G56 vs 48RE Driving Impression

[College Cummins]

Well, finally got dad convinced that he needs a megacab, so we went and drove a couple of 'em today. The G56 seemed like a real dog when compared to the 48RE that we drove. The G56 seemed like it was a pansy trans compared to the NV5600 in my truck and just made the new truck seem like it had no guts. Is it the DMF that causes that feelin or what? That 48RE seemed like areal strong transmission though, and I was pretty impressed with it. I just really couldn't believe the night and day difference btwn drivin the auto and the 6 speed. The manual seemed like a real dog, I know with the auto you don't loose boost and all, but in my truck it always seems to want to "jump" when you let off the clutch, but this truck seemed kinda dead. I don't think that my injectors had that much of a difference. Dad wanted me to see what ya'll thought about it. CC

 

[AMink]

I'd be curious to hear side by side impressions too. I drove a Mega with the G56 and it felt geared way too low. If I was pulling all the time, maybe, but I want to drive the auto also.

 

[olznut]

I drove both as well, the stick did seem kinda doggy, was shifting a bit more than I expected to. Did find out it can take off in 4th gear (oops!!) The auto felt nice and firm, almost like a shift kit was in it. At 70mph, the 6spd was turning about 2300rpm at 70mph, the auto was turning 2000 at the same speed.

 

[JCleary]

I drove a G56 megacab, and I really liked the truck a lot.



That said, my 305/555 when stock feels stronger running around unloaded. I bet where the newer truck shines is with 10k on the hitch heading over the sierras. I bet the 325/610 would outpull me in a heartbeat!



If I bought a new truck with a G56, the first thing it would get is a box or downloader.



If I bought an auto, I'd leave it alone.....





Yeah right.

 

[jwduke]

I haven't drove a truck with the G56, but I did want a stick when I bought mine. I got one heck of a deal on mine, and so far I like the 48RE (I tow a 5er), but I think if you are going to bomb the auto's, you better be prepaired to spend some bucks on the transmission.

 

[klenger]

Driving a new truck off the lot and the same truck with 20,000 miles on it is the difference between night and day. Not sure why the G56 would seem doggier than the 48RE, but they loosen up a lot after some hard miles.



Edit: Corrected 45RE to 48RE

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Driving a new truck off the lot and the same truck with 20,000 miles on it is the difference between night and day. Not sure why the G56 would seem doggier than the 45RE, but they loosen up a lot after some hard miles.

Can you spell "Torque multiplication" as it functions in an automatic transmission?





OH, and the "Magical Night and day" inprovement in MPG, HP and various other categories many like to point to as occuring at some mystical mileage, has NEVER happened on ANY of the new vehicles *I* have bought - including my '91 Dodge and the current one - guess I must keep getting lemons! :-laf :-laf

 

[mlewis73]

New member... first post here.



Joined because I am strongly considering a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500/CTD with the six speed G56.



I was considering doing a Cummins conversion on my '91 Ford, but chose to scrap it all and buy new. Was going to put an NV5600 in the Ford, so have heard many good things about them.



I am worried about the G56, though. I won't consider an automatic transmission because I've always been told the manual is the ONLY way to truly experience the mighty Cummins when pulling a load.



Can anyone comment as to the origins of the G56, how long it has been in use in various applications, its expected durability, etc. ?



Thank you,





Mike

 

[jcroman]

Driving a new truck off the lot and the same truck with 20,000 miles on it is the difference between night and day. Not sure why the G56 would seem doggier than the 45RE, but they loosen up a lot after some hard miles.

45re????thats a little ole gasser transmission... :-laf

 

[BILLUA]

New member... first post here.



Joined because I am strongly considering a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500/CTD with the six speed G56.



I am worried about the G56, though. I won't consider an automatic transmission because I've always been told the manual is the ONLY way to truly experience the mighty Cummins when pulling a load.

Absolutely 100 percent false. OK, I am not going to diss anyone who likes to "row their own. " However, the 48 RE does a damn good job of letting you feel the torque whilst pulling 10k up the Cajone pass.



