Looking at a 3rd Gen NEED HELP!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
Hey TX,
Thanks for starting the thread. I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to decide between an '08 manual and '06 manual. After reading some of the posts about the '08s with a 68RFE, I'm half starting to consider that though.
I think I want a manual because I've been driving an auto almost 9 years. I hate going up a hill with a load and all of sudden (WEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!) the rpms double. My buddy has an '02 manual and he beats me by 1 - 2 mpg wherever we go. Considering an '06 because the 5.9 is plenty for what I do and doesn't have all the emissions crap to kill mpg. I haven't seen anything bad about the 68RFE though and with 6 speeds, I'm guessing it would be more like a (weeee!).
What's scaring me is I'm seeing a lot of guys quoting around 11 mpg city and 15 mpg highway with the 6.7. Go to the 2nd gen forum and it's more like 16/17 and 20/21 - I see this with my 2nd gen. If I get 11/15 mpg empty on a 3rd gen and I'll regret I bought it every day. One post said 1 -2 less mpg for the 6.7 vs. 5.9. If that's right, I can live with that . . . especially if I make it back up by going to a manual.
Thanks for starting the thread. I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to decide between an '08 manual and '06 manual. After reading some of the posts about the '08s with a 68RFE, I'm half starting to consider that though.
I think I want a manual because I've been driving an auto almost 9 years. I hate going up a hill with a load and all of sudden (WEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!) the rpms double. My buddy has an '02 manual and he beats me by 1 - 2 mpg wherever we go. Considering an '06 because the 5.9 is plenty for what I do and doesn't have all the emissions crap to kill mpg. I haven't seen anything bad about the 68RFE though and with 6 speeds, I'm guessing it would be more like a (weeee!).
What's scaring me is I'm seeing a lot of guys quoting around 11 mpg city and 15 mpg highway with the 6.7. Go to the 2nd gen forum and it's more like 16/17 and 20/21 - I see this with my 2nd gen. If I get 11/15 mpg empty on a 3rd gen and I'll regret I bought it every day. One post said 1 -2 less mpg for the 6.7 vs. 5.9. If that's right, I can live with that . . . especially if I make it back up by going to a manual.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Texas
It seems as if someone was reading my mind when I posted this because in the latest issue of a diesel mag they did a comparison between the 5.9 and 6.7. Didnt really cover all the bases as far as I am concerned but it hit some points. I think I am a little more open minded to the 6.7 but really still leaning to the 5.9 in an 07 truck with an manual tranny. I tell myself I would keep it mostly stock other than exhaust and intake but I know that is a lie so I may regret the manual down the road. I guess price and availability of the right truck will have alot to do with what I buy. Anyhow, I gotta shed this 2nd Gen 12V before I can get my next truck.
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From: Puyallup, WA
Look at it this way, how many cars/trucks/suvs do you know of that have been recalled by the gov't (whoever) to be retrofixed for emissions issues? I can't think of any. It ain't going to happen.
With that in mind the 5.9 is not an issue, you'll never take it in for a bunch of emission upgrades.
Have to agree with the 68rfe comments, it is a better tranny than the 48re. Other than that buy what you want, what makes you happy. Either way you'll be buying a great motor with a Dodge wrapped around it.
If I had the choice today, I'd go with the 6.7/68rfe and EB, 'cause I tow a lot.
Good luck with your decision.
With that in mind the 5.9 is not an issue, you'll never take it in for a bunch of emission upgrades.
Have to agree with the 68rfe comments, it is a better tranny than the 48re. Other than that buy what you want, what makes you happy. Either way you'll be buying a great motor with a Dodge wrapped around it.
If I had the choice today, I'd go with the 6.7/68rfe and EB, 'cause I tow a lot.
Good luck with your decision.
