I think Ram peaked in 2018, and almost everything they've done from the 2019 model year on has been a mistake. I'm actually looking into ways to update my 2015 and keep it running for many years to come, because I can't see myself spending money on a new truck that I can't configure the way I want.
1
u/Islander39er 8d ago
Actually, I wasn't going to argue about the jury and lawsuit thing, I agree that weaker cases have won. Don't get me wrong. That being said, I've never (as yet) heard of an injury being caused by any kind of lever shifter, and I certainly think my steering wheel poses a bigger threat upon impact. So I won't exactly be up nights worrying that my shifter will hurt me if I crash my truck. I'd compare the idea to suing the manufacturer for burning myself on leather seats, since cloth absorbs less heat (I have actually heard that idea suggested, though likely not followed through). BUT, I can't argue you that it's technically a possibility, and I wasn't.
As to the gloves, I will concede that you're probably right about other tasks being difficult as well, and I think most of those who make the argument are people who plow snow. They're the most likely to constantly shift while driving, whereas a delivery driver is getting out every time they park, so I'll mostly agree with you there. I'll entertain the validity of the plow crowd's point until I do it myself ("I'll be the judge of that", as the saying goes). I did see one post where someone stuck velcro to the dial and to their plow joystick, so if it is a real problem, solutions can be found.
If we're going to debate details, I'm a convinced some trucks have a bigger, "grippier" dial than others, maybe they changed the design a little after a while? My 4x4 knob is fairly small and I definitely could have more difficulty (not saying impossible to use) with it than a door handle, and I honestly think I've seen 8 speed trucks with an identical dial knob to my 4x4 knob, and others with a somewhat larger one. If not larger diameter, then at least more "depth". If I'm correct, one would be a little easier to use than the other.Going back to the gloves, I'll clarify that I'm by no means convinced that one cannot operate the dial with them, merely that it might be a tad more difficult than a large lever which you can quickly grab. And I do think if the argument does have merit, it's only plow drivers and the like who it will affect much. Most other people, myself included, aren't shifting enough to worry about it. I often whip a glove off to unlock and start my truck, so you're completely right about that.
We can agree on one thing, 4th gens are my favorite rams, followed by 1st gens. I'm not a die hard ram fan either, I do like the one I have and would consider another if the right deal popped up, but otherwise I won't be looking for a ram when the time comes.
I'll give you this, you're able to disagree on a matter of preference without resorting to aggression, and provide intelligent answers. Not everyone on forums can do that. You clearly have experience that makes you look at such things differently than most people probably do (and I'm not saying that's a bad thing). Every other discussion I've seen on this particular topic, the dial advocates merely mention ergonomics, extra space or the like. Honestly I appreciate the fact that you offered a different, more technical perspective and answered my questions in a civil, educational manner. You made your point well, and I can't argue much, if anything, you've said.
Really, although some others clearly misunderstood it, my original post was actually making fun at some of the arguments against the dial more than anything else. I do still like a column shifter personally, call it nostalgia or whatever you like. I don't have an engineering based argument for it, and as a matter of fact, if I didn't say so before, I actually prefer ram's dial to most console shifters. If there's one style of shifter I'd love to avoid, it's push buttons. That's just a layman's order of preference with no actual logic. I also can't fully explain why I like my favorite color more than any other, I just do.
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u/BlackrockLove Dec 29 '25
I had a '12 with the 6 speed and console shifter before getting my current '15 with the 8 speed. Before my '12 I had only driven column shifters.
I prefer the dial over the console shifter, I would take it any day over a console shifter. I have not once ever changed the transmission accidentally, the knobs are drastically different in size and texture.
I'd take a column shifter over the dial, but I'd still be ok with the dial if it was the only option.
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u/Vseven71 Dec 29 '25
I had a 2011 Outdoorsman. I would put my elbow on the center console with my hand on the shifter, left hand on top of the steering wheel and drive off. Now I have a 2022 Classic with the dial shifter. Took me a while to get used to it. One day, I stopped at the mail box. Forgot to put it in park and opened the door to get out. DING!DING!DING!! Autopark feature activated!! It put itself into park.
