Ram questions

IdaD wrote:


In a pickup I don't disagree. In a sporty car a stick is still the way to go by a huge margin - a stick and clutch really enhances the driving experience.

I agree, in a sports car you gotta get a standard just for the fun factor alone.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:


Your forgetting about the torque multiplication factor of the torque converter. This will be around 2.0 to 2.5 depending. The auto will kill a row boat tranny off of the line because of the torque multiplication factor.

I don't think many truck owners here ricer racers and are concerned about getting off the line quicker.

My data logging shows that the TC does not stay unlocked very long in tow/haul mode with either the 68RFE or AS69RC. It doesn't lock in first, but it quickly locks within a few seconds after the shift in every other gear leaving you locked for a good while in every gear especially with heavy loads.

Now if you want to just mash the pedal down and leave your TC unlocked on every stop just to get to 60 the quickest, then by all means. However, I don't think that transmission and TC will last long doing so.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
It may be that's the way it is up north but it's not in the US.

In fact, the last figures I have seen said that somewhere around only 1 in 10 in the US can even drive a standard tranny anymore.

As people get older and die off, less and less people can even drive a standard tranny. Then you have the older people that have knee or hip problems that know how to drive them but don't want them.

Hard times for standard tranny's.

The bottom line is this. A modern automatic tranny has the same or more gears, puts out more power, puts out more torque, gets the same or better mileage than it's standard counterpart. The standard tranny has 0 advantage over a modern automatic tranny.

My prediction is by 2020 to 2023 the standard tranny in LD pickup trucks will go the way of carburetors on engines.

In a pickup I don't disagree. In a sporty car a stick is still the way to go by a huge margin - a stick and clutch really enhances the driving experience.

One advantage to a manual would be shifting when you want it to shift. Modern transmission shift logic seems to be a universal gripe from brand to brand, especially when towing. Manual selection helps, but I have encountered delays on shifts when trying to force downshift etc...

It may be that's the way it is up north but it's not in the US.

In fact, the last figures I have seen said that somewhere around only 1 in 10 in the US can even drive a standard tranny anymore.

As people get older and die off, less and less people can even drive a standard tranny. Then you have the older people that have knee or hip problems that know how to drive them but don't want them.

Hard times for standard tranny's.

The bottom line is this. A modern automatic tranny has the same or more gears, puts out more power, puts out more torque, gets the same or better mileage than it's standard counterpart. The standard tranny has 0 advantage over a modern automatic tranny.

My prediction is by 2020 to 2023 the standard tranny in LD pickup trucks will go the way of carburetors on engines.

The Cummins/G56 combo is derated in HP/torque and tow ratings because the limiting factor is the clutch, especially for an inexperienced driver. There are plenty of good aftermarket solutions to that which I will take advantage of when the time comes. I may consider a mild tune at that time too, but the truck tows just fine in stock form. And I'm not towing a 8-9k lbs TT; it is a high profile 16k triple slide 4 season fiver.

The Cummins has such great low end torque that it makes it a great choice for the manual transmission and really makes one appreciate the capability of the engine.

Oh, and one last thing before I opt out of the discussion; in my area you had better be prepared to jump on a cherry Cummins/manual tranny truck quickly and pay premium price for it because they sell within a day or two. And that goes for all years of them. The 7.3L/ZF6 Fords are the same.

OP, if you decide to sell your truck you will have no problem at all and you will get top dollar for it. Just be sure that you want to sell it before listing because you will have people breaking the door down for it! :B

ShinerBock wrote:
Due to gear multiplication, the 650 lb-ft Cummins with the G56 is actually putting down considerably more torque than a SRW 900 lb-ft Cummins with the Aisin in first and second gear. In third, the G56 is still putting down more torque, but not much more. The Aisin is only putting down slightly more torque in fourth through sixth.

