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

[Gary - K7GLD]

"No matter what transmission you get don't get the 3:54 rear end the 24 valve loves to run about 2000 rpm with a 4:10 ratio the eng turns about 2200 with 225x16 tires. A 2500 with tall tires will make even less Eng revs. You will get great fuel MPG ,but you won't have any power to pull small hills in 5th or 6th gear"





Well, I sure have no problem towing our 7000 lb trailer up 7% grades in 6th gear - 65 mph, and a slight touch of the throttle would probably hit 90 or better - if the trailer and my wife could take it...



'Course, I'm cheating and have the Comp box - but even without it, could still run 6th in the hills, and only dropped into 5th on the REAL steep grades - or when road conditions and traffic forced me to slow down too much for 6th...



The 6 speed is nearly twice as heavy a transmission as the 5 speed - has no significant weaknesses - certainly no "lost 5th gear" issues... Wouldn't trade mine for a truckload of 5 speeds! and don't forget - when you sign for the 6 speed, ya get a High Output angine as well!

 

[clem]

Originally posted by WadePatton





Yeah, thas the ticket-8 speeds!

I'm always reaching for 7th.



And with 265 tires and a 3. 54 I'm plenty happy pulling hills. (Will be much more happier with the comp/275's installed. )



I would only recommend the 4. 10 for daily heavy hauling or mountain climbing or non-highway use.



A 3. 54 ratio and a fueling mod should be much more fun than a 4. 10 and no mod. And a SIXER!

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by Oxjockey

With the 6 spd and the 3. 54s @ 70MPH I'm right at 2000 RPMs. The motor seems to like it, and going up to 80 makes it less happy...

Move over pokey. . mine is right at 2200 for 80 and very happy. 6/3. 54/265's



And I'll make an addendum to the my previous statement above (thanks for the quote clem).



4. 10's might also be used for oversized tires, depending on how big.

 

[athompson]

The 5sp is only rated for 460 ft-lb of torque, while the 6sp is rated for 550 ft-lb of torque. This tells me that the 6sp is a beefier transmission.



I have the 6sp with the 3. 54s and 265 tires. I was very pleased with this setup on my last trip to Utah (cruise set at 80, 6th all the way). The only time I "had" to slow down on the hills (including a long 6% grade) was because the idiot in front of my didn't realize that the "Slower traffic keep right" sign meant him. A couple of beeps of the horn and the little Honda from California (poor thing was going as fast as it could) move back to the right lane.



In fact, I think they should have put another od gear in the thing and made it a 7sp.



In case you couldn't tell, I wouldn't recommend anything but the 6sp.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Are y'all with 6 speeds skipping a gear or two when running light and if so which one/'s.

 

[Oxjockey]

Originally posted by WadePatton





Move over pokey. . mine is right at 2200 for 80 and very happy. 6/3. 54/265's

lol!



I skip 1st, but have skipped 3rd as well. Really can't get a good jump on anyone before hitting 4th if you're racing. Sometimes it seems like second is too short, and I often feel like if I had an ounce more power I could start more regularly in 3rd.



Bryan

 

[klenger]

Other than 1st, I always use them all. No big deal to shift one more time.

 

[WadePatton]

Yeah, 2-6 is my regular shifting. My trick for racing is never letting the race start before you've shifted into 4th--or 5th is even better.



I wonder how the drag racers shift the six?



Oh I did "drag race" last night. Some punk in a 3G 1500 was on my butt, for a couple of lights. So at the last light I took off slow until he could pull around, then I nailed it and he stayed right with me up to 50 or 60. Next thing I know he's way off the back. Don't know what happened, I went on up to 100 just because I could and he never came back up close. Go figure.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I pretty much ALWAYS use only 3 gears when empty - usually 2nd to 4th to 5th - or 6th in freeway situations. Of course, I take off lightly in 2nd - no clutch slipping - and rev the rpm enough to make the skip shift with no lugging on the engine. Now, with the addition of the Comp, the extra power delivers a significantly broader torque range, and less shifting. Don't get me wrong, I don't abuse or FORCE the engine at low rpm - I simply drive it easy and don't get in a big rush - fairly easy out here in the sticks!



Towing is a different situation - no skip shifts, and unless in a downhill situation, use all gears...



I didn't buy this thing to drag race - actually traded in a '98 Camaro SS for it - now, I just want a powerful and reliable tow machine - and willing to baby this truck a little to GET that reliability... Except in the hills - THEN, when ya see me coming in yer rearview mirror, pull on over - I'M COMMIN' ON BY!

 

[tarussell]

Start out in second gear and go through sixth gear when empty. I tried second,fourth,and sixth but did not like it. I always start out in first when towing.

 

[klenger]

The only way that I race my truck is with the 5er connected and going up a pass at 10,000 feet.

 

[WadePatton]

At the drive-thru



I shut it off to order and receive my whatever. And they think I'm a nice guy.



Then I put 'er in first and ROAR AWAY!



The point is first can be used in lots of low-speed applications, not just towing.

 

[THancock]

I love the 6sp w/3. 55s! Just got back from a trip to Indiana pulling my trailer and got 14. 5 avg. Never had to gear down even once, even while going up and down the Rockies, but good to know that if I had to I could still do 75mph in 5th.

I never use 1st gear, way to low for anything but creeping up some real rocky trail. Truck starts out just fine while pulling in 2nd. I could see using 1st if I had a 10K load on or something, but with much less, 2nd works great.