TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

In "your opinion" who has the best manual tranny and describe "best" for you.

Dodge Cause






























Tim Said so:popcorn:

I currently have no opinion. The GM manual sucks, the Ford is ok, and the new Dodge tranny has barely hit the roads.

The GM manual sucks, the Ford is ok

Uhh, arent they the same ZF trans' with a different clutch setup?

What I really don't understand is why GM isn't learning on the clutch and pressure plate. WTF are they thinking? This has been a very hot issue for customers for years with no real solution other than after market. They have a fine manual transmission, but ruin it with the c/p, and don't offer it in the up-scale trim the the hot-shotters and some serious RV'ers (and horse folks) will want. <shaking head>

I have to say that in regards to current offerings I'd say that Ford has the best manual available, only because of the flywheel issues with the GM and the fact that the Dodge trans is new and unproven. That said, I have no doubt that the new Dodge trans will prove itself to be a very smooth and reliable unit if it is indeed built by Daimler, as I've heard. They make good chit.waytogo

I currently have no opinion. The GM manual sucks, the Ford is ok, and the new Dodge tranny has barely hit the roads.

I have to say that in regards to current offerings I'd say that Ford has the best manual available, only because of the flywheel issues with the GM and the fact that the Dodge trans is new and unproven. That said, I have no doubt that the new Dodge trans will prove itself to be a very smooth and reliable unit if it is indeed built by Daimler, as I've heard. They make good chit.waytogo

Agreed 100%.

The Ford is the only one that is proven not to have issues.

I hope my Dodge is as dependable as the NV 5600 was when installed.waytogo

Uhh, arent they the same ZF trans' with a different clutch setup? I should have said the whole sytem sucks on the GM's with the clutch setup,. regardless that the tranny is a good unit, it won't go anywhere with a messed up clutch.

Fuller with their 18 spd roadranger.

Fuller with their 18 spd roadranger.Umm, far as I know we are refering to pickups.

Umm, far as I know we are refering to pickups.

No we're talking about tow rigs. If you want to tow with a light duty truck.................and that trans is rated for over 18K ft lbs of torque.

No we're talking about tow rigs. If you want to tow with a light duty truck.................and that trans is rated for over 18K ft lbs of torque.
Actually, we ARE talking about light duty pickups. This site was meant for 3/4-1ton pickups, not OTR trucks, which I find you talk about most.

(thats our administrator that started the site)Hello and welcome to TowRig.com! Your probably wondering why another truck site when the Internet is full of them?

There are many good brand specific sites out there, but by dedicating a site primarily to Dodge, Ford and GM and not focusing on a single brand it helps take a reader out of their comfort zone a bit which allows for further education. The big three are in the midst of what some call the "Diesel Wars" which benefits us as consumers, you can bet each manufacturer is keeping an eye on what the others are doing. The same goes for discussing upgrades and experiences with other owners, you may just pick up a great tip from another brand owner.

The focus of TowRig.com is primarily ¾ and 1 ton light duty trucks used in towing applications, whether it be for personal or business, everything from towing a boat to a bobcat. Discussing performance and aftermarket accessories, choosing a Tow Rig that is right for you and of course trailers and how to properly load them etc. is the focus of this site.

Most enthusiast sites that deal with Off-Roading, Boats, Snowmobiles, ATV’s, Motorcycle’s, Horse’s, Camping, etc. have a dedicated forum for Tow Rigs, now there is a dedicated website for Tow Rigs. So welcome to TowRig 1.0, have a look around and if you have any ideas to make this place more enjoyable please make a post in the Site Suggestions forum.
__________________

If you read "Focus of towrig.com" you would already know this, pay special attention to the paragraph in bold. waytogo

It says "PRIMARILY". Not, "ONLY".

It also says "....choosing a Tow Rig that is right for you and of course trailers and how to properly load them etc. is the focus of this site."

What happens when i want to haul 3-4 rigs, do i have to go somewhere else because i need something bigger than a 1 ton truck?