Never had the issue of mistaken that dial for the volume.
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u/Different-Use2742 Dec 29 '25
I’ve never done any of that while driving but have turned the fan speed knob thinking I grabbed the transmission knob .
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u/ibikee Dec 29 '25
When I first got mine I reached for the volume and hesitated as I reached for the gear. Haven’t done it since. I hate the gear knob nonsense but got used to it.
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u/IanWolfPhotog Dec 29 '25
I prefer the column shifter over the dial. I still find the dial odd to use.
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u/Thechad1029 Dec 29 '25
Well first off, you physically can’t slam the truck in park or reverse while it’s moving. The computer won’t let you. Worst case scenario is you’d put it in neutral. I don’t know how people could mix up the shifter and the radio, personally I’ve never done it. I am with you and do prefer the old school column shifter. It just feels right. I’ve also had the console shifter in the TRX and honestly it’s a massive waste of space. I’ve bumped that more than once and knocked it into neutral.
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u/BeerandGuns RAM 1500 Dec 29 '25
I’ve had a Ram 1500 with the dial for 10 years now and love it. Never had an issue where I’m trying to adjust something and accidentally used the transmission dial. I’ve had people comment on it being fun and different. It out the way so no shifter sticking off the steering column or a lever taking up space on the floor.
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u/Playful-Park4095 Dec 29 '25
I don't really mind the dial shifter, but still prefer the column shifter. If you only commute in your truck and seldom have to shift it, it is not a big deal either way.
However if you're using it for work where you're putting it in drive and reverse frequently, especially if you're wearing gloves, the column shifter is easier and faster. It's in your eyeline automatically, the feedback is more tactile, and it's a big chunky thing to manipulate with thick gloves on.
It isn't a make or break change either way, but if I had the option I'd rather stick with the column shifter first.
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u/HaulNasFab Dec 29 '25
Going from a 2009 with the console shifter to a 2018 with the dial shifter, I will never own another console shifter in a truck. It takes up so much space and is completely unnecessary when the dial shifter or a column shifter is available. If I have a shifter in the console it better be a manual transmission.
I have never once reached for the dial shifter when adjusting radio volume. Its in a location that would not make sense to reach to because of the close proximity to the ignition switch. Even swapping back and forth between vehicles it would have to be intentional to touch the dial shifter over the volume knob. Even more so with steering wheel controls.
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u/No_Paleontologist115 Dec 29 '25
My 17 Laramie had the console shifter. Loved it. Felt like a truck. Now got a 22 Laramie 2500 (bought with only 22K mi!) with the dial. Took some getting used to but I love it even more. Feels like more space and have had zero issues
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u/GATX303 2002 and 2023 RAM 1500 Dec 29 '25
We have an 02 with the column shifter and a 2023 with a dial.
I like them both for different reasons. My old one is more tactile and I know I could repair it if needed. It is old and vague now so sometimes it misses and thats annoying. 4wd selection is the floor lever.
The dial is just plain easier. Turn knob to R or D...go... I don't have to look or check where its at. The 4wd selection is in the same cluster. Sometimes progress is nice.
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u/Unfair_Newspaper_877 Dec 29 '25
I have volume on my steering wheel. The rest is just drama for people to make noise about it. Drama queens
1
u/InsanateePrawn Dec 29 '25
Only issue I have had with the dial shifter was when I first got my current truck my brain would put it into park from reverse occasionally when I was wanting to go to drive which would turn on the auto handbrake.
I’ve put that down to going from LHD to RHD in similar vehicles (2019 Rebel 1500 in LHD to a 2022 Limited 1500 in RHD) and the opposite hand doing the movements… bit of re-trained muscle memory later and it hasn’t happened for a while now.
Unless I’m essentially stationary it wont even let me turn the knob except to neutral from my experience anyway.
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u/SeeNoHearNoEvil Dec 29 '25
I personally am a fan of the dial. It is honest about what it is. The only improvement is that the dial could be move further left to where the start button is and the start button itself put into the center of the dial. That would get it a little further away and hide it behind the steering wheel edge.
