hello all,, first post here,, i am plannin on ordering a 6.7 here in the next few months and am still trying to decide on which tranny to get. I perfer the manual 6 speed for the simple fact of simplicity and less parts to fail philosophy. Also takes standard gear oil during a service. I do appreciate the ease of not shifting when having an auto, and the new 6 speed auto with manual shifting capeabilitites is really tempting now.

question: what type of tranny fluid does that new aisin 6 speed take and how much? what are the rpms at 70mph for each?

anyone with personal experience with either, please share.

 

The Aisin takes it's own special type of fluid, not just regular old ATF, but it is only available in the cab & chassis. If you are talking about the pick-ups it uses the 68rfe.

 

I think you can put standard gear lube in the manual but they come with ATF from the factory

 

I opted for the 6-speed manual in my new 07.5 3500/6.7 CTD RAM. I test drove the automatic and it was awesome but I like shifting for myself. I had to undergo a learning curve when I first began driving the truck since I was used to driving a little Saturn with 5-speed manual. I had to learn to put the clutch in before letting the accelerator up. It also took a little time to get used to taking off in second gear without using the accelerator...quite different from the 5-speed I was used to. I've had the truck about 3 weeks now and am now used to the difference in shifting. I really love the truck. The torque was quite evident the other day when I missed a shift and wound up in 6th instead of 4th. The truck kept pulling and didn't seem to know the difference. A glance at the speedometer gave it away.

 

I test drove both today. 6 spd stick 65-70mph = 2000-2200 rpm. 6 spd auto 65-70mph = 1600-1800. I still preferr the stick due to simplicity and less maintenance cost.
I did like the fact that you could shift the auto with push of a button. The "jake"/exhaust brake (call it what you like) worked well with both, but I noticed it more with the stick.

 

Welcome to the DTR. I prefer the handshaker. My wifes auto is nice to drive but I like the Stick when it comes to working.

 

They do put the very same ATF+4 in the manual transmissions as the autos but dumping gear oil in there sounds like a very bad idea. Don't do it. Not designed for a heavy oil like that. Read your manual.

 

i have come accross some info on here saying that the owners of the manuals are geting annoyed when drivng over 70-75mph, they say they are looking for a 7th gear, some are even purchasing a gear vendor. what about you guys?

also,, atf-4 is that the fluid the new aisin takes?

 

GV will break the bank but having one I don't think I'd ever own a manual truck without one. If they had the option of a 6 speed auto with the 5.9s I would have strongly considered that. The 4 speeds autos for our trucks just didn't seem like enough gears.

The manuals are geared really low even though it's only available with 3:73 rears. The transmission actually makes it the equivalant to the 4:10 equipped autos from what people around here say.

I have yet to see anyone complain about the new 6sp autos but there's always been some crying about the lousy shifting with the old stock four speeds. Slapping gears is fun but also consider they detune the horsepower rating about 25hp on the 6.7 equipped manual trucks.

 

Depends on where you live, drive and what you are pulling. I will never own another auto in a diesel again. I tried it and got screwed so bad. If you do open road driving and pull very little than I think auto will hold.

 

my 06 has an automatic bought it in Nov last year and have 49000 on it now. most of that is towing a 53' closed racecar trailer--not a bit of trouble and power to spare.

 

I've got the 373 rearend and 35" tires I havent ever felt like I needed a 7th gear. Maybe it would feel like that with stock tires?

 

Stocker 265's and upgraded 285's they wind really tight up over 70mph. I think they are running 2100 rpms @ 65!! The only drawback to bigger tires is your rear end ratio gets higher. I think even with my 33" 285's it is equivalent to 3:50

 

With the 6.7/stick I run 2100 RPM @ 70 MPH. My friend's 5.9/stick runs a bit higher.

7th gear would be nice though Tons of power, even up the mountains in 6th.

 

Can some one tell me what the maintenance schedule is for an auto?
THX