My '97 has 228,850 miles on it right now. I had a service body installed five years ago, which I am trying to sell so that I can convert back to a standard pickup bed. It might be easier to just sell the whole truck. That being said, I'm actually toying with the idea of getting an 01 or 02 6 speed with the HO motor. Is there any reason to stray away from the 6 speeds or HO motors?

I was also thinking of trying to find a 98 12 valve with the 5 speed, but I kind of like the idea of having an extra gear to match the vehicle speed with the torque of the engine.


Either way, if my truck sells, I want to replace it with a truck with a standard transmission.

 

If you do a lot of heavy towing go with the 6spd HO if you do a lot of in town stop and go the 5spd is nicer to shift _ on the 5spd is 5th gear can come of it the trans has not been updated with the right parts . also you can make more power with the SO .but like I said ...6spd is way better for heavy loads both HO and SO are good just watch for the 53 block

 

All of the HO nv5600's I have had experience with have been junk. Yes the 5th gear nut is an issue on the nv4500's, but once that's fixed they're bullet proof.

 

I have got a 02 HO and I like it a lot. I think unless you are going for all out power the HO is great.

 

I don't anticipate going for all out power. I've been holding steady with just the mods shown in my signature on my '97.

 

I like the nv5600. It is alot of SLOW shifting, but I have not had one issue with it. I did have the 53 block but it didn't crack. The only issues I have had was the lift pump and my current problem which I am sure was self induced.

Oh Yea, probably the reason I will never own another dodge in my lifetime is the Dodge dealers in most of the areas I have lived. I am sure there are some good ones, but I have not had any luck. Don't ask me to sell my current one though as I love it.

 

I believe there were some 99 and 2000 models built with non HO motor and 6 speed tranny. You had option of 5 speed, 6 speed or auto.

 

I 2nd that. Also those years of the 6 speed had a smaller input shaft 1.25" as opposed to 1.375" for 01 and 02.

 

Mine's one of them. Haven't had a single problem with the tranny.

 

I didn't plan on adding a ton of power upgrades to my truck so the HO motor is ok for me. I wanted the 6-speed trans for towing so the HO engine wasn't an option, you just got it with the 6 speed.

As far as the trans goes, they are really strong, but finicky. Slow shifting at higher revs gets the best results.

They need a specially called out lube, regular gear oil will kill it.

The stock clutch is ok for towing, but an upgrade to a South Bend and their hydraulics is night and day.

Kurt

 

never had a a single problem with mine other then the clutch wouldn't hold the added power and I tow heavy loads 26000+ heaviest was 38000#

 

I sold my '97 on Saturday. A friend gave me a phone number to a guy who is able to find vehicles. He found me an '01, 2500, Laramie SLT, Quad Cab, Long Bed, 4WD, 6-speed with just under 110,000 miles. He's going to have the dealer who has the truck verify it does not have a 53 block and if everything checks out, he'll buy it and have it shipped to his store. I shoudl have it later on this week.

 

I didn't buy that truck. The rear was full of dents and rust was showing because of it.

I ended up buying a '97 Accord last Saturday so I could take the pressure off of finding a truck.

Yesterday, I found an '02 with less than 108k miles that I'm driving 350 miles to buy tomorrow. The only bummer is that it doesn't have the Overhead Console w/ Trip Computer, and Remote Keyless Entry. I really wanted that stuff, but the truck is in great shape and I don't want to miss it. Long Bed, Quad Cab, 6 speed, 3.55 gears, really clean truck.

 

OK, scratch that. Owner of dealership sold truck on Friday night to a friend, unbeknownst to the sales manager who I was dealing with. It would have been nice if the owner would have checked in to see if sales manager was working on a sale. I had even given them my credit card number to hold the truck for me until I got there the next morning. Oh well, one will turn up one of these days.

 

I think you need to Qualify Your Experience Sir... Just what kind of experience do you have that you would paint with such a broad brush. You have named a shortfall in the 5 spd which is not junk but you leave us in the dark as to why the 6 spd is mere scrap metal..... Just kiddin around but I would like to know if there is something I should know Im pulling a large boat rather often with mine and no issues.