If you were to consider an'06.... what transmission would you get?

[fkovalski]

I have always been a manual trasmission kinda' guy... . especially on our trucks. Now that the beloved NV-5600 is no longer available... . would you opt for an automatic or the G-56? Please answer in the context of the following:



Stock engine- no bombs

Stock size tires

Summer: 75% road/ hiway... . 25% off road 4WD non- snow

Winter: 75% 2WD... 25% 4WD (snow/ ice on road conditions)

Towing: 90% solo... . 10% dbl axle enxlosed cycle trailer.



I like the manual set- up for off roading... much easier to set the proper gearing and then let the truck idle. Decending steep hills while off raoding is much better with the 6 sp.



I mildly follow the threads regarding the Auto trans' reliability, but with a truck in its stock form how does the auto hold up?



PLEASE: NO transmission WARS OR FLAMES!



EDIT: If the NV-5600 were still available, It would be a 'no- brainer' and I would not be asking opinions.

 

[wcjp]

I have the G56 in my 06'. Auto would be nice for heavy traffic. The G56 shifts nice and is geared perfect for towing. It's geared a little low for empty cruising. I agree with the offroad aspects of a manual. I don't have an exhaust brake but do use gearing to my advantage when descending hills on the freeway.

 

[Mike B.]

After almost 300K miles of shifting my 99' I've had enough for a while. I went an auto for the 06... . Then I called DTT.

 

[pwr2tow]

If you liked the gear ratio of the nv5600 for decending hills off road you'll love the G56 gears even more.



Manual is great for towing.



Better fuel mileage from a manual.



Summer, you'll like the manual.

Winter, 50/50 manual or auto, both have there places.

towing, a no brainer.

stock engine towing, manual.

stock tires, 50/50 manual or auto, both have there places.



Which one has more advantages, MANUAL baby.

 

[fkovalski]

Which one has more advantages, MANUAL baby.

I would tend to agree. I guess between the G-56 or Auto, I am looking for the lesser of the 2 evils :-laf

... looking for the lesser of the 2 evils :-laf .

HEY! (I said- NO FLAMING or WARS!)

 

[rjohnson916]

I really wanted a manual depp down at heart, but my last seven vehicles have all been manual, and I had enough with shifting for a while. I'm sure it's not the same as the 6-speed, but I love my (auto) after all it is still a cummins.



-Ryan

 

[gsbrockman]

48RE for me next time..... unless the trans from the '07 Cab & Chassis makes into the regular production lineup.

Greg

 

[Doughboy21kd]

Well I just went through this with my situation... . As you can see i dumped the 48re... . Yes the G56 does run some higher Rpms at cruisin empty but the towing is way better... Not to start any wars here but I will admit that the 48re is a good stout transmission for a stock truck, But i still dont think dodge makes a good auto...

 

[JCleary]

I test drove both the 48RE and the G56 (Megacabs).



Obviously the G56 had 3. 73's, and the 48RE had 4. 10's.



While I like the shifting on the G56 a LOT more than my NV5600, I would have to pick the auto. That auto works really well. Add the exhaust brake and I'm sold. The overall rpms on the highway are the same, so i'm comparing apples to apples.



For me, there'll be a lot more smiles letting the truck do the shifting...



Especially when blowing off ricers and muscle cars.

 

[AMink]

IF I was to get a new truck (someday), right now I'd have to go with the auto. I drove the stick and it shifted very nicely, but the revs were too high for what I'd be using it for. The heaviest I'd tow is around 10K, so the auto would be fine. Also, I don't tow that much. If I could get a different rear end (or a Gear Vendors OD), then I'd go with the G56. Also, being able to use an exhaust brake is a big part of the auto now.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I would have to disagree on that one... . I just traded my 05 48re for a 06 G56 and at 70mph the auto turned 2000rpms and the G56 turned about 2100-2150 rpms..... Both geared the same I think the final drive gear ratio on the G56 is lower...

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

IF I was to get a new truck (someday), right now I'd have to go with the auto. I drove the stick and it shifted very nicely, but the revs were too high for what I'd be using it for. The heaviest I'd tow is around 10K, so the auto would be fine.

I a manual transmission guy, but I would have to agree with AMink 100%.



I recently test drove two shortbed 4x4s back to back. First the G56, second the auto. Each truck had exactly 53 miles on the odometer, and equipped pretty identially, so couldn't get any closer than that.



