Gas Sucks

How much better mileage is the 6.7 6spd manual getting than the 6.7 6spd auto, havent had a dodge in a while but every manual dodge ive ever had gets 3 to 4 mpg better than auto's, buying a new truck tomorrow and if the manual is getting better mileage im prolly gonna get manual

peobryant

I've heard a LOT of good things about the new automatic tranny, and not so many good things about the 6spd manual.

The new auto is by far better than any auto put in a CTD, and I believe it is a 6spd with double overdrive. I have seen quite a few claims stating the new auto gets better mileage than the manual.

Now if there was a way to put one in a 1st gen...

mattfolsom

Just stick with the manual! Not much differnce in milage and easier to keep up in the long run

beech

The new auto tranny is awesome, get it and you won't regret it. My '09 3500 has auto and gets better mileage than my '03 6 speed manual and I sure don't miss the shifting. The auto works great in conjunction with the exhaust brake. I have always been against automatics but am so glad I made the change! Now, when we go camping, my wife can go shopping in the truck and I don't have to go. I hate shopping especially while on a camping trip. Get the automatic and never look back. You won't be sorry.
Forgot to mention, the gross weights are higher for the auto. which means you have more payload, just look at the spec sheet and you will see.

ratlratl

Expect to put a better clutch in the 6-speed. The DMF is prone to failing. Not saying they all do, but lots. The auto does require fluid changes and filters for maintenance but the manual takes the same fluid. Just less. The auto has the auto-stick feature which when combined with tow/haul makes it act very closely to that of a manual when it comes to controlling. It only took a weekend of driving one to yank me out of my former most favorite truck ever. An '06 3500 4x4 6-speed manual w/ upgraded S/Bend clutch and Smarty CR. Believe me when I tell you, that says something.

Chris

Gas Sucks

Thanks guys i definently didnt want to go back to a manual, i havent driven one in 6 years, only reason i considered it was becasue i smoked 2 auto dodge transmissions a couple years ago, ive been playing with the emmission stuff on the new chevy and new fords for the past 2 years and now its time for me to get back into a dodge, i should be buying one today, ill let yall know how i like it

Jaxom

Anybody have any idea why that is? I had noticed the higher GVWs and I think it is because they have different rear axle ratios??? Just guessing here!!!

robert chilton

couldnt tell ya. Not a small truck but my g56 5500 is rated at 26k GCVW with the truck at 19500 lbs! Same as the auto. If you dont live in town I would go with the G56 and the 3.42 ratio for a daily driver or 4.10s for a towing vehicle. The Manual really shines when you actually work the trans.

O yea make the wife learn to shift gears! She aint got to like it but be compitant. After that let it be her choice in what she drives. People who cannot bang gears shouldnt be aloud to have a lisence. Every person who I have taught to use a clutch pedal felt the same way within a year. This includes my wife who actually enjoys driving the 5500. People who only have drove autos get some really bad habits like brake riding, jack rabbiting, and parking on your butt on a hill

gsbrockman

• The 68RFE can bang off shifts quicker than the manual.
• The 68RFE has more torque at the flywheel (650 vs 610).
• The 68RFE, when bumped with power adders, still has good life expectancy.

Greg

8bm

As much as I like manual a tranny, I opted for the 68rfe on my last truck. If you get a chance, drive them both back to back. One big advantage the 68rfe has over the earlier Dodge autos is a nice low 1st gear and reverse gear. Also, with the button shift, I think it's a close as an auto can get to feeling like a manual. Good luck!

'strokeThis_'07

??? General consensus seems to be 500hp is pushing it, which is a downloader on these trucks. And the fact that, as of yet, there is NO proven built aftermarket trans. NADP cant build one to hold up, ATS hasnt, Suncoast doesnt have much. It wont hold big power either; not much room to add clutches and such. Browns Diesel ended up putting in a built 48re behind their longbed MegaCab dually 6.7; there just isnt an aftermarket and it isnt looking very good for the 68RFE at this point. Time will tell I suppose...

STOCK, Im sure it would be fine. But if your planning on throwing some power at it, get a manual.

And Id be hard pressed to believe a stock 09 auto gets better mileage than an 03 manual. I just dont see it, even with deletes

mattfolsom

If you are going to tow you can't beat the manual! Its nice to have 100 percent control of the gear you are in and a lot less electronics and more things to break in an auto

gsbrockman

I previously owned an '03 RAM 2500 w/305*555 and NV5600.

Even with my deletes, the 6.7L is no match for fuel economy with a 305 hp Common Rail and NV5600.

On my recent trip to Panama City Beach, FL a couple of weeks ago, I averaged 18.3 mpg hand-calculated (Juice w/Attitude on #1).....including compensating for the LT305/60R20 Goodyears on the truck.

A similar trip to Myrtle Beach, SC with my then new 2003 was 21.7 mpg.

Greg

'strokeThis_'07

Now that I can believe. Its a huge difference going from my 07 5.9 to my 03 555/NV. That 03 gets noticeably better mileage than the 07, even if I dont crunch numbers. I attribute it to the third injection; same Smarty TNT tune on the 03 barely smokes, only when I get on it, whereas the 07 belches black smoke. Level 3 3 on 07 smokes alot more than 9 on the 03.

Havent run both stock to compare yet. I cant stand the feeling of "no" power

RobG

My only concern with the 68RFE is, like others said, aftermarket durability. Once ATS gets one built (if?), it should be good... but still costly. Isn't their built 48RE something like $5000?

If you plan to stay stock, the 68RFE is definitely a great way to go (and probably THE way to go)... but if you want to add power, I still think the stick is it.

I wonder how much beefier the Aisin 6sp auto in the 4500/500 is compared to the 68RFE...

Rob