:stir: :popcorn:

Actually, we ARE talking about light duty pickups. This site was meant for 3/4-1ton pickups, not OTR trucks, which I find you talk about most.

For the 3rd or 4th time, a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is not a light duty pickup. Heavy duty pickup or light truck, take your pick, not both.

You just love picking fly **** from pepper don't you. GET A LIFE.

Actually, we ARE talking about light duty pickups. This site was meant for 3/4-1ton pickups, not OTR trucks, which I find you talk about most.


This from the man who says a CTD is the only diesel PU engine that sounds like a real diesel, IE a OTR I6 diesel.

For the 3rd or 4th time, a 3/4 or 1 ton truck is not a light duty pickup. Heavy duty pickup or light truck, take your pick, not both. light duty pickup, light duty pickup, light duty pickup. :D I'll call them what ever I want, if I decide I want to call them mid compact cars I will and you can waste all the time you want quoting me. :popcorn:

This from the man who says a CTD is the only diesel PU engine that sounds like a real diesel, IE a OTR I6 diesel. Actually they sound fairly different than an OTR truck, the 5.9 cummins really does have it's own unique sound. :D

that was the best response you could come up with? :stir:

light duty pickup, light duty pickup, light duty pickup. :D I'll call them what ever I want, if I decide I want to call them mid compact cars I will and you can waste all the time you want quoting me. :popcorn:

Call it whatever you want, it's still not correct.waytogo

Call it whatever you want, it's still not correct.waytogo What Timmayy thinks is correct and what is really correct are often different things. :)

Call it whatever you want, it's still not correct.waytogo

Are you going to give us your source or should we just take your word as the gospel?:rolleyes:

Are you going to give us your source or should we just take your word as the gospel?:rolleyes:

Simply look at the tailgate of any new Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton pickup if there is any question. Clearly, in large, chrome letters, the words "Heavy Duty" will appear.

Simply look at the tailgate of any new Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton pickup if there is any question. Clearly, in large, chrome letters, the words "Heavy Duty" will appear.

You're trying to be funny right? You don't honestly beleive that it should be left to marketing guys to define what a heavy duty truck is do you? Unbeleivable...rotfl Because they wouldn't put it on the truck if it weren't true, right?rotfl rotfl

Evan summed it up for me. rotfl

It says "super duty" on the Ford tail gates....does that mean there is a class of trucks out there that are defined as the "superduty class"? Would that be a class V truck? rotfl

Evan summed it up for me. rotfl

It says "super duty" on the Ford tail gates....does that mean there is a class of trucks out there that are defined as the "superduty class"? Would that be a class V truck? rotfl

HAHA, yeah Super is better than Heavy so the Fords must be even heavier duty than the Dodges!rotfl

In "your opinion" who has the best manual tranny and describe "best" for you.


I searched loooong and hard before I ordered my truck back in 2001 and the manual tranny offerings were a major reason for my choice of truck .
I chose the cast iron NVG-5600 over the ZF-6spd's offered by Ford & GM because of New Venture/Process , or what ever they are called today, reputation as a gear box builder .
I liked the fact that the main case was made of iron instead of aluminium ( not that I think the other is weaker - I just liked it ) and the spacing between the mainshaft and the counter shaft was IMPRESSIVE ! I believe that the spacing and gear size are a major factor in tranny strength and the 5600 had it all for Me.
And the 1-3/8" input shaft didn't hurt my choice making either ........

In my opinion the 5600 is to a 4500 as a 5spd Allison is to a 4L80E.
Tom

HAHA, yeah Super is better than Heavy so the Fords must be even heavier duty than the Dodges!rotfl Bah! I've got coke coming out my nose.rotfl

Bah! I've got coke coming out my nose.rotfl

Um, drugs are bad, Mmkay?rotfl

Coka Colarotfl

If we're speaking of NEW 05 trucks, I'll say Ford as well, since the GM sux, and the new G56 from dodge isn't proven yet.. But.. If we aren't talking new, Id say the NV5600 in my 04.5 CTD is the best :) :doah:

All '05 GM manuals aren't bad. Mine has the venerable nv4500 :). Although I've heard that is now discontinued and the Tremec TR-3450 will be taking its place.

