6 speeds?

[cgoder]

Anyone out there that has 80,000 miles or more on stick with no promblems? Need input. Waited until last minute to decide what truck to order. :--) Thanks, Guys

 

[TPCDrafting]

I have around 83k on the 5 speed. No probs yet. Would like the 6 for the tighter span between the gears when pulling heavy loads. If your not going to pull much over 5k lbs, save the dough and go with the 5. I pull a 5 horse GN trailer that's old and heavy when empty, but when full I'd like the 6 for climbing/decending. I'm not helping though am I?

 

[klenger]

If you are considering a manual transmission, get the 6 speed. I think it's a great improvement over the 5 speed, even empty. There is always a correct gear to use. I pull a 10K 5er all over the mountains of Colorado with a HO / 6 speed that is bone stock, and never have any problems. I just love passing empty Toyota's on the passes while I'm pulling my 5er.

 

[wyosteve]

I have 69+k on my 01 6 spd. No problems and am just getting ready to change transmission oil. Probably 1/2 of the miles were pulling from 10-15k trailers.

 

[MikeR]

My buddy Evan Beck has 80,000mi on his 6spd and he has had zero problems with it.



I am up to 71,000mi on my 6spd, and I too have had no problems with the trans even with over 400hp most of its life.



-Mike

 

[Wheaties]

The 6-speed took some getting used to, but I love mine! 30k.



Matt

 

[Rob Thomas]

Well I don't have 80,000 miles,but i do have 55,000 miles and no problems on my 6-speed. I'd get it again if I ordered another truck, I love it!



Later, Rob

 

[rspinks]

I have only 6000mi, but

I feel obliged to point out that some NV5600's have a cold temperature (32f and lower) gear clash problem and there is a TSB out to fix it. It's not a major problem because it goes away after the transmission starts to warm up, but I find it irritating. Apparently this is on Feb '01 and earlier trannys.



Aside from this minor annoyance I love this transmission, and the gear ratios are great. I grab 4 or 5 downshifts and 6 upshifts at every light because I love shifting this truck, matching engine revs, double clutching just for fun and making noise with the might cummins diesel!



RS

 

[rspinks]

oops

I see you're ordering a new one so please ignore my complaint I just posted.

 

[Bigsaint]

Go for it !!! I love mine, though I don't have alot of miles on it the trans. has shifted as smooth as silk since day one ( well, about as silk like as a HD trans. can shift, anyway ). Nothing like kickin and stickin with the NV5600 .



Scott W.

 

[T-Ricky]

Had a five speed in my 94 and it worked great for 150000 miles. My 00 has a six speed and is great accelerating through the gears. When it comes to those pesky hills here in the west at highway speed, I liked the 5 speed. It did not raise the RPM as much as the 6 speed. Also towing (GCVW 20163 #) at 60 with the 6 speed, 6th is to high and 5th is to low. Maybe with the Blue Chip FMS, B1(if it ever shows up) and DD2s I will never have to shift out of Sixth gear again until smoke comes from the clutch. I better find SBC's number. Having said this I still recomend the Six speed.



Rick

 

[Ted Constantine]

40k no problems at all.

 

[csevers]

67k miles and counting

And driven like a little old lady with no problems (ya right) I would always prefer the 6spd

 

[cgoder]

Thanks everyone!

I think I made up my mind. You read so much info its hardto decide. Whats the most bombing i can do before I have to upgrade the clutch?

 

[T-Ricky]

I'll let you know about how much bombing and the clutch issue in a couple of weeks. One of the reasons I Bought the Blue Chip FMS was the capability of reducing the fueling in 1% increments. If I feel the clutch going I will defuel a little untill I get a new clutch.



Rick

 

[Diesel Freak]

61K here



I have the cold weather gear clash going into Third... . not a big issue here in Oregon it does not get that cold where I live, but the clash can get irritating. I think the problems most people have with this transmission stem from trying to shift it like a Mazda Miata... ... the NVG5600 does not like to be muscled... it takes a little finesse

 

[DHawthorne]

72,000 on mine, no majors yet. Still have a little problem with third on a wide intermitent basis. Some time it just wants to grind going in. Does not do it all the time, just every other month or so.

It could be me also. The other thing I've noticed is if your in third gear, and pull it out to nuetural, and go back into third, it will grind a little, not a hard grid, just don't go in clean. This one has been doing that since I got the truck. No lift pump change yet. Truck is still stock. Pulls my 35ft 5fer at 13-14mpg at 60mph flat land.

 

[rashwor]

107,000 on 5 sp - No problems yet

I wanted one of the rare ETC 6 speeds when the first came out in '99, but could not find one (sold like hotcakes). Had to have a truck so I bought the 5 speed. I think the 6 speed would be better for towing, but the 5 speed and my fat foot get the job done! 107,000 miles and no problems yet. Oo.

 

[kchristopher]

Originally posted by T-Ricky

Had a five speed in my 94 and it worked great for 150000 miles. My 00 has a six speed and is great accelerating through the gears. When it comes to those pesky hills here in the west at highway speed, I liked the 5 speed. It did not raise the RPM as much as the 6 speed. Also towing (GCVW 20163 #) at 60 with the 6 speed, 6th is to high and 5th is to low. Maybe with the Blue Chip FMS, B1(if it ever shows up) and DD2s I will never have to shift out of Sixth gear again until smoke comes from the clutch. I better find SBC's number. Having said this I still recomend the Six speed.



Rick

I'm not sure how this is happening other than different final drive ratio. The 5600 6th is almost identical to the 4500 5th. The 5600 5th is identical to the 4500 4th. The 5 speed should have raised the rpm more than the 6 speed on the hills because the 5600 4th is lower numerically than the 4500 3rd.

 

[hcpBILL]

ETC 6 Speed

I only have 30K on my 6 speed in my '00 3500, no problems. Mine has only a tiny hint of a grind going into 3rd when cold, not enough to fuss over. I have read that the early 6 speeds had some quality problems, not mine. I just changed the MTX grease and saw nothing abnormal.

Bill