Really depends on what you want to do. I've always driven a stick until I purchased a 93 FS Bronco. That changed my thinking about driving and towing. I love the auto for the fact that I don't have to shift and it is comfortable and relaxing to drive in traffic. I've never pulled a lot of weight, but frequently pulled my 5000# boat and snowmobile and needed a strong engine for the 10,000' mountains.
I am not totally keen on the stock auto TC slush you feel with bigger tires, but the turbo spools quickly, and overall it's fast. A lockup switch is nice.

If you plan on lots of power, you will have to spend more to upgrade the tranny.

 

I have a stick and I am very glad I didn't get an auto.

1. The stick should out last the auto and I keep my stuff for a long time.

2. The stick should be cheaper to rebuild.

3. My truck goes plenty fast enough and if I had an auto it would turn me into a big A$$hole racing the thing around. Knowing how long it takes to shift I just cruise it around.

 

Get a manual without a doubt, the stock clutch is fine also unless you add too much power or abuse it then you'll need a stronger one.

If you add enough power to fry the factory clutch you'd be looking at BIG bucks to rebuild an auto for that much power...

 

I had a 5 spd in my '01 cummins and loved it. When I went to buy my '06 I really wanted the 6 spd . . . until I drove it. I didn't like the way the 6 spd shifted compared the 5 spd. The gears seemed very close together and very tight. Probably just a "getting used to it" and getting broke in sort of thing, but I'm glad I went with the auto, even if it's going to cost me more to upgrade. It's a hell of a lot easier in the city and if I need to eat and drink, talk and drive, or anything else that would require the use of one hand (not safe, I know, I kow).

Thomas

 

The G56 is the smoothest shifting trany ever put in a Ram. If you have an NV4500 in your 01 then drove a G56, it should have been a night and day difference. The gears are close tight and positive but shifts as smooth as silk. This thing almost shift as good as a shift and clutch-by-wire Hino bus I drove when I was living in Tokyo. This thing had a joystick for a shifter just like a video game and the clutch is lighter than my CTD. No one eats or drink in my truck. My Laramie came with U-connect so I can still talk on the phone safely and legally.

 

I would say the manual is more comfy at 2000rpm than an auto at 16-1700rpm mileage wise, especially if your pulling because as said 4spd auto vs 6spd is a big difference in towing manners, when you're towing you need the rpms. Then you can add in the extra inertia involved in the automatic driveline, it just pays to have a 6spd if you want to strictly tow. And I don't know about ya'lls trucks, but if I'm on a steep hill my truck doesn't get phased, never have to give it gas to get rolling, and the clutch has plenty of power to pull any load out of a hill in 1st. You have more control period. Yes traffic does suck, but how do you think the truckers feel with their stiff clutches pop in neutral and coast as much as you possibly can. JMO.


I guess the other thing is I really don't like how a 48re shifts, just sounds off to me. Sorry auto guys

 

So you are saying that the 2/3's of the people on this forum who build their trucks for speed are A$$holes?

 

Hahahaha!!! I think that's what he's saying!

stiring the pot.....

 

I test drove both and chose the auto for city driving. I agree with others who commented that the 6 speed gearing was very close, and required too much shifting for my usage.

I still think the manual is better for towing, but I tow once a month and commute daily.

 

Wow you must be super rich if you can afford driving your truck daily. I commute in a Beetle TDI. It’s almost like our CTD with a turbo and intercooler with two less and smaller pistons.

My truck is a Sunday truck. It logs a total of 7 miles every Sunday to and from church. I just can’t afford driving the beast.

 

Get out of CA! Not only can we have cool black rifles, but diesel was $3.85 in Phoenix on my last fillup. My CTD gets 16.5 mpg commuting, my Titan got 13 mpg commuting. The CTD is cheaper to drive at this point. I drive about 1200 miles a month, so I'm usually doing $300 a month in fuel. Between payment, insurance, and maintainence it just doesn't make sense to have a separate daily driver. I would have to be spending $800 a month on fuel to make the savings worthwhile.

I am considering the new TDI jetta for the wife's new car when her lease is up next spring. I'm torn between the brand new and a used 05-06. I need to research the new emissions crap on them and make an informed decision.

 

I hear you. Bunch of liberals here in CA. As a matter of fact all my relatives in the state are all “L” except for me. I’m a gun toting individual holing on to my religion on this liberal state.

I bout my TDI for two reasons: 1) saves on fuel…this thing gets 48MPG on a bad day and 52 on a good day. 2) saves wear/tear on my expensive CTD.

I would suggest the 06 rather than the newer next generation “Clean TDI”. I believe it employs urea injection but not 100% sure. When I hit 250K miles I’ll get rid of my Beetle and get an 06 either another Beetle or Jetta.

 

I own both the NV5600 and the G56....but the G is by far the superior tranny, quick smooth shifts lite clutch...the gears are close and the 6th is kinda low but for towing its the best!! I have read alot of bad stuff about the DM flywheel but mine holds smarty SR at sw3, tm3 without slippage even when towing....i'm very happy with that (the 04.5 slips on #3 even with the tm on 1).....

 

handshaker, hands down!

 

If you are hulling live stock a auto is best.If you are pulling out of boat ramps a auto is best. All the rest a stick