Patrick Campbell

Looks like you got the answer already! 6spd is the way to go. If you get auto, get 4.10 gears or else you will regret it. 48RE + 4.10 is a pulling machine, as is the 6spd with whatever gears.

For me, what is worth the most is rarely having to lay on my brakes with a 6spd. Throwing it into whatever gear you want and having it stay there is pricess. Let it rev to 3 grand and it holds the truck back pretty well! I don't even know that an exhaust brake is necessary but you have that option a lot more easily with a 6spd.

Rain Man

I did the deal today on a new 05 3500 DRW 4X4 CTD Quad. $17,800.00 and my truck. 6 speed with 3:73 gears. Also checked on the exhaust brake and found out that it is being released for sale this month. Seems they had a problem with the clamps that hold it to the turbo and had to do a re-design on that. Price in parts room was in the high $ 1,300.00 range and an additional adapter has to be ordered also. He said that he would discount me one as I purchased a new truck and he quoted me a price of $1,100.00 for the whole unit.

FiverBob

You will love it. And, I love the ebrake. I use it both solo and towing.

thumper 549

Well we could be long winded and tell you all the pros and cons and start a trany war......but I wont
Just remember one thing 6 SPEED.....6SPEED ok two things

300 SDL

Six speed and Pac Brake work for me. We have some good hills in WY also.

1shotgun1

six speed and exhaust brake

Rain Man

I got the 6 speed. The dealer said that he could not order a 6 speed now. The new 6 speed coming next is a Mercedes 6 speed, G56. The parts counter guy looked it up on the web connection for DC and he stated that is was indeed a Mercedes 6 speed coming on the next ones built. I wonder if it is an existing one or one that is new for this truck?

12PACK

From another list a "DC Commercial Vehicle
Division tranny, introduced in 2002 in medium-duty Benzes and Freightliners. It's usually hooked to the Benz 900 diesel."

I wonder if it had to learn English to get along with the Cummins.

Riverman777

Had an Auto. Swapped it for a 6 speed and exhaust brake. No more hot trannies and brakes.

hippie

Six Speed

Nevada

13% grades???? 17K load???? Holy mackrel!!!! You may be one of the FEW that could actually use 4.10's and a 6-speed. Get some Fast Coolers to go with it, and drain the 75W-90 out of the rear and replace it with 75w-140 synthetic.

Hannibal

I like 'em both. Had one 5spd and three auto Ram/Cummins 2500's. The auto is still being de-rated in O/D I read in another thread. My next truck will likely be a 6spd/Cummins if the driveshaft vibes are gone.
I would avoid any grade over 7% with your load. Just my opium.

Rain Man

My 99 CTD with the 5 speed and Pac Brake did real well on those grades. Been there two time a year for six years and no problems either up or down. The 05 should do it at least as good or better I hope. Pac Brake is here now and to be installed this week coming. Banks High Ram on hand and due to go in next week also. I won't have a heavy trip for a while though so I will see how it does here locally on some lesser grades. I am from West Virginia originally and driving in the mountains are not a problem as slower is better as a rule.

ridofpwrstroke

The difference in the trannies is that the new tranny has a lower first gear. It is 6.23 or something like that. Our 5600's have a 5.72 or something like that. The new six speed is already on the new power wagon. It would definately be a better ratio for pulling heavy. Wish I had it. Oh, you made the right decision by going with the six speed. I have a 98 auto and a 02 six speed. I usually only pull with the sixer.

bluepp

Rain Man,
What year was the truck you traided on your new 2005?