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

[CATCRACKER]

i am looking for a 01 or 02 6spd but i am thinking about settling for a 5spd. Do the newer 5spd's still have the problem of the 5th gear nut backing off. how much different does it feel to tow with the six speed. is the six speed made any differently than the five speed other than and extra gear? what are some main reasons that one might be better than the other

 

[Pit Bull]

Look in the last couple of issues of the TDR. They show a 5 speed next to a 6 speed. Kinda looks like a Ricer next to one of our trucks. The 6 speed is way more heavy duty. Cat, your wife told you, you could get the new truck, don't get all excited and compromise. Get the 6 speed HO. Take your time one is out there for you. Good luck

 

[kevincook]

If your going to do any towing, go with the 6 speed!



Just my . 02 worth!



KC

 

[John Berger]

If they don't have the fully splined mainshaft in the newer 5 speeds, I would suspect that they are susceptible to the 5th gear nut backing off. The 6 speed is over 100 pounds heavier than the 5 speed, but the NV4500 is no slouch when it comes to heavy duty use. You won't have to shift as much around town, either. If I were buying a new truck today, I don't know which I would choose. You won't go wrong with either transmission, IMO.

 

[athompson]

Six speed or bust

If you plan on driving the truck, get the 6 speed.

 

[RustyJC]

If you're going to be towing heavy (we tow a 13,500 lb 5th wheel), you'll really appreciate the tighter gear spacing of the 6-speed. The 5-speed has (IMHO) some pretty wide gaps to traverse. With the 6-speed, you always have the gear you need.



Well, almost always. With these 4. 10's, I often wish for a 7th gear (a taller OD).



Rusty

 

[athompson]

Even with the 3. 54s and 315s I wish it had at least a 7th gear (second overdrive).

 

[CATCRACKER]

found the truck tell me what you think $27,999 slt. QC. 4x4. 6spd 9000 miles. i found the same truck for 25995 but it had already sold.

 

[RustyJC]

What year? My truck (see signature on prior post) was $33K and change ordered new and delivered in August, 2002.



It probably depends on the market in New Orleans - I guess a pretty good indication is that the other truck sold for $25,995.



Rusty

 

[Hohn]

Run, don't walk....

SPrint your hiney over there and BUY THAT TRUCK! That's a good deal, and it's the truck you want. Who cares what color it is if it's got all the runnign gear you seek!



9000 miles-- that thing isn't even broken in. You will probably not get this opportunity again. . This is the boat I was in when I bought my '02 (although I bought new). They had to go to TN to find one exactly the way I wanted, and I am so glad I acted when I did.



Maybe I could have got a better deal (I paid $31. 5K new), but it was PERFECTLY equipped, and I was willing to pay the extra to get exactly what I wanted, and have them bring it to me from 450 miles away.



Tell us how quickly you are able to buy it. You ARE buying it, right???



hehe

HOHN

 

[Okie-Go]

6 speed is the way to go. I have yet to talk to a person that does not like his truck with the 6spd. (Especially when you had a box of some sort and a set of 275 injectors. )

 

[NVR FNSH]

It depends on what you're doing with the truck.



Here are a couple of links to previous discussions.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50108



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59845



Brian

 

[tarussell]

The 4500 is a GREAT transmission and the 5600 is EVEN BETTER in my opinion ! Pull something real heavy and you will love the gear splits - they are perfect !!!!!!



The 4500 is a top loader and the 5600 uses the bell housing as part of the shaft retension . They are built way different from each other . The five speed is really big but the six speed is HUGE !!!!



Besides you will get a bigger flywheel and input shaft as O. E. M. parts if you opt for a 5600 . Either one is good - can't go wrong either way.



Thomas

 

[CRegal]

I have towed with both, & the 6speed is eaiser for towing. Around town kind of sux compared to the 5 speed. The only downside I have with my 6speed, & its a pretty annoying one, is the fact that since I put in a sbc, it has hard shifts. I know there is a fix post going on, & I am going to try that. But if that doesnt fix it, I wish I either left my stock clutch in, or had a 5 speed.



If you dont plan to bomb the truck heavily, then the six speed will suit you just fine.

 

[CATCRACKER]

to answer rusty it was a 2002. the only problem it was a 5spd. i am going to listen to you guys and wait on the 6spd to show up.



chant with me now. ready go! Oo. ..... I WANT A 6 SPEEDOo. ... ... I WANT A 6 SPEED... ...



Oo. I WANT A 6 SPEED..... Oo. I WANT A 6 SPEED:-laf Oo.

 

[KMeek]

Solely for the sake of argument I will defend the 5 speed. It is my understanding from many posts on here that the 5 speed nut problem has been solved and is NOT a problem on the 2001-2002 trucks. I have an EZ and a 5 speed and can tell you without hesitation that the 5 speed is great for towing up to @ 7,000 pounds and maybe more. I weighed my truck last summer with my 5th wheel and came in at 14,100 pounds. With the EZ I was able to always easily pull all the Mountain passes between Montana and Seattle with ease in 4th gear. I never felt the need for the extra gear and have driven trucks with manual transmissions for 30 years. On the other hand my former Dodge V-10 with the same 5 speed desperately needed a 6 speed because I would often have to tow in 3rd gear over the same passes with the same trailer. In short, with the EZ and a trailer at about 7,000 pounds you will most likely not need the 6 speed or miss not having it.



And that is all I have to say about that.

 

[CATCRACKER]

Originally posted by KMeek

[. I never felt the need for the extra gear and have driven trucks with manual transmissions for 30 years. On the other hand my former Dodge V-10 with the same 5 speed desperately needed a 6 speed because I would often have to tow in 3rd gear over the same passes with the same trailer. In short, with the EZ and a trailer at about 7,000 pounds you will most likely not need the 6 speed or miss not having it.

And that is all I have to say about that. [/B]

i like it! ... good job, keep the opinions coming i can be swayed they have a 5 speed waiting on me right now. The real ques. is can the 5 speed hold the 400 horses i will be pouring through it as well as the six speed (of course after the southbend)

 

[mcehand]

looking for a new truck?

Catcracker,

I hear that there is a new 01,02 4x4 loaded at Champion Dodge 1800 3634368 It has been in there inventory sense then, if you beat on them they might make a good deal on it.

Just bought from them and had a great experience. Rick Pratt is who I dealt with. For sure they will try and get as much $ as possible but beat them up a little and you might find a good deal



Michael

 

[CATCRACKER]

Re: looking for a new truck?

Originally posted by mcehand

Catcracker,

I hears that there is a new 01,02 4x4 loaded at Champion Dodge 1800 3634368 It has been in there invatory sense then, if you beat on them they might make a good deal on it.

Just bought from them and had a great experence. Rick Pratt is who I delt with. For sure they will try and get as much $ as possible but beat them up a little and you might find a good deal



Michael

mike,

thanks for the lead i will check it out. if anyone else knows where a truck similar to my signature is let me know. i called they dont have the truck i am looking for but they are going to help me find one kentucky is not that far from la.

 

[lcoblentz]

Here is a quick comparison of the two:



NV5600 6 speed

Ratios:

1st 5. 63

2nd 3. 38

3rd 2. 04

4th 1. 39

5th 1. 00

6th 0. 73

R 5. 63

Input Shaft: 1-3/8" 10 spline

GCVWR: 26, 000 lb

Input torque rating 550 ft-lb

Clutch dia = 13"



NV4500HD 5 speed

Ratios:

1st 5. 61

2nd 3. 04

3rd 1. 67

4th 1. 00

5th 0. 75

R 5. 04

Input shaft: 1-1/4" 10 spline

Max GCVWR: 21,000 lb

Input torque rating: 460 ft-lb

Clutch dia = 12. 3"



What can we tell from this? According to the numbers, the 6-speed is a stronger transmission, with a larger clutch and capable of pulling greater loads. 5 speed 1st through 4th vs 6 speed 1st through 5th gets you to the same place (i. e. 4th gear in 5 speed is 1:1 and 5th gear in the 6 speed is 1:1) overdrives are virtually the same, a bit more "overdrive" on the 6 speed. So, the real differences are strength and the "gear split". The 6 speed fits the Cummins powerband better. It is much easier to stay in the "boost range" with a 6 speed.



As far as "needing and extra gear", the 6 speed doesn't give you much more top end speed than a 5 speed. It does the same thing as the speed with closer ratios that add an additional "split" from low to direct drive.



Your choice (like most things in life) . I chose the 6-speed and am very glad I did. Much easier to tow with and drive around in the mountains than my old NV4500.



Larry