G56
1st: 13204.62
2nd: 7291.44
3rd: 4401.54
4th: 2912.13
5th: 2223.00
6th: 1645.02

68RFE
1st: 8837.28
2nd: 5034.24
3rd: 3857.76
4th: 2736
5th: 2243.52
6th: 1723.68

AS69RC
1st: 11542.5
2nd: 6156
3rd: 4124.52
4th: 3078
5th: 2370.06
6th: 1939.14

Your forgetting about the torque multiplication factor of the torque converter. This will be around 2.0 to 2.5 depending. The auto will kill a row boat tranny off of the line because of the torque multiplication factor.

I am way past the point of even considering jamming gears. Had enough of that in the 18 wheeler.

One thing I do know is that you are wasting your time trying to discuss how efficient the modern day autos are with someone who is a die hard gear kicker.

I have a friend that even found a Honda accord that has a manual trans. he says he just likes to be in charge while driving. So be it.:W

blofgren wrote:

KBOnTheRoad wrote:
I have a 2016 Dodge Ram Cummins with the 6 speed auto and I can say without reservation that it's the best transmission I have ever driven. No tonly that but it works in tandem with the tow haul mode and the engine brake to make descending long steep grades a breeze.

The 6 speed will downshift automatically when needed and work with the engine brake. You can set the engine brake on FULL or Auto. Auto will let you set the speed you want to descend a hill at and it will keep you there.

And the fuel milage will be much better with the auto trans than the manual.

By all means get the auto.

By the way I have tested mine from the Baja to Alaska and back this year so it's seen a bit of everything.

Glad to hear you're happy with the automatic. How do you figure the auto is much better on fuel than the manual? Manuals are typically MUCH better at getting power to the road which makes them better on fuel.

That idea was true many years ago before computerized fuel injection which increased fuel mileage over carburetors significantly. The automatic transmissions of at least the last ten years that are electronically controlled act in the same way. It shifts at the most optimum point for load, speed etc and fuel economy. When you are not over or under shifting (revving or lugging) which is common habits with a standard you are getting better fuel mileage.

Secondly every head to head test of standard vs auto transmissions has resulted in the auto being the winner fuel mileage wise...and efficiency too which really are the same thing.

When automatics were three speeds with no electronics and really quite crude in comparison to todays transmissions you would be right but they have advanced way beyond the ability of a manual now.

Also having a manual derates your horsepower and torque and I beleive your load ratings...at least for the Dodge and that is very telling.

Me Again wrote:

blofgren wrote:

KBOnTheRoad wrote:
I have a 2016 Dodge Ram Cummins with the 6 speed auto and I can say without reservation that it's the best transmission I have ever driven. No tonly that but it works in tandem with the tow haul mode and the engine brake to make descending long steep grades a breeze.

The 6 speed will downshift automatically when needed and work with the engine brake. You can set the engine brake on FULL or Auto. Auto will let you set the speed you want to descend a hill at and it will keep you there.

And the fuel milage will be much better with the auto trans than the manual.

By all means get the auto.

By the way I have tested mine from the Baja to Alaska and back this year so it's seen a bit of everything.

Glad to hear you're happy with the automatic. How do you figure the auto is much better on fuel than the manual? Manuals are typically MUCH better at getting power to the road which makes them better on fuel.

G56 has a .74 overdrive in sixth, and 1.0 in 5th. The Aisin has .63 overdrive in 6th a .77 in 5th. 68RFE is .63 in 6th and .82 in 5th. With the advent of locking TC the advantage of manual trannies was negated. When not locked a TC has a torque multiplying capability.

Love my Aisin with low 1st and 2nd gear and 3.42 tall rear gears.

Chris

Thanks but I highly doubt the minor difference in transmission ratios will make much if any difference in fuel economy. The differential ratio will likely make more of a difference. I can tow my 16k fiver in 6th gear with no problem at all even on rolling hills.

Personal preference I guess but I still like the manual. No unexpected up or downshifts and works exceptionally well with the exhaust brake. Simple to service. The dealer I bought from had several manuals in stock and said they sell lots of them so I'm not alone. I think many if not most people don't know how to drive them properly, especially with a heavy load which creates so much animosity about them and the subsequent preference for an auto. I actually find driving an auto truck quite boring after a while! JMHO! :B