5-speed or 6-speed ???

[Papa Joe]

Well, now that I'll be shopping for a new Ram, and I've decided the automatic is not for me... ... ... .
Should I go 5-speed or 6-speed?
Any and all comments are appreciated #ad
Joe

 

[Barry]

6 Speed. It's bigger, tougher and has just the right combo of ratios to make towing an absolute pleasure. And, the resale of the ETH/DEE is great!... ..... mi dos centavos

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(25PSI) Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 22,000 miles on 12/19/00 (RV Dealer)

 

[Dane]

Papa Joe, Get the H/O motor and 6 speed. It's a beast right out of the box #ad
Barry said it well on the transmission. Also the 3. 54 rear gear is a perfect match imo unless you're running bigger than 33" tires. 1st gear is a real stump puller and works great for towing/hauling.

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[dresslered]

Papa Joe! I'm so sorry but I had somehow missed the news (being in the "other" forum which nobody reads anyway). Glad to hear that your o. k. , but listen to that watchful angel, she whispers "get the six!" #ad


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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[Pete Peterson]

Joe, try to find one of each to drive. The 5 speed is probably better for extreme BOMBing and the 6 speed is the ultimate puller. The 3:54'3 will do you just fine pulling moderate loads, say 12,000 lbs or less. The 4:10's will pull ANYTHING!! If you are on the freeway alot then the 3:54's won't be as worrisome as the 4:10's might be at 80mph!! About 400RPM difference out on the open road.
But to be perfctly honest that 6 speed is where its at !!!! Regards Pete

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01. 5 Loooaded up!!!!!

 

[Wiredawg]

I'm here to say the 6spd is awsome with the Cummins. I pull a 15K lb 5th wheel and drive in DC traffic. What a pleasure to drive loaded and unloaded. #ad


Good luck with your new purchase,

Wiredawg



[This message has been edited by Wiredawg (edited 01-26-2001). ]

 

[DHatfield]

I would say get the 6-Speed as I am sure you will like it.

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2001 2500HD Quad Cab SLT SB 4x4, HO Cummins, 6-speed, 3. 55 gears, LSD, brightwhite/driftwood, 4w ABS, camper and trailer tow packages, HD transfer case, snow plow prep, group, cab lights, Isspro Boost and Pyrometer gauges mounted on A-pillar, 4" JRE exhaust, BD exhaust brake. 27100 miles and counting as of 1/16/01.

1980 CJ-5, Modified for off-road use, bobbed fenders, 350 TBI, NP435 trans, 4. 56 gears, Dana 300, Dana 44 front, Dana 60 reverse-cut rear axle, ARB air lockers front and rear, 15/35/15 Super Swamper TSL on 10X15 steel rims, Cobra CB, Warn 9000I winch, nerf bars, 1/4" steel rock crawler bumper front and rear, jerri can/spare tire rack, custom roll cage.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Can't go wrong with the Big Six. Not only is it the ONLY cast-iron cased 6-speed available, it is about the toughest thing around. What I really like about my Six is the drivability. Around town, it is FAR superior to the 5-speed. You always seem to be in the right RPM range with the Six. With the 5-speed, the gap between 3rd & 4th is pretty big.

One way to look at it is RPM between shifts... With the Six, shifts are 500 RPM apart, and with the 5, they are 700 RPM apart.

Go with the ETH/DEE... You will be pleased! #ad


P. S. What is going to happen with the old truck? If you are keeping it, I am VERY interested in grabbing a few things off of it if you part it out! #ad

 

[tom sweeney]

... . AMEN brother-man... 6speed is the way to go... works like a dream in-town (D. C. ) or on the road... . you won't be sorry!!!!!!!!tom

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2001QC 2500HD LB ETH/DEE 4x4 4:10's LSD All options except cab lights,Xcelerator air filter,Forest Green/Light driftwood.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I'd pick the 5 speed. More bombing potential, reliable, proven transmission. Parts easily available for the transmission. Lighter trans and easier to change the clutch. Better clutch and the flywheel has the "right" bolt pattern for the HD clutches out there. Injection pump seems to have more potential. Cheaper, easier to find, easier to chisel out a good deal on it. Five gears are enough once you get a decent torque curve into the engine #ad

Where did I put my money? I recently built up a 5 speed with the Std. Trans. mainshaft instead of investing in a 6 speed for Sickly.
Don't get me wrong--the ETH-DEE is a fine combination too, but I am upset that DC and NV haven't sorted out the problems yet and some 6 speeds have catastrophic problems from the factory apparently--grinding in 3rd, popping out of 4th, etc. Also it is too new to know the ultimate potential or life span. We know the 5 speed isn't perfect, but we also have a handle on how to make it very durable.
Ultimately, you should drive both and then decide based on YOUR driving feel and preferences.

 

[jmeehan]

When I was shopping around I was leaning towards a 5 speed for cost reasons alone. Then I read that the 6 has a bigger input shaft. So I figured everything will be bigger, tougher and more durable. If I break this sucker I'll be looking for a real med. duty truck transmission.

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ex Ford tech, now driving '01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue

[This message has been edited by 85CJ (edited 01-27-2001). ]

 

[Bart Timothy]

If you're going to BOMB, go with the 5 speed. If you stay stock, go with the 6 speed.

 

[Cliffman]

I opted for the 6 speed because I didn't want to pay $3000. 00 for a splitter #ad
.

I pull a 15k 5er and the gap between 3rd and 4th on a 5 speed was too BIG. BOMB or no BOMB, when your pullen a 6% grade and you shift from 3rd to 4th you'll be glad you choose the 6 speed.

Now if you want to BOMB and drag race, then I could understand the need for the 5 speed. But, In that case, I would opt for the auto.


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2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, Long Bed, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE) Loven the shift thing (Arrrrrh), 3:54, SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, 18,000 LB 5th Wheel Hitch, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, BDs E-Brake, Rhino Liner (gray), Velvet ride shackles, cup smoothy, Power Edge box / EZ Box w/elbo, DD Stage III injectors, McLeod Dual Disk Clutch, K&N, SPA Gauges, Jardine Exhaust, 16cm turbo housing. Love the smell of diesel in the morning. Hope your watchen DC cuz every thing you see here is a big lie, Hehe.

[This message has been edited by Cliffman (edited 01-27-2001). ]

 

[Papa Joe]

Thank you for all the prompt replies. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Been chasing my tail with lost work, medical, blah, blah, blah.
Considered all your comments and think I'll go 6-speed. Thanks again. Joe #ad


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99 Ram. Served me, saved me.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I like my 5 speed with a gear vendors. I LOVE my 6 speed. I tow 100% of the time and the 6 works awsome. ETH is a great pulling rig stock.

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1995 2500 5 spd US Gear 2 speed,PackBrake, bombed,big turbo, injectors CUMMINS POWER!!. 2001 ETH 3500 PackBrake, gagues,otherwise stock. 1972 "1066" International Harvester 414 ci diesel pulling tractor, big pump,turbo and injectors. Alcohol injection,BINDER POWER!! .
GONZO

 

[Okie-Go]

6 spd. Then you have the HO engine. What a pleasure to drive and tow with.

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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

 

[Deezal Man]

If you're going to BOMB, go with the 5 speed. If you stay stock, go with the 6 speed.

I don't understand... whats the difference?
Is the 6 not as tough.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[WCrovo]

I love my HO 6 speed. It is hard to describe the feeling when towing or just cruiseing around. IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH, Bright white.