Which will hold up better?, is more economical?, is easier to maintain?
Anyone figure the mpg difference between auto & stick?
Anyone figure mpg w/the 5.9 Cummins?
Sorry about all the questions....newbie here considering a used Dodge diesel.
Thanks for the input, R1

 

if you are running stock, both hold up well. If you are bombing, you are likely to have problems with the stock clutch on the manual, or the stock torque converter/valve body on the auto. Both can be fixed with upgrades. The autos tend to get better mileage especially on the highway, because the manual is geared so low that it takes you over the magic 2000 rpm range at highway speeds. Mileage is variable with both transmissions depending mostly on the weight of your right foot. With the truck below, my best solo highway mpg has been 23.3 hand calculated, but I know how to drive for mileage.

 

Both are good units. It all boils down to one thing. How are you going to use the truck and where do you live. Are you going to daily drive it? Do you have alot of stop and go traffic in your area. The six speed manual you shift alot due to such close ratio's but it is great for towing. Another thing, Can you even find a manual in your area. Where I live they are very tough to find.

 

I had an 01 6 speed and now have an 03 Auto

For what I do, I like the auto better

The manual is just slow shifting and super slow shifting in cold weather.

In my 01, I just really thought I couldn't shift fast enough and felt I would gain more with an auto. So I went to the auto in my 03.

However, I don't tow heavy (tow 2000 lbs often but at most 5 or 6k maybe once or twice a year).

If I was towing 10k or more regularly I would opt for the manual. I really think the manual works better for heavy towing.

The only other time I miss the manual is driving up forest service roads and off road. I like to downshift and the low gearing better in the manual.

That being said, for driving around town, traffic and hot rodding, the auto works a lot better.

If you add power, your going to need upgrades on either. Manual will need a good clutch (I recommend South Bend). Your talking 700-1600 depending on G56 or NV5600 and if your installing yourself.

For the auto, a valvebody and converter makes a nice difference. Your talking $1500-2500 depending.

My 03 gets almost identical mileage to my 01.

 

I like my auto for one reason and that is the higher gearing. With the bigger tires it cruises about right 1800-2000. Other than that i wish i had a six speed again.

06 mega cab, edge j/a, 5" magnaflow, leveling kit, 295/75-17 toyo mt

 

Thanks for the replies. When I first heard of the "six speed" manual I figured the sixth gear would be real nice for overdrive. Although now it sounds more like a 5 speed with a low, low creeper gear, which is good too. (Running empty you may not even need first?) I live in the mid-atlantic region, I usually keep it under 75 mph and I won't be doing any heavy hauling/towing. So I may be good either way.

 

No, OD on the stick is an OD, it's just not a real high OD but you can get around that with bigger tires.
I love my stick and it doesn't bother me in city driving, I guess having only had a stick for 30 years I'm used to it.

Also the stick is better if you do any HP mods, yes I had to change my clutch but a $1400 clutch is a lot earier to take than spoending $5000 on an auto.

 

Fisherguy, how much use did you get out of your first clutch? Ever figure mpg?
Thanks, r1

 

The stock clutch woulda lasted a long time if I didn't tinker, but it couldn't hold Crazy Larry's 443 HP!

As for MPG, I've gotten 20 MPG, but thats Cdn gallons. People here will tell you they're getting over 20 per US gallon but I've never been able to figure out how they do it.

BTW, if you're looking for a truck I'd look for an 07 5.9 with the stick, the later ones have a higher OD than the earlier ones. (I'd stay away from the 6.7's)

Welcome to DTR, great place to learn lotsa cool diesel stuff!

 

Ive gotten 19.5 on the highway with my truck doin 75 to 85. The 48re isnt a bad tranny and if you do a valve body,flex plate , torque converter which can be done for quite a bit less than $5000 it will do you fine unless you want a full out drag truck you really dont need a fully built big money tranny

 

The cold hasn't effected my shift speeds like I have heard about with the earlier manuals.

 

Get the G56 and install a SB DD with 37" tires and call it a day. You will have more fun driving it.

 

My first dodge was auto. . .my next two both manual. Even with the clutch as the weak link for anything over +70 more ponies.

I will never buy another Mopar auto, burnt once shame on them, burnt twice shame on me.

As for the granny gear first, your right I never use it unless I have a trailer on the back. If you want to be a street racer then the stick might not be for you.

 

I'll take my 6 speed anyday, I have buddies with stock auto's that are slipping bad, but they don't have $4,500 for a new one. Their Jelious, I'm smiling...

 

If I could do it over again, I would opt for the manual. I am tired of roasting auto's.