G56 or NV5600 which is stronger?

[Regcabguy]

One additional plus of the g-56 is that reverse is where it should be... next to 2nd. If you need to rock yourself out of a hole it's a lot closer than on the 5600. After dumping $4500 into the DTT in my '99,I can say either one is cheaper to upgrade(clutch) than an auto.

 

[steved]

When our NV5600s finally bite the big one and we can't get parts anymore... ... . How hard is it to swap in a G56???

Not hard... I know of at least one guy that swapped to a NV5600 from a G56 after he grenaded several G56s...



As for the aluminum case versus steel case... the stiffer the case, the less deflection they have internally (better support for the shafts)... I've seen some early (non-dodge) aluminum autos blow apart because there was not enough support internally...

 

[JBeasley]

I've had both and think both are a great trans. I like the smoother shift and the lower gearing of the g56 for towing. I liked it so much on my 05 and my current 06 that when my 5 speed crapped out on my 97 I swapped in a g56. I tow alot of heavy loads and truck pulled alot with my g56's and have had no problems except for the dual mass flywheel on my 06. It went out with 136mi. on the odometer. I let Dodge replace it but I swapped it out shortly after for a DD before I started adding mods. I never had a bit of problem with the flywheel in my 05 but I think the dualmass is not as good as the solid mass even if your running bone stock.

 

[Dbonzi]

JBeasley

what are the simptoms of a dual mass flywheel going bad?

Dennis

 

[Bob V]

Another + for the G56 is the lower 1st and reverse gears. Easier to get loads started and back them up.

 

[fkovalski]

I seem to remember that there was a reverse synchro recall on the G-56?



.

 

[TAbbott]

Can't speak about the NV5600, but the '06 G-56 could use a lower reverse gear, that's for sure. Either that or a 2wd Lo Range when in reverse. That'd be even better.

 

[RVTRKN]

Which transmission will best stand up to heavy towing? I don't want to start a pi**ing contest here, just want want honest opinions, because it might help determine which year of truck I may look for to buy. Is it true that some of the late 05's had the g56?

I have both and I like both, The NV5600 is stouter, but the G56 is adequate for any thing you can throw at within your light truck application. The G56's are in Mercedes medium duty trucks, even before Dodge introduced them into our light duty trucks. There is an article on the the G56 in the TDR magazine (issue 53, page 94) were the G56 is disassembled and inspected. It was the article that convinced me to go with the G56 instead of the Aisin auto in my 07 C&C and I haven't regretted it.



My worry is the DMF (dual mass flywheel) but if it can last as long as the clutch then I'll be happy. When my clutch has run its coarse the flywheel will be replaced with a solid flywheel. The thing I hate the most is the fact that I sometimes have to drive both in the same day. They are different in operation and shifting patterns, that I have a mile or two getting used to it. I cant tell you how many times I've looked for reverse in the wrong spot.



The most important thing to concider is the fact that the NV5600 is no longer in production and parts are expensive when they break, and they do break, just do a search on them in the search forums. The other issue is getting a rebuilt NV5600 that will last.



P. S. The G56 is not a Getrag transmission nor does it have plastic gears.



Steve...

 

[Cattletrkr]

P. S. The G56 is not a Getrag transmission nor does it have plastic gears.

Steve...

Spoil-sport

 

[APersondek]

I have nearly 83k miles on my NV5600 ... I really like my NV5600... I test drove a new G56 truck with 20 miles on it just for the fun of it... and I swear I could feel there was a split second gap from the DMF in the pedal... . it seems to engage... . and then it fully engaged... it seemed that I could feel the inner and outer part of the clutch engage

 

[jgillott]

I seem to remember that there was a reverse synchro recall on the G-56?







.

Do you remember what years that recall covered? My '07 G56 (built Oct. '06)has been miserable to get in to reverse since day one. I thought it would loosen up a bit after some miles, but it doesn't seem to be.

 

[betterthanstock]

I've never heard of someone breaking an NV5600 in gears 1-5. It's always the 6th, the weakest gear in those.



