New 6spd or Auto

[RRoton]

I have the auto and like it real well, BUT, if you are going to want an exhaust brake get the stick...

 

[PNeuzil]

I drove both the auto and 6-speed. I didn't like having to press on the brake pedel so hard at stop lights to keep it from creeping forward.



I find the 6-speed (what I ended up buying) almost boring to drive at speed while towing. I've never had to downshift up grades where an auto would require a gear down.

 

[Dean Upson]

After having had a 47 RE, a NV4500 and presently a NV5600, I would never go to anything other than the 6 speed, especially for towing. The short shifter has made it even better.



Dean

 

[klenger]

Aside from the reliability of the 6 speed, you do get an extra gear for climbing with the 6 speed. I have about 500 RPM gaps between all gears.

 

[CommonMan]

I have a 4x4 Quad SRW 03 with a 48RE. I tow a 10K 5th wheel with a 2K boat behind that. It also has a 4:10 rear end limited slip. Runs like a top and shifts perfectly. When driving East on 44 between Springfield and St. Louis I got in the fast lane and cruised right along with the rest of the traffic. Even with the 4:10 rear the meat of my horsepower was at 80 mph. That is not the way I drive normally but it was a good day for testing it. I did have the opportunity to open it up at one point and it crept up close too 100 and said to myself, "enough of that". It sure beats the hell out of my 92 CTD.

 

[Sherman]

6sd

Originally posted by klenger

Aside from the reliability of the 6 speed, you do get an extra gear for climbing with the 6 speed. I have about 500 RPM gaps between all gears.

Go with the 6sd if you are looking for the heavy tow,I have a friend that has an 03 with 6sd and AFTER 200,000+MI OF OVER LOAD COMBINED WITH HIGH SPEED ABUSE,finally took out 6th gear, an auto in the same conditions might last 30,000mi, maybe?