Ordering truck, couple questions

[zb39]

I was going to go with a manual, but it looks like the 6 speed auto has all the bugs worked out, and has a manual up or down button. Thoughts from people who own one. I am looking for this truck to last a while. I do not tow, but do have a slide in camper. I thought 3. 42 gears would be the way to go. I want this truck to last a long time. I don't drive far to work, 4 miles, will this be a problem for the regeneration. Is the regeneration based on miles driven, fuel used or what? I don't know. There will be times I will drive much further of course and I don't have to take it to work, I can drive something else. I priced it out last nite at dealer, everything but rear dvd and running boards... 56,985 retail... invoice 51,946... ... . 1500 rebate... . 500 farm bureu..... 1000 engine... . so 48,946... . I have a call into steve white motors... . we will see.

 

[RustyJC]

I'd think long and hard about the 3. 42 rear end. With the double overdrive gearing in the 68RFE automatic, the engine RPMs at 60 MPH in 6th gear work out as follows:



3. 42 - 1345 RPM



3. 73 - 1466 RPM



4. 10 - 1612 RPM



With any kind of load and/or wind resistance, I suspect you'll find yourself spending a lot of time in 4th or 5th gear with the 3. 42s. There's a reason that the 3. 73s are standard equipment with the 68RFE with the 4. 10s optional for those of us who work the trucks with heavy trailers.



I had 4. 10s in my 2002 HO/NV5600 and would run 2000 RPM at 60 MPH in 6th gear. The 68RFE automatic's double overdrive gearing makes lower rear axle gearing much easier to live with.



JMHO - YMMV.



Rusty

 

[EGroeneveld]

I personally would not do 3. 42 unless you never tow and never haul anything. I went 4. 10 on my truck I ordered and have recieved. It turns about the same RPM's as my 2005 Dodge 3500 with 3. 73 gears. 2,000 RPM is about 72/73 MPH on both new and old trucks. I love the 4. 10 and 6 speed auto.



I choose the 4. 10 because of trailers and slide in camper. Would do 3. 73 if I was running lighter loads. I'd never do 3. 42 unless I got like a Megacab to be the family minivan (no hauling or towing). I have a 6 mile commutte and no problems yet. That said every weekend we usually end up out on the hwy for a run out of town, many times towing.

 

[zb39]

Rusty, thank you... ... I will def go with 3. 73 to get the engine in the peak tourque range. . OK, what else am I missing?? I have been back and forth on the phone with SW motors all day. They are looking to be about a grand less than my local..... we will see...

 

[zb39]

Egro, I think we were typing at the same time... ... Thanks for input. Sounds like my short comute won't be a problem... .

 

[EGroeneveld]

My understanding is that a short commute is not a big deal as long as you get the truck out on the hwy for some good miles at operating temp several times a month. Obviously a longer commutte would be more ideal for the emissions stuff but not a deal breaker on the newer 6. 7 with updated programs and a couple of years worth of good testing by consumers.

 

[zb39]

I think I could take it out a couple times a week... . no problem. Still dealing, SW motors is offering $500 more in rebate than my local. Not sure why. Also giving another $500 for holdback. There retail is 56,535, invoice 51,563 minus 4k brings it to 47,563... . still dealing.

 

[n7gxz]

I just picked up my 2011 last Friday and I like the 6-speed manual, clutch peddle is very light. I got the 3. 73 and it rolls at 60mph very easy at about 1700.



Kevin

 

[Simplysmn]

I say you will be just fine with either 373's or 410's I had a 08 with 410's and now the 2011 with same 410's n 6 sp Auto luv the new truck's

 

[rrl989]

I don't own one (YET), but I'm going with the 3. 73's after 12 years and two TC's with the 3. 55's.

 

[zb39]

N7, truck sounds great, glad you like it. My GMC dump is a manual and i love it, but sometimes I am lazy and want an auto. My real concern was longevity(sp) i believe they have that worked out. I also don't believe I will be working the truck that hard. transmission and def not the engine, it's way strong. Still doing some dealing and working out the right color..... leaning toward solid brown... . love to see pics if someone has some. But sometime the 2 tone looks nice also... ...

 

[Simplysmn]

Hey ZB if you pm me a e mail address I will send you a picture of my 2011 rugged brown it's solid color

 

[zb39]

Awesome!!!!!!!!! pm on the way... . Oo.