Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5spd or 6spd

[CRegal]

Catcracker... ... ... ... too bad your not looking for a 3500... ... . cause that is what I have..... with all the goodies... ..... to boot... ...

 

[klenger]

I had an 01 5 speed for 6 months and tranded it for an 01 6 speed. Cost me a few $1000, but now I have what I really wanted in the first place.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'll jump in and defend the 5 speed as well. When I first purchased my truck I didn't like the gap between 3rd and 4th. Once I put my first bomb on (original TST Powermax) I no longer noticed the gap at all. I've driven a few six speeds and I didn't really like them. The shift pattern was really tight and I found 3rd gear very hard to find. If there ever is a problem the 5 speed is also a lot cheaper and easier to rebuild. I lost 5th gear on mine a bit over 100,000 miles. I got a fully splined main shaft and new 5th gear from Blumenthals and when I took my transmission apart it looked like brand new inside with the exception of some wear on the 3rd gear synchro. That's after a lot of towing, off roading, and ~400 dragstrip runs at ~390 hp. I screwed up on the rebuild (first transmission I've ever opened up) and didn't measure the clearances on the mainshaft (one journal had been machined wrong) and toasted that transmission in less than 100 miles. But that was my rookie mistake and not one that I'd repeat. Looking at the 6 speed there's no way I'd attempt to rebuild one whereas I wouldn't hesitate to tear into my 5 speed again. For me I'm glad I have the 5 speed and wouldn't trade for a 6 speed even if someone offered to swap. JMHO

 

[JTroiano]

I agree with Steve, when I first towed with my five speed it was a big gap. After I put the Comp in it wasn't a problem. I am about 400-450 HP and had to do a clutch but it is working great. I would only rather have a six speed if I towed really heavy and that was the only use for the truck. If you drag race the five speed will be better. If you plan on tractor pulling I think the six speed would be stronger. I do think it really matters on what you are going to use the truck for.

Jon

 

[fredflinstone]

I agree that the five is deffinatelly easier to drive. I now have a 2001 six and I absolutly love it when I'm towing but the rest of the time it's an added gear and a pain in the uh but. Especially in traffic I have found that if I weren't planning on doing much pulling I would probably buy an automatic like my fathers truck wich is a heak of alot easier to drive the majority of the time when any traffic is involved. I also believe that if you really want to go fast and beat up on little ricers your best bet would be an auto with a few upgrades. Since truck transmission's are long throw and slow shifting (which means a loss of boost inbetween shifts), where as auto's can keep your boost level high becouse your rpm is allways up in the good boost levels. So in short I agree it all depends on what you plan to do. Just my two cents Seth

 

[DBoyd]

I have one of each and the 6 spd is much more enjoyable to drive. You won't regret waiting and getting what you want.

 

[GMOSS]

I own both. And after logging a few miles on the 6-speed, I prefer the 5-speed. It shifts considerably easier than the 6 and is alot nicer to drive in town. Look at the history of the NV4500, it has been around for a while behind stock and bombed Cummins. I think the 5th gear nut failure is not as common as it appears here on the boards. I currently have the stock nut with no problems, towing regularly and with a modified engine. Input shaft failures seem to go hand in hand with sled pulling and drag racing not the average daily driver/ tow vehicle. Just my 2 cents worth.



Glen

 

[thaile]

Guess that I will defend the five speed also. This transmission like they said has been around for a really long time and held up to a lot of abuse. As far as shifting goes you will really like the five speed much better than the six speed. The five speed will hold almost all the power you can get out of the truck with little problems. The fifth gear nut is a problem for some, but as for mine with 120000 on the truck it still has the same one and has done a lot of pulling at well over 18-24000 pds. MY truck is right now at 450 hp and except for the stock input shaft which gave it up last week while playing around it has held up really great. Anyways you can always upgrade to the larger shaft like I did when the stock one gives out and all you would have to do is have the centers changed out in your clutch or go with a new clutch. With a few bombs and a good clutch you won't even notice the differences in the gears. Just shift them and put the pedal down and enjoy the ride.

 

[John Berger]

I tow a 12. 5K 5'ver and have never experienced any problems pulling big grades with my 5 speed. Temperatures have never exceeded 210 degrees in the transmission while towing the 5'ver, either. I thought about the six speed when I first purchased the truck and that was in January of 1999. Six speeds were available, but not widely so. I didn't want to wait and opted for the more readily available 5 speed. I've kind of grown fond of my truck as it is and therefore have an in-grown bias towards the NV4500. When this one gets to the point of needing a re-build I may consider doing the 5 to 6 speed conversion, but hopefully that time is a good way down the road.

 

[CATCRACKER]

this will be the last truck that i buy for 10 years, no kidding. i want to know how hard the swap from the 5spd to 6spd is. i am going to bomb to about 400hp and it seems that according to steve it(5spd) will hold. i am flip flopping right now in my mind 5spd... 6spd... . 5spd... 6spd. if i go 5spd i can find one today. i go with the 6spd there is no telling how long. Are the 02 5spd's fully splined? why are the 5 spds so much easier and cheaper to work on. i like that aspect of it. i also like the fact that they seem to be more user friendly. when the fith gear gives up the ghost does it break other parts in the transmission?

 

[tarussell]

Both transmission's will hold up to serious power ! Just drive one of each and see how Ya' like them and let your SOP meter determine what you want. My choice is the six speed but I would have no problem w/ the 4500 if it were the only choice; it is also a fine transmission.



The way the case is made and the shaft retention method in the 5600 makes it more difficult to work on internally. Lots of pullers and a press are needed to work on one. The 4500 is alot more shadetree mechanic friendly and more of them are out there so parts availability will be better in ten years.



I don't know if the new 4500's are fully splined or not ????



My advice is get the truck that turns you on the most; either transmission is a fine choice ! Thomas

 

[John Berger]

Originally posted by CATCRACKER

... when the fith gear gives up the ghost does it break other parts in the transmission?

From what I understand, the truck feels like it is in neutral. No damage is done based upon testimony from members who have had this unfortunate experience.



As far as power holding ability, doesn't Joe D's pickup have a 5 speed? His truck has dyno'd at 603 HP. That tells me the 5 speeds can hold the power. The clutch is another story, which as I understand it is the only weak link in the 5 speeds. To much torque applied via abusive driving (sled pulling, trying to do burn outs from a stop with the heavy 5'ver hooked up, downshifting at to high an RPM, etc. ) can tear up the best built transmission.