'07 6-speed auto vs. 6-speed manual strength
 

I am looking around for a new truck and I am still on the fence as far the the transmission goes. I've had a manual since I started driving and I'm kinda wanting to get away from it and once the 6-speed autos came out, I really like idea of having 6 gears in an auto. My question is about the strength of the auto. I want to run 35's w/ the H2 wheels, add about a 75-100 HP box and I would tow a 16' landscaping type trailer with 4 wheelers and stuff or a 20' boat every now and then, nothing very heavy, atleast for the truck, and then just the normal every day driving. I guess my question is would it handle the tires and the extra power? If I had to, I would go with a manual again if overall it would be stronger and a better choice, I just think I would like the auto if it's strong enough.

So, how is the strength of it? Also, how do you guys like it overall as far as driving day to day?

I picked up my new 6.7 with the G56 manual 6 speed yesterday. I love rowing the gears![coffee]
A buddy rode with me to pick up the new one. He test drove one of the new autos, like you he's a stick guy, BUT - That's all I heard on the way home...."Man that auto is AWESOME"...He said his next one will be the 6.7 auto 6 speed for sure. The dealer I bought mine from said they sell 3 times more autos than manuals and haven't heard a single complaint out of the tranny, exhaust issues(DPF), but not tranny. Opinions are a dime a dozen, but figured I would give you my buddy's. I respect his opinion as he pulls heavy a LOT. He said he wouldn't give it a second thought...AUTO all the way!

I like the 6 pack on the stick myself, but I do a lot of up and down on 10K passes with goose necks in tow.. It's your truck rig it the way you want.

Don't the 6spd autos come with an extended warranty? A friend just ordered a new 5500 and mentioned something about that.

I routinely pull 10K to 12K loads through the Colorado mountains. The 6 speed auto with the exhaust brake works great. I have 4500 miles on mine so far and no problems yet. As the other guy said, I've seen a lot of DPF and CEL complaints but nothing yet on any major tranny problems.

My truck is stock. If you put another 100 HP on top of it and really start stressing the tranny, who knows what will happen. Of course, you can blow up manual trannys the same way.

For what you are planning to use it for, I think it will hold up well and you will be glad you got. Put a temp gauge on to make sure you don't over heat the tranny and change your fluid & filters at the recommended intervals.

I def. plan on putting a set of gauges on (EGT, Boost, Fuel Pressure and Tran. Temp). I haven't heard anything bad about the tranmissions, I just wanted to ask since its a new year for the auto in the trucks so I didn't know if there were any bugs or whatnot. I'm leaning on the auto because like I said before all I have had are manuals and kinda getting sick of it and I don't really pull a whole lot and when I do, it's not heavy at all. Plus, the idea of a factory Exhaust brakes tempts me even more. I figured it would hold up with the tires, just not sure about the tires with the box. I guess the box could come after the tires to see how the auto holds up. I would think it would do fine though.

Wonder if any of the big-name tranny builders are tweaking the 68RE (?) yet?

Note Dodge has two 6 speed auto transmissions. The extended warrantee comes with the Aisin auto which is only in the cab & chassis. The 68rfe comes in the pickups.

I have the 07 68rfe (see signature) and now have 9,500 miles on it about 3,500 of which was pulling a 12,000lb 5th wheel. This included a trip through the Bighorn Mountains, into Yellowstone etc. The 6peed auto with the exhaust brake is great!

I think the 01 (see signature) with the 6 speed stick may pull slightly better, but the auto works really well and when it comes to backing a trailer the auto wins hands down.

To date no problems with anything except a dozen cels related to the EGR valve beginning at about 5500 miles but none for the last 700 miles.

I would buy the auto again!

Good luck,

George

I have pulled my loaded toy hauler with the 6.7 manual and the 68RFE and there is no comparison for pulling or stopping. The auto works much better and it downshifts quick enough that the exhaust brake seems to work better. If you are going bigger tires, then 4.10 gears are a must with the auto.
NM

Thanks for the info..

I'm thinking about a 5500 myself, probably stick with the stick..

You said the 4.10s are a must with the auto and the tires. What about the manual? 3.73s or 4.10s? Also, which would be better with stock tires?

The G56 is really low geared even when rolling down the hwy in 6th gear. From the posts that i have seen i personally would stick with 3.73's when putting larger tires on a G56 truck. I think 4.10s would still be too low unless you are looking at 37s or something bigger. JMO

If its like mine, the manual is only available with 3.73's unless they changed it.

naw, its available with up to 4.10s, also for 08 i am under the impression its also available with 3.56s
not 5billion% positive but pretty sure

I test drove and purchased one with 4.10 and 6 speed auto, but the lot boy filled it with unleaded...now I have a 3.73 with auto.

The G56 is only available with 3.73 gears. Stock G56 with 3.73 runs 200 rpm more than 68rfe with 4.10 gears. There will be a 3.42 gear coming for the G56 guy's...should be early spring.
You can get 4.10 gears with G56 in 4500-5500 series trucks only.
NM