Best upgrade for the automatic 48re? 6 speed

[hasselbach]

Okay, for the past 6 months I have been looking at upgrading my 04. 5 48re. . Couldn't decide between DTT single disc or the Suncoast, ATS triple. Then there was the converter lock box upgrade, billet shaft, and of course the valve body and 2 inch deeper pan. Holy cow! $3500 for all this. So I decided the BEST upgrade was to order a 05 6 speed and get the new G56 transmission. To all that think this is a Getrag, its not, its a Mercedes transmission so I hear that has been in use for sometime now. I drove one the other day and it felt great. Smooth shifting and a super low 1st gear. The best part is, the whole swap is costing me $3500 to trade my 12,000 mile 04. 5 for a 05. Exactly what the auto upgrade would have cost. But this time I got leather, the GPS radio, and heated front seats... Supposed to pick it up in February.



I just hope no one read the posts where I mentioned the automatic was superior to the 6er (at least non-Allison autos).



Now for the first mod. . Exhaust Brake!

 

[jimnance]

Happy to hear you are happy with the six speed in the '05. I guess I must be in the minority, but my six speed in my '03 hasn't given me a bit of trouble. Maybe you guys that are having problems just aren't pulling enough. <BIG GRIN>

 

[JCleary]

Happy to hear you are happy with the six speed in the '05. I guess I must be in the minority, but my six speed in my '03 hasn't given me a bit of trouble. Maybe you guys that are having problems just aren't pulling enough. <BIG GRIN>

My 6-speed hasn't given me any trouble, but I do notice it's easier to drive with a load than without. Much smoother, but I don't really understand why.

 

[LightmanE300]

Hasselbach, it was you who argued so passionately forever about how automatics were better than manuals, and the 48re was such a better choice. What's changed your mind 180 degrees? I'd never seen anyone argue more strongly for an automatic.



Saying you 'mentioned' the auto was better is the understatement of the year! :-laf

 

[Bertram65]

Okay, for the past 6 months I have been looking at upgrading my 04. 5 48re. . Couldn't decide between DTT single disc or the Suncoast, ATS triple. Then there was the converter lock box upgrade, billet shaft, and of course the valve body and 2 inch deeper pan. Holy cow! $3500 for all this. So I decided the BEST upgrade was to order a 05 6 speed and get the new G56 transmission. To all that think this is a Getrag, its not, its a Mercedes transmission so I hear that has been in use for sometime now. I drove one the other day and it felt great. Smooth shifting and a super low 1st gear. The best part is, the whole swap is costing me $3500 to trade my 12,000 mile 04. 5 for a 05. Exactly what the auto upgrade would have cost. But this time I got leather, the GPS radio, and heated front seats... Supposed to pick it up in February.



I just hope no one read the posts where I mentioned the automatic was superior to the 6er (at least non-Allison autos).



Now for the first mod. . Exhaust Brake!

That's a pretty awsome deal, especialy if the '04. 5 did not have leather.

 

[hasselbach]

Hasselbach, it was you who argued so passionately forever about how automatics were better than manuals, and the 48re was such a better choice. What's changed your mind 180 degrees? I'd never seen anyone argue more strongly for an automatic.



Saying you 'mentioned' the auto was better is the understatement of the year! :-laf

You are sorta of right. I like how my Allison trans works in my dmax, but I hate the 48re, which I have said from the beginning. The converter is junk, it shifts funny and I don't like how the TC lock up doesn't on coast like my Allison. It was either spend 3500 for the upgrades, or get the stick. I hope I make the right choice.

 

[Rosco]

I was not aware that the new 6 speed had made it onto the dealer lots yet and you may be the first TDR member that has driven one. However, from all the reading I've done I still believe it's a Getrag and not a Benz transmission.

 

[hasselbach]

I was not aware that the new 6 speed had made it onto the dealer lots yet and you may be the first TDR member that has driven one. However, from all the reading I've done I still believe it's a Getrag and not a Benz transmission.

From the one I drove, it is a Benze transmission, and said so on the tag on the right of the unit.