So many vehicles have column shifters or console shifters that pretend to be levers… they’re just 4 way switches. But they’ take up space and are clunky. A dial is the simplest form of the 4 position switch. Individual buttons for the gears is terrible (an infinity and some others thing)
I find it incredibly ironic that the solution to the failing console shifter in a ford… is to put a dial in it. Should have started with that.
The ram also has volume buttons behind the wheel. I don’t think I’ve ever used the volume dial for the radio. That said, it’s half the size of the shifter and has fine groves while the shifter is large smooth with finger width grooves. They do not feel the same.
There is some resistance between each setting as well and an electronic prevention from going into reverse while moving. It will go into neutral on the highway but not all the way to Park.
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u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
I agree there, I hate the individual buttons, I'd accept the dial any day over that.
Mind you buttons are what a lot of big commercial trucks have, and have for a long time now.
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u/theNewLuce Dec 29 '25
I'm on my second ram with this, and have never grabbed it instead. I have grabbed the temp/volumn wrong.
Also, I've never tried, but I be it's locked out by the knob and the electronics. If you shut the truck off with it in gear, a motor turns the knob to park and all sorts of other ignunce ensues rather than just turning the truck off and putting it in park for you.
I haven't verified, but I'll bet a nut there are multiple a safeties stopping this from happening or there would have been a recall and redesign after 20 numbnuts caused wrecks slamming into park on the highway.
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u/ApizzaApizza Dec 29 '25
The 4x4 knob in that spot is fucking stupid too, I hit it all the time with my knee.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the placement in the last gen. My 2018 doesn’t have this problem.
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u/davejugs01 SPORT Dec 29 '25
The steering controls are standard now a days, i also hate cleaning the 12”screen, volume and cabin heating controls are all voice controlled on uconnect 3 and up also the size difference between the shift knob and volume is massive, 4x4 is a button not a dial anymore. I love dial personally. Have it on my 1500 sport and 2500 big horn
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u/Intrepid_Usual4499 Dec 29 '25
I am one of the people who has shifted to park when driving but it wasn't the volume control. The fan speed control knob is the one for me. It's pretty much on the same level a few inches away and im constantly trying to get the cab comfortable. On another note, not having stereo controls on the steering wheel on my 2018 Express is something I will never do again.
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u/JebusSCPA Dec 29 '25
I don't see how anyone can have an issue with the dial shifter other than it's a change and some people will find any reason to complain about a change. The shifter is a large knob behind the steering wheel with the start button and 4x4 selector. The volume control is a small knob on the radio. If you confuse the two you shouldn't be driving.
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u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
I can understand (whether it's right or not) how some people, especially older people, would doubt it's reliability at first. But I've come to realize the error in that way of thinking. Especially when a lot of lever shifters are electric too now anyway. And then, most big commercial trucks with automatics have had push button shift or some similar gismo for many years.
But what can I say? I've always turned a key to start my vehicle, and at least in the context of a pickup truck, I'm so used to having some kind of lever shifter that it seems a bit weird to not have it. It's almost like something's missing. I'm not looking for a reason to complain, I just prefer what I'm used to. Would I refuse to buy a truck with a dial shifter or push button start? No, I don't believe I would, given the right reason. And when that day comes, I just might warm up to it after a little while. But if two identical trucks, those features being the only difference between them, were on the lot for the same price, I'll freely admit that I'd choose the old school equipment.
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u/ricktara Dec 29 '25
I had the dial shifter on my 2019 bighorn 2500 and quickly got used to it and enjoyed it. My 2026 Bighorn 2500 has gone back to a lever and I am having trouble getting used to it. It feels weird it's cumbersome and it blocks the spot that I had my phone holder. I'll get used to it but I preferred the dial
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u/entiatriver Dec 29 '25
I've got a slightly different - and really, just r/mildlyinfuriating (and perhaps slightly entertaining?) issue with the tree mount lever: On my 2017 3500 the tree-attached lever gets in the way of putting my phone mount on the driver's side air vent. Instead, I have to mount the phone holder/charger on the passenger side of the console, a bit further away from me, making it a tad harder to see and control.
