thinking of buying a diesel 2 wd truck can only find automatics i would rather have a 5 speed manual but been told the automatic is better i want every ones 2 cents worth here let me know your thoughts thnks wvfarmboy

 

It is a personal preference thing. If you get a stick, other than the 5th gear nut they are pretty tough. If you get an auto, you will need to upgrade it at some point. So there is a difference financially in these two options since one is likely to need a major upgrade.

Then there is what you prefer to drive. If you like being in control and rowing gears, then a stick is the way to go. However, if you don't like committing one hand and one leg to shifting, then an auto is good. People who drive in stop and go traffic a lot tend to prefer autos. Also, people who drag race prefer them since they are faster. You just have to figure out what you prefer.

 

If you tow a lot I'd vote 5 speed compared to a factory dodge auto. My truck used to be an auto. When the auto took a dump I converted it over to a 5 speed. Much happier now.

 

I vote auto! with 4.10 gears. Our gang has both and the autos average well over 100k till rebuild and the 5 speed is lucky to make 100k. Either 5th gear nut, clutch hub or countershaft bearing.
The auto is fine up to 20k gvwr, 5 speed is a little better over 20k gcwr.
Had an auto, everyone said stick is sooo much better, got one. Next truck will be auto with 4.10 gears.

Let me be clear, stock stick is better than stock auto. Modified auto is worlds better than stick.

 

well it all depends on how much power u goin to put in front of it. A good auto will hold more power than a 5speed. gorean builds good trannys for i think around 3k to 4k with good warranties they dont care if u pull it or drag it. 5 speeds r cool and everything but there is just no give in them. My buddy had a 24v(about 500-550hp) and blew the stock input shaft at like 1200 rpm. Either way u goin to have some money tied up in either tranny. A important thing i would look at is that with the auto u hold ur boost while shifting bc u dont have the let off the throttle like in a standard tranny.

 

Have a stick in my bombed 95 2wd. Truck is set up for pulling. the nv4500 is very tough, some have issues with 5th gear nut backing off. I have had zero issues- 200k miles and close to 350 hp. You WILL have to upgrade your clutch when doing any mods giving any reasonable amount of power. This cost is low when compared to having to beef an auto to handle the same amount of hp/torque. Just food for thought.

 

Ive got both right now.

I need to sell one, but for the life of me, I cannot decide. You have been given some good advice, I was all cranked when I lost the TC lockup and bought a 5 speed version of my Auto truck.

Yes, I do like the control over shifting, and I do like the hooked up feeling you get with the stick while driving in town, that stock TC is just way too loose for my liking.

But man, is it nice to not think, just push the go pedal, and there is no worrying about how to keep boost up when you are on it hard.

Looking back, I should have just went with my original plan, spent the 4K for a Goerend built trans.........

In the end it is a matter of personal preference, try and drive one of each if at all possible.

 

you dont even need to spend 4 grand on a new tranny. i got a guy that builds performance transmissions to drill out my valve body, do a shift kit, upgrade clutches and put in a billet single disc for $1500. might be a little more if you dont have a friend in the industry. a tighter converter will help you feel like youre putting more to the ground, my converter is actually a little more loose than stock and i didnt like it at all until i built my twins... now i hit the pedal and i build boost real quick and it MOVES. i would go with something a little tighter than stock and adjust the tranny to shift a little later speaking from experience.

 

I prefer manuals and love mine. I have towed with both and favor the manual control, not to mention you don't have to worry about getting the trans hot, gauge, upshifting/downshifting, TC lockup, etc...

 

Nobody mentioned that in 2nd gens the stock hp/tq in any given year is higher in the manual trans equipped models. Dodge recognized the autos are the weak link and equipped them with lower power engines.

 

gone thrua lotta dodge trucks and run a lotta weight and miles had one auto and will never have another one with it. if it cant handle it being stock whats the point of haveing to buy something just to have to turn around after getting it and spending more money on it

 

I say go w/ 5 or 6 speed. I wanted a stick and settled for a auto. Been very, very, very sick since. Rebuild once and taken out to work on it 3 times. Never again will I own a auto. I pull a lot on the farm, so why have a tranny that will not hold up. Go stick shift. I went w, the nv5600. Working on the swap right now. Already had a 04 w/ the nv5600. Only way to go.

 

Had an auto for 6-months, T/C was going on it. Sold it before it broke, bought the '96 5-speed and haven't looked back since. Put a clutch in (for $665 complete, South-Bend installed) at 290k and here we are pushing up against 350k and no issues at all.

If you were "told" autos in 2nd gen Dodges are better, you were told a lie.

They can be made to work, but they cost $$$$ and that 47RE, even with a stock CTD in front of it, is prone to fail at any time. Most rebuilds on these run $3500 - 5000 depending upon how you want it done and going labor rates in thier area.

Remember this next time someone tells you blanketly something is "junk" or not..."Without data - it's just another opinion."

 

The stick may be cheaper to keep running but if you bomb your truck there isn't much you can do to a stick. The auto can be built to handle more than the stick and you won't out shift an auto!
Line up a bombed auto and stick and watch the auto walk away. Isn't that the whole idea behind bombing your truck to have it get out of its own way?

 

Stock autos suck, no doubt about it. And when they fail, they are more likely to leave you walking than the manual will. Plus its just more fun shifting than it is to put your foot to the floor and let the truck shift for you.

But, autos really shine when racing. Boosted launches are easier, shift faster, less boost drop during shifts. Jeff Prince dropped a second off his ET's switching from a manual to an auto with no change in engine mods. Sticks seem to have the edge in sled pulling, but autos are doing well there too.

Daily driver, I will only buy a manual for the foreseeable future (never say never), but for the racer I want to build, it will be getting a built auto in it.