Ok, I got my 04 3500 this week and on the trip home from Mt to Ca I had A LOT of time to try to get used to the tranny. My father in law (who I bought it off of) said to NEVER use the clutch to shift, so I would try to speed shift, and sometimes it would work great, and other times I would just grind gears. To note, I have always owned manuals and will never own an auto, but have always used the clutch.

I found at around 1800 rpms, it would shift best if I took it out of gear not using the clutch, then depress clutch, put it in next gear (upshifting), but would use the clutch to down shift everytime. No matter what though, it still seems a little "clunky" as opposed to my 99 f250 with 6speed.

Was wondering what you guys do? Also, what rpms are you guys running your trucks at, while towing, and while empty?

Thanks for all the help.

 

Your father in law is an idiot. Shift it like any other manual tranny you've owned.

If you've driven big trucks for years and have a lot of practice at it you can shift it with no clutch. But this isn't a big rig and I'm guessing you are not truck driver.

 

Do your trans a favor and use the clutch

 

Nope, I have not driven big rigs, and am not a truck driver, with no plans to be.

Thanks for the info, I will use the clutch.

 

Some sticks you can shift without a clutch if they are synchronized, but I know the Dodge tranny's are not.

Growing up with my dad driving semi's, I never used the clutch except from a stop or when I was really rowing gears.

Use the clutch.

 

Unlike a big truck transmission the pickup trannys have syncros that you will tear up in a hurry shifting without the clutch.

 

X2

 

Use the clutch, it's cheaper than not using it.
At work I drive an 18 speed . Most of the time I'am gossing around
160,000 lbs.Some times I use the clutch some times I don't,depends on the grade.That truck has over 200,000 miles on it. But I always use the clutch in my dodge pick up.

 

Transmissions cost around $4500. You decide which way you will shift!

 

Wow what special kind of manual transmissions are you buying. Automatic maybe but rebuild on a nv4500 should be 1500-1700 max, the 5600 maybe 2500 if you need shafts.

 

I would be surprised if that trans didn't need new syncros put in it, if it has been being shifted without the clutch this long.

 

How can one tell if you need new syncros?

 

As the syncros wear out it gets harder to shift.

 

Jest look it up nv5600 4x4 4.330.00 at mopar discount 3.114.00 The auto was a little higher