I liked the G56 pretty well. It didn't take long to get smooth and fast with it. Definitely a plus over my '03 NV5600 truck. It's a 2nd-gear start transmission but the ratio splits I thought were good. It did spin a little fast on the highway I thought but nothing unacceptable. What I disliked though was the ECM programming. I was at about 2500 feet so it seemed a little slow for power to come on as it was waiting for spoolup. Then the power hit pretty strong then fell off at the upper end. It was a little too peaky for me. Brisk acceleration from a stop to highway speeds was a series of peaky bursts of power, at least up through 4th gear. You're off-on-off-on-off-on boost.



Then I took the auto out. Right off I could tell they've improved significantly, even over the '04 which I drove once. I heard they're imprioved over the '05 too. Anyway the power seemed less peaky (because once it winds up the auto by nature keeps you there) and it felt eager and willing to run. And more than any stock auto I've driven it felt like the power was being planted to the ground. Not as much as a manual but pretty darned close. The TC seems fairly tight, especially for a stocker. I also felt the shift behaviour was more intuitive than any I've driven before. It downshifted willingly, and didn't upshift to agressively and hold RPM down.



If I got a new one I would gladly pay the $1k premium for the 48RE, and would be happy with it the way it was for awhile. I understand its safe to add about 80hp to before having to modify it, all depending on the responsibility of the nut behind the wheel of course



Vaughn

 

[SRadke]

I'm a handshaker kind of guy and I'm loving my G-56!



-Scott

 

[KennethS]

Wife wants automatic and she boss

I have had 2 std one 5 speed and a six speed but have a automatic ordered should be here In a couple of weeks. Its a 4 door short bed diesel and automatic. It also a two wheel drive all my trucks are two wheel drive. I just don't need a 4 by 4. Wife would need a ladder to get In. Kind of hoping I am happy with It. That It and no more trucks. :{

 

[fkovalski]

WOW! I am surprised by the results! A lot more 'automatic' fans than I would have thought! I was thinking about an '06, but the more I read about the G56 (DMF, rear synchro recall) Plus, no more 7/70 drivetrain warranty- I think I will hold on to the '05.



The onlt compaint I have on the NV5600 is the sloppy drive train I refered to this here: NV 5600 vs. G56 I would really like to get it resolved.



I drove a dealer demo identical to mine but WITH the G56 over the weekend for 500 miles. I like the way the new transmission shifts, but am still a bit leary about it.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

Manual is great for towing.



Better fuel mileage from a manual.

Dont beleive that, I thought I read in the last issue of TDR that the higher gearing equates to better fuel economy out of the auto's... . I have 4:10 gears so I'm allready at a disadvantage. I agree nv 5600 no brainer but I have heard some ill things about the g56 allready. I dont know though, Im an auto guy, I love not having to row gears in traffic, everybody wants to turn left :-laf I had 2 trucks with sticks and they both had trouble synchros, and a clutch. I know this stuff is normal but the same holds true for the auto, treat it right itll treat you right. Towing just put the hammer down and go. If your going to leave it stock the 48Re is a very capable transmission. Good luck with your decission!

 

[BarlowCummins]

I have test drove both an automatic and the G56 06 models and decided that I still like the 6spd. After driving a 6spd for so long I can't stand the way the autos shift. However, the auto seem to have ran about 150-200 rpm lower than the G56. So if your going for millage a auto may be the way to go. Just my thoughts, Corey

 

[KennethS]

I half to agree with you but In this household the little women Is boss. If I want her to drive on long trips get the automatic or else I must do all the driveing. I am ready for the change also. Maybe I will cry later?The older I get the lazyer I get?

 

[FATCAT]

I have to have a manual ... I don't know how to drive an automatic transmission.



Last time I did was for New Years Eve where I was the DD. I would stomp on the gas and then let off while my left foot had a mind of its own and would hit the brake. The people in the car keep bouncing forward and back and they were yelling at me to quit it. The ride home was better since they were all just about passed out ... so they didn't notice the jerky motion of the car.

 

[Sandyneck]

I like the 6-Speed. My only regret is that you are not going to win any drag races w/ the 6 Speed. Takes some time to row thru the gears, especially when you want a jackrabbit start at the green light. Once your going its real nice though. I don't tow alot, but haul with the truck and it has been great for the 10K I have on it now.