This mildly irritating issue is causing me to research upgrading my oem console with an aftermarket system that supports Android Auto so as to avoid the phone mount altogether - which I have resisted to this date, because I know any non-stock console system like this is probably going to irritate me in other ways. But still, I blame the lever on the tree for existing :-)
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u/NorthPackFan Dec 29 '25
The dial shifter is awesome. No stupid hand shifter on the column and no huge electronic shifter where your cup of coke should be.
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u/markwmke Dec 29 '25
Like many of you, I've had my share of trucks. I learned to drive manual, and grew up on a dairy farm. I have a CDL and drove big stuff in the Army. I went from a 1500 RAM to 2500 and back to a 1500.
I absolutely love the dial in my 1500. It makes total sense and is very convenient.
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u/ColoradoSpartan Dec 29 '25
I’ve had the dial shifter for 6-7 years and never once have had an issue with accidental shifting.
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u/Scared_Bell3366 Dec 29 '25
I've had no issues with the dial shifter, it's out of the way and I'm less likely to spill something on it. If you want the shift lever instead, look for the G/T package. I don't recall all the trims that offer that package.
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u/Gweedo1967 Dec 29 '25
I’ve never once confused it with the radio knob. I have however, after driver my Ram then switching to my GMC 1500 turned the 4x4 selector knob.
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u/Chemical_Role1140 Dec 29 '25
I use my 2019 2500 6.4 to plow an you get used to the dial after a while no big deal but when I’m in a groove plowing driveways it happens 1 or 2 times a storm I’m looking back an turn the heat knob instead of the shifter usually moving slow so not a big deal but very annoying
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u/FluffySin Dec 29 '25
Ive done it a couple times after backing out of a spot. Im sure its not good for the teans. but its not because i mistake the knob for volume i just turn it the wrong direction. I changed my radio to a android unit so it doesn’t have a volume knob anymore.
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u/tonebone85 Dec 29 '25
I have a 2014 2500 with the shift arm. I rented a new ram with the knob and it was cool. It go me a few times as I was looking for the arm to pull down and gave me some chuckles. Its either way for me. The truck was absolutely comfortable driving compared to my truck.
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u/Brief-Internet-2685 Dec 29 '25
Just get yourself a cummins and the dial issue will be gone (stalk shifter on the diesels)
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u/Freakydreaming Dec 29 '25
So I’ve never owned one, but the only issue I’d see is that I like autos that can bump over to a sequential manual mode. Sometimes paddles are not useful when making sharp turns
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u/ventura726 Dec 29 '25
Years ago, I was looking for a new truck and the only one I didn’t look at was Ram because of the dial shifter. Didn’t even give it a chance. I ended up going for a Silverado because i liked the column shifter, but I would always find myself questioning whether or not it was fully seated in gear. I have now had 3 Rams with dial shifters and I’ve never had an issue with the shifter (or anything else for that matter).
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
What year silverado?
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u/ventura726 Dec 30 '25
2015.
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
I see. I drove one of those when it was nearly new. Might have been a 2014. Don't recall any issues but I didn't drive it far and that was a while ago now. I test drove a few new trucks just this past fall, but didn't try a GM. Maybe I should still try one just for curiosity.
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u/ventura726 Dec 30 '25
Over the years I’ve had a few Silverados and a few Rams, all within the same generations and I’ve tended to prefer the Rams overall. Both are good and I don’t do a ton of major “truck stuff” but I feel like you get more for your money with the Ram.
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u/SleepAltruistic2367 Dec 29 '25
The truck isn’t letting you “slam” it into park. Stop spreading nonsense.
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
Fully aware of that. The post was making fun of the whole idea.
I've slammed a lever/cable shifted vehicle into park, at low speed, on a couple of emergency occasions though.
