Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5 speed vs 6speed

[treetop333]

5 Speed vs 6 Speed I'm looking into getting a 2001 2500 QUAD 4X4 8' 5 speed 3. 55 109,526.

Should I hold out for a 6 speed?

Is there any big advantages, reliability, gas mileage... ? My Max tow weight will be 8000 to 10000 lb part time.

 

[Ed]

Five vs Six

Kooyman,



I have a six speed and tow a 14k fifth wheel. I have a friend that has the five speed and tows a 8k TT. I can out pull him due to less drop in rpm when changing gears while on a grade.



Also, the five speeds had a problem with a retention nut that would back off and potentially drop into gears.



IMHO - Get a six speed.



Try driving both if you can and then decide.



Ed

 

[Cigar John]

Kooyman,



I have a six speed and tow a 14k fifth wheel. I have a friend that has the five speed and tows a 8k TT. I can out pull him due to less drop in rpm when changing gears while on a grade.



Also, the five speeds had a problem with a retention nut that would back off and potentially drop into gears.



IMHO - Get a six speed.



Try driving both if you can and then decide.



Ed

Also the 6speed has a bigger clutch and higher torque capacity and usually has the H. O. engine. Oo.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Personally, I hated the five speed, albeit, I would not have even considered a auto.



The main reasons were the gear ratios in 2nd and reverse. Both were way to low (meaning too fast) for my liking. Always felt like I was doing a number on the clutch taking off in 2nd. Backing a trailer could be a veritable carnival of events . Option was to put it in low range for backing a trailer. imho Six speed, yeeesss!

 

[trqmnstr]

I would hold out for a six-speed because you'll get the HO along with it - an extra 10hp and 45lb-ft from the factory. Also, with the extra gear you can keep the RPMs in the "sweet spot. "

 

[JKinney]

Keep Looking find the 6sp

 

[JFinke]

I love my 6 speed... . untill I get into the city and have to shift three gears going through the intersection. I just ordered a brand new 6 speed for mine as I tore out 6th gear at 265,000. I hope the new one shifts as smooth as the last. Jake

 

[johncameron]

the 6er is awesome for everything but drag racing! Believe it or not I wish it had a 7th gear double OD for empty cruising, I do think you'd get even better economy with one. Hey it never hurts to dream... ... OD/UD unit?????

 

[treetop333]

Thanks everyone. 6 speed it is

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Well sure, 6 speeds must be better. I mean, more is better right?



Personally all this is 5600 chest pounding is silly. I may only have 69,000 miles on my Ram but I love my NV4500 five-speed. And I will be honest with you on this... I test drove a few NV5600 trucks (not just around the lot for those of you getting ready to reply with flames).

I think the 5 speed shifts much better. . like butter. I've had zero problems with mine.



What I suggest you do is drive each if at all possible and base your purchase decision on more important things. Ultimately you will be happy with either one. Just don't walk away from a good find just because it has a 5 speed!!!



For those of you with 5600's I've heard it all so don't start.

 

[Big A]

Well sure, 6 speeds must be better. I mean, more is better right?



Personally all this is 5600 chest pounding is silly. I may only have 69,000 miles on my Ram but I love my NV4500 five-speed. And I will be honest with you on this... I test drove a few NV5600 trucks (not just around the lot for those of you getting ready to reply with flames).

I think the 5 speed shifts much better. . like butter. I've had zero problems with mine.



What I suggest you do is drive each if at all possible and base your purchase decision on more important things. Ultimately you will be happy with either one. Just don't walk away from a good find just because it has a 5 speed!!!



For those of you with 5600's I've heard it all so don't start.

I couldn't agree more.

As far as the gentleman that pulls the 14k lb trailer, and outpulls his buddy, I would recommend his buddy getting his truck checked.

The six speed is a better transmission, there is no doubt there. However, the 5spd is a great transmission that is well proven. It does shift much nicer than the 6spd. You need to drive both before you pick. I did!

Big A

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Personally all this is 5600 chest pounding is silly

No "chest pounding" in my post. Just factual reasons why a six speed was better for me. Having said that, if you do not plan on towing or driving loaded, like to start out in 1st or don't mind the extra wear and tear on the clutch in 2nd, don't plan on put beefy tires on, don't plan on backing trailers, don't mind the lower resale value, jonsing for a lighter duty transmission, and are just looking for a daily driver commute rig - then by all means go for the 5spd.



PS: Plus, you get to join this group with this rep:

https://www.turbodieselregistry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123836



Posted today. Even though the nut problem has been fixed - you got the rep.

