How do you know which manual tranny is in your truck the nv5600 or the g5600

 

If the truck is able to move under its own power, then you have the NV5600; if the transmission has been grenaded and the truck wont move, then it's obviously a g56. This has been proven time and time again on these boards by those with the venerable, indestructable NV5600 in their trucks and their informative posts on the subject.

You could also tell by the location of reverse: down and to the left for the g56, up and to the right for the NV5600. If you happen to be too short to see the gear shift, walk under the truck and take a gander...the NV5600 is a big chunk of cast iron and the g56 is made from used Coors Light cans.

Regards,
Lucky

PS I have 6500 miles on my g56.

 

thanks for the info rsegall.

 

Not that rsegall has an opinion on the matter LOL.

 

Is the G56 really that bad? I haven't heard that much about them, but I own a slush box so I'm pretty uneducated on the subject.

 

Evidently, from my reading on here, the NV5600 will hold up better during extreme conditions, such as sled pulling with a 500HP truck , however even during normal usage the 5th gear nut (I think) tends to back off. The NV5600 is out of production and parts are scarce. (Certainly overall this model was/is a great unit.)

My experience with the G56 is that it is very smooth shifting, almost car like in comparison to the NV5600. The NV5600 has a taller 6th gear than that in the G56, which leads to excessive RPMs especially when running down the highway empty with a G56. I have head that the G56 available in the later ’07 trucks has a taller 6th than its predecessor. 1st and reverse have the same low ratio, so backing up to and with a trailer is easy, (unless you are trying to race someone in reverse.

Time will tell how the G56 will hold up during “normal” conditions.

 

I want to add that there is surprisingly very few complaints about the NV5600but the most common are:

1. hard to get into gear (1st, 2nd and rev)

2. need to over fill with lube so as not to burn them up going up a steep grade

3. some tend not to have the longevity typical to manuals, probably for the reasons listed.

The G56 is considered a better manual because of the longevity and function typical for 12 ton heavy duty work vehicle.

 

I've had both; and I absolutely HATED the NV5600. It was by far the worst-shifting manual transmission I have ever driven. It was the reason I traded the truck on an 03 with the 48RE.

The G56 shifts like a dream. Almost as nice as the T56 in my Camaro with a B&M Ripper shifter.

Time will tell how it holds up; I will add a South Bend clutch to it eventually and add some more power. My long-term plans are to get a 4th gen Dodge around 2010 when they come out, with the AISIN 6sp auto.

Rob

 

Besides being significantly lighter due to it's aluminum construction, the G56 has a higher clamp load than the NV5600, bronze shift rails (as opposed to aluminum), stronger internals (due to their one-piece design) and a proven history in the medium truck market.

Of course, you can also power-shift the G56 from launch to lights in the quarter.

 

Ive driven all 6 speeds from 1989 to present in my Dodge CTD's... 1989 was a 5 speed ( NV4500?) so was my 1996, 1998.5, 2001.5, 2004.5. My 2006 had the lower G-56 which I hated but great for pulling. My new 2007 5.9 with the upgraded G-56 is the CATS MEOW!! It is the best of both worlds. HIgher gear ratios like the 5600 but shifts like a dream G-56!!

 

the 89s had a getrag transmission... I have the low g56, great for towing but wish it was geared was a little higher

 

I have loved my G56 from day one!

 

I didn't know they changed it?? So if I were to buy a new 6.7 with a G-56 it would have the new gear ratios?? Would I be able to at least get it with 4.10's??

 

Yes, the updated G56 behind the 6.7 has a .74 OD vs. .79.

MikeyB

 

All 5.9's after I belive Dec 1st Came with the new G-56 as well as all the new 6.7's. "AD" on the bar code is the older version " AE" Is the newer version with HIgher Overdrive.