6 speed or auto?

[Archive]

I hate to admit it... I used to have a 1500 short bed QC and I test drove a CTD on a whim... . well, I was bitten.



I purchased a 3. 54 automatic because my wife can't drive a stick and I was feeling kind.



I now understand that I have less of a turbo and rear axle, and towing will have to be done in direct which winds up pretty high.



If I upgrade to an HO 6spd, does anyone know of a dealer that will deal on a truck that has to be ordered??? I don't mind paying a small price for the change, but I can't take a big jump.



Ideas???

 

[Fireman Dave]

You should be able to get the best price on a truck that is ordered. The reason is that if it never sits on their lot, they don't pay any interest on it to their bank. They can't afford to cut you as good of a deal on a truck on the lot because they have more into it the longer it sits there. Also, don't deal with a sales person. They have to get a commission. You'll get a better deal from the fleet or sales manager (whoever the top dog is). They work on salary, not commission.

 

[Ethdee]

Consider that for much less than the hit you'd take, you can have your transmission beefed up and add a few ft. lbs of torque to the engine you have.



Many have done that and are extremely happy.



Ethdee

 

[Fireman Dave]

Jim is right about the mods. Also, I have the same set up as you, and I'm very happy stock. I tow my 6k TT in 3rd and like it. The 6 speed is nice, though - as long as you don't mind shifting. Do you do much stop and go driving?

 

[Un-Hemi]

The current thinking is that with the automatic, a 4. 10 rear gear is the better choice. I have the auto with 3. 54s, though, and have towed 6200 lbs across the Rockies with little trouble. Most of the time, I was in O/D lockup. There were really very few times when the engine was buzzed that much. Common sense is a useful tool in these cases.



My eventual goal is to change to 4. 10 gears and install a Gear Vendors overdrive. That would give me the best of both worlds (albeit expensive) :{

 

[MikeR]

d. miner,



You are only a few hours drive away from Dave Smith Dodge. Call them up, get a price quote on the new truck and see how much you'd get for your trade in.

Back in late '99, I ordered a '00 6spd from them and was trading them my 7 month old '99 5spd (identical trucks), and I was only losing about $1500 out of the whole entire deal.

 

[mbrolin]

You could also try Tom Addis Dodge in CourDelene,Idaho. We dealt strictly over the phone when trading my 99 for the 01HO. Please dont be offended if I spelled the town wrong.