Advise Needed- Auto Or Stick

[dozzer]

I have a 04. 5 auto, thinking of trading for a 06 dually. I used to drive a stick and got tired of shifting because it was a work truck with trailer always in heavy traffic. Now my current truck is pleasure driven only (dinner, vacations and such) and I have a few questions for those that have them.

1. Is the 06 a 6 speed?

2. is it reliable?

3. Better mileage (getting 15 to 19 now highway)



I tow every now and then, boat 9000#

Was thinking about grabbing an 06 and waiting a couple years to see what changes come out in 07 and if a new engine is brought out, give it some time to see if it has any problems.



Thanks for any input...

 

[pwr2tow]

1. yes, the six speed is the G56 which has a lower (higher numerically) which puts the RPM's up there pretty high for every day driving but from what I have read doesn't seem to affect mileage much. Better for towing. The 6 speed also only comes with 3:73 gears.



2. really can not answer but I would say just as reliable or more than the 2003-2004. 5 models. I would assume just as reliable as the 2005 which seems very reliable at this point but they have only been out for 1 1/2 years.



3. fuel mileage is very subjective, I have seen high and low for all year models, it's pretty much a crap shot. The threads I have read about fuel mileage for the 06 seems they start out poor but after a few miles seem to get better.



Hope this helps.

 

[JMingledorff]

The one I have on order is a stick... thats b/c it is mainly going to be a towing truck, not a daily driver. I sold an 04. 5 6 speed for my current truck b/c I moved to downtown Atl and got sick of the stick in bumper to bumper traffic all of the time.



For what it sounds like your plans are I would get the auto. You aren't towing that much weight. If you leave it stock you shouldn't have a problem. If you bomb it plan on some transmission upgrades. Don't expect to see your mileage go up.

 

[klenger]

I've never even driven a truck with an auto. Nuf said?

 

[TowPro]

I had a 98 with 5 speed that I traded in 02 on my dually with an automatic. There was nothing wrong with the 98, I just got a deal I could not pass up on the 02.



I hate the 02. Sure its a 47re trans but I just hate automatics. towing at 65 it keeps on wanting to down shift. Every time you hit the fuel pedal the rpm's go up to 2500, The convertor shutters every time it shifts into OD, I hate having something mechanical decide what gear I should be in. I just hate automatics. I can't believe I kept if for 3 years, but it was not a daily driver. Now that my jetta got totaled it is the daily driver. I took the money from the Jetta crash and put it down on an 06 6 speed.



The 06 with the new 6 speed with 3:73's is only 1 MPH slower at 2000 rpm then the 02 with the auto/4:10's.

2002 - 2000rpm=65mph

2006 - 2000rpm=64mph.

The 06 has bigger tires then the 02 which helps also.

 

[Okie-Go]

I have a 2wd 06 six speed drw and got 17. 2 when I filled up last night. This is in town some and driving to work on the freeway about 14 miles to and from work. Don't let the fuel mileage scare you. So far I am fairly happy with my mileage. Truck has 2600 miles on it.

 

[DaveK98]

Wife doesn't drive stick, I have stick!

 

[JCleary]

I like my six-speed, as long as I'm not trying to race someone.



I have driven both an '06 Megacab w/ a G56 and an '06 Megacab with a 48re. The G56 shifts way better than the NV5600, and the gearing is really well suited to towing (or a lift w/ big tires). The new autos are nice, too.



If I had to do it again, I'd get an auto. But I'd also have the $$$ in my budget to build it right. There's nothing like having a built auto trans. It will do what you want when you want, and hold all the power you can throw at it. Plus it's a lot easier to race with.

 

[hasselbach]

I like my six-speed, as long as I'm not trying to race someone.



I have driven both an '06 Megacab w/ a G56 and an '06 Megacab with a 48re. The G56 shifts way better than the NV5600, and the gearing is really well suited to towing (or a lift w/ big tires). The new autos are nice, too.



If I had to do it again, I'd get an auto. But I'd also have the $$$ in my budget to build it right. There's nothing like having a built auto trans. It will do what you want when you want, and hold all the power you can throw at it. Plus it's a lot easier to race with.

