6 speed auto verses 6 speed manual

[JFortney]

i know this has proably been hashed out here before but I am new to this site and would like some opinions of those who have these in their trucks. I had a 2004 5. 9 with a nv5600 and loved the truck but unfornutaely to my dismay for reasons unknown at this time it caught on fire after sitting for two days and was destroyed. Now I have to replace it. I will look at the new trucks but after having the 6 speed and I installed a Jacobs EB on it which is the reason I went with the manual when I bought the truck. Now that the new trucks with either auto or manual have it as standard equipment I'm not sure if I would still want to go with a manual. Has anyone had both of these new autos or manuals who could tell a big difference. Thanks for any help.

 

[JFortney]

I would like to add that when I am fully loaded Im around 21000 lbs with a lance slide in camper in the back and a trailer with a jeep on it. I do some mountain driving when I go out west and when dealing with the grades in Colorado Im just wondering how the Auto holds back and how strong it is long term.

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome to TDR. The 6 speed auto I understand are great, however I'm a diehard 6 speed standard man. Either one would be good when hauling your Lance with an EB in the Rockies.

 

[HBarlow]

I owned an '01 HO/6 speed with Jacobs exhaust brake installed by dealer before delivery. Drove it 325k miles.

Had an '06 48RE with Jacobs exhaust brake installed the day after delivery with 300 miles. Drove it 230k miles as an RV transporter hauling commercially.

Now have an '08 with ISB6. 7 Aisin 6 speed automatic.

The ISB6. 7 engine and automatic (AISIN or MOPAR) are fully integrated and provide exhaust braking in the tow/haul mode equal to or better than the manual six speed truck I owned. The automatic locks the torque converter in all gears but first.

Some simply want to select their own gears and I understand their desire. I enjoyed the six speed in my first Dodge-Cummins and would not have bought either the crude and loose 47RE or manual five speed available before that model.

But the new six speed automatics, whether MOPAR or AISIN, are head and shoulders better than the old automatics and, IMO, the manual six speed. They simply work great for towing when combined with the exhaust braking feature of the VGT.

The electronics are programmed very well for smooth, seamless operation. The transmissions are proving to be very durable and reliable. I haven't heard of a single problem with either MOPAR or AISIN.

Compared to the G-56 the automatics have an extra taller overdrive (two overdrive ratios) and better torque multiplication (lower gear) for launch in first or reverse for heavy towing.

This comment will cause some angry squealing but the G-56 manual comes with a dual mass flywheel/clutch assembly which is often trouble prone in trucks used for frequent heavy towing.

Your money, take your choice. It's a buyer's market.

 

[WStephens]

I have a 2005 with the G56 and I have not had any problems with it but I really do not care for the Dual Mass flywheel but so far it is holding up better than the one I had in a 90 F250. The later G56 transmissions have a higher set of gears so that you have a higher final drive than the automatic with 4:10 gears.

 

[JohnBower]

All I can say is I should have got the automatic transmission instead of the G56. I also believe that the automatic has the higher overdrive ratio but in the tow/haul mode the manual is better.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well, there will be lots of arguments on this subject. A good post to look up is a poll I started on the reliability of the G56. (G56 poll 03/22/09) and another thread is "Towing Capacity" dated 04/13/09. These will get you started and if you PM me, I can explain my side of Auto Vrs Stick. Expect strong opinions on either side, it even got to the point of name calling. So if you want my opinion give me a PM and I will talk to you about it.

 

[JUeckert]

i have alway been a big supporter of manual trannys in trucks that tow heavy. it seems the powers that be are telling us that we will have no choice but to own one. gm has no manual option, and only one gear ratio in the rear, plus the engine utlizes aluminum heads. gm dosent even cross my mind when it comes to a new truck. ford has it going on with their trucks, but their next diesel will have aluminum heads also, not to happy about that. also hear rumor they are dropping the manual transmission, again, not happy if it's true. dodge it seems will still offer both a manual and auto in the 2010 year model's, so i have been watching the track recond of both the 68 an the asian, just in case they drop the manual. the new auto's are certainly more effecient and durable then their predecessors, and with time [ok i'am getting older] i have actually at least opened my mind to the thought of getting an auto when it comes new truck time again.

 

[SHobbs]

If I were to get a new or newer truck I would go with an 06 pre emission mega cab 6spd then have it stretched to have an 8 ft bed. I have never owned an automatic and would kick a hole in the floor board if I did. Another thing to consider is that it is cheaper to add power to a stick than an auto. Clutches are alot cheaper than fully built autos any day. Just my . 02

 

[AABEN]

The new six auto in the 09 is one very good pulling auto. You can shift it like a standard. The people that have them loves them. If I trade it will be the new auto six with the JAKE. Will be easer on the lady.

