First, let me thank all of you who have posted over the life of this site. Believe me, I have learned a heck of a lot reading over the past postings. Now, on to my questions. I would prefer buying a truck equiped with the 6 speed transmission as I would like to add an exhaust brake in the future. I have one major concern that prevents me from making the leap and that involves launching a boat. I fish in the Sierras here in California and the boat launch ramps are short and steep. My greatest nightmare is launching my boat and following it into the lake with my truck after screwing up the clutch/accelerator and stalling the motor. I mentioned my concern to a friend and he claimed the engine/transmission combination would carry the truck up the ramp in idle without having to apply the accelerator. If that is true, then I don't have any more fear. What experience do any of you have with starts on steep, wet hills?

My second question is about the 4wd setup with Dodge. I don't want a push button system and know I can get the lever on the floor. What I don't know is if I have to manually lock the hubs as you do on a ford manual system.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Jerry Meyers

 

I've got an HO with the 6-speed and love it for towing and launching my boat. My boat is a 5000lb jetboat and I access some pretty steep nasty ramp areas and have never had a problem getting back up the ramp. If it's in 1st gear, you just drop the clutch and it idles out, with or with out the boat. I traded an automatic for this truck and for towing I will never go back.

The 3rd gen 4x4 is a fulltime system where the hubs are always engaged. Whether its the push button or the lever, you're just engaging the transfer case. I prefer the lever myself so that I know its in when I shift it.

 

I bought my truck to pull my boat, and it works great. Rarely even have to use 4x4. I'm around 8500 fully loaded and idle up the ramp without touching the throttle.

Its still a stick, so you have to be careful you don't have any "rushed" brainfarts at the ramp.

 

just let the clutch out. No throttle. Backed my Dad's boat up their steep drive. Had to stop mid way and start again. No stall, No problems.

 

I often drive my 6 speed up steep slopes and NEVER have to touch the accelerator. Not even if I start midway up the steep slope. Have never stalled it yet, even with a full load on the back. The only time I gave myself an almost heart failure was when I thought it was in neutral and let the clutch out quickly when it was in second gear. The truck does not want to stop even with a lot of brake pedal. Nearly creamed the vehicle in front of me. That time I did stall it. My heart nearly stalled too!

 

Throttle on the 3rd gens is "fly by wire". ECM applies throttle for you at low RPMs. This is a very well designed system that seems bullet proof. I launch my truck and 10K# trailer on hills with zero issues.

100 Proof

 

Everyone here is right. You will actually wear out your clutch a lot faster if you try to apply the throttle when you launch. You can buy the electric (push button) or the manual (stick on floor) T-case in the 3rd Gen Ram.

I too tow a boat in the summer (around 8500 boat and trailer) and never use the throttle to pull the boat out.

The "fly by wire" throttle (actually a Throttle Position Sensor TPS) has been on the B for awhile, ever since it has had an engine control module. As with most diesels, there is not butterfly on the intake to let air in. The engine is allowed to suck in as much air as it wants and the ECM controls the amount of fuel to control the amount of cylinder pressure created under combustion.

The TPS has moved from engine mounted to under the driver's side battery (on manual trans only), but its function is the same (just reading how far your foot is pushing the lever.

 

I just got my 6 speed this week. If you use 1st gear when launching, you should not have a problem. I can't believe the low end torque and the low gearing. I have been taking off in 3rd gear from a stop with no problem. Anyone else using 3rd gear to take off? Will I be replacing my clutch soon if I keep doing this?

 

3rd gear seems a little too high for me; the truck seems to shudder too much. It also starts chugging a little if I let it idle down too much in 3rd. I do agree with your point of being low geared. When I'm trying show the ricers what diesel is all about, I hit that 3000 mark pretty quick in 2nd.

 

As everyone else hear has attested to....you canont stall these motor in first gear if you tried. I pull a big trailer and have taken off from STEEP hills (from stop signs and such) - with no gas pedal - just let out the clutch. I've even tried to stall it (with-out the trailer) the computer will not let it die. I'm quite sure it would spin the tires from the computer puring fuel in before it would stall the engine.

 

Hmmm, if you are using a GAS pedal your diesel truck, your truck must be very different to the rest of ours. You have a hybrid engine?

 

If you can get a 6-speed to stall in first gear, with any allowable amount of weight behind it, I will buy you a steak.

 

As everyone has said it, the awesome nv5600 transmission with the HUGE 1st gear will get you started without even hitting the throttle... loved that thing. hate the 48re. save yourself!

 

and I'll pick up beers.. you can stand on the brakes and let out the clutch while in 1st and it won't stall.. normal driving I 'launch' in 2nd without applying throttle.. can do 3rd but I get a pretty noticeable shudder..

 

Thanks for all of the great input! I will certainly be going for the 6 speed after reading all of your comments.

Jerry Meyers