NV 5600 vs. G56…. Shifting smoothness… Have Q’s…

[fkovalski]

I have the NV 5600 in my 2005 (see sig. ) I previously had the 5 speed in my ’01 and even thought they are different transmissions, the former was really much smoother in the shifting. The new one has a LOT of slack between the gears. It is also now getting harder to find 3rd …I end up hitting 5th when coming out of second gear. The dealer told me that this is normal. They said that because of all the tolerances built- in (as required by AAM, NV and the Xfer case) this slop in the drive line is normal.



I had the opportunity to use a dealer demo over the weekend for 500 miles while mine was in for service (Injection pump replacement. ) The demo was an ’06 identical to mine with the exception of the G56. It shifted SO MUCH better than my NV 5600! Smoother, more responsive and not nearly the driveline slack that I am feeling with mine!



Why is the shifting so much better on the new one? Is the tried and true 5600 that sloppy when matted to the new AAM components? I have never driven a second gen truck with the 5600… was it as sloppy as the same transmission in the newer ones.



I would really hope to get opinion on this as being normal (as the dealer says) or do I have driveline issues?

 

[LSchulz]

Why is the shifting so much better on the new one? Is the tried and true 5600 that sloppy when matted to the new AAM components? I have never driven a second gen truck with the 5600… was it as sloppy as the same transmission in the newer ones.



I would really hope to get opinion on this as being normal (as the dealer says) or do I have driveline issues?

I'm not sure why it's the case, but I can agree with you that the G56 shifts a lot better. I thought mine shifted pretty well until I drove my dad's '06... big difference. My dad was the original owner of my truck, so I've driven it since it was new, and it hasn't changed much. I haven't driven a 3rd gen with the NV5600 to compare, but I would imagine that the G56 is still smoother.

 

[JCleary]

I drove a G56 equipped Megacab. Man, does that transmission shift nice! Must be those plastic gears and synchros.



All kidding aside, I wouldn't mind having a G56.



As far as your NV is concerned, I don't think excess slack is normal. My shifter was a bit sloppy (like I expected a truck transmission to be), but the BD short-shift kit fixed it right up.

 

[klenger]

I had an 01. 5 with the NV4500 5 speed and traded it for another 01. 5 with the NV5600 6 speed. The 5 speed was way easier to shift IMHO. I don't have any experience with the G56, but have heard they shift a lot better than the NV5600.

 

[Rod_Montana]

I drove both back to back, before settling on the NV5600 for its sixth gear overdrive. The G56 was definitely smoother, even though it had on 15 miles on it, compared to the NV5600 with 10k. Clutch engagement was smoother and more progressive also on the G56 truck.



The NV5600 takes a bit of finesse to get smooth, no-clunk shifts, at least for me - but I am getting it down finally - 4000 miles later.



Still tough to do full power, 2800+rpm shifts because the clutch lets go so high on the pedal, you have to back out of the throttle real early.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think the G56 is easier to shift because it's a lighter transmission. Not that that's a bad thing though, seems to be proving itself quite well. I drove a new G56 not long ago and liked it better than the NV5600s I had on my '01 and even '03 (which was quite a bit better than my '01). The combo I would like is the G56 with a higher rear axle ratio, like a 3. 30, and leave the gearing on the G56 alone so that there's not the big RPM drop from 5th to 6th on the NV5600 . . . something I didn't like. You could also run in direct with a big load without running sky high RPM.



Vaughn

 

[DSutton]

Rod Montana is right on. You'll get used to it, and master it. I have no idea about smoothness of the G56. But I do think the NV5600 has proven to be a very good unit. I'm glad to have it.

 

[prestonmck]

I have the NV 5600 in my 2005 (see sig. ) I previously had the 5 speed in my ’01 and even thought they are different transmissions, the former was really much smoother in the shifting. The new one has a LOT of slack between the gears. It is also now getting harder to find 3rd …I end up hitting 5th when coming out of second gear. The dealer told me that this is normal. They said that because of all the tolerances built- in (as required by AAM, NV and the Xfer case) this slop in the drive line is normal.



I had the opportunity to use a dealer demo over the weekend for 500 miles while mine was in for service (Injection pump replacement. ) The demo was an ’06 identical to mine with the exception of the G56. It shifted SO MUCH better than my NV 5600! Smoother, more responsive and not nearly the driveline slack that I am feeling with mine!



Why is the shifting so much better on the new one? Is the tried and true 5600 that sloppy when matted to the new AAM components? I have never driven a second gen truck with the 5600… was it as sloppy as the same transmission in the newer ones.



I would really hope to get opinion on this as being normal (as the dealer says) or do I have driveline issues?

How many miles do you have on your '05?I have about 30k now and have very little play in neutral or in-between any of the gears. Because of the short shift kit (which I don't believe is available for G-56 yet)I can even shift with my fingers only when resting my arm on console. I have test driven a G-56 unit and engagment of gears was admittedly smoother. The slop in between shifts on the G-56 to me was excessive. I am sure when a short shift kit is available it will be a popular item for the G-56