2015 auto or manual trans?

[gsbrockman]

I usually don't even start out in second. But i have a few times. I am usually not in a hurry.

I remember you now.....you're "that guy" that starts out in 3rd by roll-starting from an incline. :-laf

 

[Newsa]

I remember you now.....you're "that guy" that starts out in 3rd by roll-starting from an incline. :-laf

But i live in florida. So there aren't many hills

 

[photowrite]

Unless I drive overly aggressive my NV5600/3.73 truck is almost always the slowest off the line. I just don't like to get on it that hard in lower gears, there is no need especially with the short 2/3/4 legs.

I always get angry looks while towing from other people towing, generally 1/2 tons, at a stoplight but in a few miles they look in bewilderment as I scream by them on the grades at 10-20 mph faster and a LOT more weight... it's kinda fun.

Exactly!

Most of the time I drive my truck to last, with vehicle sympathy, and for the pleasure of doing it extremely well, this includes shifting my gearbox. Starting slow with a load is one thing, and 'maybe' still understood by some average folks who are not ‘drivers’. But even without a load I don't rush my lower gears shifts, and I'm pretty sure the average A/T car driver has little idea or perception of what is going on when there is a brief lack of continuous acceleration as a pickup truck driver shifts gears... All some folks know is mash the go pedal, then the brakes; repeat. The slow acceleration is understood and accepted for larger trucks/semis, but not for pickups, because they are just cars.

James

 

[Grizzly]

The only auto I'd get is the Aisin. The only manual I'd get is the NV5600, which they don't make any longer.

george

 

[Newsa]

The only auto I'd get is the Aisin. The only manual I'd get is the NV5600, which they don't make any longer.

george

If they didn't make the Aisin anymore, you'd get an Allison?

 

[NIsaacs]

If they didn't make the Aisin anymore, you'd get an Allison?

If that happens, maybe the ZF8 speed will be in use.

Nick

 

[Grizzly]

If they didn't make the Aisin anymore, you'd get an Allison?

Nope, I'd just keep my 05 with the NV5600. Beside, I'd have to buy a Chevy or a GMC to get an Allison, which I don't want.

 

[cerberusiam]

The HP8 is not rated for the current power levels, but, then neither is the Allison. Without the Aisin the engine would be detuned and not able to compete in the HP races, power is already managed to keep things in one piece. The current ratings are pushing he limit of the expected ratings. There is a big void of transmissions between the 500 lb\lbs and the 1200 ft\lbs of the big engines. The future is the auto trans, even in MD and larger trucks. Both AISIN and ZF are heavily vested in that market.

 

[NIsaacs]

The HP8 is not rated for the current power levels,

They appear to be getting bigger and better all the time. The ZF8HP90 is trq. rated 900 gas and 1000 diesel. Looks like the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat's get it now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

Nick

 

[cerberusiam]

They appear to be getting bigger and better all the time. The ZF8HP90 is trq. rated 900 gas and 1000 diesel. Looks like the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat's get it now.

That is Newton Meters not ft\lbs. That trans is maxed at 750 ft\lbs, under the current max ratings and real close to the standard output. The AS69RC is not rated but it is expected to be in the +900 ft\lb range so even it is approaching the limits unless they upgrade it.

The HP8 is used in the Eco Diesel also, but, the TQ curve on the gas and V diesels is a lot different than the I6's.

 

[NIsaacs]

That is Newton Meters not ft\lbs.

Oh, my bad

Nick

 

[dfb]

I had an 04.5 h.o. With the nv-5600 and 4:10s. Never had an issue. 112000 sold the truck. I came down with a bad case of arthritis and shifting got to be a job! One time we were on I-5 outside Dodger Stadium with the 5th wheel in tow. Bumper to bumper for hours!. I HATED THE MANUEL then and forever. Never a Stone Age shifter again!. With the stick on an 04.5 a pacbrake was mandatory.. No amount of downshifting would hold that trailer back. Going down the Sieras the trailer acted like a train pushing us from behind.

Just bought a 2015 Laramie megacab h.o. With the aisin. What a dream!!? No more pushing clutch in, 285 ft lbs more torque, 60 more hp... Gained 4.5 mpg, and much more pulling power! New truck pulls local grade 13mph faster with Rv in tow!
Used to have a 69 gto with the 400 auto trans.. Beat every Manuel transmission car ..... Every time they pushed the clutch, they would lose ground due to disconnect of power to the wheels.. Sold my 2010 srt8 challenger because it was a stick...

 

[NIsaacs]

One thing about an auto with a tight converter and the Cummins torque, when you are in 4x2 you can get pushed through a stop light on ice or snow. Practice where neutral is without looking with the standard just push in the clutch, nice.....

Nick

 

[dfb]

One thing about an auto with a tight converter and the Cummins torque, when you are in 4x2 you can get pushed through a stop light on ice or snow. Practice where neutral is without looking with the standard just push in the clutch, nice.....

Nick

If there is ice or snow on the auto, I just throw it into reverse like i did with my GTO... Just kidding .... On the auto ram, turn off the tow haul and the exhaust brake. gently apply the brakes. If you apply too much brake the abs will work.. Its all good.. On the stick, do not down shift from a high rpm... IE.. 4000 down to the next gear.. Gently and easy... But the NUMBER one thing in snow is to SLOW DOWN!!! By going no more than 30 you will stay out of big trouble.. It is alot easier to avoid trouble than to push it and wind up on the side of the road upside down.. Many 4x4s thing they can drive like on dry pavement.. Thing is they cannot stop any faster than a 4x2...
But the NOMAD stays home!!!LOL

 

[KenHwy61]

My current truck is my first Ram, and after reading this thread I get the impression the 68RFE is not a very good transmission. Someone even called it a waste of metal. That makes me nervous after spending a lot of money. Is there any actual evidence of 68RFEs failing at a rate higher than the others? I didn't really see any when doing research prior to buying. I test drove an 09 with 280K that seem to shift fine.

 

[dfb]

That's kinda like calling The Eagles a band who loitered on stage!!

 

[Newsa]

A few elitist Aisin owners occasionally exaggerate. All 3 trannies can go 300,000+ miles if properly maintained. In fact, the 68RFE has been tested more miles and in more trucks than any of the other trannies.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My current truck is my first Ram, and after reading this thread I get the impression the 68RFE is not a very good transmission. Someone even called it a waste of metal. That makes me nervous after spending a lot of money. Is there any actual evidence of 68RFEs failing at a rate higher than the others? I didn't really see any when doing research prior to buying. I test drove an 09 with 280K that seem to shift fine.

You're transmission is fine. Sometimes reading these forums can be useful, while sometimes, a person can read too deep into them. Remember that most people only post when there is a problem, so it might appear that one particular part might be troublesome when in fact there are hundreds of thousands of other owners that are happily cruising along without a blip of trouble. I recall thinking my 3rd Gen was a POS after reading too much inter-web cool aid when I first joined these forums. The 3rd Gen's had only been out a year or so and everyone kept comparing them to the 2nd Gen's. Don't let these forums shape your opinion.