48RE or NV5600 for 600?

[JNeiman]

OK, I need help making a decision for my next truck. I have the beast pretty much spec'd out, but am having trouble deciding on the transmission. I currently have a 47RE in one truck and a 6 speed in the other. I am really happy with both of them. I test drove a 600 with the 48RE and liked it a lot. Seemed to be just like all you guys were talking about. The truck is going to be a 3500 4x4 quad cab with a short bed. I do some towing, up to around 10,000lbs on a tag trailer. (large skid steer with back hoe attachment and job boxes) I also am gonna have a snow plow on the truck. I do a ton of highway and a fair amount of local. I am deffinately gonna run 3. 73s. I just need some prefessional TDR opions on which is the better transmission in different situations. There is a fair chance the truck will have some minor bombs, but nothing outrageous. The auto is only $695 more... that's less than a new clutch. Will it hold up well? I am really a standard guy, but the auto might just be easier and cheaper in the long run. Also, I might want a Jacob's brake on the truck... already have one on the 6 speed and like it a lot. Any info if they are aproved on the 48R. E. ? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you're a standard guy... listen to your gut...



the manual will be MUCH cheaper in the long run, especially if you plan to bomb the truck later... easy to make power beyond what the auto will handle... but take that $700 you would spend to buy the auto and put it towards a clutch, and you're WAY ahead of the game...



but I'm admitedly very biased... I hate automatic trannies...



Forrest

 

[amillstream]

Same here. If someone gave me a brand new truck today with an automatic, it would be for sale tommorrow and I'd be looking for a 6spd. I love the 6spd with 4. 10's. To me, its the perfect towing combination with the cummins. That is the only falt I have with my truck is that it is 3. 55 gears. Go with the 6spd they are made for the long haul.

 

[klenger]

row it.

 

[gsbrockman]

I'd stick with a 6'er. If you tow 10K relative frequently, plan to plow snow, do a little BOMBing, and you're toying around with an exhaust brake, I believe the 6'er would meet your needs best. I don't dislike the 48RE, I just feel the NV5600 is better in your scenario.

Greg

 

[GFritsch]

This a new auto. Time will tell on reliability. If you don't mind shifting I would get the stick.



Heard that there may only be a couple weeks left to order a 2004. Not sure if prices will go up for 2005. The price of steel has gone up about 50% recently. I think we will see some sharp price increases in vehicles next year.

 

[robertyoke]

I have both trucks auto & hand shaker they both have their place. the auto is better for daily driving w/traffic, cell phone use,it's faster to accelerate (especially while drinking a cup joe in the morning

the six speed is way better at pulling heavy (heavy as 25k to 35k gcw)it has better control and makes better use of it's power. as for plowing snow I've only used an old k5 blazer for that but I would go auto just cause my six speed is some times hard to grab reverse(likes fifth better)although it may brake in it has only 1500mi on it and last truck w/NV4500 shifted easer.

 

[Bertram65]

Seems like so far the 48RE has not had any major problems or weaknesses. The warrantee is pretty good now so chances are if it does it will be covered. Another plus is the auto is worth about $1K more for resale.

 

[HEYBOSS]

It seems to me that some parts of the country like manual over auto. You would have a hard time selling or finding a truck around here with the stick, so the value is higher with the auto. I had both (not with Cummins) the only draw back for me on the stick is heavy city traffic and plowing the auto is much easier.



If I were to buy today, I also would have a hard time choosing. I do like my auto but it's not stock.



Buy whatever you feel comfortable with. At least you have the experience of both by having them in previous trucks, good luck.

 

[fencebuilders]

Go with your gut. No dis to a 6 spd,better mpg,less to bomb. I like my 48,im lazy i guess. Guys in "the know" say to drive it hard to keep line pressure up = longevity. Mine has been flawless so far with 9,200 miles.

 

[KKlepfer]

I wasn't clear what truck that you currently have is going to be traded in for a new one. But it seems like you have the best of both worlds now with one auto and one 6spd. Whatever one you trade get the same transmission.



If I were towing 10k I would probably go w/ the 6spd. But I love my 48re and would miss the speed racing off the lights when tooling around town empty. If money is not an issue I would definitely go w/ the 48re modified w/ DTT... best of both worlds. IMO.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Dually=6 speed and 2500 short bed=48re , every thing in between is cause for a lot of thinking and debate !!!!!!!!

 

[XcumminsX]

GET A STICK

 

[CoastyAV8R]

When I was looking for a truck, even a used 6 speed was unheard of and if the dealer had one, he was asking an arm and a leg for it. In my experience the 6 speed had a better resale value than an auto, atleast with the Dodge.



I have a SWB with a 6 speed and even the dealer said it was an unusual combo as most 6 speeds were long beds. I needed the short bed to fit in my garage, otherwise it would have been a long bed.



Since you plan on towing and it doesn't sound like you do a lot of city driving, get the 6 speed. If you wanna run the Jake brake, I don't think they have officially given the OK to run it on the auto yet and who knows if they will.



A dually truck NEEDS the 6 speed...

 

[JNeiman]

Thanks for all the replys... you guys are great. Yea, I still am not sure which way I am leaning. I am not trading either of my current trucks. Just adding to the fleet I guess you could say. Keep the posts coming. I have some family convincing to do either way, so the more ideas the better.

 

[johncameron]

6er

 

[KLockliear]

6-speed.

 

[Jengle]

Of the many things you listed as doing with the truck, the only one that I see that an auto might do better is the snow plowing. All else is better handled by the stick. But you see what I have, and yep, biased. Plus, it's just plain fun to row em.

 

[gonzo2]

Get one of each, and let us know how they do.

 

[BRayls]

6 gear for work, auto for play and lazy driving. one thing I thought of when reading about the trans. more think the quality of the 48 is better. here my opinion on why it should be ,and its better for us the consumer. they build half the trannys on that line than they did in 94-00,slowing the line should improve quality more time to do it right. the line is lowering capacity becaue the newer transmissions built up the road at ITP(light duty half ton) and ITP2 (heavy duty 5 spd w580?? or something like that). now as for workforce those from KTP are the ones who went to the new plants so that is the same people doing the new jobs.