Biting the bullet

[Dieselnut59]

As much as I hate it, I am about to buy a new truck and have decided for the first time in my life to go with the automatic and hope I will be happy with it. I love manual transmissions but the G56 does not seem to be as good as the NV5600 in my current '03, plus the Aisin is said to be a beast that many folks here swear by. And I am not a Spring chicken anymore. It lists the Aisin AS66RC as "standard", along with the G56 and the Aisin AS69RC as a "heavy duty" option. What are the differences there? Of course I chose the heavy duty version in my list.
Truck I am looking to get is 4500 Tradesman 4500 4 door 4x4 with 4.10 axles and I want to add the dual fuel tanks, "snow plow prep group" which included 220A alternator, heavy duty front suspension and transfer skid plate, Chrome appearance package, cloth seats, trailer brake control, side steps, U connect 3.0 with remote mount cd player, keyless entry and "maximum steel metallic' paint.
What are yalls thoughts on this? Should I order the truck or find something close? I really dont want to do without any of the things listed, but could settle for a few more extras if the price is right. I DO NOT want another white truck, as my 1996 ans 2003 are both white. $60,095 as configured and then I still have to add the flatbed! Yikes!

 

[SnoKing]

"maximum steel metallic' paint" You will have to wash it a lot. Granite Crystal would be a better choice.

SnoKing

 

[Dieselnut59]

Thanks, I will take that into consideration.

 

[Lynx0849]

What do you plan to do with the truck?

I ask as you implied a chassis cab plus a flatbed.

From my reading here it seems that a 3500 may have more engine power and could have similar load and towing abilities. I have read here that the upgrade from a 3500 is more often a 5500.

I have a 3500 SRW CC with Aisin. I am happy with it. I have the 3:42 gears and really like the 1600 rpm at 75 mph. Good fuel mileage while bob tailed.


Pro

 

[Conifer]

To answer your transmission question, as far as I understand, the AS66RC is the Aisin that comes behind the Hemi on the chassis cabs, while the AS69RC comes behind the diesel. Just my two cents, but having owned manual transmission trucks my entire life up until now, I am very happy with my Aisin. Shifts nice and firms, unlocks and locks are very solid in between shifts, no sloppiness like I've felt in the 68rfe. It's not a fast transmission, and tends to shift from first to second very quickly, like at around 10-12mph, but I find that having it's low first gear to get a load moving is very beneficial, as it can do it without much converter slip. There is some torque management starting out in first gear that initially frustrated me, but once you learn to drive it, it is not as much of an issue. You have to "roll on" to the throttle, if you floor it it will do nothing. The most recent TCM update did wonders for it though, and it seems the '18's have that update from the factory as I drove an '18 recently and it didn't have the same delay.

I know this may sound silly as the Aisin is an automatic, but it "feels" like a manual more than any other automatic I've ever driven. Obviously I'm not shifting it myself, but when it does shift, there's a very noticeable and reliable pattern of converter unlock>shift>converter lock>go which may not be as fast of a shift as some other autos, but has been rock solid and reminds me a lot of shifting a manual. No issues with mine in 50,000 miles, including plenty of towing and hauling. I also have a flatbed, along with a truck camper that's on the truck maybe 75% of the time. My usual driving weight is around 11,500 pounds and I haven't had a single problem with the transmission or engine.

 

[Dieselnut59]

@Lynx0849, I have a 16,000 GVW steel deck tilt trailer I haul equipment on and am looking to upgrade my TT to a fifth wheel toy hauler. I also deliver lots of electric pallet jacks for my little family business. My 3500 does well but I would rather have the heavier suspension, dual fuel tanks and 19.5" tires.
@Conifer, thanks! That is the information I was wanting to hear!
If I can find a late model used cab/chassis truck or one with a flatbed already installed, I may go that route.

 

[gsbrockman]

What are yalls thoughts on this? Should I order the truck or find something close?

My previous 2014 RAM 3500 Crew Cab DRW Tradesman was a great truck, and it gave me 362k miles of great service. The AS69RC is a beast of a transmission if properly maintained.

I recently traded up to a 2018 RAM 4500. Shoot me a pm with your phone number if you want to know my experiences having come from a 3500 to the 4500 side, since my truck is similarly equipped to what you’re looking for. Additionally.....it will be hard to order a 2018 this late in the model year. I’ll bet it is getting close to build-out time.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"The AS69RC is a beast of a transmission if properly maintained."

YES, even with partial fluid changes.

 

[gsbrockman]

"The AS69RC is a beast of a transmission if properly maintained."

YES, even with partial fluid changes.

 

[Dieselnut59]

@gsbrockman PM sent

 

[Dieselnut59]

Bullet was bitten Monday and a VIN has been issued! This is the third biggest purchase I have made in my life (farm/house in 1998, 6,000 sf shop in 2006), but I have not purchased a new vehicle since 2003, and the only one before that was in 1996. I still have those, so hopefully in 15-20 years I can say the same about this one.
I got the 4500 Tradesman 4 door, 4x4, Aisin with 4.10 axles. I added the snowplow prep to get the heavy front suspension, t case skid plate and 220 amp alternator. I got the upfitter control module to add my lights/accessories, the 22 and 52 gallon dual fuel tanks, fog lamps, chrome side steps, chrome appearance group, body side molding, cloth seats, u connect 3.0 with backup camera and remote CD player, trailer brake controller, keyless entry, fullsize spare and went with the standard steel wheels (so I can do 7 way tire rotation). I did end up going with the maximum steel metallic paint. I have a friend with that color on his and love it. I ordered a Norstar skirted flatbed with gooseneck trough and BW turnover ball. This will also allow me easier hookup of a fifth wheel toy hauler when I get it, as BW makes a fifth wheel coupler that drops in place of the 2 5/16 turnover ball. Both bed and truck should arrive late August.

 

[gsbrockman]

.....and the waiting begins!!!!!!