5 spd or Auto transmission

[danandamy]

I'm kinda like Pat. I've always driven standards. Now I'm 33 years old and I'm sick of shifting! When I pull I can still manually shift the auto to make it hold gears longer but I don't have to when I'm making the daily 30+ mile commute to work. When it's first thing in the morning and I'm still half asleep, it's nice to be able to hold my coffee in one hand and drive with the other without having to shift #ad
In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves what they want. If I was pulling heavy loads all the time, I probably would have gone with a standard. As it is, I pull a pretty heavy travel trailer but only about once a month and on summer vacation. The rest of the time it's my commuter vehicle.

Daniel

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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54 automatic JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N chunked, AFC adjusted, "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed

95 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 automatic, Geno's dual EGT/Boost gauge, straight pipe is coming next

"Only thing better than having a Cummins is having TWO Cummins"

 

[Utah Willie]

One thing I have not seen noted as an advantage of stick over AT. The E-brake will work very well with the stick, but is iffy on the AT. Living in the shadow of the Rockies puts me over some high, steep passes with my boat in tow and camper aboard or dragging a 14K# 5er. The 5 sp coupled to a US Gear O/D on my 99 3500 takes the ups and downs in stride. The setup almost eliminates the use of the service brakes on even the steepest grades while allowing me to maintain enough speed to avert road rage.

 

[HC]

Originally posted by jolyman:
I believe there are real advantages to towing with a manual BUT the autos are easer to find. The autos seem to be VERY expensive to set up, are high maintiance, complicated to tow with and short lived (about 80K between rebuilds). I don't know if the convenience is worth the expense?

I didn't say all that; you did! I think there is much to be said for either stick or auto, but it sounds to me like you know what you want. Get what you want. #ad

P. S. - I'd say "long bed".


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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

[Tom C]

I used to have a '97 ext. cab, 5-spd, long bed. I had the 605 Ft Lb. TST plate in it and it would pull 8000# with ease. I sold it to get my current truck (see sig). My knees don't like the shifting any more and I got tired of trying to turn that long of truck in and out of parking spaces. If you tow alot and don't mind shifting go with the stick. If you like to talk on the cell, eat a burger while driving through traffic go with the auto. If you go with the auto I would suggest going with DTT's VB and TC with a mild HP upgrade. The auto does suck up alot of juice (power). and for towing with a short box and goose trailer Mine has handled it just fine. matter-o-fact its easier to backup due to the truck wheel base being shorter.

have fun searching for the truck that fits your needs.

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.
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1975 Toyota Landcruiser, ARB Air lockers Front & rear, 400 Small Block, SM420 4spd, Stock LC transfer case with 2 or 4 high and 2 or 4 wheel drive Low gears, 15. 5x36" Radial swamper on 12" rims, Custom front & rear bumpers, Roll Cage, Warn 8274 8000# winch, 2. 5" spring lift, 2" body lift. Premier on-board power welder, on-board air, 4-wheel power disk breaks, power steering, Lot of fun.

 

[R.ebel]

REAL TRUCKS have sticks! Auto's are for the mini-van and SUV crowd.

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1997 2500 SLT 4X4,5 spd,3. 54's,Pacbrake,Rancho 9000's,Centerforce,K&N,Isspro,BD 300 HP pump, Jardine 4", 370's and 16cm housing.

 

[jolyman]

Thanks guys fer the welcome. . The majority won. .

1996 2500 X-Cab LONG bed 5 spd HD Camp/Tow package With bags Jacob's E-Brake Prime Loc TEAL & White STOCK with 47k miles looks NEW. Nice Truck only needs stairs. #ad


Now all I need is a Flying J (no Premium Texico) and the fun #ad
begins. . been waiting a long time for this day..... OH I need a signature now HELLO

 

[jolyman]

Lordsman We'll have to meet up for coffee some time soon. I bought the truck up above (way above) #ad
Conifer. the E-brake surrre works good. #ad
Thanks for the reply. My e-mail is jolyman@mail.com

 

[klenger]

jolyman:
Nice truck, and low milage. I just live up the road from you in Aurora. I'll look for you at the Flying J.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[C Schomer]

I enjoyed as much as I could stand of autos for towing. If you want a transmission that will work as hard as the rest of the truck, get a manual. I can't say about the DTT trannies tho! I tore mine down today to check 5th and I need the Standard Trans fix already but I'd still rather be doing this. I was surprised to see how beefy it is! Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Straight Thru Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, 24CKFS Sunnybrook, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[WCrovo]

No amount of transmission mods(tourque convertor/valve body) can close the gap between 3rd and OD.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 Bright white,4 wheel discs.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Originally posted by walter crovo:
No amount of transmission mods(tourque convertor/valve body) can close the gap between 3rd and OD.

