Manual Trannies

[slowneasy]

Just came back from being out of town and had the opportunity to drive a '97 2500 5 speed. I own a '99 auto but sure wish I had a 5 or 6 speed now. I pulled a loaded two horse BP trailer (not that this is serious weight) but it was so easy to control the truck and trailer, both in town and out in the hills. Also driving it around empty in town was a lot of fun. It never seemed like a pain or inconvenience to shift like I had assumed it would be when I ordered the auto. So, just for all you thinkin' about a manual or auto, go with a manual or at least test drive one of each. Just my . 02

 

[LSMITH]

I will second that. I would much rather have a manual.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Bob Stephens]

I switched from 98 Auto to 01 6sp and I'm loving it. I am still waiting to get my fifth wheel hitch installed so I can hook up about 10K and see how it works over the mountains!

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2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Tekonshs Sentinel Brake Controller. Preparing to add Guages, Line-X, 20. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, Exhaust Brake, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio (maybe more later). Pulling 99 Hitchhiker II 30RK fiver and ordering 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver.
Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[RKohn]

It's better to be shifty than shiftless. #ad


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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

[Forrest]

This one is a tough one. For towing, definately the manual. But with the dreaded 5th gear problem, I don't know what I'd recommend to a newbie. No Bombing ... manual transmission. Bombing & towing ... I wonder if auto is the way to go.

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST 380, HX40-16, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD 4200rpm Governor kit, McLeod, 4", CATless, straight out back, chrome turn down, ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, Michelin 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[Guest00]

Originally posted by Forrest:
This one is a tough one. For towing, definately the manual. But with the dreaded 5th gear problem, I don't know what I'd recommend to a newbie. No Bombing ... manual transmission. Bombing & towing ... I wonder if auto is the way to go.

NOPE!!!!!

 

[LSMITH]

Forrest, the auto in it's stock form sucks, and forget any bombing other than mild stuff.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Bumble]

Love my manual, except when a right arm muscle spasmed, and couldn't move the arm without serious pain. Had to drive down the road with half my face smiling and the other half cringing.

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[RHARVEY]

I have towed with auto's and now that I have the 5 speed, its the best for controling the truck with the trailer. I would like to change out the 5 with the 6 speed. I have been told it help with the gap between 2nd and 3rd and then 3rd and 4th. But shift into 4th she's ready to pull. .
My vote will always be for the standard!!!
Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Okie-Go]

I traded a 98 toward a 01 HO. 6spd. I have not regretted it for a moment. I love it. Handles the trailers really well.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Dane]

I've always liked to roll my own... #ad
6 speed and 3. 54 rear gear is a great combo.

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[BCFAST]

5th gear problem? Hmmm ... lets see... the fix from Texas is under $500, is a simple install... . the automatic fix is $3300... . sounds like a no-brainer to me!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[QRTRHRS]

I hate how an auto feels going up a hill. Just when the engine feels like it is working efficently, they drop to the next gear. I scare my wife when I drive her Explorer. Takes me a second to react and hit the brakes when I let off expecting it to slow down. As far as fifth gear dropping, I don't worry about it. I bought my truck to use, I figure if she blows she blows.

 

[rickhans]

Steve, who did your 5th gear fix? I have only heard of one company with a true fix and that is Standard Transmission in Fort Worth. From what I have read over the last year in this forum, there are other factors than just the RPM that causes the nut to back off. I also understand that if Dodge fixes it, is is only a temporary fix because they have not changed the design of the main shaft, which is really the cause of the problem. I don't even know that the 2001 models have it fixed. Does anyone know?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

The 5th gear problem is really not that big of a deal IMO. When I had my new clutch installed last week I had the 5th gear nut fix installed at the same time. My 5th gear was perfect with 65,000 miles on it with about 10% of that towing ~7,000 lbs and some towing far more than that. I had the nut fix installed anyways - now I know I won't have a problem. Gene Mohney had his trans rebuilt 2 days before I was there and his 5th gear was perfect at 85,000 miles - since his transmission was apart he had the fully splined mainshaft installed (the REAL fix). According to Enterprise Engine the later 5 speeds (2001 at least, maybe 2000) already have the 5th gear nut fix installed from the factory. The biggest thing I think in 5th gear longevity is how you drive the truck. If you don't ever run the engine in 5th below 1600 rpm you'll be far better off. Myself I won't put power to 5th below 1700. JMHO



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, 275hp RV injectors, Joe Donnelly modifed Sachs Clutch, custom ladder bars, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[RHARVEY]

I just got off the phone with them(Standard Trans. ) and the information that I got, the gal that I talked to knows the NV4500. It makes it nice to talk to some that know their product and how it works. If you have any questions,,they have the answers,instead of the dumb looks that you get from some of the parts people.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Pete Peterson]

After getting back to a stick after so many years of driving an auto I don't know why I ever left. The 6 speed is a pure pleasure to drive. And even in traffic its just fine. And pulls like there is no tommorrow. My 99 auto pulled okay but does not compare to this HO 6 speed. Pete

 

[wbrown02]

The best setup is with the manuel and a GearVendor overdrive. This setup allows you to have a very high gear to cruise the freeway when empty, a double overdrive, and when towing allows you to drop one gear in the transmission ie from 5th to 4th and place the overdrive on. What you get is the about the same road speed and rpm without harming 5th gear... . no heave loads are placed on the weak 5th gear.

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95 Ram 3500 Reg Cab Dually,5 speed,Gear Vendor,TST 235/605, Jannetty 4"exhaust,Psycoty K&N 880,Prime Loc, Pac Brake,Valentine One, Full Gauges..... ect... . ect

 

[Wiredawg]

Hey y'all:

I got the 6spd and 3. 54s. this truck is so much fun to drive, I just can't keep from smiling. #ad
'Specially when I'm cruz'n down the interstate w/ my 15K lb 5th wheel. I have truckers comment on how nice the setup is. Now, when a trucker compliments you, it really means somethin. #ad


Now, I might would have an Allison 6spd if we could match one to the almighty Cummins in the Ram.

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover.

 

[TomGolden]

For my $. 02, I have the ETH/DEE and ordered that on purpose. I had a 1987 Ford F250 with the 6. 9L diesel and C6 auto. I personally can't stand the helpless feelings of not being in total control of my truck, and have always felt God intended man to shift his own darn gears, unless he lives in San Francisco or Los Angeles stop and stop and stop and go and stop and... traffic #ad


I personally don't understand how auto trannies work, but I do know manuals. In the Army, I rebuilt trannies and gear boxes on M60 tanks, and other such vehicles, and I love the simplicity of a manual gearbox. Very little to go wrong in there.

Tom


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Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, K&N RE-0880 & pre-filter, no silencer ring, TDR decal, Jack holiday antenna ball

NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California