G56 Gearing Wrong, Do I smell a recall?

[PHeadings]

New 2006 Dodge G56 Manual with 3. 73 gears that drives like 4. 10 gears. Where was that slogan when these trucks are bought.

With the new American axles and G56 transmission it seems someone at Dodge got the numbers wrong. I have never read so many posts of unhappy customers. To top it off being stuck between two new products with no aftermarket resolution.

2007 trucks will have the NV5600 transmission, where did the G56 go?

I think if enough word was spread then Dodge might push on the 3. 42 gears to get into production which would give the trucks the correct ratio.

Bottom line, every truck they sold with the G56, 3. 73 gearing needs a recall. 3. 42 gears installed at no cost to the customer!



Someone start a petition.

 

[jwilliams3]

keep wishing... . :-laf

 

[JFaulkner]

keep wishing... . :-laf

No kidding!

 

[jwilliams3]

If we are making a wish list, I'll take 3. 55's with my Nv5600.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

someone do some shopping before they buy a new truck

 

[JayWm]

Do I wish I had a little taller gearing when empty? Absolutely.

Do I like the gearing when I tow? Sure do.

Did I know what I was getting when I bought it. Yep, I waited for the G56.

Do I think that Dodge owe's me some new gears? No way, no how.

Would I buy the 3. 42's when available? Maybe, maybe not.

Do I want to pay for a recall when I buy my next truck? Not really



Okay, I'm done.

 

[klenger]

Using this Excel worksheet before buying would have helped.



I'm skeptical that the NV5600 is going to be used in anything in 2007. Story I heard is that production was shut down FOREVER. The other item I've heard is the the NV5600 would only be in the 4500 5500 trucks. We'll see.



I had an NV5600 with 4. 10's on my 01. 5 and now have the NV5600 with 3. 73s on the 04. 5. I got 19 +/- MPG with the 01. 5 and am getting 20 +/- with the 04. 5.



Check out the thead on Hour Meter readings and note the average MPH for most members. Most are around or less than 40 -45 MPH average. How much fuel do you think taller gears would really help with a 45 MPH average?

 

[JLovas]

I have my doubts as well as to how much taller gears will help fuel economy. Its interesting to note that Cummins has a program on their website to help owners pick which gearing is most appropriate for their vehicle. I ran through the program and had some interesting findings:



Engine: ISB

Vehicle: Step van (pickup isn't a choice, but this is the lightest choice)

GVW: under 10,000 lbs

Percent time operating off road: <10%

Percent time operating on interstates: >90%

Intended cruise speed: 75 mph

Gearing desire: Fuel economy (versus towing or performance)



With these paramaters, the results still call for a desired engine speed of 2100-2400 RPM and advises that "Gearing combinations that produce an engine speed less than 1900 rpm at the vehicle’s intended cruise speed (mph) should be avoided. "



Just some food for thought...



Here is the link to the program.



http://www.powerspec.cummins.com/site/gearing/gearing.htm

 

[TowPro]

Dodge would never tell us, but my bets are that the 3:45's could not pass emissions for highway speeds. They do check emissions for highway speeds, remember the recall on the 98'5's where they reflashed the ECM for emissions over 55mph? (and everybody's MPG went down)

Both Cummins and Dodge got sued by the EPA over that one.

 

[DaveK98]

Since I tow 90% of the time I wanted the 4. 10's and was upset when I couldn't get them. Then I read up on the g56 and was happy again and still happy.....

 

[PHeadings]

Using this Excel worksheet before buying would have helped.

I'm skeptical that the NV5600 is going to be used in anything in 2007. Story I heard is that production was shut down FOREVER. The other item I've heard is the the NV5600 would only be in the 4500 5500 trucks. We'll see.

I had an NV5600 with 4. 10's on my 01. 5 and now have the NV5600 with 3. 73s on the 04. 5. I got 19 +/- MPG with the 01. 5 and am getting 20 +/- with the 04. 5.

