MikeyB

The 6spd case is cast iron. The autos are aluminum. I didn't know they still made transmission cases out of cast iron except for the big rigs. ;D<br><br>MikeyB

cp

I used to think 6 speed was the only way to go, but today I drove an HO automatic. That thing was sweet.

Striper

I drive a 5 speed at work every day and boy is it a pleasure to get into my baby after a long day, put it in drive and go. This 48re is sweet! ;D I have had manuals in my trucks before and they are great at putting the power down, but this tranny is the next best thing to sliced bread. 8)

teeth

Another vote for the six shooter.

Nikolai

I only test drove an automatic. It drove OK but I used to be an over the road trucker, and it just seemed un-natural. I speced out a six spd. Around here NOBODY has one to test-drive, so my truck will be the first I've driven. I've even asked total strangers about the set up in their rigs, but, alas, no six speeds. Oh well, I guess mine will be the odd one around here ;D

MikeO

Another vote for the 6 speed. Easy to drive even in rush hour traffic (tonight's commute included about 4 miles of crawling along in first). Test drove the auto and it felt &quot;flat&quot; compared to the 6 speed.<br><br>And - the better half can just jump in and drive it! ;D

kingofdodge7131

Yeppers, all goes to personal preferance. I dont have a 6 shooter, 2 autos. I have a lil 5 spd tiburon kinda like a caviler or something i guess. I do get somewhat tired of shifting in that all the time and often find myself trying to take off in 2nd. I like having ability of both my hands while driving( Cell phone Mt dews, gf whatever i might be doing) I havent gotten one yet but after the warrenty period i plan on bombing for racing anyway so the auto is the only way to go in that Senerio. Like it was said earlire in this post the 6 spd is way slow. ANd its not ment for speed. But i have an aftermarket auto in my 99 and man that things got power. neighbor has a 5 spd and he agrees mine feels like it has more power. And as far as Mileage goes you can always change the shift points. There isnt 6 gears, but the common thing with standards that impove mileage is this. at extended stops the engine isnt under any load so that gives it Better mileage over time, And the shift points can take advantage of the torque and not run the rpms so high since its control by the operator. But my 99 shifts aroun 1800 rpm cruises at 70 at 2000rpm so i cant complain. One thing to watch is the gearing. the auto i believe only comes with the 4.11 So ud want bigger tires to give better rpms as well.

XTOAK

I just picked up my '03 CTD yesterday with the 48RE, and it has the 3.73 rear end - at least that is what is says on the sticker in the glove box.....and yes, I drove both of them and have driven many of the six speeds in the past, but love the 48RE. Smooth shifting and very nice to drive. Much better than that Allison I had on the Duramax....time will tell as to the durability of the auto, but I'll take my chances. <br><br>But then, to each their own...my biggest concern was that the badge on the front corners of the truck said Cummins...

brillmtb

Well, I am new to trucking. Will never pull a large trailer but wanted a solid truck, good milage and went with the dodge HO 48 tranny. To me shifting is for heavy hauling to get the downhill control or sports cars. I do believe that the auto will not last as long but if it goes to 150,000 I will be happy.<br><br>I am a little concered after reading the recent review comparing the three diesels with auto. The lack of a tow haul mode seemed to translate into more downhill braking and a huge deduction in points from the reviewer when combined with the 1 second faster towing time the Ford layed down.<br><br>I still wonder if they had the right proportion of points and categories to compare these trucks. I did notice that dodge did very well or best in the other categories and it seems they never enter a category of &quot;reliablity, TSB, recalls&quot; etc to try to get at the real important issues.

sawboywv1

In WV an auto trans. in a truck is a big mistake, no resale at all. The 6 speed is awesome. There is no way to compare for mountain driving!

DockHigh

Just pulled 7000# trailer from NY to Dallas. I have the auto and was concerned about shifting in and out of OD but it only happened about 3 times through the hills of MD, WV, KY and TN while running at 65mph. It was an effortless drive and I was thrilled with how it didn't seem to break a sweat ;D. Of course turning off the OD makes her snort up anything. I am very glad I went with this tranny with the 4.10's and BFG 315 tires.

XTOAK

Here is another vote for the 48RE as I use it every week hauling between Anchorage and Kenai through Turnagin Pass, and it pulls the mountain trip with ease. I'm not knocking the 6-speed at all as I had one on my 2002 and it had awesome power and was a breeze to shift. To each their own depending on what they want, but for me it was the 48RE...and it's performed flawlessly thus far. As for rebuilding at 100,000+ miles, hey, it can happen but then I've seen clutches blow on a manual at 20,000.<br><br>Either way, we've all bought the best trucks on the market so you can't go wrong. Just drive it and enjoy it!!!

pepperoni

[quote author=Gary - KJ6Q link=board=17;threadid=15359;start=45#157729 date=1057687368]<br>But, if NOT used in heavier applications, and seeing lots of commute miles, frequently in heavy traffic, then give me a good AT!<br>[/quote]<br><br>This has been a interesting thread. We'll be byuing within the next few weeks, so I'm reading as much as I can beforehand. This truck will be my daily driver in Seattle traffic, and the race car hauler in the summer months. I'm leaning towards the auto, but we'll most likely buy used - say maybe a 2000 model or newer. The only problem is not knowing the condition of the transmission I'm buying, so in that respect, the manual trans looks better.<br><br>John<br>