Agreed! I had a 04. 5 auto, and didn't like the stock trans, so bought a 05 6 speed (nv5600). Now I wish after modding my motor I had a modded auto. Its a real pain in the tail to launch and shift quickly like an auto can. Once she's underway, its not to bad.



I drove in Brett Williams Industrial Injection's truck with the ATS auto. .



HOLY COW :--)

 

[blacksheep4x4]

1. yes, the six speed is the G56 which has a lower (higher numerically) which puts the RPM's up there pretty high for every day driving but from what I have read doesn't seem to affect mileage much. Better for towing. The 6 speed also only comes with 3:73 gears.



2. really can not answer but I would say just as reliable or more than the 2003-2004. 5 models. I would assume just as reliable as the 2005 which seems very reliable at this point but they have only been out for 1 1/2 years.



3. fuel mileage is very subjective, I have seen high and low for all year models, it's pretty much a crap shot. The threads I have read about fuel mileage for the 06 seems they start out poor but after a few miles seem to get better.



Hope this helps.

I found that putting a little bit taller tire on my trucks helps out alot on milage and drivability.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I'm about to go back to a six speed. I had an 01 HO with the NV5600. I have not been as happy with the 05 auto. Probably because I just prefer a stick. The auto just doesn't seem to have the power the stick has. I'm going to test drive one this afternoon and then make the final decision.

 

[LStanphill]

6 months and 65,000 miles. My 48RE has overheated twice, scortched the fluid, tows a 28,000 lb trailer and has 0 problems to date.



My G56 runs cool as a cuecumber and has cratered twice. Go Figure... .



I love the stick only because it does not kick in and out of OD every time you put your foot in it on a hill or need to pass someone.



The G56 is a good product, I think i just got one with demons in it or something.

 

[hasselbach]

, I think i just got one with demons in it or something.

Or you got one with those weak plastic gears... :-laf

 

[cerberusiam]

tows a 28,000 lb trailer

I can see why the auto overheated and the G56 cratered!!! :--)





Good lord man, get an FL for that trailer!!!!!!! ... and lose the plastic gears! :-laf :-laf

 

[RJOL]

I've never even driven a truck with an auto. Nuf said?

Wow Ken... "NEVER"... Both my CTD's have been manuals, but I've used to own a Ford Auto... You really need to get out more...

 

[dozzer]

Thankyou all for your input, I have about two weeks to make a decision and as of right now I think it will be a six speed but I will keep reading. Thank you again.

 

[klenger]

Wow Ken... "NEVER"... Both my CTD's have been manuals, but I've used to own a Ford Auto... You really need to get out more...

OK, I'll correct my statement. I have driven trucks with an auto, but they were not mine. I've never test driven a truck with an auto when I was shopping. I've owned the following: 1978 Jeep J10 with a T-18 4 speed, 2001. 5 CTD with the NV4500 and 3. 54's , 2001. 5 with the NV5600 and 4. 10's , and my current 2004. 5 with the NV5600 with 3. 73's . I would not hesitate getting the G56 if I was buying now. The gear ratios would be great for towing. I almost never run empty at highway speeds, so the higher RPM's don't scare me. FWIW, I've owned a couple of Jeep SUV's with autos.

 

[TowPro]

OK, I'll correct my statement. 2001. 5 CTD with the NV4500 and 3. 54's , 2001. 5 with the NV5600 and 4. 10's ,

What was wrong with the NV4500 with 3:54's? Did you have trans trouble or did the final ratio bother you. In my 98 NV4500 I wished I had 3:08's!

 

[klenger]

What was wrong with the NV4500 with 3:54's? Did you have trans trouble or did the final ratio bother you. In my 98 NV4500 I wished I had 3:08's!

Too big of a gap between 3rd and 4th gears. Plus, with the 3. 54's, I couldn't tow in 5th because the RPM's were too low and RPM's were too high in 4th. I traded after 6 months to get the NV5600 / 4. 10. It was a great truck. Sold it to get the 04. 5 because I wanted a 3rd gen. :-laf