Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) bye bye NV-5600

[Texas Diesel]

I got to test drive a new Dodge 3500 with the Getrag 6 speed. Guess Dodge gave up on the 5600, guess I have too, I'm on #3 in 110k miles.



Reverse is where it should be, next to 2nd. Shifts are crisp and can be made quickly, no grinds (!)



NO DRIVELINE CLUNK. PERIOD. NONE.



The locking differential actually works. No kidding. Really. It works... Driver wheels on pavement, passenger wheels in the dirt, floor it and leave burn out marks on the pavement. Much improved over my (un)Limited Slip Dana 80.



Given the way Dodge is currently handling warranty work guess I'll stay with 98 12 Valves, no confidence in DC at all.

 

[mgoncalves]

Hmmmmm, note to self... . Don't use royal purple in my perfectly working limited slip, or in my otherwise bullet proof transmission... .











Just a little sarcasm to brighten up everyone's day





Matt

 

[bpenrod]

I thought the new G56 was NOT a Getrag???

 

[Texas Diesel]

Is there such a thing as a "little" sarcasim ?



For the record, #1 and #2 5600's used OEM MTX. 5600 #3 was filled with Synchromax on day on and is still shifting well at 60k miles ( on the 5600 )



I've tried everything in the Dana, Mobil 1, dino 90W, Amsoil, Durablend and presently have Mobil 1 since the last service? Varying amounts of friction modifier.



Even Royal Purple cant fix bad engineering even though Royal Purple extends the service life.



Is a little sarcasim like comitting a "little" murder ????



Tried that once on my dad, claimed I was only a little sarcastic... Got a whipping anyway...

 

[Texas Diesel]

They told me it was an aluminum cased Getrag 6 speed.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

... Get back to us in a few years and 100K miles THEN all the glowing comments will carry more weight...



ALL puppies are cute - then SOME turn into Rottweilers...



(Apologies - and sympathies - to Rottweiler owners... )

 

[mgoncalves]

At least you're good humored about it.



I thought it was ironic that an oil dealer would be having multiple failures from a transmission that most people view as indestructible.



I have also heard that the G56 is a Getrag, but do not know for sure.



Matt

 

[Texas Diesel]

That makes about as much sense as blaming a cracked #53 block on Penzoil.



:-laf



Indestructable????????? Have you not read all the grinding in 3rd posts? You're joking right?

 

[mhenon]

That makes about as much sense as blaming a cracked #53 block on Penzoil.



:-laf



Indestructable????????? Have you not read all the grinding in 3rd posts? You're joking right?

Penzoil "is" to blame for "all" engine related problems... included the cracked #53 blocks... everyone knows that!!!!

Really though... I don't understand your gripe with the NV5600. I love towing with the 6 speed and it's the last thing I worry about when hualing 18k+ pounds down the road. It and the Dana 80 are monsters that should easily last as long as the Cummins.

Change the oil out once in awhile though. I don't believe DC with their "Life of the Transmission oil" crap. Mine looked bad after 25k. JMO

Mike

 

[bpenrod]

They told me it was an aluminum cased Getrag 6 speed.

It is an aluminum case but I think it is European or something, I'll have to go check that post where Tomeygun took a test drive. Can;t remember who makes it but alot of people thinkg the G in G56 is for Getrag.

 

[DSpencer]

Its made in brazil. Magal. At least Tomeyguns pictures had a Magal emblem on his pics and I looked and their Brazilian site showed they build for DaimlerChrysler and AAM. I'm guessing thats this thing.

 

[JFinke]

My 5600 lasted 260,000 miles and tossed 6th gear to the bottom of the case, not exactly my definition of long lasting or indestructable, but it shifted great until the last time. As far as the new one goes, from the reading I did on links from Chrysler, it's a Diamler/Eaton desighn thats built in Brazil. Jake

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HEY Jake, outta curiosity, were you using the DC recommended lube during all those miles - or one of the "just as good" substitutes some here promote?

 

[Texas Diesel]

Wow that "igonor user" button really works! I finally had to place someone on it.

 

[SMorneau]

My 5600 lasted 260,000 miles and tossed 6th gear to the bottom of the case, not exactly my definition of long lasting or indestructable, but it shifted great until the last time. As far as the new one goes, from the reading I did on links from Chrysler, it's a Diamler/Eaton desighn thats built in Brazil. Jake

I'd say that was pretty good given your signature. Not great but certainly acceptable when compared with the 4500, any auto, or the ZF 6 speed. What exactly failed?





Scott

 

[JFinke]

HEY Jake, outta curiosity, were you using the DC recommended lube during all those miles - or one of the "just as good" substitutes some here promote?

Factory, and changed every 30,000. Jake

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Thanks for the reply Jake - I recently switched to the "just as good" Redline MTL - and will certainly be pulling it back out the end of this years towing season and going back to the DC stuff - absolutely NO observable improvement in *my* 5600...

 

[mhenon]

Thanks for the reply Jake - I recently switched to the "just as good" Redline MTL - and will certainly be pulling it back out the end of this years towing season and going back to the DC stuff - absolutely NO observable improvement in *my* 5600...

I've tried 3 different fluids now; OEM, Pennzoil and now GM's (all approved by DC by the way). No big difference! The first change was filthy and there was a slight immprovement in shifting... very slight. I just didn't feel good about having a Pennzoil product in there and switched over to GM transmission fluid. 14k miles towing on the GM stuff and it still feeks good.

Mike

 

[KSears]

the g56 IS a Getrag transmission !!

 

[redram]

I've tried 3 different fluids now; OEM, Pennzoil and now GM's (all approved by DC by the way). No big difference! The first change was filthy and there was a slight immprovement in shifting... very slight. I just didn't feel good about having a Pennzoil product in there and switched over to GM transmission fluid. 14k miles towing on the GM stuff and it still feeks good.

Mike

Just curious, why would you expect any difference between these three fluids - there are all identical! The DC OEM is a private label made by Pennzoil (previously Texaco but it had to divest with the Texaco / Shell to Texaco / Chevron changes at corporate), and the GM is a private label by Pennzoil.



So, you've tried three times with the same identical product under three different names - that's the reason that you've seen no changes / differences in performance.



Good luck - there are better products for your transmission (regardless of what a stick in the mud "like Gary" says. Oo. He changes products so frequently he doesn't get a baseline to judge from.



Cheers.