Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How strong is the 6 speed?

[Pit Bull]

Read in the TDR Mag. about the Banks record setting truck that put out 700+ HP and over 1200+ lbs of torque going 222 mph. The article indicated they used a stock NV5600 (that had been blue printed) That's impressive, these transmissions must be real tough.

 

[rashwor]

My impression is that they are...

pretty strong. They are considerably larger that the 5 speed and much heavier. Look at the power that is being run through them by members and the loads being pulled. You hear of a lot fewer of these "breaking" than you do the 5 speeds.



I think Fritz had something on his website (www.dodgeram.org) at one time showing what both the 5 and 6 speeds were rated for hp and torque wise. Wish I had been able to get one back in '99. The next one will be!

 

[WadePatton]

Wonder what they lubed it with?





uh oh, here we go...



Yep, just had mine out the other day. One massive box. I understand that a few had problems. Mine is great. But when I replaced the factory fill with fresh Texaco juice at 79,000 it became a little tad bit more "notchy". Thinking about a wee bit of additive.

 

[TomGolden]

Well, I'm fairly certain there are at least a few TDR members who sled pull, and I drag race with mine. I think Loretta Mitchell of Enterprise Engine fame has an NV5600 in her pulling truck?



And I know there are a LOT of TDR members that tow 5th wheelers that dwarf my house with their NV5600's.



Now if we could only get a darn 8 speed... More Gears!!!!! I love real trannies

 

[Phil Stuart]

Or better yet a two speed rear axle!



Now that would be kick arse!



Phil

 

[jwinnie]

They are rated for 550ft lbs. kinda low considering guys are putting more than twice that through them.



click here: http://www.newventuregear.com/transmissions.html

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by jwinnie

They are rated for 550ft lbs. kinda low considering guys are putting more than twice that through them.



click here: http://www.newventuregear.com/transmissions.html

Isn't that weird, since the new HO's put out 555 ft. lbs of torque stock.

 

[WadePatton]

Conservative rating to say the least.

Heck, my clutch is rated for 1000fp.

 

[01_HO]

I'm really impressed with my six speed, since I abuse it daily,sled pull,drag race(13. 3@101mp) and did I mention abuse it daily! These trans are tough

 

[scotty1]

6SPD info

Something I learned when I lost 6th gear.

The NV 5600 is definately a much stronger transmission. However, the thing that concerns me that was pointed out a few times is the smaller bearings in a bigger transmission. [Compared to the NV 4500]

I had notchey shifting from the day I took delivery and at 55,000 miles I lost 6th on a run of the mill pull out to pass a big rig.

DC demanded a sample of the lube and I later learned that after waiting for four weeks for parts, I was actually waiting for the result from DC, which was fine. I had the stock fluid in there.

The dealer said that DC would have denied warranty if I had 5W30 motor oil in there... of any brand.



Back to the parts. They tried to rebuild and replace 6th, 3rd and 4th. But never touched reverse which was always tough to get into gear.

Transmission would not shift properly and grind when reassembled.

Then the new trans was put in.



Time to go on a nice long trip and shift a few gears.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Isn't that weird, since the new HO's put out 555 ft. lbs of torque stock.

It is my understanding that the 550-lb rating is for a worst-case scenario- towing MAX GCWR up a steep hill nonstop for over 100k miles.



I am hoping and expecting for long life from mine.



HOHN

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by jwinnie

They are rated for 550ft lbs. kinda low considering guys are putting more than twice that through them.

I may be on crack, but I remember reading somewhere, on several TDR threads, that the NV241HD transfer case is rated at 5555 ft/lbs of torque??? 5 THOUSAND pounds?? Of course that may be instantaneous torque and not sustained. Especially since they are chain drive (I think)...



Hey, if Blair Pine can tow something around that is at least twice as big [and heavy] as my house, with his NV4500, I don't guess I'm likely to have too many problems. < fingers tightly crossed >

 

[Hohn]

You MIGHT be on crack?? You don't know??



Anyway, the ratings for the T-case are right. You have to keep in mind the torque multiplication of the trans.



505lb-ft*5ish 1st gear=2525lb-ft on the t case.



If you had a 4. 10 axle, 505 lb-ft, and such, you could have:

5. 63*4. 10*505= 11,656. 915 LB-Ft to the wheels.



That's a LOT of torque to the wheels!!!



If you had 36" tires, you would be able to exert 7771. 27 pounds of pulling power to the ground. That means my truck could theoretically pull itself up a 100% grade! (it weighs 6810 #)



Conversely, with 3. 54 axles, 32" tires and in 6th gear you only have:

3. 54*505*0. 73/1. 333= 978. 77 Lb of force propelling the truck.



Let's hear it for gears and torque multiplication!!



jlh