After hearing about the new G-56 6 spd in the new Dodges I change my vote to the NV5600. That goes for the whole drivetrain for that matter. The cummins backed NV5600 feeding a D60 and D80 is yet to be topped in an SRW 3/4 ton!

Well, my truck must come in a close second.. its got the CTD, NV5600, AM 9.25 front, and 11.5 rear.. not a dana 60 and 80.. although they are supposedly just as big in the components area...
Scott

That what In my 2004 two wheel drive and Its takes spells on down shifting. I double shift It and It helps. My 1999 5 speed shifted a lot better.I went to the Chrysler about this and they said they knew about this but Chrysler has no answers for this. They say It will were IN.In others words they don't care as yet.My 33 Ford shift better then my Dodge.

The New Venture Gear 5600 hands down.
Yep, there a tad tough to shift, but there's a lot of heavy duty gearing you're rowing about within that transmission, too. The cast-iron case and superb gearset make it tops in my eyes.

The G56, although unproven, has lots to be desired....primarily due to the dual mass flywheel design and lack of availability with a 4.10 axle ratio. Only time will tell if the G56 will be a good transmission or not.....there's already one clutch manufacturer (South Bend, I think) that's working on a standard clutch & flywheel for the G56's.

Greg

well.. as like most of the people posting to the origonal question...

i would have to say we all agree that the chevy manual tranny is NOT a contender. it was also one large reason i didnt even consider a chevy diesel. no manual, no truck. i looked at the ford, but nevr drve one or got any info on it as the fact i DID NOT want a 6.0.... SOOO.. i looked into the cummins and with the NV5600... BINGO!! so i bought one. now with the talk about no 4.10's with the G56.... umm.. its the same ratios and shift points with a G56 and 3.73's and my NV5600 and 4.10. where they made the mistake was not offering a 3.42 or something of the like. do i think it is a good tranny? like all have said sofar i dont know. it COULD be better than the NV5600... time will tell.
Grant

We arrived at a different answer to this question here:

http://www.cummins-conversion.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=122

I'm running a ZF6 behind the 325/600 in my '99 SD. It is a very sweet combo. I prefer the ZF6 to the NV5600 because it shifts nicer and the Ford ZF6s have a built in oil pump and transmission cooler, just like the big rigs.

My ZF6 downshifts without double clutching just fine. Fairly quick too. I usually double clutch it out of habit.

The ZF6 is a silky smooth shifting transmission. With the Cummins it is relatively easy to ge the RPMs right to shift without the clutch, even though that is probably hard on the synchros.

I hate the OD ratio on the G56. 0.8 instead of 0.73/0.72. Probably OK for towing, but not good for running empty at 70 MPH.

If DC comes out with a 6.7L ISB with 700 ftlbs of torque, will they also upgrade the transmission to a 7 speed ? That would be sweet.

7 speed would be sweet but i dout it will happen

Well, my truck must come in a close second.. its got the CTD, NV5600, AM 9.25 front, and 11.5 rear.. not a dana 60 and 80.. although they are supposedly just as big in the components area...
Scott
larger, and have not had any problems that i have heard.

my 04.5 has check engine light problems due to wire problems thanks to DC's crappy selection of a sub contractor to put the wire harness together.

i vote, in order of newness or not as follows

NV5600
NV4500
G-56
None other... ok, im joking. the ZF isnt bad.... but i dont like the way it shifts
Grant

NV5600 without a doubt. I have 154K on it now and its just a good as it was at 10k. Don't like mush boxes for towing like I don't hard boxes for racing.

Still have the original clutch in it. I found some wood!