 

[AHarris]

Drive both then decide!

I like my G56 but some days I'm wishing I had a 7th gear out on the expressway and that's with a 3. 73 final drive. Everyone on this board seems to love their auto and it has an outstanding reputation for durability, exhaust brake performance, and drivability. For this kind of money, drive both trucks and get the one you like. If I had to do it over again I probably would have gone with the auto but the truck in my sig was too good of a deal to pass up. It's worth the $10K I saved to drive the stick and I'm loving every mile.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Harvey says it best. See post #4
"But the new six speed automatics, whether MOPAR or AISIN, are head and shoulders better than the old automatics and, IMO, the manual six speed. They simply work great for towing when combined with the exhaust braking feature of the VGT. "

I am 100% in favor of the 6spd auto.

 

[stevelauer]

If I were to get a new or newer truck I would go with an 06 pre emission mega cab 6spd then have it stretched to have an 8 ft bed. I have never owned an automatic and would kick a hole in the floor board if I did. Another thing to consider is that it is cheaper to add power to a stick than an auto. Clutches are alot cheaper than fully built autos any day. Just my . 02

SHobbs,



I have a G56 M/T '06 Mega with a 6. 3 bed, and went with an 18K Pullrite Super Glide Hitch for my 35 Torrey Pine. I can go to 70+ deg which is plenty but the 24K slides even further and should allow a 90 deg turn. Either choice should be cheaper than converting to a 8' bed. Also, most parking lots barely accomodate the Mega with a short bed let alone another 20".



Steve

 

[jimnance]

I was never a big fan of auto's for pulling heavy. I had an '03 with the six speed manual (NV5600) and it was a brute. However, the new six speed auto they have mounted to the 6. 7 is the cats meow. I'm 22-23K loaded and she pulls good. Because of the shift selector you can always find the right gear even if the computer may not always pick the right one. That said, the computer logic on the auto is pretty darned good.

 

[PLevesque]

I switched from a 2001 HO with a NV5600 6 speed manual to a 2007. 5 6. 7 with the 68RFE and won't look back. While the manual was great, the constant shifting got to me. The new 6 speed auto and integrated exhaust brake was designed to work with the cummins like it was supposed to. I hardly ever need the brakes on decents, I love it. The thing I like the best is the creep speed at "idle". This really helps when getting your towed vehicle in tight spots. Backing up is a dream. The manual would cause "jumps" and suddenly move the camper in the wrong direction when backing up without slipping the clutch. Performance is better in the sense that boost is not lost between shifts and acceleration is smoother. Go auto, you won't be sorry!

 

[stevelauer]

I am not familiar with the NV but the G56 also has "creep" capability. Even starting from a stop on a hill with a load, there is no requirement to de-brake/de-clutch and dive for the accelerator - even with a load. If the clutch and brake are released, the engine automatically maintains RPMs to move slowly forward to prevent roll-back. This works in 1st or R, in fact, without a load while starting from a stop in 2nd, the clutch may be released and the engine will not stall and the truck will move forward. I bought the '06 5. 9L M/T to continue to use LS instead of ULS diesel when it's available because it's a little cheaper - several of the truck stops still offer it. Agree about the shifting challange however, but found out on a recent trip to AK that staying in 5th with EB allowed me to use cruise control without shifting or pedal braking except on grades >5-6%.



Regards,

Steve

 

[JFortney]

Well after six long weeks of waiting for a settelment from my insurance co I finally was able to get another truck. It wasnt the easiest thing to find but hopefully the one I got will do the job. It is a 2008 dually with the 6 speed auto. My biggest concern was trying to find a low milage truck with the Laramie package. My wife and I both want the heated seats for long distance traveling and as silly as it may be we need that creature comfort. There were a lot of trucks out there but none with the combo I wanted. I never got to drive the new 6 speed manual but find the new auto a pleasure to drive. So hopefully when I get it fixed up for my needs and get on the road it will be given the real test. Thanks for all your input it easied my mind on the new 68rfe transmission

 

[MMeilicke]

I pull a 13,500 lbs 5th wheel. I have had a 01 and a 4. 5 six speed manual. I now have an 08 six speed auto. I believe the auto to be a much superior transmission than the manual for many reason some of which have been mentioned in these posts. One reason has not been mentioned is safety. My biggest fear pulling is looking down the highway traveling along at 50 MPH and seeing a green stop light. Now the question is "will it turn red and if so how am I going to stop". When the light would turn yellow and driving the manual, I would hit the brakes and hang on. No time to down shift, you just hang on. So much for the exhaust brake as the RPM drops off fast. Not so with the auto. When you hit the brakes the transmission starts to down shift. So you hang on and let the transmission drop gear after gear keeping the RPMs up. That additional braking power can be a life saver. No more six speed manuals for me.