I think someone posted here a photo of it in a different thread. The truck I drove was the district reps truck so I think it might have been a one off unit (preproduction)

 

[RankRam]

Hasselbach can you you give us some info about how the 6er shifted? Was it smooth? Did it have a shorter throw than the current 6er?



I'm sure we would all like to hear what you experienced with your test drive.



Thanks.

 

[WMonroe]

We aren't supposed to get any of the new 6 speeds on our lot till beginning or middle of January.

Will

 

[DPelletier]

Okay, for the past 6 months I have been looking at upgrading my 04. 5 48re. . Couldn't decide between DTT single disc or the Suncoast, ATS triple. Then there was the converter lock box upgrade, billet shaft, and of course the valve body and 2 inch deeper pan. Holy cow! $3500 for all this. So I decided the BEST upgrade was to order a 05 6 speed and get the new G56 transmission. To all that think this is a Getrag, its not, its a Mercedes transmission so I hear that has been in use for sometime now. I drove one the other day and it felt great. Smooth shifting and a super low 1st gear. The best part is, the whole swap is costing me $3500 to trade my 12,000 mile 04. 5 for a 05. Exactly what the auto upgrade would have cost. But this time I got leather, the GPS radio, and heated front seats... Supposed to pick it up in February.



I just hope no one read the posts where I mentioned the automatic was superior to the 6er (at least non-Allison autos).



Now for the first mod. . Exhaust Brake!

I'm not going to bring up any previous threads! I hope the new transmission treats you well and be sure to let us know how holds up and any other impressions you may have. I'm following the G56 threads because I'm gonna buy a third CTD in the next year or so.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[Cattletrkr]

Hey Hasselback

Why not another D-Max w/allison? Not trying to be a smartass, just curious.

 

[hasselbach]

Why not another D-Max w/allison? Not trying to be a smartass, just curious.

For my daily driver, I really like the short bed, short 4 door Dodge. I also like the bench seat since to park the truck in my garage, I have to back it in, and slide out the passenger side. (the dmax is parked in the shop in a different building). Both trucks are great. My kids like the chevy since it has the dvd player and a roomy back seat, but the dodge is perfect for the commuter car duties.

 

[hasselbach]

Hasselbach can you you give us some info about how the 6er shifted? Was it smooth? Did it have a shorter throw than the current 6er?



I'm sure we would all like to hear what you experienced with your test drive.



Thanks.

Like I said, I drove a district managers truck that was preproduction it appears. I liked the shifting, much smoother and less notchy than the NV. My gosh, 1st gear is a super granny. You will never need it for regular driving, way too low. All in all, the G56 is what pushed me over the top to do the swap. I was never really happy with the NV trans since it was too much work to shift, especially 3 to 4. The new unit seemed easier to drive. I can't comment about the throw of the shifter, since I really didn't pay attention.

 

[Rosco]

hasselbach,



I stand corrected. I did a Google search using "Mercedes Benz G-56 tansmission" and It showed this as one of the websites http://benzworld.org/news/news.asp?id=106. Apparently the G-56 is a Benz unit while the smaller 6 speeds that will be used in the Jeeps and 1500 Rams will be Getrag's.

 

[RustyJC]

I just hope no one read the posts where I mentioned the automatic was superior to the 6er (at least non-Allison autos).

Oh, some of us remember that thread quite well!! Welcome to the primitive, dark side. :-laf



Rusty

 

[BRayls]

hasslebach, you like autos?

 

[hasselbach]

hasslebach, you like autos?

Allisons-Yes,

48re's-No,

 

[WOT]

Transmissions G56, G60 and G85 have the respective torque of 580, 600 and 850 Nm.

Hmm. . 580 NM = 427 ft-lbs, doesn't seem like enough for the Cummins.



Am I missing something here?

 

[Cattletrkr]

Hmm. . 580 NM = 427 ft-lbs, doesn't seem like enough for the Cummins.



Am I missing something here?

Nope, your conversion is accurate. According to www.conversionchart.com, the 850Nm only comes to 627 ft. lb. Are the metric #'s correct?