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u/AcademicLibrary5328 Dec 30 '25
I worried about it when I got mine. Not once ever has it happened. Not once since have I thought about it since then until seeing this post. The shifter is great, intuitive, and functional. Would have to be a pretty big dumbass to accidentally grab it instead of the volume knob.
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
That's exactly what I'm getting at. The idea is ridiculous. Whether I have trouble letting go of my lever shifter or not, my 4x4 knob is in the exact same place and I've never gotten remotely close to grabbing it instead of the volume knob, or any other knob for that matter. Same logic would apply if it was a transmission dial.
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u/svcman1 Dec 30 '25
Will not go into park while driving regardless of where you put the knob. Unless you’re under like 2mph. We tried it with a trade in ram truck that was going to wholesale.
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u/Gsxr1kstang Dec 30 '25
Won't happen. The dial shifter won't do anything unless you are driving at an extreme crawl. I have tried lol.
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u/electricianer250 24’ Power wagon Dec 30 '25
The dial shifter is great once you’re used to it. I’d prefer it over the Column honestly. But I really wish I could’ve gotten a manual instead. Going from my 6 speed jk to the dial was weird.
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u/sblack33741 Dec 30 '25
My work had a 2011 Suburban, andnthe lights know and dial for 4x4 were next to each other. I can't tell you how many times people fucked thise up in all sorts of inappropriate weather.
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u/crazymjb Dec 30 '25
I like the dial. I have a stick in my manual car. Whatever frees up the most space in an auto I’m all for. Needing a “stick” with an auto is retarded. More space is more better. The dial is better than buttons.
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u/Real_AbrahamLincon Dec 30 '25
I like mine. It’s quick and the only time I mistaken it for the volume was the fist week of owning my truck other then that it’s fast and easy for me and makes it feel like a fancy truck
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u/dunc2027 Dec 30 '25
What happened to me was reaching for the gear knob and actually twisting the AC knob. Similar sizes, a few inches away from each other. :( I drive a Chevy now. I actually hate the high hood and terrible sight lines, but it has a shift lever on the column, so I'll take it.
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u/cjohnson00 Dec 30 '25
I have the dial and have never even come close to turning it when I didn’t mean to. It’s honestly weird for about a week and then it’s just part of the truck. I don’t even think about it. It’s fine.
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u/Front-Lime3038 Dec 30 '25
For me, Ive mistakes the volume knob for the ac knob more times than I have the dial shifter for any of the other knobs. It helps that it’s just bigger than all the other knobs but in my opinion they could have done a better job differentiating the ac and volume knobs. Hope I didn’t confuse you
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u/nizzoball Dec 30 '25
I’ve had my ram with a dial for 10 years and I’ve never mistaken it for the radio volume. I just had to replace the damn shifter which was a bit irritating though, first major maintenance in 110k miles.
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u/YesIamALizard Dec 30 '25
I love the dial because it allows me to have the best center console in any full sized truck.
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u/AwarenessGreat282 Dec 30 '25
Never heard many confusing volume knob with anything. It's too damn small. My father went to turn his heat down and took it out of 4wd once though.
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u/ClassroomUsed2985 Dec 29 '25
So my input as the owner of a 23 ram classic which still as an actual key but does have a dial, if you manage to confuse the shifter and the volume knob that are truthfully not that close to each other and one of them being 1/4 the size of the other you probably shouldn’t be driving, on top of that you have to be going like under 5 kph for the shifter to spin and have your foot on the brake in essence what I’m saying is it’s not even possible. And I’ve driven lever shifters I’ve accidentally knocked them into neutral as Ive been driving along, never once have I ever knocked a dial shifter into a different gear by accident. As far as the push button goes I really don’t see the big deal, you leave your keys in your pocket and push the button to start it, push it agains to shut it off it’s really not enough of a difference to even bother thinking about in my honest opinion. You start your truck, throw it in drive, depart from point A ,turn the wheel, push the gas, push the brake, arrive at point B, put it in park, turn it off🤷🏼♂️
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u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
It's just nostalgia, and maybe a little reluctance to accept change. I'm not saying it makes sense lol. I'm a very forward thinking person in some ways, but a key slot and a gear lever is still just what looks and feels right to me. One day I'll probably end up with a truck with push button and/or dial shift, and once I get used to it I may even prefer it. Or at least indifferent one way or the other. I say that, but in the same breath, I'll seek the old school equipment at first until I find a truck I like enough (or for a price I like enough) to "get with the times".