 

[AH64ID]

I would like to add that when I am fully loaded Im around 21000 lbs with a lance slide in camper in the back and a trailer with a jeep on it. I do some mountain driving when I go out west and when dealing with the grades in Colorado Im just wondering how the Auto holds back and how strong it is long term.

I am a manual guy, I think its just a better combo for towing. While the new auto has seemed to be trouble free and a very good transmission I don't think i would get one. There are advantages to each when towing, but, IMHO, for towing around the inter-mountain west I don't want an auto. There are too many times where I would be fighting to keep it cool. Slow speed towing thru the mountains is as hard a life as an auto transmission can have.



The only thing I don't like about my NV5600 is towing thru the mountains at 65-70 mph range. . its too fast for 5th and too slow for 6th (The early G56 with the . 79 OD really shines at this rpm, and the 3. 42's aren't bad as they are a few hundy rpms lower in 5th and your not screaming.



I don't think you would be able to beat a 7 speed manual if they developed one. Keep 1-5 the same, make 6th a . 85 and 7th a . 70 and you would have a towing OD and a hwy OD.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well after six long weeks of waiting for a settelment from my insurance co I finally was able to get another truck. It wasnt the easiest thing to find but hopefully the one I got will do the job. It is a 2008 dually with the 6 speed auto. My biggest concern was trying to find a low milage truck with the Laramie package. My wife and I both want the heated seats for long distance traveling and as silly as it may be we need that creature comfort. There were a lot of trucks out there but none with the combo I wanted. I never got to drive the new 6 speed manual but find the new auto a pleasure to drive. So hopefully when I get it fixed up for my needs and get on the road it will be given the real test. Thanks for all your input it easied my mind on the new 68rfe transmission

I'm glad you have found a truck that you and your wife are happy with, the auto's have come a long way from just a couple of years ago. My problem is, I just can't seem to get used to the idea of an auto behind a Diesel.

I pull a 13,500 lbs 5th wheel. I have had a 01 and a 4. 5 six speed manual. I now have an 08 six speed auto. I believe the auto to be a much superior transmission than the manual for many reason some of which have been mentioned in these posts. One reason has not been mentioned is safety. My biggest fear pulling is looking down the highway traveling along at 50 MPH and seeing a green stop light. Now the question is "will it turn red and if so how am I going to stop". When the light would turn yellow and driving the manual, I would hit the brakes and hang on. No time to down shift, you just hang on. So much for the exhaust brake as the RPM drops off fast. Not so with the auto. When you hit the brakes the transmission starts to down shift. So you hang on and let the transmission drop gear after gear keeping the RPMs up. That additional braking power can be a life saver. No more six speed manuals for me.

You are travelling to fast if this is a fear of yours, and a auto won't change the dynamics of that except your perception of it. The hwy with a trafic light and a speed of 50MPH should compensate the time of changing. If you have a "stale" light you should reconize that fact and slow down anyway. The fact that your auto will slow you down with out you having to think, just uses your brakes more and will send you to your mechanic sooner than me. I dont need to brake in order to engage my EB just down shift and the engine and exhaust brake does it for me. I can tow for many miles and never touch my brakes to include light city traffic. 30min after entering the hwy my electric brake module will beep indicating it has not been used in that amount of time and goes into hybernation mode, it even has done it in city traffic, indicating I never even touched my brakes.

I am a manual guy, I think its just a better combo for towing. While the new auto has seemed to be trouble free and a very good transmission I don't think i would get one. There are advantages to each when towing, but, IMHO, for towing around the inter-mountain west I don't want an auto. There are too many times where I would be fighting to keep it cool. Slow speed towing thru the mountains is as hard a life as an auto transmission can have.



The only thing I don't like about my NV5600 is towing thru the mountains at 65-70 mph range. . its too fast for 5th and too slow for 6th (The early G56 with the . 79 OD really shines at this rpm, and the 3. 42's aren't bad as they are a few hundy rpms lower in 5th and your not screaming.



I don't think you would be able to beat a 7 speed manual if they developed one. Keep 1-5 the same, make 6th a . 85 and 7th a . 70 and you would have a towing OD and a hwy OD.

What are you talking about, I always shift into seventh gear when I'm driving down the hwy. :-laf:-laf:-laf