5-speed vs. 6-speed in 2500

[Jackson]

Hello -
this is my first post to this website. Folks here seem to be very knowledgable about trucks.
I'm going to buy a 2000 or 2001 Dodge 2500 diesel with manual transmission. I see them listed as 5-speed, and some as 6-speed.

What's the difference (besides another speed)? Does one of these transmissions have more problems?

Any input would be great.

thanks
Jackson

[steved]

They are both NVG trannies, the 5spd is a NV4500, the 6spd is a NV5600.


My dad has a 99 with a 5 spd, it is plenty strong behind the CTD, but they will lose 5th gear eventually...dodge has never put an updated collar in the trannies to prevent the jam nut from loosening and allowing 5th gear (which is "outside" the tranny) to back off the shaft. He has over 200k on his with only the 5th gear issue at 180k. I don't like them because they have big gaps in ratio...you either wind one out to shift to the next one with any power or shift normally and lug the next gear.

I own an 04.5 with the 6spd...it is noisey...doubt you would notice it in a 00 or 01 since the CTD is noisier that the newer common rails. It is sweet shifting, but that seems to be all you get done is shifting...they don't really start to move until 5th...I go through 4 gears before I cross a normal intersection. Gets monotonous, but they do pull a lot better than a 5spd IMO.

steved

[mrjohnwayne]

I don't really care for the new 6 speed. Have an 05 3500 "crew cab" (Hah) 4x4 CTD, with a flat bed on the back as a work truck. Truck had 5400 miles on it and I snapped the input shaft in two trying to get unstuck one day. Just doesnt seem strong enough for the motor. Just my 2 cents...

[steved]

Originally Posted by mrjohnwayne

I don't really care for the new 6 speed. Have an 05 3500 "crew cab" (Hah) 4x4 CTD, with a flat bed on the back as a work truck. Truck had 5400 miles on it and I snapped the input shaft in two trying to get unstuck one day. Just doesnt seem strong enough for the motor. Just my 2 cents...

We are talking two different 6 spds here...your 05 will have a "dana" made by getrag (remember the 89-91 issues with the getrags, well, they are back!) They are aluminum, and use shims.

An 00-04.5 will have an NV5600, about the strongest light truck tranny you can buy...I disagree with any reason dodge had for switching to the Dana...they will be nothing but trouble. They are cast iron cased and a tad noisey, but very very durable.

steved

[ibuiltmine-o1oo]

Originally Posted by steved

We are talking two different 6 spds here...your 05 will have a "dana" made by getrag (remember the 89-91 issues with the getrags, well, they are back!) They are aluminum, and use shims.

An 00-04.5 will have an NV5600, about the strongest light truck tranny you can buy...I disagree with any reason dodge had for switching to the Dana...they will be nothing but trouble. They are cast iron cased and a tad noisey, but very very durable.

steved

The nv4500 was in both dodge, and chevy, but is the nv5600 in the chevy's? A quick ebay search only brought up dodge stuff on the 56, but the same search for the 45 brings up both chevy and dodge.... Id like to find an nv5600 for my 3500 chevy, IF it was a pretty straight foreward swap........

[bodyman]

some late 05s might have the merceds 6 spd reverse on the other side not sure but might be stronger. jim

[o3shortbed]

my friends 02 dodge hand a 6-speed and he kept dropping 6th gear. dodge told him it was made of plastic and with to much power it would strip the gear. ive heard they fixed this though.