Thinking of a new Truck

[AMerrill]

I'm thinking of buying a new truck. I would like to know what people that have them think of them and what mods if any I would have to do to get the best mpg's and make it run better then my 5. 9 I was going to go with the 6 speed.

 

[Beast2B]

6-speed auto or manual? they're both 6-speeds now. i love the auto, it shifts well and the tow/haul mode is nice and the exhaust brake functions well (my 2001 was a manual 6-speed HO). Interior is light years ahead of the 2nd gen truck, especially the crew cab if you need 4+ real seats. overall i like my new truck a lot

 

[AH64ID]

Deletes are the best mod for increased mpgs, decreased maintenance, and zero warranty.

 

[Grizzly]

If you're thinking of a 6 speed manual, which is a G56, they only come with a dual mass flywheel (DMF). I wouldn't have one if you gave it to me. I'd rather have the 68RFE auto or better yet the Aisin auto if you get a CC.



Is there any chance that Dodge will offer the Aisin on a HD pickup in the future?

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm with Grizz on the transmission. Going to purchase a 2012 myself, but I'm going AUTO. Did I just say that?

 

[Grizzly]

I'm with Grizz on the transmission. Going to purchase a 2012 myself, but I'm going AUTO. Did I just say that?

Congratulations JHawes. Which auto will you get?

 

[AMerrill]

I was thinking of the 6 speed manual. I have not heard of dual mass flywheel before? I have a question for you all I thought that the only auto was the 68RFE but you all where talking about the CC trany so if you could explain please.

 

[JFringer]

so im guessing from the number of people recomending the auto that they have advanced alot since my 98. 5?

 

[Grizzly]

AMerrill,



The 6 speed manual is a G56, which has been on our HD trucks since mid 05. They are a good aluminum housing Mercedes truck transmission. They do however have a dual mass flywheel, which is used to make shifting smoother and easier. I believe Ford also had a dual mass flywheel when they offered a standard transmission many years ago . The dual mass flywheel tends to be problem prone and sometime will only last 70 to 90 K miles.



JFringer,



Automatics have advanced a great deal since 98. The 68REF is considered a good strong transmission for towing and around town non-towing. The Aisin is considered even better and some say better than the Allison. They are only offered on the Cab & Chassis (CC).



I have always been a die hard standard transmission person. Every truck I have ever owned have been standard. The time has come to make a switch to an auto. The next truck I get will have the Aisin transmission, which won't be for a few more years because I alway keep my trucks and cars for 10 years or more.

 

[ed@DaveSmithMotors]

I have to agree with these guys who recommend the automatic transmission w/ tow haul mode. You actually end up with the best of both worlds... especially when towing and using the exhaust brake to assist with braking.

 

[AfterBurner]

I went from an 02 with the NV5600 to an 11 C&C with the Aisin. I debated auto vs standard for awhile, as I really liked the NV5600. Had a friend with an '07 that had the G56, I towed lots of heavy miles with his truck and didn't like the feel of it. That and the DMF problems are what really drove me to getting an auto this round.



I do not regret getting an auto. It shifts great, and with the range select I can pick my gears like a standard. It also downshifts great when in tow/haul, and with the engine brake on it'll really shut down without using much brake pedal.



The only times I wish I had a stick is when I'm doing slow work, like leading horses off the back, loading hay out of the field and backing trailers. First and reverse are taller than the stick so I have to ride the brakes to keep under 4 mph. Also, a stick is more fun for playing around IMO.



The double overdrive is nice, with 4. 10s the truck runs just over 1900 rpms at 70mph.



The new truck doesn't have the get up and go (C&C's have less power than p/u's) of my old truck , but that ones not stock. With the cost of engine repairs being so steep, I'm afraid to touch anything in the powertrain until I run out of warranty... so the fuel mileage and power will continue to suck until then :{

 

[jryan11518]

Just curious why you are waiting on the 2012? I understand the late 2011 has the large motor HO? Is there something new I am missing. Inches away from pulling the trigger on an 2011 3500 dually 4x4. Still questioning myself on gear ratios. Not a lot of towing 65-35. Do not laugh salesman told me; 3. 73 with the new High Output Diesel Engine would be more than enough to pull whatever you need and keep the fuel economy? I am leaning toward the 4. 10.