Dave

The G56 is a good transmission in spite of the lower OD ratio IMHO. TDR had one with 80K miles on it taken to a major transmission rebuiler to be tore down and looked at and then compared to the NV5600. When the transmission was taken apart they found several heavy duty features found in Eaton or Spicer Medium Duty Truck transmissions that were not found in the NV5600

The G56 has been used in MB Medium Duty trucks for quite awhile before Dodge started using it in the HD 2500 and 3500 trucks.

The early problem found with the G56 was they were first shipped to the dealers with out enough oil in the them and they were burning up and stopping procduction. Once that was corrected they put them back into production.

I have had a ZF5 in the 90 F250 before and I like the G56 better and inspite of the lower geared OD I am still able to get over 20 mpg when crusing on the high way better than I got with the 99 2500 Dodge with the automatic and 3:54 which got good mileage.

I say NV5600:D

How about them ol' 4 speeds. Look how many of those are still on the road in original form....I had one and it would pull anything, maybe not fast but it would pull!

waytogo

Okay, so it sound like we have just three major choices for for six speeds. We have the Ford ZF series, the NV5600 and the new Dodge G56. I don't think that the Ford tranny is bad, if fact quite the oppisite. Ford does seem to have a great tranny it is just the 6.0 that is the problem for these trucks. The NV5600 was an awesome tranny. No doubt about it. I currently have the G56 in my 1 ton dually, crew cab, 4x4. My only gripe with the tranny is that even with the 3.73 gears in the pumpkins I wish I had a seventh gear. I have hauled 25,000 pounds with the truck and did not need a lower gear. But, when I get out on the highway I wish I had another gear for cruising. At 65 mph the engine is running at 2000 rpm's. Perhaps this is not too bad for either the Ford or the Chevy due to their higher reving engines. But the Cummins redlines at 3200 rpm's. For me the fuel mileage drops dramaticaly if I run the engine past the 2000 rpm's. I have yet to see a need for a 4.10 ratio in my truck.

How about them ol' 4 speeds. Look how many of those are still on the road in original form....I had one and it would pull anything, maybe not fast but it would pull!

waytogo
Yeah but with the six speeds you can have your cake and eat it to:stir: .

Another vote for the NV-5600. The one in my truck started to shift kinda hard back last fall when the weather was getting cold. Simply changed the trans oil with the high quality, full-synthetic oil of my choice (make sure you get the right stuff as the 5600 is awful picky about the correct oil) and it now shifts as smooth as any other truck tranny out there.waytogo

Another vote for the NV-5600. The one in my truck started to shift kinda hard back last fall when the weather was getting cold. Simply changed the trans oil with the high quality, full-synthetic oil of my choice (make sure you get the right stuff as the 5600 is awful picky about the correct oil) and it now shifts as smooth as any other truck tranny out there.waytogo

What oil did you use??

Dave

Amsoil Synthetic Manual Syncromesh Transmission Fluid. http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/mtf.aspx
First time I've ever used an Amsoil product and I can honestly report a definite shift-quality increase over the factory fill.

So far I like my six banger with the six speed manual and six wheels. Pulled my 5er up and over Cheat Mtn West Virginia like it was nothing. The route has a 9% grade with 15, 20 , and 30 MPH curves. I cant wait to do it again.waytogo

The one thing that is nice about the G-56 is its aluminium case. It runs about 20 degrees cooler than the NV 5600. These tranny's are all made and designed by the same supplier, Magna, which bought out New Venture Gear. I used to do business with NVG\Magna. We manufactured gears for them.

NV5600 is the best, why dodge ever got away from that is beyond me. Their new manual is a piece of junk, the gears are way to close together. The ford 6-spd is a close second, and gm pulls in 3rd place. The best i personally owned was a 00 F-250 T444E with a 6-spd 3.73.

Dodge got a way from the NV5600 because it is not longer made so Dodge had to go somewhere else to find a replacement. I have put over 45K on my G56 and it has been a very good tranmission.