2015 auto or manual trans?

[kthaxton]

The exhaust brake is RPM dependent, not speed dependent. The lower the gear you are in, the slower the speed the E-brake will engage.

Further, torque management is only used upon acceleration from stop and during shifts, not cruising, otherwise....what would be the point?

 

[cerberusiam]

I we could get a 7 speed double OD manual

Yep, and with decent ratios it would be useful. Unfortunately, a foot print that fits an LD truck doesn't exist, it would require starting from scratch. The trans woul be neccessity be longer for the 7th gear as a double countershaft won't fit without redesign and that has its own problems. Considering the hurdles and the trends in auto marketing and building, never gonna happen.

The problem is an OEM approved clutch that would be easy to drive with the holding power for 865 lb/ft.

The final nail in the coffin, doesn't exist, won't pass NVH if it did, cost way more than most people would pay to design something that met all the criteria.

Fun to dream but the reality is it just will not fly in a LD truck, cost is too high for the consumer to make it worth. Our own fault, we are cheap and fickle.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I am on my 6th Dodge Cummins truck, 5 of them have been manual transmissions. 93-95-2001-2002-2004. My 2013 is a automatic, and I love it, better towing MPG than my 04 got and its so easy to tow with.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

I vote for manual transmissions!!!

Just thought I would throw that in there. LOL

Peter

 

[RustyJC]

I vote for manual transmissions!!!

Just thought I would throw that in there. LOL

Peter

Peter,

Gee, I wonder why???? :-laf:-laf

Rusty

 

[SnoKing]

I vote for manual transmissions!!!

Just thought I would throw that in there. LOL

Peter

#ad

 

[Mingoglia]

I too am a fan of a manual, and the whole transmission situation is why it took me so long to get a new truck. A manual is also the reason I got top dollar for my 2nd gen when I did sell it. My Aisin truck isn't nearly as fun to drive as my 2nd gen with the NV4500, but dead pedal aside, I'm satisfied with the Aisin. Not thrilled completely, but satisfied. I expect it to be plenty reliable, just still weird to me the unpredictable (compared to a manual) downshifts when slowing down, particularly with the exhaust brake on. Just feels "weird" to not be completely in control.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Just another vote for the Aisin and Tow/Haul. Those automatic downshifts with the exhaust brake on work a lot better than pumping the clutch and hopefully grabbing the next lower gear. From Man to Auto, and glad I did! Sorry Peter <G>
Greg

 

[SnoKing]

I too am a fan of a manual, and the whole transmission situation is why it took me so long to get a new truck. A manual is also the reason I got top dollar for my 2nd gen when I did sell it. My Aisin truck isn't nearly as fun to drive as my 2nd gen with the NV4500, but dead pedal aside, I'm satisfied with the Aisin. Not thrilled completely, but satisfied. I expect it to be plenty reliable, just still weird to me the unpredictable (compared to a manual) downshifts when slowing down, particularly with the exhaust brake on. Just feels "weird" to not be completely in control.

2nd gen manuals are desirable because the stock 47/48RE auto trannies behind a Cummins needed help. The new Aisin transmission trucks will become the gold standard and will be sought after like the older manuals. SNOKING

 

[Badunit]

What I don't like about automatic transmissions is how and when they choose to downshift. For fuel mileage, they will hold the highest gear possible as you press the accelerator further and further to go up a hill and wonder why you're losing speed when you have all this torque and power at your disposal. Then they'll eventually choose to downshift to the correct gear. On the other hand, they will often downshift even when they don't really have to; they don't take full advantage of all that torque that would have let you keep holding the gear. I find myself trying to not press the accelerator too hard, trying to keep it from downshifting when it really shouldn't have to. I know iI just said they downshift too late and too early. That's right, that's my observance of what they do. Never happens that way with a manual transmission. But the manual requires a downrated engine and that bothers me (wasn't like this in the past).

I am still new to this 68RFE. One thing I have started doing, though, is locking out 6th when driving under 60 mph in hilly country. Too much shifting between 6th and 5th and too much of what I described above. 5th gear with the 3.42 rear puts it somewhere around 1600 RPM and it pulls more like my 2003 with the 5600.

 

[Brocky]

I have been driving manual transmissions for the last 60 years. Starting with farm tractors, then 5 speed with 2 speed rear, to a 2 stick Triplex, to 9,10,13 & 15 speed Road Rangers. To relax and be lazy, For the past 20 years I have bought automatics for my personal pick ups. This last 3500 with the Aisin is by far the BEST automatic I have ever driven in terms of driver control. When not towing, By using tow haul and engine brake in stop and go traffic it preforms much like a manual with out having to work your left leg.

 

[crispyboy]

If I was purchasing a new truck I would have to consider the manual transmission. My truck is a little older and has the 650 torque engine. It plenty of power for the 8000+ lb trailer I tow.
The 68RE transmission - it performs like it should but seems "clunky" as the best way to describe it. It seems like it missing some refinement or else the combination of the exhaust brake seems to play havoc with it at times. I feel it always upshifts too soon in our hilly area and seems to lug the engine too much. When it does down shift it seems like a big event - reminds me of underpowered 4 cylinders with and auto transmission at times. I use the paddle shifter more often than should really be needed. I do like the ratio for the reverse gear - it seems just right.
I would like the standard shift so I would have better control and be in the gear that I want to use and I like the simplicity. My wife can drive a standard so that's a non-issue.

 

[kthaxton]

I'm surprised driving autos is so complicated to some people. I have no problem pushing a button every once in a while to stay in a particular gear.

My 2015 2500 is my first Diesel and coming from a 2000 1/2 ton, is an absolute dream to tow with. I think y'all are getting spoiled.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Hey Brocky- Ever catch yourself about to stomp the clutch on the Auto transmission trucks? It won't happen to me again! What Kthaxton said sums up this whole discussion in my book. Greg

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Peter, I would have bought the G56 if you sold an iron case for the G56.

 

[Tuesdak]

Peter, I would have bought the G56 if you sold an iron case for the G56.

That's easy! P/N: NVG5600 :-laf

 

[rashwor]

My next one will probably be a Aisin. Sorry Peter (my '05 has one of your clutches in it, if that helps!). The wife doesn't like the manual and to be honest, I'm tired of shifting (getting old).

 

[JSoloman]

Had the NV5600 in my '01 and loved it. Had plenty of applications for needing the 6spd. Once I retired and moved into the big city, it didn't take long to realize I was all but getting run over by the excessive traffic and yahoos that don't pay attention. Of course the brakes on the 2nd gens aren't the best either. That became my main reason for moving away from the manual to the Aisin. Now I can stick my foot in it and get out of the way much quicker!

 

[Mingoglia]

Had the NV5600 in my '01 and loved it. Had plenty of applications for needing the 6spd. Once I retired and moved into the big city, it didn't take long to realize I was all but getting run over by the excessive traffic and yahoos that don't pay attention. Of course the brakes on the 2nd gens aren't the best either. That became my main reason for moving away from the manual to the Aisin. Now I can stick my foot in it and get out of the way much quicker!

Honestly, I don't think the 4th gen trucks' brakes are much better. Still seem lackluster to me. Obviously they're "better" because the trucks are much heavier, but the seat of the pants stopping power really isn't awe-inspiring IMHO.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have been very happy with both go and stop on my 2013.. Tow just over 27,000 combined weight and the brakes work awesome for me.