Back in 2018 there were rumors floating around that 2018 was going to be the last year of Ram offering manual transmission option. As a die hard enthusiast of a manual transmission paired with a diesel engine, I just knew I needed to make the big move.

At the time I had a 2006 3500 with over 320k on it and although it was great and fun (thanks to some Hardway lemonade tunes) it was time for something different.  A truck payment was not something that I wanted to endure, however I knew time was running out.  It was late September of 2018 and I made the call to several dealerships before one would actually help me place the order for my dream truck.  I was within the last week for the cutoff on ordering and there was a lot of uncertainty if I even made the cut to begin with.  Thankfully I got that phone call in December that the truck was being unloaded off the train and on the way to the dealer.  Could this be the last G56 truck to ever be made?  I'm really not sure if we will ever find out.  But it was certainly one of the last.

This truck was ordered with everything that I wanted and left out anything that wasn't needed.  There were not many options that I left out.  Full mega cab dually, 6.7L Cummins Diesel and a G56 6 Speed Transmission.  All under a beautiful Delmonico Red paint.  Upfitter switches, black leather, auto level rear air suspension, 3.73 gears, spray in bed liner, gooseneck prep and cargo light camera are just some of the options that made it.  A rear defrost window and sunroof did not make the cut.  I was never a fan of sunroofs and being over 6 feet tall I really do notice the change in head room.  I also knew I was not going to be driving the truck in the winter and didn't have any problems in the past so no rear de frost was needed.  To this day I do not know why I did not get the in bed lighting from the factory.  I think it was only a $110 option and I can tell ya it cost more to do it after the fact.  I did end up putting that in and was one of the best upgrades I've done.

After taking delivery and parking the truck for the winter it was time for the upgrades and to make it mine.  If you are interested in more depth you can check out the youtube videos.  Tinted windows, Ceramic coating and PPF film, Cat filter brackets, 50 gal fuel tank, Southbend Clutch, 22” Alcos and 35” Toyo’s, and Peragon bed cover just scratch the surface of what's been done over the years.

Over the years it's been used for just about everything a truck is used for.  From towing equipment, cars and trucks on my gooseneck.  To gravel, wood and scrap in the dump trailer.  From horses, cows, goats and campers.  Its well versed on being used…but certainly not abused.

As of September 2025 the rigs for 130k.  Some summers (again this gets parked in the winter) I've done over 20k miles.  From as far south as Florida to  the Canadian border we've been all over the east coast and looking forward to where the next destination is.