Looking for input on G56 vs. Aisin

[Cummins12V98]

I control 33-35k combined with the AISIN easily on down hill grades from 5-14% running proper gear and cruise control.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you did a poll of independently owned RV/HotShot Haulers 6 or so years ago the majority would have been Manual but now I am willing to bet most are AISIN equipped.

 

[SnoKing]

If you did a poll of independently owned RV/HotShot Haulers 6 or so years ago the majority would have been Manual but now I am willing to bet most are AISIN equipped.

I have driven a lot of manual transmission over the years, 4 speeds, 5 speeds, 13 speed Road Ranger, even my dad 5/4 in a 56 Diamond-T.

However every time a drove a 3rd gen manual I could not stand the slowness of rowing through the gears, and people complain about a little dead pedal on the autos.

SnoKing

 

[gsbrockman]

If you did a poll of independently owned RV/HotShot Haulers 6 or so years ago the majority would have been Manual but now I am willing to bet most are AISIN equipped.

There’s simply too much hp, torque, and GCWR left on the table to consider the G56 in a commercial setting nowadays.
TX Diesel.....if you think there’s a huge amount of power loss through an automatic, or likewise a huge amount of de-tuning in lower gears, simply take a look at the towing charts of the 68RFE, AS69RC, and G56 and decide for yourself. Based on what you posted.....I’d be a little more concerned with the SRW aspect of your purchase when hitched to your 40’ gooseneck, but given it's only 20% of the time, maybe it’s right for YOU.
Additionally.....Newsa is wrong in regards to AS69RC servicing.

30k = drain & fill fluid
60k = drain, refill, change sump filter.
90k = drain & fill fluid
120k = drain, refill, change sump filter
Etc.....etc.....etc....etc.for future servicing.

Mobil 3309 can be purchased and shipped to your door for $6.25/quart when purchased in 12 quart cases. A 30k drain & fill requires just under 8 quarts. :30 and you’re done....

The sump filter can be found OEM for around $70 shipped......but this service will take upwards of 10.0 to 10.5 quarts.

The AS69RC in my 2014 Ram 3500 was still great at 362k miles at trade in time.

 

[Newsa]

There’s simply too much hp, torque, and GCWR left on the table to consider the G56 in a commercial setting nowadays.
TX Diesel.....if you think there’s a huge amount of power loss through an automatic, or likewise a huge amount of de-tuning in lower gears, simply take a look at the towing charts of the 68RFE, AS69RC, and G56 and decide for yourself. Based on what you posted.....I’d be a little more concerned with the SRW aspect of your purchase when hitched to your 40’ gooseneck, but given it's only 20% of the time, maybe it’s right for YOU.
Additionally.....Newsa is wrong in regards to AS69RC servicing.

30k = drain & fill fluid
60k = drain, refill, change sump filter.
90k = drain & fill fluid
120k = drain, refill, change sump filter
Etc.....etc.....etc....etc.for future servicing.

Mobil 3309 can be purchased and shipped to your door for $6.25/quart when purchased in 12 quart cases. A 30k drain & fill requires just under 8 quarts. :30 and you’re done....

The sump filter can be found OEM for around $70 shipped......but this service will take upwards of 10.0 to 10.5 quarts.

The AS69RC in my 2014 Ram 3500 was still great at 362k miles at trade in time.

Yep. Was wrong about the filter. Thanks for the correction.

I didn't know it was 8 qts /10 qts +/- for capacity

Now that I have added fast coolers on my g56, the capacity is 8 qts. But after adding an extra quart, (as recommended by those who say pulling up a long hill can starve the main bearing), I'm actually at 9 quarts. I like that I can go 60k miles or 4 years between manual transmission fluid changes for extreme heavy duty use. Or since there is no light duty recommendation on g56 fluid changes, I'm actually OK with changing every 100k. I did my first manual transmission change at 3.85 years. Then (again) at 4.85 years as my powertrain warranty is about to expire I went from atf4+ to redline MTL.

I had always planned on getting rid of the ATF in the manual transmission because it just seems like ATF wasn't designed for manual transmissions and wouldn't provide the best lube. But waited because of the power train warranty.

I'm.as.happy with my g56 as most everyone who has an Aisin is happy with their Aisin. People still tow commercially without problems with the g56. Just ask truckmen and andymac. The g56 is used in many Mercedes medium duty trucks world wide.

Truth is.... All three available trannies are proven solid. Get what you want.

 

[NIsaacs]

I control 33-35k combined with the AISIN easily on down hill grades from 5-14% running proper gear and cruise control.

Will cruise control and exhaust brake work in 1st? Will cruise work with your foot on the brake?

Nick

 

[SnoKing]

Yep. Was wrong about the filter. Thanks for the correction.

I didn't know it was 8 qts /10 qts +/- for capacity

Now that I have added fast coolers on my g56, the capacity is 8 qts. But after adding an extra quart, (as recommended by those who say pulling up a long hill can starve the main bearing), I'm actually at 9 quarts. I like that I can go 60k miles or 4 years between manual transmission fluid changes for extreme heavy duty use. Or since there is no light duty recommendation on g56 fluid changes, I'm actually OK with changing every 100k. I did my first manual transmission change at 3.85 years. Then (again) at 4.85 years as my powertrain warranty is about to expire I went from atf4+ to redline MTL.

I had always planned on getting rid of the ATF in the manual transmission because it just seems like ATF wasn't designed for manual transmissions and wouldn't provide the best lube. But waited because of the power train warranty.

