Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) question for owners of 5 & 6spd trucks

[RRWilliams]

Ive seen the 5spd and the 6spd trannys and its obvious how much bigger the NV5600 is than 5spd. Was the reason behind DODGE putting another gear and upsizing the transmission because the 5spd was having problems handling the power, or was it leaning more towards better fuel economy with another gear. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ONCE OWNED THE 5 SPEED AND NOW RUN A 6, DO YOU LIKE THE IMPROVEMENT OR IS IT JUST UNECSESSARY SHIFTING.

 

[RKlaassen]

I had a 94 12v with the 5 speed and 3. 54 axles. Usually towed 7 to 8k and it was sometimes a real streach to make the shift from 3rd to 4th when pulling a grade. Wind it up till it hit the governer and the shift would bring it down to 1500rpm. Just marginal to keep it in the usable rpm range. The 01 6 speed filled the gap, but the 24v's wider rpm range would have made up for the hole between 3rd & 4th anyway. Running empty you can almost use the 6 speed like a 3 speed. All in all, I still prefer the 6 speed.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

The difference in the gearing between the 5/6 speeds is if you can picture the 5 speed, take out 3rd gear, then add 2 gears between 2nd and 4th that are more evenly spaced (the other gears didn't change). I have the 5sp and my friend has the 6 speed so I have driven both and feel that the extra gear is well worth it, especially if you are going to tow heavy.



Even in town the 6 speed would be nice because there are speeds where I will have high enough rpm's to make me want to shift from 3rd to 4th with my 5 speed, but a shift into 4th would result in rpm's that are too close to lugging the engine.



I just wish that on the NV5600's that the reverse was on the left side of the shift pattern.

 

[JStaton]

The difference in the gearing between the 5/6 speeds is if you can picture the 5 speed, take out 3rd gear, then add 2 gears between 2nd and 4th that are more evenly spaced (the other gears didn't change). I have the 5sp and my friend has the 6 speed so I have driven both and feel that the extra gear is well worth it, especially if you are going to tow heavy.



Even in town the 6 speed would be nice because there are speeds where I will have high enough rpm's to make me want to shift from 3rd to 4th with my 5 speed, but a shift into 4th would result in rpm's that are too close to lugging the engine.



I just wish that on the NV5600's that the reverse was on the left side of the shift pattern.

1st and 2nd gear to me seems a lot lower than that on the 5spd



jake

 

[johncameron]

Gear 1 2 3 4 5

RPM 5. 61 3. 04 1. 67 1 0. 75





Gear 1 2 3 4 5 6

RPM 5. 63 3. 38 2. 04 1. 39 1 0. 73



Heres the actual data.



I love my 6er.



John

 

[RRWilliams]

but relibility wise, there both pretty bulletproof? I got relatives that will only run dodges on there farm, most of them manuals and they never had a problem with the manuals. But i only know of one guy who rebuilds t-missions for a living and he says the (5 and 6spd) both have "more" problems than any other manuals on the market for a pickup. I know a lot of people with dodges and only couple that have had some nut come lose or somethn and it was an easy fix on there 5 speeds. Kinda hard to go against the guys word cuz thats what he does but..... what do you guys think?

 

[steved]

My dad has a 99 with a 5spd... I have a 6spd in my 04. 5.



We both prefer the 6 spd for towing, but his five speed is better "driving"... everyshift puts you back into the torque range and you have a more useable RPM band per gear with the 5spd... where the 6spd you seem to run out of RPMs, but makes towing a lot easier...



Basically, if you tow a lot, the 6spd is probably the better choice... if you drive a lot, then the 5spd is probably better...



And laying all jokes aside, his 235HP 5spd w/3. 55s will pull away from my 325HP 6spd w/4. 10s in a drag race (empty) until I get into the higher gears where my extra HP comes into play...



The 5spd is definately my pick for everyday driving and the occassional tow.



steved

 

[SKneeland]

after owning both:



the 5sp shifted smoother, but it has its problems with unreliability (nut falling off) and generally just isnt built as strong as the 6sp



the 6sp is better for towing heavy, especially bombed. can drop a gear on a steep hill, up the rpm & still keep highway speed & egts down(was too much of a gap between 4&5 on the 5sp)



that being said, the new owner of my old 5sp complains its never shifted the same since the rebuild & now my 6sp shifts smoother.....

 

[RRWilliams]

well im gonna be a daily driver, and for the little towing that i would do around the farm due to the farm truck, the 5spd would be more benificial to me. Thanks for the help guys, i appreciate it.

 

[onestackdram]

the only thing i disliked about the transmission change going from a 97 5 spd with 4:10's to an 02 6 spd w/ 4:10's is i really didnt' need the gears in between 2nd and 4th changed i need and WOULD LOVE for there to be a better OD I hate when i'm empty and have to travel at 2400 rpms to move 70 mph. I know there are options like a OD unit behind the transmission but who wants to invest that much $$$ when it will take you approx. 100k to pay off just using todays fuels prices

 

[JSienkowski]

I agree with the top end statement, I was thinking about putting a 6 speed in my truck, but the OD is about the same so it wouldn't gain me any top end

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

After owning two 5-speeds and two 6-speeds, I'll take the 6-speed any day. And I do a lot of in-town stop & go driving. I keep finding myself driving at the "limbo" speed in the low 30s where I'm going a little fast for 3rd and a bit slow for 4th. Happens every day driving to work so I'm frequently rowing between 3rd & 4th as the yahoos driving in front of me are constantly varying speed. If I had the 6-speed I would be good in 4th!



The 6-speed in my '03 shifted great, didn't mind the extra shift getting up to speed. I turned a 15. 9 @ 93mph at the drag strip with a stock truck running an EZ, launching in 1st gear and rowing through all 6 going down the track.



Vaughn

 

[SSabick]

Everyday HP, and play toy... Get the 5er. The SO VP powered trucks do better with the timing and fueling boxes. However if you want a truck for work, and tow... get a 6spd. And if you are towing most of the time, and it is heavy, get the Dully 6spd. Stock HO VP's won't respond as well to the boxes, and they have a limit on how big of injectors that can be run before running out of fuel. HRVP's cure that, but cost is much higher. That said, I think the fastest 6spd is in the 12's, but that is cause the guy is incredibly gifted in the ability to power through the gears. All in all, I love my 6spd. , and have had many offers to swap any time for Built auto's, and 5spd's. They must think I'm crazy...

 

[Supermod56]

The 6 speed is a lot stouter than the 5, and doesn't have the 5th gear nut falling off issue because the OD gears are on the front of the transmission. I have both, the 5 is still in the truck, around town it's great, haven't tried the 6 yet, still sitting on the garage. I bought it because of the wide gap in the 3-4 shift on the 5er, and for durability, because I tow over 10K all the time. For regular buzzing around and light towing, the 5 will get the job done just fine.



Tom