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From: Ila georgia
Couldn't imagine buying any of them,Ford/G.M.or Dodge with a manual.Not 07s up anyway.Heck G.M. dropped manual with diesel a long while back and Fords with one are really hard to get and have been.I wanted a 48re when I bought my truck.Kinda looked forward to adding a better convertor/valve body or a close to fully tricked one instead of this row your boat stuff.
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From: foothills of North Carolina
I can't imagine buying an auto and having to spend 5000 bucks to hold a ton of horsepower. Heavyduty dual disc way way cheaper. That being said, if I wanted an auto, that's what I would get. How much HP or Torque will the new auto hold? I would think it would be way more than 48re?
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From: Ila georgia
Manuals trannys have NO upgrades.Clutch yes but not the trans.Plus no one really knows how to repair these NV5600 or G56s worth a darn from the post I read.If replacement needed what does these manuals cost? A bunch.Between that and clutch prices I thing its a toss of the coin price wise and I bet the modified autos hold up a lot better then manuals.If I'm wrong say so.
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From: Willow Park, Tx
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From: Willow Park, Tx
I think you will find that, with the later model 3rd Gen 5.9s, the auto delivers significantly better mileage than the manual. The primary reason for this seems to be the higher final drive ratio that the auto has in lock-up 4th. These engines give much better economy when you run them at or below 2000 rpm, and the auto allows you to travel at highway speed and stay below the magic 2000 rpms. As far as the smog equipment goes, I don't think there is any chance that additional smog equipment will be required on the 5.9s. I would think twice about modifying any of the existing smog equipment, because I suspect that diesels will have to undergo smog checks in the near future like the gassers. Any missing/modified equipment is an immediate flunk.
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From: Dakotas
Manuals trannys have NO upgrades.Clutch yes but not the trans.Plus no one really knows how to repair these NV5600 or G56s worth a darn from the post I read.If replacement needed what does these manuals cost? A bunch.Between that and clutch prices I thing its a toss of the coin price wise and I bet the modified autos hold up a lot better then manuals.If I'm wrong say so.
Auto's are great for racing and light towing. But for heavy towing the manual has been the only way to go.
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From: Texas
With the comments made this far I may not be getting the manual after all. I was looking towards the manual for longevity but if the new auto's are built as well as everyone says then why not. The kicker is the mileage. I dont tow enough to justify a 3-4 mpg difference between the auto and manual. Plus I heard a 6.7 with 7" stacks and the exhaust brake on youtube and it sounded mean!
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: The Great State Of Texas
I have been considering what to buy to replace the wrecked 06 Dodge. I have been torn between 2006 Dodge Dually or a 2008 Dodge Dually. I have had to throw out the mileage issue if the 08 is getting around 16 mpg, while the 06 gets around 20+ (I did in my truck 2006 Dodge 2500 2WD).
Here is how I figure this at $4.50 per gallon for diesel. If you divide 4.50 by 20, equals $0.225. Divide 4.50 by 16, equals $0.281. The difference of these two is $0.056 cents per mile. Over 10000 miles, this is $560. While this is a fairly big number, I don't feel like this should be a deal killer.
What do y'all think?
Here is how I figure this at $4.50 per gallon for diesel. If you divide 4.50 by 20, equals $0.225. Divide 4.50 by 16, equals $0.281. The difference of these two is $0.056 cents per mile. Over 10000 miles, this is $560. While this is a fairly big number, I don't feel like this should be a deal killer.
What do y'all think?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Madison, Wisconsin
If you can work the 6.7 you will be fine, if your running around empty or have to idle the truck alot or running stop light to stop light then you will have problems.
I also vote for the auto, had the shifter for years and never again. Plus the auto will actually help with less regens, because the engine will be at a more constant RPM's instead dropping down RPM's to grab the next gear, thats when smoke is created thus causing more regens.
I also vote for the auto, had the shifter for years and never again. Plus the auto will actually help with less regens, because the engine will be at a more constant RPM's instead dropping down RPM's to grab the next gear, thats when smoke is created thus causing more regens.