I'm looking at an 06 2500 w/ the 6 speed. My question is: Is 1st gear mainly used for just towing? Do you guys mostly start out in 2nd? I thought back on the 2nd gens, it was more like a creeper gear to get ya moving... Any input is appreciated!


Tony


PS - I haven't drove a stick since my 93 Ranger that I had for like 7 years... so it's been a few years! Also, I've never drove a stick w/ a diesel, so I don't know if there's much of a difference or not... thanks again!

 

Pretty much just a creeper gear.

 

1st gear gets you to about 10mph. Its a granny gear for sure, especially on the 06 tranny (G56), its got a deeper gear than than the NV5600.

 

unless I'm pointed downhill I always start in 1st (nv5600), just easier on the clutch IMHO.

 

I'm hoping to have the truck before next weekend... so when I go to help my buddy pull his boat out of the water (pretty steep ramp actually), I should prolly start in 1st?

 

TONY TONY TONY...I just knew the bug would bite.

1st is good for starting when towing heavy. I find most often I start in 2nd otherwise.

Scotty

 

NO MODS... don't even pester me w/ them!

 

I'll hit first once in a while just to do it but if I'm not towing I generally start in second. First does come in handy if you are in heavy stop and go traffic as I will put it into first and just creep along until I have to stop or can shift up to second.

 

Once at a stoplight in Denver, i was attemting to read a map, and the light turned green, i attempted to take off in 4th , i killed it . i restarted it and floored it to get through the intersection, man did that put out some black smoke.

 

Drove a 6 speed in a 2006 last week. Did not like the way it shifted. But I've been driving a NV5600 since 2000. Reverse in the new on is were it should have been in the NV5600, to the left. It was like learing how to drive again. When I got back into mine, I figured I needed a new clutch or somthing. Took about 10 minutes to get back to normal.

Don't like the idea of a aluminum case transmission for towing. They are trying to save weight, but have not increased the towing capacity any. ???

Still don't understand why the 06 towing capacity is the same with either the automatic and six speed with no allowance for the 4:10 rear??? (should be more) unless the frame limits the weight towed. ???

Dave

 

Same here, just like the owner's manual says.

Tony, I had an '03 with the NV5600, and my new one has the G56. I have seen several folks say they didn't like the G56, but I like mine better than the NV5600 in my old '03. Mine shifts very smoothly and the position for reverse is better IMO. Up until I bought my first Dodge CTD ('99), I hadn't driven a standard for 15 years, but it didn't really take that long to readjust - now I wouldn't go back to an auto for anything. The timing of when to shift is slightly different than the gassers, but drive it like a truck and you shouldn't have any problems with that. Love my '05; just finished the 500 miles of towing break-in and truck is running great - mileage just went up 1 mpg (only got 4100 miles on it so far).

 

I like it alot so far... couldn't figure out how to get in reverse for a few minutes... kept putting it in 2nd... I think I got the hang of it again.. been tooling around town enjoying it! Alot more fun to drive then the old auto that's for sure! I'll get some pics of it this weekend if it's not raining and throw 'em up in my gallery!


Tony

 

First gear is low enough that you can put it in 4 lo and it will crawl with no gas at all. I don't really use it unless I'm stopped on a hill

 

1st and 4lo is so low you can let out the clutch at idle and get out and walk next to the truck all day.

 

I always start mine in 2nd unloaded. When am towing or hauling I usually go to 1st just to make it a little easier on the clutch.