Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5 or 6 speed?

[PLaFrombois]

I'm looking at changing to a manual transmission, and getting a 3500. I found a place that has a '99 3500 5-speed with 52,000 miles for $23,500, and a '01 3500 6-speed with 61,000 miles for $24,5000. Both are the sport package. I just stopped by on my way home and looked at the stickers in the window. I'm going to try and take both for a drive this next week. What should I be looking for when driving both trucks?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Doubleclutch]

I think the difference between the 5 and 6 speeds will say volumes! Compare the 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 gaps on the 5 speed, knowing that you don't want to run low (<1700) rpm in 5th gear on the 5 speed. The six speed isn't perfect, but it's "more perfect" than the 5, in my book. Do a search on the fifth gear nun, and I'm sure you'll agree. Good luck with the new truck,

Greg

 

[klenger]

The only reason to get the six speed is because they don't offer a seven speed.



I traded a 6 month old 2001. 5 5 speed for a 2001. 5 6 speed. World of difference if you are towing anything.



Check out Fritz's website for a comparison:



http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/axle/5sp_vs_6sp.htm

 

[dresslered]

The only reason to get the six speed is because they don't offer a seven speed.

I think that pretty much sums it up! The only people that really prefer the 5-speed are those doing the quarter-mile times. Don't forget that the 6-speed will be attached to an HO as well.

 

[Mad Bomber]

5 or 6

Don't forget that the 6-speed will be attached to an HO as well. [/B][/QUOTE]



Dave, that's not always true there were some in 2k that had the ETC w/ 6speed. And you know that the ETC engine will make more HP with the same modes as a ETH. Eric

 

[RustyJC]

Re: 5 or 6

Originally posted by E Wagener

Dave, that's not always true there were some in 2k that had the ETC w/ 6speed. And you know that the ETC engine will make more HP with the same modes as a ETH. Eric

In the case at hand, however, the 2001 truck should be an ETH (HO). Regarding your statement concerning engine response to modification - perhaps true with boxes, but not necessarily with injectors.



Rusty

 

[cpeters]

I think you should drive both and if you are going to tow more than once in a while you should get the 6spd. I personally like the smooth shifting of the 5spd and don't tow alot the last trip I took was towing an enclosed trailer to Colorado and back and I was never in a situation where I needed another gear the mighty Cummins has enough power to rev it up in third and pull out of low rpm in fourth with out breaking a sweat.

 

[rashwor]

If you tow...

get the 6 speed. If you don't tow much or often, the 5 speed will do fine. I wanted the limited production '99 with a 6 speed when I got my 5 speed... my next one will be a 6 speed, or 7 if the choose to offer that.

 

[Mad Bomber]

2001

Rusty, the ETH loves injectors more than a box. But having both is the ticket

 

[HeavyHauler]

OK guys, explain this one to me. There's a local guy around here that has the monopoly on the wrecking service in town. A few years ago he went to buy a new tow truck and wanted a Dodge/Cummins. He obviously needed a 1-ton with a manual transmission and was looking at the High Output motor as any uneducated person would (more power = what I want). He inquired about the HO with the Six Speed and the dealer immediately told him that "he didn't want a six speed. " Mind you that these were all brand new trucks so the dealer wasn't trying to push one over the other.



Anyway, he ended up getting a 5 speed truck and of course, has no complaints. But I still wondered why the dealer would tell him that. Has anyone ever heard the same or know why a dealer would sway him towards the 5 speed? It seems like in the back of my head I've heard a few bad things about the 6 speed but can't think of what it is right now. I believe it was the same thing that influenced the tow man to buy a 5 speed, but not sure.



Any complaints on a six speed as opposed to all the praise it's getting here?

 

[Hohn]

HH:

I think the dealer was just trying to push one truck over another. Dealers have reasons for this, like if one has been on the lot a while and such. They wan't to get rid of the truck that's costing them the most money each month to keep on the lot.



The six gear has no drawbacks over the 5-speed other than you having to shift more. With the narrow rpm band of a diesel, you WANT to shift more! You need as many gears as you can get.



Then, there's the brute strength factor. The 5600 is very stout, and I would suspect quite a bit stronger than the 4500.



Justin

 

[Jetson]

I don't want a 6-speed. The 5th wheel I tow is 9300 lbs. dry, 12,300 lbs. GVW. I am happy with the 5-speed gear spacing I have, but I would like the 5th gear nut problem corrected. I want a 5-speed with a fully splined tailshaft and the larger input shaft The 6-speed has those issues taken care of, but they have had their share of problems too.

 

[RustyJC]

Here are the technical comparisons of the NV5600 6-speed versus the NV4500HD 5-speed. I suppose each individual has to decide what's best for his/her particular application. Since we tow at 21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 GCWR), we went the HO/6-speed route and don't regret it for a minute.



Rusty

 

[mgoncalves]

Re: 2001

Originally posted by E Wagener

Rusty, the ETH loves injectors more than a box. But having both is the ticket

Having both is the only way to fly





The most convincing comparison between the 5 and 6 for me was simply looking at the underside of the thing. Very Beefy





Matt

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by mgoncalves

Having both is the only way to fly

Ummmm..... OK. If you check my signature, I do have both.



Rusty

 

[mgoncalves]

Easy there killer, I was agreeing with you.

 

[PLaFrombois]

I think I fell in love with the 6-speed. I found a used 03 3500, 23,000 miles with a 6-speed today and took it for a drive. I just need to justify the purchase. They're asking $37,500, and will give me $20,000 on trade for my '99. I can say I'm a little bit tempted.

Paul

 

[clem]

The only problem I have with my 5 sp is the gear spacing from 3rd to 4 th it sometimes loads the engine on start up on a hilll. Like when comming out of a rest area. Other than that it would be nice to have that other extra gear. I to got the 5sp because the 6sp could not be had in early 99. Other than that no problems, comming up on 80K miles with fingers crossed.

 

[johncameron]

The 6 speed is the only way to go. It puts you in the power all the time. I sure love mine!

 

[krs]

I've got both and agree that the extra ratio can save the day if towing heavy with stock or near stock power, but I just don't trust the thing. There have been some major failures of the 6 speed owned by some members here, and I don't think that they should have happened to a trans with the ratings this one has. Maybe too much plastic or potmetal thrust parts in it, I don't know. If there were more of them on the road I think that their weaknesses would be more widely known.

The 5 speed has been around forever and is probably proven to be the toughest of it's type built. It's being used behind engines that far outstrip the trans. torque handling rating - some are running at more than twice that rating with few failures. The problem areas that have come up are known and addressable for reasonable cost.



More power will overcome the need for the extra ratio most of the time.