Check out the thead on Hour Meter readings and note the average MPH for most members. Most are around or less than 40 -45 MPH average. How much fuel do you think taller gears would really help with a 45 MPH
average?

My signature it says 2004. 5, 48RE, I would never own a G56 just tired of hearing you all gripe about it.

Those of you that do own one will soon learn that time is repeating itself.

This is not the first time Dodge has made a mistake with there transmission setup.

Just think how much she will be worth in say, 15 years?


Wow, this is one of those Dodge trucks with that Mercedes Trannys, :-laf

 

[KCJackson]

I put in Pickup/Delivery and chose 10,001-20,000 GVWR (my 3500 is 12,200) and got this:

--------------------

Input Intended Vehicle Speed 54 mph

Transmission Top Gear Ratio 0. 69

Tire Size 654 revs/mile

Rear Axle Ratio 3. 73



Output Engine RPM at 55 mph Checkpoint 1543 rpm

Engine RPM at 54 mph Intended Speed 1515 rpm



Assessment - Not consistent with Cummins Recommendations

The selected gearing combination will result in an engine speed at the vehicle's intended operating speed and at 55 mph below Cummins recommendation. The gearing combination selected could result in driveability complaints and increase the operating time below top gear. Both situations can have a negative affect on fuel economy.



Gearing Recommendations Guidelines



1. Select a gearing combination that will result in an engine speed of between 2100-2400 rpm at the vehicle's intended cruise speed (mph).

2. The vehicle is being spec'ed to operate at weight of 10,001 - 20,000 lbs. , select a gearing combination that will result in an engine speed of approximately 2150 rpm at the vehicle's intended cruise speed (mph).

3. Gearing combinations that produce an engine speed less than 1900 rpm at the vehicle’s intended cruise speed (mph) should be avoided.

4. Note: ISB is not intended for weight over 50,000 lbs.

--------------

Ironically, this is the road speed at which the overhead gives me the best mileage reading. At 2100 rpm, my fuel eonomy is in the toilet.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I know it may be obvious to most, but the term recall is only used when there is a safety issue. The transmission would be recalled only if there was a genuine safety issue. Being undergeared is not a safety issue.

 

[JFaulkner]

someone do some shopping before they buy a new truck

What good would that have done? You could shop until your head pops off and you still don't have any more choices.



I'm not complaining about the gearing or the fuel milage. I don't persionally care if my truck gets 10mpg, I bought it as a toy and drive it as such. If you want 30mpg get a Civic.

 

[gsbrockman]

Don't blame the AAM's for the problem..... no one hardly complains with the NV5600 and AAM's. The AAM's were in use 2. 5 model years before the introduction of the G56. Lots of people dislike the G56 & AAM combo; just remember it was DC deciding to go with in-house transmissions AFTER the AAM's came aboard.

Greg

 

[klenger]

My Honda Accord dosn't tow my trailer for crap. I wonder if Honda is going to do a recall on it? Duh !!!

 

[PHeadings]

I know it may be obvious to most, but the term recall is only used when there is a safety issue. The transmission would be recalled only if there was a genuine safety issue. Being undergeared is not a safety issue.

I think the reverse location would qualify.

 

[PHeadings]

Ya, those new Honda Fifth wheel hitches are a pain arn't they. If I could just figure out how it mounts to my accord.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Final RPMs

One question... .



How many RPMs are you guys getting at 70MPH with manual, 3. 73s in high gear?



I am running 2100RPMs at 70MPH with 4. 10s, 48re... on my 2006. With 235x85x17s

 

[RustyJC]

With an NV5600, 4. 10 gears and 235/85R-16 tires, I run 2350 RPM at 70 MPH (speed confirmed by GPS). 2100 RPM at 70 MPH sounds low for a G56 and 4. 10's, even allowing for the taller tires. I guess we'll see what the 3rd generation guys come back with.



Rusty