The g56 is weaker for abuse, like sled pullng, but it may have a stronger 6th. I have not seen a cutaway of the transmission yet. It also has triple cone synchros where the NV has double, and double where the NV has single, and lighter weight gears and a smaller diameter clutch, hence the smoother shifts.

 

[fkovalski]

Do you remember what years that recall covered? My '07 G56 (built Oct. '06)has been miserable to get in to reverse since day one. I thought it would loosen up a bit after some miles, but it doesn't seem to be.

I seem to recall that it was listed in one of my past TDR issues. I will have to get back to you on that.



Are the TSB's and recalls here or on line somewhere?

 

[fkovalski]

I found it 2006 TSB's Scroll down to section 21:



21-006-06 All

Transmission jumps out of reverse.

This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with Cummins Turbo Diesel engines, sales code ETH and G56 manual transmissions sales code DEG. A customer may experience the transmission jumping out of reverse. If the customer indicates that the condition is present, perform the repair procedure which involves replacing the reverse synchronizer.

 

[jgillott]

I found it 2006 TSB's Scroll down to section 21:



21-006-06 All

Transmission jumps out of reverse.

This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with Cummins Turbo Diesel engines, sales code ETH and G56 manual transmissions sales code DEG. A customer may experience the transmission jumping out of reverse. If the customer indicates that the condition is present, perform the repair procedure which involves replacing the reverse synchronizer.

Thanks for the information. It certainly doesn't jump out of gear, but it may be worth looking in to the TSB with the dealer.

 

[ENafziger]

Thanks for the information. It certainly doesn't jump out of gear, but it may be worth looking in to the TSB with the dealer. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message -->

I had the recall done. My symptoms were popping violently out of reverse while backing down a steep hill (like my driveway), which would send you backwards at a fast rate of speed until you figured out what was going on... or until it happened so often that you were just expecting it!

--Eric

 

[MMiller]

I think you would be fine with both. Both manual transmissions have their advantages.



But one thing... what the heck does case strength have anything to do with the longitivity/HDness of the transmission? Unless you are rockcrawling and high center on a boulder, I wouldn't think case strength would mean much. .



~Chris

I think of two shafts, held in an aluminum case. You have 600+ ft lbs of torque twising the input. The gears in the trans are always trying to push away from each other, both sideways and for and aft, due to the cut of the gears. We learned in our old getrags if the bearing preload goes away, the bearings fail, usually taking some gears with it. If the aluminum is the weak link and in 200,000 miles the case is beat out, the preload can go away. Then not only do you have junk gears, but a beat out case. This is mearly hypothetical with NO EVIDENCE to back it up. I don't know if the ends of the G56 are steel where the bearing cups set against.



This is just the ramblings from a first genner. I would also not be scared of a G56, or a NV5600. *I* would pick the G56 with the higher OD gear. I can always tow in direct drive, but I can't pick a higher gear if I don't have it running empty. Again, this is coming from a guy that tows with a getrag 5 speed, and 3. 55 gears



Michael

 

[AH64ID]

*I* would pick the G56 with the higher OD gear. I can always tow in direct drive, but I can't pick a higher gear if I don't have it running empty. Again, this is coming from a guy that tows with a getrag 5 speed, and 3. 55 gears

The G56 has a lower OD gear, . 79 vs . 73 on the 5600 (Even the new G56 is only . 74)

 

[Regcabguy]

Reverse on G-56

Do you remember what years that recall covered? My '07 G56 (built Oct. '06)has been miserable to get in to reverse since day one. I thought it would loosen up a bit after some miles, but it doesn't seem to be.

My truck was built Oct. '06 also. You've definitely got a problem as my transmission slips in and out of gear effortlessly. I switched out the fluid to Amsoil and it improved shifting somewhat or maybe I wanted it to improve for all the buckeroos it cost. :-laf

 

[jgillott]

My truck was built Oct. '06 also. You've definitely got a problem as my transmission slips in and out of gear effortlessly. I switched out the fluid to Amsoil and it improved shifting somewhat or maybe I wanted it to improve for all the buckeroos it cost. :-laf

I'm sure I do have a problem there. It's a little better now that the temps are a higher out in the mornings, but still not right.