Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2002 6 speed or auto???????

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Well I spent the afternoon yesterday at the local dealer and they are looking for one of the last 2002's in my area. I am going to get a 2wd QC LWB for my wife. Her current truck is a 1500 4x4,2002. I realy like it but it has no power. They say I can trade it in strait across for no more money down and the same payment. I will have to tack on a year of payments but who cares. At the end of paying for her truck I was going to keep it and buy a Cummins any way.



So my delema is, Do I get a six or an auto?

 

[HeberRam]

For the wife????

Greg..... If its for the wife , I would probably get an auto... . If you plan on bombing later, there are some good auto transmission upgrades out there now and more I'm sure will be developed later... .





Steve

 

[Ram4Sam]

One of each.......

Greg, since you alread had a auto, get her a six speed. They are second to none for towing.



Sam

 

[RADdodge]

My auto tow's very fine indeed, but it has been upgraded. I don’t think one is necessarily “better” than the other, but that’s just mho. What does you wife want? (BTW you’re making me jealous, 2 Cummins in the family). Too cool.

 

[Hohn]

6 Gears!!

How long do you plan on keeping the truck? I bought a 6 speed because I plan on having the truck as long as possible. For resale and comfort, go with the auto.

If you are SERIOUS, get the 6 speed. It can't be touched for towing, it generally lasts longer, it's cheaper to fix (clutch replace vs rebuilt auto trans), and it's just plain fun!!

It IS fun to drive too-- not as clunky as I thought it would be (creeper 1st is sort of tricky). Other than that, it shifts really slick. Well, as slick as a hydraulic clutch can be.

I like it a lot, and if you put in the effort, the 6-speed makes it worth your while in the long haul (pun intended).

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

One of the benefits to having a 6 speed in my case is so the wife doesn't want to drive it. LOL Although I will say my 6 speed with 3500 miles on it now shifts pretty close to the way a honda civic shifts. I just haven't completly gotten used to the ratios because i am used to a first gen 5 speed. I can't see paying 3-4 k to rebuild a toasted auto. About the worst thing that can happen is I may need a clutch one day.

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on what HOHN said with this addition: If you were getting a 4x4 I would definetly go w/ the manual trans. It helps in decending steep terrain (wish I opted for the 6 speed. ) All others make good points. Bottom line: What do YOU really want? Good luck w/ the new truck. -frank

 

[PBayer]

Greg

First can your wife drive a manual trans? If yes I would go 6 speed. I had a 2001 auto and even with the dtt stuff I was never really happy with a auto trans in a diesel truck. I now have a 2002 eth dee and love it! The dtt stuff worked well and cost a good chunk of change. Then in order to use a exhaust brake I needed an tc control box... a couple more hundred bucks. jmo.

Paul

 

[athompson]

I will NEVER buy another vehicle with an automatic transmission, unless it is an Allison. That said, the only real choice is whether you want the HO or not.

 

[Dixie Dawg]

I have an auto, 3. 54 gear, 285 BF Goodrich tires, and an Edge EZ fueling box. I would NOT get another automatic, UNLESS you plan on shelling out close to $3k for a TC/VB upgrade. Add that onto the $1k for the auto itself... . would be MUCH cheaper to get the 5/6 spd... not to mention more fun Stick some redline oil in that handshaker, and the wife should be fine...

 

[Car_nut57]

Try the 6-speed, they shift like a sports car and are great for towing.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

The Stealer couldn't find a six speed in the area. I have an auto now and even the wife wants a six. She has always driven a stick and I don't want to spoil her with to many auto's. My truck has DTT everything, injectors and box with a hx40. It tows real real good. I just don't like the gasser we have now... ... It seems slow next to my truck I wonder why? Well I am going to wait for the 6 speed HO for 2003. I want a 3500 SRW HO sixer 4x4. In a year I will be able to trade strait across with the gas truck... ... . Thanks for your advice. Greg

 

[K_Arts]

I've got 2 Autos. Main reason is that when the wife wanted her truck, she can't drive a manual due to previous car accidents.



Though if her and I were to do over again, We would definately swap out one of our autos for a manual.



With one of each... what more could you need? Besides the cash to up the power in the wifes truck. Trust me. . When your wife is struttin around with a Cummins, she's gonna get jealous of the power that you have in yours.



Kev

 

[roadking]

go with the 6 speed you be glad you didOo.

 

[WadePatton]

I'd buy a 7-speed, but had to settle for 6.



Autos AINT for me.

 

[LSMITH]

NEVER will I buy another auto behind the Cummins unless DC gets their head out of their kiesters and designs a transmission that works decently. The 6 speed will need a clutch to go over about 300 HP, the auto will need a TC and a VB. The auto will still need to be rebuilt every 100K-150K. The stock auto is MISERABLE, never in the right gear and mushy. If you can't do the hi-po upgrade on the transmission right away you will likely grow to hate it.