Test drove a 1 ton long bed 6 speed single wheel and a 1 ton dually automatic today. The six speed took a little getting used to, first gear was looow, had to shift into 2nd about 10 feet from a standstill. It might have just been me, but it was hard to get it into 2nd or 3rd if you were going to fast to downsift, just wanted to play with the shift pattern but acted like it wouldn't allow you to downshift if going to fast, is that normal or was I outta line? The auto was more fun from a green light, but would worry about strength and holding the gear I wanted while pulling a grade. The dually other than seeming like I was driving two Toyota trucks welded side by side didn't seem that much different at all than the single wheel. Looks like I have to order a Dakotafied 06, I don't really like the new frontend, but they do offer the Sport/offroad package for 06, I would assume that means color matched grille which would look much better than the chrome red truck that we have seen. I still would like to see one first however, I dunno still deciding.
Remember that the manual for '06 is still unproven... That said, manual tranny duallys are the shiznit, yo. imp:
I don't know about the current 6spd tranny but mine is a little tempermental about down shifting at too high of an RPM but it's not so much that I mind it. I think it is just a characteristic of a medium duty manual tranny Good luck in your final days of decision making. Tom
I would second that. Steve, Why not look for a slightly used 2004-2005? You could get one with low miles for a LOT cheaper and still have the much nicer looking front clip. Plus, if you go with a manual rig you could still get a 5600. I relize that your selection would be narrowed down vs. ordering something but I would bet if you looked long enough you'd find what you want. Thats what I did. I waited three months until I stumbled across a late 2nd gen Cummins/auto Red sport 3/4 ton and was tickled to tears when I brought it home. Especially since you still have your burb and don't NEED something else right away, correct? Regardless, I agree on the sport front end. It looks sooooo much better than the SLT's. I wouldn't worry about the auto. For pulling the UAV and a trailer...that should be a piece of cake for the tranny. And.....even with the 6 speed, the stock clutch would be a problem if you decide to hop up your new truck. I looked at it as, for $1300 for a good quality hi performance clutch I could just add about $700-800 more and upgrade an auto truck that would make the stock auto stronger than a stock 5600 clutch.
Not with my luck, besides most 1-2 year olds are the same price or more than a new one becuase the seller didn't get a good deal etc.. to many things to go wrong, in the long run, I would rather spend 5,000 more and have what I want. Welp, I hate to say this but I am now considering an auto for a few reasons: 1. The Wife likes the auto. 2. All that power and it takes forever to get it moving, forget about simply jamming accross traffic etc.. 3. If I did blow it up, one of the best auto transmission performance shops in the country (ATS) is about 20-25 min from my house. imp: 4. It was really fun sitting at a red light waiting for it to turn green then stomping on the skinny pedal. waytogo I love the strength of the manual, most of my cars have always been manual, but the car trannys had nice short throws, the truck manuals are like rowing a boat into shore. :doah: And with the NV5600 gone anyway... I sit, I ponder.
Ive got the NV 5600 in my truck, and I love it.. You are right, you can't whomp on it, and get out in traffic as fast as you could with an auto, but the gears will loosen up with mileage. Ive got 19k on my truck now, and it very easy to drive. I love rowing through the gears, but I can also see why the auto would rule Scott
Well good point. When I bought my truck it was 3 years old, not 1-2. It's amazing what they drop year to year, depending on mileage of course. No dealer can still get 2005 models? It's already that late in the year?.... :doah: Any 2005's on the lot left? I do agree, you seem like you are a fairly picky customer, thats good IMHO. You know what you want. What interior are you going to order in the truck? Paint color? I think you are perfect canadate for the auto. It doesn't sound like you have any real heavy towing in mind and plan on driving the truck a lot. The 6 spd is great for really laying down the torgue to the wheels pulling grades but they are slow from stop to stop. Besides, with ATS being down the road I hear thats the ticket anyway. A BOMBed auto is better than anything anyway.
After living with a Bombed auto for 5 days now, it is amazing how well they can be built. The difference is flat amazing. imp:
To late to order a 2005, there are still some on the lot but not exactly what I want of course. After having leather in the Burb and having a 4 year old spilling drinks etc. there really is no other option other than leather, you just simply wipe stuff off, the cloth just leaves a big stain. I told myself after my last black truck that I would never do it again but I am leaning toward getting another black truck, also told myself no auto's either and am leaning that way now. Just read that you can install an exhaust brake on an 06 auto without voiding the factory warenty, I guess 06 being the first year that it's OK, you might even be able to order an 06 with an exhaust brake, I need to check into that though. I also like the Fords but worry about the motor, I plan on test driving a few of those as well but if I did go that route would wait for the redesigned 07. What I really need to do is buy a Ford, Dodge and GMC for the sake of the site and drive them all. imp: of course there's the small problem of no money. :doah:
I'd worry about the 2007 Ford, I try and stay away from first year stuff. I figure let them get the bugs worked out. Aren't they going to use a different engine for '07?
Triple disk converter, high flow valve body, different drums, billet shafts, different clutches. A fully BOMBed tranny has all kinds of goodies in it.
It is possible to get a stick shift Cummins to start off quickly and get out in traffic but I don't recomend it at every stop light. Just start off in third gear and use a little more skinny pedal. Ahhh, the joys of being able to pick what gear you want when you want it ....... Tom
Steve, Had a twin disk torque converter put in, with a modified valve body to match, and a complete rebuild with the 3rd gear drum upgrade. Figured I could have done the VB/TC alone but wanted to do this ONCE and forget it so the injectors I'll be putting in (along with the EZ already installed) don't kill the stocker. The EZ was already causing the stock tranny to cry uncle under boost. Also had a 'trans buddy' lockup switch put in (which locks the converter in any gear) and you wanna talk about direct drive! Absolutely amazing the difference. waytogo
Cool, any more info on the transbuddy? Is there a switch on the dash or something? I have a semi-built manual-reverse valve body TH400 on my off-roader but having that done is all I know about automatics. Just wondering how long a stocker would last with a heavy foot and the Cummins stock?
I got the auto 4 speed for simplicity and for the wifes sake. I also got leather due to kids messes and stuff. Of course I am more anal with the leather seats now than the previous cloth, maybe because it's so new I don't know if I skipped over reading, but you are planning on diesel correct? I was looking in Kelleys Blue Book today and the resale value on a diesel vs. a gas engine is over 4K on a 2000 Dodge. You can't beat that value! I was just curious as to what the value will be on it when mine is paid off in 2010!! Good luck on your choice Steve, I hope you find what you want. Jeff
Probably at least 100K, probably more like 125-150K. You'll have a hard time using a heavy foot anyway. 325HP and 610ft lbs is a lot.
I have a lot more than that on tap, and I can assure you, using a "heavy foot" is not difficult at all... if anything... it's just the opposite! imp:
Trans buddy has a switch on dash/stalk/wherever you want to place it. Keeps the TC locked in any gear. Quite a nice addition if I may say so.