I'm.as.happy with my g56 as most everyone who has an Aisin is happy with their Aisin. People still tow commercially without problems with the g56. Just ask truckmen and andymac. Truth is.... All three available trannies are proven solid. Get what you want.

Getting 68RFE with 3.42 gears, is not the best for towing heavy. Aisin has better 1 st and 2 and gear ratios.

 

[RVTRKN]

My G56 ran hot, and replacement of browned bearings at 30K miles cost me a couple grand, go with Aisin.

 

[JR]

I like the stick shift transfer case that comes with the g56.

You do realize the manual transfer case option is not dependent on getting a manual transmission don't you?
It is also available with an automatic transmission.
Depends on trim level of the truck.

 

[Newsa]

You do realize the manual transfer case option is not dependent on getting a manual transmission don't you?
It is also available with an automatic transmission.
Depends on trim level of the truck.

Yes, I know. But a g56 will not come with the dial 4x4 selector.

 

[Lynx0849]

Will cruise control and exhaust brake work in 1st? Will cruise work with your foot on the brake?

Nick

The only cruise controls I have had have been on auto trannies (except my motorcycle) and none, including the scoot stay engaged with a brake application.

I have not tried cruise on my ‘15 Aisin in 1st gear nor have I had a load and down grade where first would be needed.

On the Aisin, first gear is pretty low. It up shifts to second pretty quick.



Pro

 

[JR]

Yes, I know. But a g56 will not come with the dial 4x4 selector.

Again, transmission has no bearing on this.

 

[KCJackson1]

Well, with the 6 Spd G56, you could always consider the transmission as a Millennial theft prevention device...

I have 4 godchildren (all siblings), and 2 of them are married. All 6 of them are in their 20s, and all 6 drive (and 4 of them highly prefer) sticks. Proud of them

 

[Newsa]

I have 4 godchildren (all siblings), and 2 of them are married. All 6 of them are in their 20s, and all 6 drive (and 4 of them highly prefer) sticks. Proud of them

My disabled (paraperetic/legs) girlfriend has no problem driving her 5 speed manual transmission mazda. She's afraid of the truck though. She would have difficulty with the full travel of the clutch. The clutch spring(s) on her 4 banger are not as strong.

I work at a high school...... And my truck is the coolest vehicle on the lot. Most haven't seen a stick shift

 

[Newsa]

FUNNY! Walking the dog. Neighbor that I don't know very well is trying to find reverse in her very powerful infinity. She Can't get out of the driveway. Asked her if she had a stick shift. She yelled back over her highly revved engine that she can't find reverse. She's really revving it up like she thinks "The more gas I give it.... the more likely it will move." I ran away because she keeps hitting a higher gear and stalling it. Been at least 15 mins now, I'm down the road and she finally got out of the driveway. I was afraid she was going to send her little sports car into either her house or the neighbors. She's gone. Lol

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I preferred manuals when they were the NV4500 and NV5600, but both had weak points, as I outlined in articles in the magazine. I don't care for the G56 as I have also discussed, but am happy with the Aisin. We had a manual trans chassis cab dyno at May Madness this year, and it was quite a bit lower in power than the Aisin equipped Rams. It made 265 vs. 325 when the engine was hot in an Aisin 3500. Some of the detuning was due to being a chassis cab, but some was from being a stick.

 

[Newsa]

I preferred manuals when they were the NV4500 and NV5600, but both had weak points, as I outlined in articles in the magazine. I don't care for the G56 as I have also discussed, but am happy with the Aisin. We had a manual trans chassis cab dyno at May Madness this year, and it was quite a bit lower in power than the Aisin equipped Rams. It made 265 vs. 325 when the engine was hot in an Aisin 3500. Some of the detuning was due to being a chassis cab, but some was from being a stick.

Those are rear wheel HP numbers?

If both were 3500's probably only a 30- 35 HP difference. Because as speed increases, the torque mgmt subsides in the g56

 

[jhenderson]

I have 4 godchildren (all siblings), and 2 of them are married. All 6 of them are in their 20s, and all 6 drive (and 4 of them highly prefer) sticks. Proud of them

I know how to cut a tree with an axe and crosscut. I prefer a chainsaw.

 

[andymac]

I guess I am late to this party. I think there is a strong chance that I use the G56 in as tough and brutal environment as anyone in the country. Some of the highest environmental temperatures as anywhere in the country with some very large loads over horrible roads in 4x4 most of the time. Specific to the G56, I have never had a failure of this transmission under any of these circumstances and as I have said before I have had lots of other things go out (such as a horrendous front end) but the transmission has held true. Yep, I get it, not as much torque at least on paper. Frankly I could care less. I have never wanted more power and we pull these loads EVERY DAY! Enjoy your auto (if thats what you choose) , I am sure it will treat you well. Yes, I am painfully aware that I might never get to own another G56 in the next year or two. Unfortunately, I would then get another brand as poor truck quality overall will guide my future purchases aside from the transmission choices. In the meantime, wave to us "slow" G56 guys hanging out in the slow lane. We will get there soon enough.

 

[Newsa]

I looked at the g56 girdle that is designed to prevent g56 flex under load. However, if you look at the "tork sheild" version, it appears to cover MOST of the transmission. See here
http://lazarsmith.com/Transmission.html

I Wouldn't chance wrapping something around my aluminum transmission that would prevent it from doing it's natural cooling. I believe aluminum was chosen as the material for the transmission case because it conducts heat better than cast iron or steel. Tork sheild appears to be powder coated steel that will reduce the cooling rate of the casing. Instead, I installed FAST coolers which increase the lube capacity of the transmission sump and increase the surface area.