your impressionon G56 transmission

[Okie-Go]

I really like my g56 over the 01. It just seems like a sport's car transmission. I also like the 3. 73 gears with it also. 23k miles and no trouble in leass than a year!

 

[Hercules130]

I really like mine except for the buzz in 5th

 

[ENafziger]

I like mine as well, except I can't keep it in reverse when backing down a hill... it pops out very violently, and will send you flying backwards and make your heart skip a beat when it does it. I have to be ready for it with one foot on the brake all the time. Other than that, and that it's always notchy going to 5th, I like it as well.

 

[RobertP]

ive had no problems with mine at all. the clutch on the other hand does not like any power adder. at 21000 miles i switched fluid to amsoil, what a difference.

 

[Luken]

I drive my buddys 06 all the time and I HATE the low gearing... If I had the truck it would have 37's on it...

 

[WOT]

I like mine as well, except I can't keep it in reverse when backing down a hill... it pops out very violently, and will send you flying backwards and make your heart skip a beat when it does it. I have to be ready for it with one foot on the brake all the time. Other than that, and that it's always notchy going to 5th, I like it as well.

There's a TSB out to fix that - had it done and works well.

 

[ENafziger]

There's a TSB out to fix that - had it done and works well.

Did they replace the transmission, or do they have a fix?

 

[CMast]

I really like the g56 with the 3:73 my last truck had the 4:10 nv5600 i like the new one better my 2 cents

 

[klenger]

Does anyone have an '05 parts manual? It'd be interesting to see what all the parts differences are between the NV5600 and the G56. I suppose one reason that DC wouldn't want to make the swap under warranty is because they'd have to replace a perfectly good clutch, clutch housing, drive shafts?, etc for the sake of a trans. I have a 100k 7 year service contract with DC. I think they would have to give me a vehicle to use for as long as mine would be in the shop, should my NV5600 ever fail. The whole issue of no parts for the NV5600 sucks. I suspect that NV built X number of trans for Dodge, and Dodge installed every last one of them in production trucks, leaving no spares or parts. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall of the boardroom meeting when that decision was made. "Well, F***'m, we'll worry about that later".

 

[Mikie12]

I ordered a Gear Venders overdrive for mine. Now if I can just figure out how to install it. Guess I'll have to run it down to San Diego and have GV install it for me. I read in TDR that it's supposed to drop the R's from 2150 @ 65, to 1750 @ 65.

Can't wait to have that "7th" gear.

 

[Spooled-up]

Does the G56 use auto transmission fluid instead of gear oil? Thought I read that somewhere. I could have dreamed it and recalled it as fact too. I've done that before.

 

[RobertP]

yup atf+4 6qts

 

[Jrissler]

22,000 miles pulling most miles, wish it was a lil higher geared!!!



Man if you would have an old trans with the 4:10 gears and replaced it with the g56 trans man that would be bad slow wouldn't it??

 

[Sandyneck]

22,000 miles and no problems. I agree with the low gearing issue. I find myself serarching for "7th" gear all the time. Larger tires are a must. You won't win any stop light drag races with this trans as the poor thing hits redline so fast before you have to slam third. Overall, very happy with the trans and the truck in general.

 

[Bernie]

I like mine as well, except I can't keep it in reverse when backing down a hill... it pops out very violently, and will send you flying backwards and make your heart skip a beat when it does it. I have to be ready for it with one foot on the brake all the time. Other than that, and that it's always notchy going to 5th, I like it as well.

It sounds like your trans (and Hercules, posted before you) have problems with your transmissions. I would get them looked at.

 

[ILIANBG]

Thanks to evryone that posted their experience. I learned a lot about it, and that's why this site is so helpful. I will still keep reading about anything I can find about this transmission- it looks as a real good choice for the truck. Thanks again. Ilian

 

[Hercules130]

It sounds like your trans (and Hercules, posted before you) have problems with your transmissions. I would get them looked at.

Going in monday, i hope i at least get a fluid change out of it.

 

[skipro3]

I found the G56 in my '06 to be very tight for the first 4K miles. After that, it broke in nice and shifts like a dream. Gearing is low and my wife, who never drives the truck, found it to be annoying when the turbo lag catches up. Kinda throws you into the back seat, so to speak. I installed a set of Hummer take-offs. Wow! What a difference. I run the truck mostly empty and it's a short bed. The power delivery is much smoother now without the turbo/afterburner kick as pronounced. Very smooth and a feel a power. Also, the tires are D rated and much much smoother ride. I put some Rancho 9000's on and this truck rides like I remember our Crown Victoria would ride. It's like gliding down the road now. Also, I find the turning radius un affected by the 315's that the Hummer rims came with. The truck also has the 2" leveling kit and that, with the tires, demands a step for anyone under 5'4" to get up into the cab. Very Cool!!!

So, depending on how you want to use the truck, highway cruiser with a cushy ride, or large load towing, I don't think you can go wrong with the G56. Just tune it with tires and shocks for the ride you prefer.

 

[RDrescher]

G56 Vs 5600

I drove a 2003 with the 5600 & couldn't believe how vauge & hard it was to find the gears. Maybe this was just a bad transmission. I recently drove a 2005 with the G56 & this shifted great, a night & day difference. There was no gear noise, this was very nice! I remarked how the truck must have 410 gearing. After reading a bunch of posts I'm not so sure. These trans. are known for their low gearing. I would personally get both pinions replaced(4wd) so I would have 1800 to 2000 at 70mph. My personal opinion as a non expert is that DC is spinning the drivline faster through the years to avoid warrantee repairs. High torque at low speeds = high stresses. The tooth loading at higher speeds is greatly reduced. Best of luck, Randy

 

[jungledave]

I am trying to learn more about the G56 transmission. How do you like it? How has it been so far-any issues? How's shifting compared to the NV5600? I am thinking about a 3-Gen. truck and I want to find out how are manual transmission holding up on your trucks. I would be looking for a used one so both manual trannies are an option. All opinions are welcome.

The g-56 is made in Brazil and was designed by DC. It has a 6. 2something 1st gear wich is lower than the 5600. it has a . 79 to1 6th gear wich is porbably the biggest complaint. Issue 53 tells all you need to know about it. It is supposed to be a very strong transmission. I really like the one in my 06 3500 mega cab. I wasn't too happy about the OD ratio at first but since I run 35s I couldn't be happier. With 35s my g56 truck is still lower geared than an auto 3. 73 truck. I am only doing 76 at 2200 rpm with 35s while an auto truck with 3. 73s and 265s is doing 80 at 2200 rpm. I can run 37s and be very close to an auto truck with 265s. It really shifts smooth, it is quiet and reverse is closer to first where I think it belongs. The down side is that the dual mass flywheel is the week point if you plan on mods but there are replacemet flywheels available. The dual mass flywheel is used to further quiet the g56 in lower gears and NOT used because the transmission is weak. According to the issue 56 article the g56 is stronger thatn the NV 5600 and will be cheaper to rebuild down the road. I am pretty happy with mine and wouldn't worry about it at all if you want a six speed over an auto. If you don't tow a lot or are planning to run stock tires I probably would go with an auto. I prefer autos I just wanted a six speed this time around and am happy I did since I like a little taller tire on the Mega cab.