Need advise picking 3500 setup

[rivercat]

I am going into a ministry of moving missionaries across the states and also items such as pews and tents and chairs for a church planting ministry. I want to stay with the 5. 9 so I am looking at 06-07 but not sure weather to go with the 48re or g56. So far I have a 24ft 10k trailer but I want to get a 30+ goose later. And possibly a step deck 40+ ft to haul LTL freight when I can. With the 48re towing heavy do I need the 4. 10s or just 3. 73 and drop overdrive? What would I want with the g56? Gonna be hard to find the 5. 9 I want, might just go with a new 4500 aisin. But I hate extra emmissions and DEF and all that.

 

[jelag]

Over the years I've had 6 3500 dually's all with manual transmissions and we towed up to 22K lbs. Each of my drivers had CDL's as the combined weight of the unit required us to have a DOT # and meet all the requirements. It sounds like you'll need the same.

I chose dually's for the added stability and load capacity on the rear axles/tires.

Over the years we'd put 500K miles on the truck and than purchase a new one. . we never had an engine problem or a transmission problem except for one pilot bearing ate the end of the input shaft and we needed to deal with that. .

Before the Dodges I ran Fords and can share that the maintenance cost per mile was at least 25-35% lower on the Dodges than the Fords.

My last new truck was an 08 5500 with the Aisan automatic and by far this was the best truck for hauling... empty it was awful from the pounding you took from the suspension.

On all the trucks we had a 10 micron primary and a 2 micron secondary fuel filter. . and in all those trucks we didn't have any injection problems...

Hope this helps. .

 

[HBarlow]

If you want to stay with a 5. 9 Cummins either find an '06 - '07 automatic w/4. 10 gears and exhaust brake capability or an '03 through '05 with NV-5600.

The '06 and '07 with 48RE were the best 5. 9 automatic trucks because the 48RE was the best of the breed with all the refinements. It was fully integrated and capable of use of an exhaust brake for towing.

Some very late '05s and all '06 and '07 manuals were equipped with the dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly and the G-56 German designed and Brazilian made aluminum case G-56 which is not as robust or durable as the NV-5600. The dual mass flywheel assembly is infamous for low mileage failure and is expensive to replace with an aftermarket single flywheel and clutch.

An '07. 5 or later 3500 cab and chassis with Aisin automatic is a decent truck also. Mine has around 120k miles and has been trouble free. No emissions equipment codes, hassles, or failures.

 

[rivercat]

Thanks guys, trying to find an aisin with quad cab but hard to do. I cant imagine that only having 4 gears is gonna be good towing, I know the hot shot boards all like the aisin and they simply use tow/haul dropping 6th. There is one local 4500 but it has a big service body priced into it and not sure where I would get rid of that without giving it away or dealing with tire kickers. I will say from what I have read that any cummins needs to be towed or loaded down with a tool body during break it or it will never get good mileage and be trouble free.

What do you mean by "with exhaust brake capability"?

 

[mwilson]

What do you mean by "with exhaust brake capability"?

It means that the ECM and transmission are programmed to accept the addition of an engine brake.

I added a Jacobs to my '06, it ties into the ECM.

That gives the powertrain control of the brake. It will shut the brake off before a downshift is allowed, blip the fuel, downshift the transmission and re-engage the brake. It is the premier set-up prior to the 6. 7L.

Also will engage if the cruise is set and the truck picks up too much speed going downhill or simply coasting.

Software also allows the brake to remain on while warming up the engine even with the high idle feature engaged up until 1200 rpm as I recall.

The '06 and '07 also have both tow/haul and overdrive lock-out features.

I drive mine in tow/haul with the brake active loaded or empty. Just love it...



Mike.

 

[rivercat]

thanks guys. I am not sure if I will risk the issues that come with 4x4 or just go with a 2wd and try and stay out of wet grass... But it does seem like the 06-07 is the way to go.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

When driven correctly the 48re is a very good and dependable transmission. My '05 had 475,xxx miles on the factory build before the transmission was busted by one of my drivers. The '06 has about 575,xxx miles on the original transmission and is still going strong. Both trucks have hauled or towed for much of their existence.

When used in "tow/haul" mode the 48re acts more like a 5 speed transmission than a 4 speed because of the timing of the torque convertor lock-up after being in 3rd gear for a bit. This fact really helps the engine move the load without having to wind the engine over 2000 or so rpm's. The braking effect while slowing in "tow/haul" mode is also very helpful in providing control without wearing out the brakes.

Two things to NOT do with a 48re: 1. Do not engage "tow/haul" at speed. When already in overdrive with the torque convertor locked before engaging "t/h" the TC will unlock until you "reset" by slowing down and allowing the computer to lock the TC. It's best to engage "t/h" before moving the truck.

2. Do not allow the engine to downshift while the cruise control is engaged with "t/h" engaged. The engineers did not do their homework here. When in OD and TC locked with cruise engaged, the transmission will unlock the TC and drop to 3rd gear when going up decent grades with a load. The engine will rev very high which prevents the TC from locking. I'm guessing this is how the trans in my '05 was killed, too much heat from TC slippage.

Do not be afraid of the 48re, just treat it with respect. I would recommend the 4. 10 ratio if towing heavy with the 48re.

Having said all that, I am also partial to my NV5600. Just overfill it with 7 total quarts of fluid (I prefer Royal Purple Synchro Max) and change oil every 100,000 miles. When rebuilding it take it to Standard Transmission in Fort Worth and have them install the Power Lube package which literally uses 1st gear to pump oil to the rear mainshaft bearing. I really like the 3. 74 ratio with this transmission.

May your work for our Lord be blessed!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[rivercat]

thanks guys, I realize there are countless 07 6. 7 trucks sitting on lots from 15k upto 60k. But I really cant find anything bad about them as long as you get the latest flash don't use programming as much as you would on a 5. 9 cause the soot plugs the DPF that and don;t idle the truck. Other than that seems people are really happy with the 68rfe being shiftable and the power of the 6. 7. I am really trying to get a cab chassis 3500 to benefit from the bulletproof aisin and the better frame and all of the cab chassis. But the C&Cs close by are 4x4 should I just go with a 08-09 dually bed in 2wd. I like being able to pull off in the mud and use 4x4 but its not worth the bad steering and death wobble and hopelessness I have experienced on my 02. If I can choose the right category with prudence The holy ghost will give me peace to endorse a purchase of any specific truck or else I will walk away.

Im boggled at the options and its weird how a 08 0r 09 6spd auto dually can be bought with the same money as a 07 5. 9 4speed. I really have out grown power adders If I was going the 5. 9 route I would do 40hp injectors before I even added a box for mileage. I l