I am going to pull the trigger on a new mega cab hopefully next month. Here is my debate. I have always liked shifting and having a manual tranny, BUT the auto seems Nice with all the options it has of man shifting it. i will be adding a juice with att and maybe another tuner and know i will need a clutch in the manual.. How are the autos holding up? how do they handle a 18,000 lb toy hauler 10-20 times a year I just replaced the auto in my 97 and swore it would be the last one i replace. any input would be nice.

 

I guess my answer would depend on what year and what engine you want. If you're going for a 5.9, my personal opinion is to go for the 6spd manual. If you're going for a 6.7L, I would go with the auto. I've had trucks with the 47RE, NV5600 and now the new 68RFE. Out of the three, that six speed auto is my favorite. Pulls heavy loads great, along with the built in exhaust brake.

If you're planning on doing those things for adding power, I'm going to guess that you're thinking 5.9

 

Nope 6.7 mega, I have had two trucks with the 5600 and absolutly loved them, but I haven't played with the G56 yet. I am leaning towards the manual but I drove an auto today and it was pretty nice. Help me decide

 

I feel that if I could go back and buy my 04.5 again, Id get a manual tranny and long bed!!! Rarely do you here guys complain about having a manual in their truck. Most often you here it the other way around. Unless your going to race your truck down the dragstrip, get the manual. Thats why I bought the '98 12V.

 

I test drove both stick and auto before buying my mega. I bought the auto and have no regrets. IMO, the new 6 speed auto is MUCH better than the old 4 speed (I've owned both).

 

6 speed auto! Manual trannys are dinosaurs.I wanted a auto when I bought mine in 03.Yes the manual has some towing features but its a pain for the most part.Its a antique way of going places.These NEW autos are certainly the way to go.I'm amazed a manual is still available.

 

The 68re is a very smart trans especially when you tow. You really don't even need to manually shift. It does a great job all by itself. I liked the G56 in my 07 but I quickly got tired of shifting all the time. It is very nice to drive an auto trans again. Especially one that actually shifts like you think it should...

 

Autos are always nice for about 80k miles, then hopefully you saved up some cash.

 

Wonder why? Some here with over 80,000 on theirs.

 

Real Trucks have Real Transmissions, Little cars have autos.
I just couldn’t resist!!

 

Some of these stick guys here still have 8 track tape players too, because that electronic sound playing equipment is too complex and tricky :-)

 

I LOVE IT!!!

 

Believe me. I was a manual guy through and through. With the luck I've had in the past with automatics, I wasn't about to take a chance on another one. That was until I drove this one. So far, so good. I have a long while before I have to worry about any issues, knock on wood.

 

HMM You guys arent making this any easier, I was set on the manual BUT.......

 

Go drive one with the 68re auto. You will be surprised at how nice it is. It works awesome towing too......
I really liked the manual G56 in my 07 but I could not keep shifting so much sitting in traffic. It was just killing my legs and it got to the point where I dreaded having to drive it...