looking @ a 05/06 dodge and wondering everyones opinion on which tranny should get. do a fair amount of heavy pullin', have always had 5spds in our 12 vavles and not much for issues. we keep trucks for quite awhile and put on 30,000 miles/year. just a little nervous about the auto, should I be? who makes both trans for dodge?

thanks

 

If it is an early 05 manual it will have the NV5600 it late model 05 or any 06 it will have the G56 both good trannies from what I have read on here though the G56 is geared a bit lower than the NV5600. The NV of course is/was built by New Venture, the G56 IIRC was built in Germany. The NV5600 has a cast iron case and the G56 is aluminum, so it is easy to tell by just looking underneath, rust color is NV5600. Also reverse is located to the right and up on the NV5600 and to the left but not sure if up or down on the G56.

Both 05 and 06 auto is the 48RE and I believe it is/was built by DC in house. I have only heard good about the durability but you will want to listen to those that have it.

 

I have had both and I can say that there is nothing better than choosing my own lock-up schedule. Take trip through some hills. IMO going up is the easy part. It's coming down that isn't fun with a free-wheeling rig and trailer. I've seen alot more un-modified stick trucks requiring less maintainence than an auto. Brakes last longer and no danger of overheating the blood that keeps an auto moving. JM02.


Chris

 

I have the Six speed Nv5600 and love it. Since you have ran manuals you know the downside of just more effort to drive it. If fuel economy is important to you I think that the NV 5600 with 3.73 gears is the best choice.
The G56 trany's do not have a very deep overdrive so thats not good for empty fuel mileage. If you are towing pretty heavy the shorter OD won't hurt you. I never get less than 19.5 mpg empty, usually 20.5 or so but I don t rush my trips.

 

Both will tow just fine.

If you decide on the Auto, go with the '06. The '05 48RE's require modifications to handle an exhaust brake.

IMHO, go with the manual, more reliable, no issues with the exhaust brake.

 

Don't worry about the difference between the G56 vs NVG5600. Both are good trannys.

If you want to split hairs you might find the G56 may shift a little smoother but, you may find yourself looking for a 7th gear when your empty. Loaded down, the G56 works quite well.

 

I had an 02 with the 5spd. I love this G56 over the NV4500! The G56 runs circles around the NV4500 when towing! I'd go with stick before the auto, especially towing heavy. My 02 put down over 900 ftlbs torque and my 06 stock pulls stronger.

 

IF IT HAD JUST ONE MORE GEAR!!!! Iv done the looking for 7th thing once or twice

 

I have a G56 in 2500 hemi Quad cab long box 4*4 (2007).
It shift well , not like a sport car tranny but it really lot better for finding overdrive then NGV5600 (many drivers find more easy to shift with G56) sometime when truck is empty it can have à 7 th gear(more overdrive)