Replace the torque converter and the only people not experiencing the torque of your truck will be the 6 speed guys "rowing their own" in your review mirror! You will "feel" the mighty Cummins more with an auto...



Now, instead of starting a :-{} contest, I suggest the rest of you who think that go out and test drive brand new ones right after each other... I did!

 

[olznut]

I drove them back to back..........

That's what I did, and why I said what I said. IMO, the auto feels stronger behind the '06, drove auto and stick within 20 mins of each other. I don't know much about the CTD's, as the '06 will be my first, so first impressions are important, are they? :-laf

 

[ilovetrains]

I drove all three

I drove all three, a 48RE, G56 and NV5600 on the same day back to back. All 2005's.



People who like to put their foot on the floor and not worry about anything else need and automatic and will never be happy with a manual.



However, I wanted a manual and liked how the G56 felt over the NV5600. The shift feel is much better, shorter throws, smoother action and clutch take up feels more linear.



The G56 felt like it was spanking the other two, but remember the gears. The G56 is like a 5600 with 4. 11 gears, so it felt it like it had a ton of power. No offense to automatic owners, but I prefer a manual and like the G56.

 

[BILLUA]

No offense taken! I just had to respond to the ridiculous comment of the ONLY way to feel the torque of the Cummins was through a 6 speed



By the way, I liked the way the G56 shifted over the 5600 too!



Cheers, Bill

 

[JCleary]

By the way, I liked the way the G56 shifted over the 5600 too!



Cheers, Bill

Me too! Shifting on the NV5600 sucks. The G56 shifts much faster. Must be that plastic gears have a lot less rotating mass.

 

[DaveK98]

mlewis,



No complaints about the g56 in my truck. I've only got 5k on mine but 4k of that is pulling my 12k 5th wheel trailer.



I hate auto's and the feeling that the transmission is going to "give out" at any minute. With a manual you might have to replace a clutch eventually but that's "free" if you take the money that the auto costs you to start with.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I've always been told the manual is the ONLY way to truly experience the mighty Cummins when pulling a load.

I used to believe this.

Replace the torque converter and the only people not experiencing the torque of your truck will be the 6 speed guys "rowing their own" in your review mirror! You will "feel" the mighty Cummins more with an auto...

Now I believe this!



Jim

 

[mlewis73]

Biggest concerns are the guy who couldn't get the auto over 75mph up a 8% grade (or was that 6%) and the durability of the auto.



I just spent $4500 (between shipping, shop fees, rebuild, etc. ) for bombproof rebuild on my '91 Ford automatic transmission last year. I'm very gun shy about taking the chance with another automatic--especially with all the electronics on them nowadays... $4500 (or more for the newer transmission) ain't cheap. My rebuild IS bombproof... but that came at significant expense.

 

[BillGotthelf]

As long as you keep the truck stock the auto should live to see over 100,000 miles easily. But remember the mantra "I am my own warranty station". The more power you add the less life that trany will last.

 

[LStanphill]

I have 2 identicle trucks, except one is 48RE the other is g56. I routinely tow 33-35 GCVW. . The Auto maintains high torque while shifting, and is nice for stop & go, but with heavy weight behind it, it constantly gearsearches up and down hills if it drops below 70mph. I personally do not like the 48RE if you plan to run continuous WOT. . the manual is nice cause you can keep your foot in it below 70, and it doesnt downshift right as you crest a hill at 65mph, then shift back to OD. .



I am going to try the bullydog torque converter lock up module to see how well the 48RE will stay locked in 4th below 70 at WOT. . I'll post my findings once it gets installed.

 

[MFalkinham]

As long as you keep the truck stock the auto should live to see over 100,000 miles easily. But remember the mantra "I am my own warranty station". The more power you add the less life that trany will last.

Here's a link to DieselRam.com and a thread from their resident transmission guru. He tore into a stock 48re with 177k to see how it was holding up.

The results were very positive, and it appears that the concerns about rear thrust washer problems could be unfounded.

- Mike

http://dieselram.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb. cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=004824