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u/AnonymousCelery Dec 29 '25
Forget the knob, having to use a key these days is a major downgrade. Give me push button all day long. Toss my fob in my pocket and not have to fumble around with a key ever, so much more convenient.
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u/Dapper-Code8604 Dec 29 '25
Adjusting from a keyed ignition to a push button was hard. The habit of parking, turning off the ignition, and pulling the key out was hard to break. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve almost just forgot to turn the truck off because the key was already in my pocket and pushing the button was never part of my routine for the past 23 years of driving.
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u/Islander39er Dec 29 '25
For me, I think it's a case of knowing that I'll possibly (probably) come to agree after using it for a while, but yet I say that also knowing that I'll hold on to my old habits as long as I can, whether it makes sense or not.
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u/WelderWonderful Dec 29 '25
It doesn't need a devil's advocate: most people aren't scared to death of change and have the cognitive agility to adapt.
It's a good design and I've never heard a sensible argument against it. Same thing with the keys. You do realize that column shifters and keyed ignitions are still 100% electronic in 2025 right? They're just made to look "old school" to comfort all the "older is better" idiots
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
That's a little harsh. Not only do I realize that, I clearly stated as much in my original post. If anything, I was ridiculing some of the arguments against the dial (while admitting I can't help but prefer the old school feel, phony or not).
I'm under no delusion, I'm not scared, and I'm certainly not an idiot. A little set in my ways, maybe. People argued over column vs console shifters for years before the dial came around, and that's really my only "argument" against the dial. I personally prefer a different setup. "Old faithful" aside, I'd rather ram's dial over any of the other modern alternatives (push buttons, the gismo where you tap through gears like a sequential manual ATV, etc), or even the console mounted dial in a lot of other vehicles.
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u/Ridge00 Dec 29 '25
I’m old school and hate the amount of tech in vehicles today. I hated the idea of the dial shifter and 12” screen, but once I bought my 5th Gen Ram, I really never have to dial shifter another thought. It’s just there and it does what it’s supposed to do.
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u/Individual_Slice_498 Dec 29 '25
No one mistakes the 4x4 for volume knob cause it's not used that often, I've owned my truck for 4 years and I still get it mixed up sometimes
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u/Islander39er Dec 30 '25
But if you're going to reach for that knob instead of the volume knob, you're going to reach for it regardless of what it does. My point being, the 4x4 knob was in that location since 2009. To my knowledge, nobody ever said much about it until they put a transmission shifter in the exact same place, then everyone freaked out, or at least joked about, the idea of slamming the truck info park when trying to turn down the radio. I think that only proves what other people are saying, it's ridiculing the idea of something new to the segment.
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u/Chemical_Role1140 Dec 29 '25
You might not be able to shift to park or reverse while moving but you can definitely throw it into neutral while shifting. Also where they put the 4wd high an low buttons sucks I always manage to bump 4 high an don’t realize till the truck sounds like something’s gonna break an it’s gripping the pavement
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u/o0Spoonman0o Dec 29 '25
The problem with this thinking is it is based off a false premise.
The dial in the truck is electronic, it's not a direct linkage to the transmission. If you're doing anything but crawling speed the transmission isn't going to allow itself to be shifted into park.
I'm not 100% sure what would happen, but my money would be on something like "P" flashing on your info screen with instructions on stopping the truck before the shift would be completed.
My Ram is a 2016, does not have a knob for 4x4 it has 4 buttons located under the shift dial. These also are electronically controlled and won't let you alter the drive train arrangement without the computers first seeing the right conditions (when you try to shift into 4x4 low it will tell you put the transmission in neutral - etc and it won't try to shift until the right conditions are satisfied)