I have the wife convinsed to let me get a new truck in the next couple months. I went out and test drove a new 04.5 4x4 crew cab with a 6 speed today. I found the transmision to be much tighter than expected. I am very familiar with older 5 speeds but have never driven a 6 speed before. It was a pain to get it in the right gate comfertably. I felt like they where to close together. I was never shure of what gear I was going into because there was so litle of side movement from one gate to the next. I got a little more comfertable with it buy the end of the drive but thought it was a bit odd. Is this just something I will get used to and never think of it again or do they break in and shift better with a fwe miles. It also felt as if it was hard to get into gear somtimes. Thanks.

 

bk, I just bought my Brand New '03 a couple of weeks ago,trading my old 98.5,3500 QC,4x4 5 spd, for her. I was embarrassed at how I shifted the new truck,and the trouble I had when I first drove it.It's not the same as the old one at all. I did read in the owners manual that they suggest to put a very slight side pressure( to the right) on the 5th to 6th change as well as the downshift from 6th to 5th. Just not too much pressure to put it into the reverse gate. But the big thing is getting used to it. It's a much tighter and firmer shifting tranny that the old one and I love it...I'm sure you will,too!

 

After having my 6spd truck for about 17K miles, I can tell you that it really loosens up quite a bit. The first 10K miles, the gates are still pretty tight and sometimes if you miss a shift, it is very difficult to get into gear without double-clutching or rev-matching. Now that I have more miles on my rig, the shifter moves very easily and precisely.

 

It's a pain at first but its great once getting used to it. Might be good to analize what you have for gates, then if confused you can at least know where you are going. In neutral with your hand not on it, it is in the 3 and 4 gate. Spring pressure to the left gives it the 1 and 2. Some pressure to the right gives you the 5 and 6. What screws you up getting used to it is that you are not in front of it, and try to misalign the gears going down. Think of that pattern, you have to actually move the lever to the right to get 6 from 5 because of your seating position. If in doubt where you are, let go of the lever and it is in 3/4.

 

I have 2 6 speeds.

The 2000 had to be replaced just past warranty, with a BIG discussion on who pays what, but it was resolved to my satisfaction. That tranny was a bit tough all the time since new, never thought too much about it until it broke. Well I still have it and it is a great truck with over 200000km on it. By the way my front tires are original, worn out now, but not slicks. new ones in the garage.

The 2004 is a great tranny, smooth and easy from day 1.
.
Just remember that there is NO 7th gear, many of us have looked for it periodically.

I would test drive a couple more, and see if you feel a difference.

 

I have to agree that the 6spd will loosen up with use. I believe it took about 20k to get better. Even with 36k on the clock I still catch the gates sometimes.

 

you'll get used to it, i went from a loose 4spd chevy to this tight 6shooter I got used to it afetr about a couple days of driving it.

 

AFTER ABOUT 10,000 MILES AND YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, IT SHIFTS WITH NO PROBLEM, ESPECIALL AFTER IT GETS WARMED UP. YOU HAVE TO BE SHIFT SLOW AND BE POSITIVE. ITS NOT FOR THE LAZY.

 

I've taken a few six speeds for a test drive and wondered about the 2-3 shift. I didn't have any problem finding the gate, but there was a "bump" (felt through the shift ****) as you put it in third gear. It's almost as if the synchronizer wasn't quite working. Is that something that will also smooth out with time? Neither of these trucks were warmed up, of course. Other than that, it was great. Relatively light clutch, and a gear for every occasion.

 

THe 2-3 shift syncro mesh is normal when cold....

You can try changing the oil over to Redline MTL or Royal Purple Syncromesh, but I believe you'll still have the mesh problems when cold...Mine still does with the MTL in it.

 

Do you use 1st gear when driving unloaded, or do you start out in 2nd?

 

I would suggest to drive at least 3 different trucks for other reasons than just the transmission. My was shifted into reverse very notchy when new, but that freed up ok now. But getting into second from a stop requires alot of force or alot of patients now. I have driven 01's and 02's that shifted like they are supposed to. I am not impressed with my 03 at all. When I drained the oil out last week the metal in the bottom of the trans was shocking to say the least. I traded an 01 off just to get the 6spd because I wanted something stronger and more reliable. My auto was trouble free and smooth. The six speed also has a noise in the trans when decelerating in sixth gear on the highway that does not sound good. I would not recommend the nv5600.

 

all i can say is i love my 6 speed start out, in 2 or 3 and laugh at the fords and chevy guys that have to start in 1st .

 

I always start in 2nd when unloaded, or with a light load. 1st gear works well as a creeper gear in stop/go traffic though.

 

Thanks, I was hoping that you would say they loosen up a bit. I tried 1st in the parking lot and realized that it was way to low with no load. I had it prety well figured out buy the end of the 5 mile drive, but I just felt a little embaresed with the salesman and my wife and 2 other close freinds along when I missed a 4-5 shift. I talked to My local dealer tonight and he said that he is expecting Dodge to throw out some more rebates starting tomarow. He said March is going to be "Truck Month". He wont know what the rebates and offers are till tomarow so I gues Il just have to go look at them again tomarow.