I humbly disagree. I too used to sit around and wait until the automatic went through all the motions of trying to move the truck. This is no longer the case. The 3rd gear to overdrive is no longer the BIG waited for event so the power could be transferred to the ground. Get a t/c and valve body combination that will put it to the ground and the stick boys will just stand by and watch. If you do not believe me just ask a guy that goes by the login name of HVAC.

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96 2500 4x4 Driftwood auto DTT TC & VB Smart Controller Pac Brake Stan's 4" exhaust turbo to tail Warn 4x boards pyro,boost,trans temp on a piller, mag hytec trans pan, Reese 15k 5th wheel hitch Pulling 200 Alfa Ideal 31RL

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by TRACY MURPHY:
ask a guy that goes by the login name of HVAC.

HVAC is not a mere motal. The drag rig is just that, a drag rig. For us mere mortals we need a transmission that works, that is the manual.



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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[Mopar-muscle]

sorry , the auto problem is NOT the trans , its the drivetrain and the BOMBer ... . the poor design of the stock tc is to keep whats behind it alive past the warranty period .

yes it is pricey to correct this crappy TC design , but it cost just as much for a good clutch for the manual trans , don't forget 5th gear failures . nothing will last forever .

joly hope you have many happy miles with your new/used rig ...

 

[David_VT]

I have the 5spd (in a 99 shortbed). Watching the threads over the last two years has raised my respect for what can be done with a DC auto.

I bought my 5spd as I feared loosing the transmission as I had in my suburban.

Given the choice again (and the 1K+ clutch waiting to be installed), I'd think a bit longer about going for the auto.

Maybe I'd reach the same choice, but thanks to folks like Bill K, the playing field is much more level than it used to be.

Good luck HVAC!

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99' SB 4x4 : DDI's, HOT PE, SACHS Clutch(here 2/19 but still in the box),SPA dual gauge, ESPAR, Line-X OTR, Ladder bars, AMSOIL, etc (GPS,Cell,CB,... . )
Green Monster

 

[Bob Wagner]

Until you drive a Ram that has been modified by Bill K's crew (Vinnie and Darrin) you cant believe the feeling #ad


Its almost like sex for the first time #ad


Try it you'll like it #ad

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

<font color = blue> I second the opinion of Bob Wagner on how DTT is closing the gap between auto and stick. #ad
Speaking from personal experience, I just finished an 8,000+ mile trip down I-5, then I-40 coast to coast and beyond, up and around to New York from BC; The first 3,000 miles empty and the rest with my slide-in camper with a total weight of 12,500 lbs. Bill K's 91% set-up delivers more smiles per mile!!


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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, HX35/14cms turbo, Bill K. VB,TC & "smart" PAC Exhaust Brake , Mag-Hytec transmission & Diff covers, SPA Dual Gauges,DD2s,DD4" exhaust, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, Roadmaster XX,Firestone Airbags, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X, Grovers , Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon “stock” Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch. plus the ICE-bomb

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

The E-brake will work very well with the stick, but is iffy on the AT.

<font color=blue> Willy, I agree with you 100% but there is one caveat, IMHO the DTT VB&TC is at least as good as the stick.

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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, HX35/14cms turbo, Bill K. VB,TC & "smart" PAC Exhaust Brake , Mag-Hytec transmission & Diff covers, SPA Dual Gauges,DD2s,DD4" exhaust, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, Roadmaster XX,Firestone Airbags, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X, Grovers , Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon “stock” Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch. plus the ICE-bomb

[This message has been edited by JohnMcIntyre (edited 04-27-2001). ]

 

[Okie-Go]

I like the stick myself. I have had an auto in the past. Traded it for a HO with the 6 spd. I have not regretted it one bit. You can see the sig and see what I use it for.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton