6 Spd. HD vs. Std. 6 SPD and are the gears really PLASTIC??

[Gifford]

I am getting ready to replace my 97 12v (250K on truck) and although I've had unusually good luck with my auto trans, I'd really like to try manual this time around. (I have the original 47Re trans and the only problem I've had is a bad abrasion leak on the aluminum cooler lines, and other leaks which I have not ever tried to fix) FWIW, I've only rarely done complete fluid changes but when the leak was bad, I was adding 2-3 qts every few days and I have the mag hytech trans pan on it, the shop that fixed the lines on it told me "Whatever your doing to this truck, keep on doing it because NOBODY gets more than 100K miles out those 47re's!"



I am going to order this truck since none of the dealers ever have the packages I want, and am wondering what benefits the optional HD 6 speed offers?



BTW, my 97 12V runs exactly the same today as it did the day I bought it, this motor (preaching to the choir, I know... ) is one of the finest pieces of engineering to ever come out of the US auto industry- period!

 

[tp0d]

your shop is giving you the BS line... my dad's stock 99 went 139k on the original 47re with only oil changes, and it was a 100% work truck, loaded to almost GVW all the time, and occasionally pulled trailers. . he has an 05 now with the 48re, thing runs great.



as for the gears, I dont think they've made a plastic yet that can mesh quite as good as a well machined steel gear...



-j

 

[robert4570]

your shop is giving you the BS line... my dad's stock 99 went 139k on the original 47re with only oil changes, and it was a 100% work truck, loaded to almost GVW all the time, and occasionally pulled trailers. . he has an 05 now with the 48re, thing runs great.



as for the gears, I dont think they've made a plastic yet that can mesh quite as good as a well machined steel gear...



-j

BS ? Not really , my 99 along with plenty others have had auto trans problems early on. Your dad's truck along with my buddy's work truck are the exception , in my opinion.

No reason but some just are bullet proof go figure.

 

[mberry]

It's just wrong that guys like Gifford make posts like this when I have no cash to take that 12V off his hands!



Since no one else has answered your question, if you get a Cummins you get the HD version of the trans. I believe only the 1500 gets the STD version of the 6spd.

 

[LDobie]

By "6 Speed HD" are you going by the 6 month outdated Dodge website?? That reference is to the NV5600, which was discontinued somewheres around January, so any 05'. 5 6 spd trucks will have the G56 transmission (this thread could open up a big can of worms again... :-laf )



You might be in luck though, as there are still MY '05's with the NV5600 on some lots, getting exactly what you want might be difficult, but you can get a whail of a deal. The dealers have a great program where they can search much more specific and efficiently than we can for certain vehicles with certain options. Good luck!!

 

[Gifford]

auto trans'

Mberry- yer not too far from me, THe truck is a 97 12v SLT 4x4 long bed extra cab with TST #6, Cummins chrome intake, (NO egt, No cat) and a Denver Offroad front bumper (The beautiful Ute one!) lots of other mods (stereo system alotta stuff from Genos etc) It gets 20 mpg (if you stay outta the throttle and don't exceed 60mph which is hard to do sometimes) I am NOT going to trade it in as the dealer's value of the truck is insulting, so I'm just going to hang on to it.





LDobie- Yes I was referring to the website "Build your truck" thing which still lists as of yesterday) a HD 6 speed verses a std. 6 speed, so thats just a typo referring to last years models? figures...



tpod: I think evidence is more than anecdotal that the Dodge auto trannies have issues. Some members here have had 3, 4, 5, even 6 transmission replacements on 2nd gen trucks. I personally think the repetitive failures are related to the heat exchanger on the engine block. When the trans grenades, it sends debris throughout the system and if the cooling system is not thouroughly flushed a whole lotta junk gets fed right back into the new trans.

 

[SRadke]

There is only one 6 speed offered behind the Cummins today.



-Scott