Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I was driving home from a medical appointment when I spotted a new Megacab at a dealership. On further inspection it was a 4x4 SLT 3500 with a G56. Rare combo around here, only the second manual trans Dodge I've seen in over a year.
A few observations:
1) I LOVE that truck. Even though it's a 3500, it rides like a car. It's super smooth, even on expansion joints. The new seats are really comfortable, and the interior looks good (except for the fake wood).
2) It is remarkable how much more quiet the '06 is compared to the '03. The motor has almost no diesel sounds. That could be good or bad, depending on what you like. A little more rattle is good in my book.
3) You guys with the G56 transmissions, I feel for you. I would go nuts driving with those rpm's on the freeway. 2400 at 75mph is too high for me. It would be PERFECT for those who upgrade to 35" tires. DC really needs to offer this trans with the 3. 54 ratio.
That being said, I think the G56 shifts great. Quick shifts, but a little notchy. I'm sure the notchyness (sp?) of the trans will go away with time. The clutch seems more forgiving in its takeup. Much easier to drive the G56 smoothly than the NV5600, IMO.
4) This was the first 325/610 I have driven. I'm sorry to say that I'm not very impressed. It felt much more sluggish than my 305/555, and the truck did not seem any quicker than mine when hustled through the gears. I don't think the extra oomph is realized when running around unloaded. I would bet that the new motor pulls harder under a load.
I would love to buy one of these trucks. I told the guy to call me when he gets an auto in with a sport package. If I like the auto, I'll probably take the plunge.
It is one super sweet truck!
(Also saw a white '06 exactly like mine today w/ Kore Chase, Kore Welds, and 35's. Looked awesome!)
A few observations:
1) I LOVE that truck. Even though it's a 3500, it rides like a car. It's super smooth, even on expansion joints. The new seats are really comfortable, and the interior looks good (except for the fake wood).
2) It is remarkable how much more quiet the '06 is compared to the '03. The motor has almost no diesel sounds. That could be good or bad, depending on what you like. A little more rattle is good in my book.
3) You guys with the G56 transmissions, I feel for you. I would go nuts driving with those rpm's on the freeway. 2400 at 75mph is too high for me. It would be PERFECT for those who upgrade to 35" tires. DC really needs to offer this trans with the 3. 54 ratio.
That being said, I think the G56 shifts great. Quick shifts, but a little notchy. I'm sure the notchyness (sp?) of the trans will go away with time. The clutch seems more forgiving in its takeup. Much easier to drive the G56 smoothly than the NV5600, IMO.
4) This was the first 325/610 I have driven. I'm sorry to say that I'm not very impressed. It felt much more sluggish than my 305/555, and the truck did not seem any quicker than mine when hustled through the gears. I don't think the extra oomph is realized when running around unloaded. I would bet that the new motor pulls harder under a load.
I would love to buy one of these trucks. I told the guy to call me when he gets an auto in with a sport package. If I like the auto, I'll probably take the plunge.
It is one super sweet truck!
(Also saw a white '06 exactly like mine today w/ Kore Chase, Kore Welds, and 35's. Looked awesome!)