 

[Big A]

No "chest pounding" in my post. Just factual reasons why a six speed was better for me. Having said that, if you do not plan on towing or driving loaded, like to start out in 1st or don't mind the extra wear and tear on the clutch in 2nd, don't plan on put beefy tires on, don't plan on backing trailers, don't mind the lower resale value, jonsing for a lighter duty transmission, and are just looking for a daily driver commute rig - then by all means go for the 5spd.



PS: Plus, you get to join this group with this rep:

https://www.turbodieselregistry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123836



Posted today. Even though the nut problem has been fixed - you got the rep.

Sorry bud, But I do all of the above and have no problems. I guess before the 6spd was introduced, all CTDs were daily drivers

Big A

 

[BDMiller]

The bottom & top gear ratios are essentially the same on both 5 & 6 speed transmissions. So all other things being equal, there should be no differences in power or economy.

I drive a 5 speed & it is fine. The gear spacing between 3 & 4 is pretty wide but it doesn't bother me. I have never driven a 6 speed & would be curious to try one but I have no real complaints about the 5 speed.

Do you like to shift a lot or do you like to shift an awful lot?

 

[Cigar John]

The NV4500 probably does shift better with less rotating mass,but I love the H. O. that came with it.

 

[Mingoglia]

I too like my 5sp. The only reason why I would get a 6sp over the 5sp is because of the gap between 3rd and 4th pulling a trailer with the 5. My trailer is about 12k, and on long steep grades I have to bring it up to redline in 3rd to barely get above 40mph and switch gears. If I don't bring it to redline, I have to big of a jump to get into 4th and I lose speed. I have a 3. 55 ratio.



When I bought my truck I drove many 6speeds. I probably held out about a year and test drove several trucks during that time. The 5sp is such a better around town transmission. It truly shifts as smooth as the half ton Dodge I had several years ago.



yeah, there was a fifth gear nut problem on a range of years for these trucks. Other than that, I can't see the argument that it is inferior to the 6sp for OUR APPLICATION. Especially with a south bend clutch, these are more reliable than I think 99% of people with these trucks need.



Because of the smoothness, I would probably get the 5sp again if I had the choice between in and the 6sp. I tow 1-2 weekends a month. If the primary use of the truck was towing, I would get the 6th because of the gap issue.



Mike

'01 3500

 

[JTryles]

I had the NV4500 on my Y2K CTD and it was a decent transmission. The 6-sp was not available when I ordered my truck... came out about 3 months after! I ordered mine in the fall of '99. I had the transmission replaced under warranty when the 3rd gear synchro failed and I was stuck in 3rd gear! Luckily I was close to home late at night with no traffic so I was able to limp the beast home by using the clutch and appropriate amounts of throttle. There were a few 90 degree corners that were a bit fun though! I had a TST box on it though and I am sure that attributed to the demise of the 1st transmission at 30k/mi. The 2nd transmission was fine up until the day I sold it with about 80/k on the ticker.



I agree about the 3-4th gear "gap". I can see where it could be an issue when towing a very heavy load. My truck spent 90% of it's life unloaded and the other 10% towing a measly 3000 or so pounds so I never had an issue.

 

[mgoncalves]

You don't hear of people swapping their 6 speed for a 5 speed. I'm sure it's happened, but not very common.



I'd say if you want a 6 speed, then wait for one or you will never be happy with that 5 speed. If it does not matter, and you are comfortable with the very slight chance of transmission problems, then go for the truck you found with the 5 speed.



IMO, there are many other factors I'd be concerned with when buying a used truck with 100,000 miles.





Matt

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I guess before the 6spd was introduced, all CTDs were daily drivers

:-laf



Guess that's why they came out with the 6speed. Depends on your driving needs. Evaluate your needs, test drive both, and happy motoring.



On second thought, buy the 5 speeed. You can always convert later:

https://www.turbodieselregistry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121380

 

[willysrule]

when I was looking I drove both... I liked the 6er better... I have always liked closer gears (as in closer shifts, shift distance) so I put the short throw in mine... I drove my buddies 5 speed the other day and felt like I was shifting an old dump truck, felt like I needed my whole range of motion in my arm to go from one gear to the next... :-laf guess I got spoiled...



It's really a matter of opinion... like someone else said... don't pass up a truck that you like or a good deal cause it's a 5 speed...



I also test drove an '05 with the 6 speed today, I didn't like the feel of the transmission, it just seemed very loose between and going into gear... .