Dodge Reveals New 6-speed!!

[Rman]

I use 1st on most every start, and it comes in very handy getting to work everyday (I have to wait in long lines to get in the gate). Guys, just remember when they lower a gear in the tranmission, they will also change the gearing of the axle... I doubt you will see much of a final drive difference.

 

[nickleinonen]

Guys, just remember when they lower a gear in the tranmission, they will also change the gearing of the axle... I doubt you will see much of a final drive difference

i don't think they will. they auto at present isn't changing and the auto got a . 69 OD so changing the rear gearing to mate to the new 6 speed will muck with the auto, and that seems to be the prime seller for all big 3 trucks, everyone wants auto's for some reason???

 

[FATCAT]

Why would they go back to that junk trans.company?

What is the reasoning for installing an infearior brand of transmission in their trucks? It makes no sense?!?!?!



Why can't DC install this or this or maybe this and go forward in the development of their trucks instead of taking a step back!



Every year it looks more and more like I will be buying a Ford or something else since Dodge keeps puting more junk around the Cummins instead of upgrading the truck. :{

 

[Rman]

FATCAT, you make valid points... I bet it's political, executives scratching each others backs, huge profits, with little regard for the consumers best interests. Eaton makes some killer transmission's that joint venture looks like a fine ride. Too bad it's so expensive to customize your rig. I'd like to build my own drivetrain on a pickup. Be kind of neat.

 

[XJSuperman]

What is the reasoning for installing an infearior brand of transmission in their trucks? It makes no sense?!?!?!



:{

Not trying to start something as I just bought mine the the NV5600 and don't intend to change... BUT... what is so inferior about the getrag? I know the earlier trucks with the getrag 5 spds that some folks had issues.

BUT what does anyone really know about this particular transmission that makes it so bad... other than they're replacing an already great transmission?



I'm just curious if folks are speaking because they KNOW it;s a bad transmission... or they 'think' it;s a bad transmission? I'm sure folks who are getting ready to buy a new truck want to know also.

 

[DPelletier]

Not trying to start something as I just bought mine the the NV5600 and don't intend to change... BUT... what is so inferior about the getrag? I know the earlier trucks with the getrag 5 spds that some folks had issues.

BUT what does anyone really know about this particular transmission that makes it so bad... other than they're replacing an already great transmission?



I'm just curious if folks are speaking because they KNOW it;s a bad transmission... or they 'think' it;s a bad transmission? I'm sure folks who are getting ready to buy a new truck want to know also.

I don't think anyone knows for sure yet. I think people are nervous about it because the 1st gen Getrags were "not great". I hope it proves to be a good transmission, because I'll probably buy another one in a couple of years, but I admit to being relieved that both of my current Dodges have the NV-5600.



Dave

 

[jhnbrll]

Did they have the getrag in second gens? or were they only in the first gens?

John

 

[NIsaacs]

If we go back in history to the first Dodge CTD in "89" to the present, where has Dodge went backwards? They seem to improve every year. I have 293,000 miles on my "91" D250 with the original transmission and clutch. With the new lower 1st gear ratio, it will no doubt have a lower reverse and 2nd, this would be a good thing. Who knows, it might come out with 1. 5" input shaft with a 14" clutch. Since we all like our Dodge trucks so much, maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt





"NICK"

 

[FATCAT]

If we go back in history to the first Dodge CTD in "89" to the present, where has Dodge went backwards? They seem to improve every year. I have 293,000 miles on my "91" D250 with the original transmission and clutch. With the new lower 1st gear ratio, it will no doubt have a lower reverse and 2nd, this would be a good thing. Who knows, it might come out with 1. 5" input shaft with a 14" clutch. Since we all like our Dodge trucks so much, maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt





"NICK"

Apparently the Chevy guys know of the Getrags problems since they were once installed in Chevy's (or still are as far as I know). Just seems like Dodge is playing "monkey-see-monkey-do" since Ford & Chevy use AAM axles Dodge is now using them. And now Dodge is gonna copy Chevy with their transmissions. Don't seem like progress to me.

 

[NIsaacs]

The Chevy is using a small Getrag, the 3500 I think in their small block gassers. I don't think they are using the G56. I also don't think Ford is using the AAM axles, unless they just started. It just seems like we get enough static from the other guys, without us falling on our own sword!