 

[HBarlow]

Keep leaning toward the 4. 10 gears. A rule of thumb to follow is never, I repeat, never believe what the salesman tells you.

Opinions will vary but you should know that if you choose a manual six speed you will have to plan on a fairly early failure of the dual mass flywheel assembly. Some have failed in less than 20k miles, most around 70k to 80k. All do fail.

Read all the posts here and owners will confirm, those who have them like their trucks but when the DMF fails they replace the flywheel and clutch assembly with a solid flywheel and clutch from SouthBend Clutch.

If you decided on a six speed automatic, the Ram pickups are equipped with a new MOPAR 68RFE six speed automatic. It is a vastly superior product to the old 47REs and 48RE four speeds.

Cab and chassis trucks are equipped with an Aisin six speed automatic. You can't pick and choose. The pickup has one, the C&C has the other.

With either, the 4. 10 gears are the better choice because both automatics have two overdrive gears. Fifth and sixth are both overdrives. With 3. 73 gears in sixth gear on the highway your engine rpm will barely be off idle, not even in the torque band until your road speed exceeds 50 or 60 mph.

 

[jryan11518]

Harvey thanks. I want auto, do not want to shift any more. I get it the PU has one the CC has the other. What does the Mega Cab have. I look at the build sheets and they do not specify?

 

[THess]

The mega cab would have the 68rfe trans as the mega is not offered in the chassis cab. I think thats right anyway. I'm not trying to hijack the thread but am also looking at a cab and chassis. The auto is around 2k more, and if I remember correctly the replacement clutch and flywheel from southbend is also 2k. Is the g56 a good transmission after the flywheel is replaced?

 

[Wertles]

The Mega Cab is currently only available in pickup form so it will have the 68RFE. Harvey is absolutely right on the 4. 10's. You will not be disappointed at all. If you ever tow, they are superior. The 3. 73 will work but the 4. 10 will pull better all day long regardless of how much HP and torque will make. Fuel economy is essentially the same so don't let the salesman tell you otherwise and make a decision based on false claims.

 

[jryan11518]

Thanks guys. Just thinking about towing over the grade has made up my mind 4:10. I read in another thread that the "MaxTow" configuration will not be available until 2012? If they have it ready for the new builds, why dont they just start installing that feature NOW?

 

[HBarlow]

The mega cab would have the 68rfe trans as the mega is not offered in the chassis cab. I think thats right anyway. I'm not trying to hijack the thread but am also looking at a cab and chassis. The auto is around 2k more, and if I remember correctly the replacement clutch and flywheel from southbend is also 2k. Is the g56 a good transmission after the flywheel is replaced?

Well, that is a matter of opinion. I think it is safe to say the G-56 is not as robust and cannot stand up to the miles and abuse the old NV-5600 could. The G-56 uses an aluminum case instead of cast iron as in the old NV-5600. I understand the cases can be cracked and split when stressed and the input shaft can wear out the case so that it can't be rebuilt.

The G-56 is a Daimler design, made in Brazil, and forced on Dodge Ram division by Daimler when Daimler owned a controlling interest in Chrysler. This occured when New Venture, a joint venture company created by GM and Chrysler as I understand it, quit building the NV-5600 which was used in Dodge Rams behind the Cummins engine from mid year 2000 through mid year 2005.

The G-56 reportedly shifts easier than the NV-5600 but is based on a much lighter aluminum case whereas the old NV-5600 was a 400+ pound iron case. I have recently read reports that the G-56 transmissions can't tolerate the same stresses the old iron case NV-5600 could and cases can split or be worn out and not rebuildable.

 

[THess]

Thanks Harvey. That is exactly the info that I was looking for. I drove the auto in an 11 cc and loved it; I've just always been a manual transmission guy. I am a little worried about backing trailers with an auto, but it looks like a lot of commercial haulers are switching to it. I've read a lot of other forums and have yet to read anything negative about the Aisin.

 

[HBarlow]

We have one TDR member who has over 350,000 miles of daily hauling of a heavy gooseneck flatbed trailer loaded with oilfield equipment on a 2007. 5 Ram 3500 cab and chassis.

He has had only a couple of minor problems with the engine and has never had a single problem with the Aisin six speed automatic.

We have at least one member with a new '11 Ram 4500 who is an oilfield hauler. He chose the Aisin six speed automatic for his truck. The Ram 4500 is a very common platform in southern Louisiana among oil field haulers.