"NICK"

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Comparing the low/reverse gear ratios in the '90 dodges with the later 6-speed trucks - and the proposed newer one - is VERY much an apple/oranges comparison - different overall ratios thru the gears are totally different - a big gap in a 4-speed transmission between low an second gear is FAR less tolerable than what can be done with a 6-speed... As it now stands with my 6-speed in my '02, if starting out up a grade while heavily loaded in 1st gear, I must shift REAL fast into 2nd to maintain momentum and not bog the engine - sure would hate see that situation get even WORSE with an even lower 1st gear! And that scenario would be even uglier with a transmission with fewer available gears, such as a 4 speed, where the gap between gears is even greater!

 

[XJSuperman]

Not to change the subject BUT ford axles were mentioned... to my knowledge ford axles are made by sterling. From their 8. 8 up to the 10. 5 used in their 'super duties'.



8. 8, 9. 5, and 10. 5???

 

[NIsaacs]

Not sure how we got on the subject of 4-spd's, we all know they are antique. Since all we seem to know is the G56 is in the new Dodge Gassers w/the gear ratio mentioned, and verywell could be in the new diesel's, but maybe the ratios will be different. If the diesel does retain the lower 1st gear, it is almost certain that 2nd will also be lower. A 2nd gear ratio of about 4. 00 would make easier starts and may not require 1st. At any rate, we don't seem to know enough about the G56 to make any good or bad judgements.



Yes, it is hard to shift from a real low 1st gear, to a lot higher 2nd gear uphill with a load, but the Cummins will handle it better than any other pickup engine, gas or diesel. In that situation I use the exhaust brake for quick deceleration, it helps some in the upshift.





"NICK"

 

[y-knot]

Hey I had a Gertag in my Chevrolet, it was a very smooth, no problem transmission. Maybe you guy's are just making a big fuss over nothing? Change doesn't always have to be BAD. I believe the Gertag are made in Germany, so that might be the connection, since Dodge is owned and run my a German company? From what I can see, the Germans don't build anything cheap or low in quality. The Made in Germany stamp has much more weight then the Made in the USA stamp, too bad for sure. I would settle down and see what shakes out, besides know one is twisting your arm to by a Dodge.

 

[Horsepuller]

I have a HO that I aquired from Idaho before they were legal here in California. I only use first when I am towing or on a steep hill when empty. I assume that is what the majority of us do.

 

[Hohn]

Hohn:



The stock 265 tires on the 2nd gens and 3rd gens are the same diameter. Only the rim size is larger on the 3rd gens. According the the Excel spreadsheet that I have on my webstite at http://www.klenger.net/dodge/general-reference/gear-speed-calculator.xls, the 3rd gen with 265's and a 6 speed yeilds 69 MPH at 2000 RPM.

OK, I'm busted. I didn't check the tires on the 3rd gen i drove. I assUmed they were bigger since overall final drive with the 3. 73s was the same as my truck with 3. 54s. Maybe they are just so close in gearing that it's within the tolerance of the speedo?



jlh

 

[Paychk]

From Popular Mechanics Mag.

"We are now able to offer a 6-speed manual transmission to our Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup buyers who prefer the 5. 7-liter Hemi V8, in addition to our Cummins turbodiesel customers," says Frank Frederick, Director of Manual and Rear-Wheel-Drive Transmissions and Driveline Engineering. The G56 6-speed gearbox replaces the NV4500 5-speed and NV5600 6-speed manuals. This new transmission features a dual-trunnion shift tower that provides a compact shift pattern with easy mechanical advantage. Double-cone synchronizers on First through Fourth and Reverse gears provide high-capacity and long-term durability. A 2-piece, die-cast aluminum case with an integral clutch housing makes the unit stiff while minimizing noise, vibration and harshness. The 6. 29:1 First-gear ratio provides better launch performance when towing and carrying heavy loads. There are also power take-off (PTO) access covers on both sides of the transmission.

 

[nickleinonen]

The Chevy is using a small Getrag, the 3500 I think in their small block gassers. I don't think they are using the G56. I also don't think Ford is using the AAM axles, unless they just started. It just seems like we get enough static from the other guys, without us falling on our own sword!





"NICK"

ford uses stearling and dana as their axle manufactures. the 3500 is a NV3500. uses the same oil as a nv5600. gm and dodge use them...





which company owns getrag???

 

[bighammer]

1st is ok for me, but i wouldn't mine a lower reverse gear. that will keep me from going into 4XLow for trailer manuvering...

And who needs to go fast in reverse anyway? A lower reverse would be handy for sure.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Daimler just sold off its wholly owned subsidary New venture gear. The deal was finalized in september. Lucky us.