Hi, guys,<br> Just test drove an '03 at lunch time today. It was a real nice truck - pretty close to what I'm looking to get. The one I drove had the 48RE, and I had a couple questions. First, when driving around, is it normal for rpm's to have to hit about 1400-1500 when taking off from a light? I was driving it nice and easy, and it seemed like rpm's would come up to 1500 before it would move, then stay there until around 10 mph, and then rise as expected. The C6 in my other truck doesn't act like this, so I wasn't sure if it's what is expected on these trannies.<br> Secondly, the acceleration wasn't quite what I expected. Given, the truck was about as heavy as you can get 'em - quad cab, 4x4, dually, and did only have the 3.73's. But my sister's 4-banger Sunfire would have out-accelerated this truck. Do the 4.10's make a big difference?<br> Just mainly trying to get some more info/opinions on the 48RE here. Still can't decide whether to go NV5600 or 48RE. Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated!<br>Chris

 

One other thing I wanted to add - that truck drove a LOT nicer than I expected, based on the magazine comparisons I've read. The ride was a lot smoother than my Jeep's.<br>Chris

 

Was it a standard output or a high output engine. I really makes a difference. Haven't noticed the rpm at take off. It may wind up a bit, but not sure how high. The real sweet part is where the TC locks up in OD around 45 to 50 mph. Unloaded, it never downshifts; just ease into the throttle, you get the whine of the turbo, and passing power is there.

 

It was the HO motor. The tranny seemed to shift really well, but the truck just didn't seem near as fast as my friend's 02HO/NV5600 combo... I expected that this truck's added power and auto tranny would make up for the extra weight of the truck.? Maybe I should try another one at another dealer.<br>Chris

 

Oh, and I did hit it once on the highway going about 55 and it downshifted and accelerated. The turbo whine was barely noticeable at highway speeds under hard acceleration.<br>Chris

 

Before you dump a good chunk of change on a slushbox, try a 6 shooter. I did, and bought it.

Not sure why another dealers truck spec'd out the same would be any different, but to each his own.

As far as autos, I thought the 47RE sucked - so did the 4R100 [Ford PSD]; (48RE was a figment of everyone's imagination). Reminded me of my x-brother inlaws Chrysler Town and Country. Never in the right gear, Od hooking up and letting go on its own; drove me nuts.

One spin with the 6 shooter sold me.

The auto has a taller OD than the manual; you might want to try on a 4.10 truck for grins.

Have fun. My suggestion is buy the truck with the biggest grin factor.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I'd originally been aiming for the NV5600, but from what I've heard, the six speed is a lot slower than the auto due to losing boost between shifts. Does this seem to be a problem for you or no? Thanks again.<br>Chris

 

Chris,<br>What is the purpose of the truck for your usage? You need to figure that out for yourself. If you want to drag it, then buy the auto. If you want to drag &quot;something&quot; behind you and it weighs very much, I would go the 6 speed. You can select the gear based on what you see ahead. The Ebrake is more effective and easier to install (without worrying about warranties). Probably cheaper on maintenance in the long haul. I enjoy my six speed, even when not hauling. I have always owned sports cars, so shifting is second nature. Hey, that's right - - my model T didn't have an auto either. <br><br>ShiftyBob

 

Well, the most the truck will see on a regular basis is about 8k behind it. Though probably five or six times a year, she'll see 12k or so. My street Jeep is no longer a comfortable daily driver, so I'm going to be using the truck for that, as well.
I personally always prefer sticks just for that extra bit of control, but I don't want to give up performance to have that. So I'm still kind of torn between the two. I'll have to drive a stick and see how it compares to the auto I tried, I guess. Thanks for the input, Bob.
Chris

 

[quote author=GO 4LO link=board=20;threadid=17560;start=0#164547 date=1059317977]
Thanks for the thoughts. I'd originally been aiming for the NV5600, but from what I've heard, the six speed is a lot slower than the auto due to losing boost between shifts. Does this seem to be a problem for you or no? Thanks again.
Chris[/quote]
Slower? I've never found my truck lacking. I can induce wheel slip hitting third gear with the boat behind me. I can and do lead the pack with or without a load behind. I wind it out a bit more when shifting with a load behind.

I think your choice depends on what you want to do with it mostly. For working a truck, &quot;I&quot; think a handshaker is best; but if working it means stoplight to stoplight kind of fun, I think an auto is best. But you'll have to drop in another grand or so to keep it living under the fun (high-boost launches). Lotsa stoplight/gridlock driving would mandate an auto for me; having the little lady doing lots of driving also would probably mandate the auto.

The hardest part around here in MD, was finding a manual transmission truck on the lot to test drive. They're not to be found. I drove lots of Fords and Dodges and they were all auto's. Never could bring myself to buy one. I was set to order an auto '03 QC Dodge CTD (not the perfect choice, but at least it was a known entity....), when my dealer called and said he &quot;had something I should drive.&quot; One drive and my grin factor was pegged. He said that his dealership orders 1 manual for every 4-5 auto trucks, but I had NEVER seen one, at ANY dealership.

See if you can manage a test drive of a manual truck before you buy. That way you'll never have to look back and say &quot;what if&quot;.

Good luck and have fun.

 

Thanks a lot - I'll definitely do that. Hearing about your truck's being able to scratch third makes me wonder if there was something wrong with the one I drove yesterday. ?<br> The dealer that I was at had no NV5600's on the lot, so I'll find another dealer in town and try one out.<br> Oh, and the wife not wanting to drive the stick is another good point - one more plus for getting the NV5600! .<br>Chris

 

I have an HO with the 48RE and 3.73 and love it. Yes, the RPM's do go up to between 1400 - 1500 when you first begin moving the truck...normal. Secondly, as far as acceleration, you were just being easy on it since the salesman was probably sitting in the truck with you ;D...otherwise, had you mashed that accelerator to the floor we all would be reading about the big grin that suddenly developed and all about that new truck sitting in your driveway. I love my truck and have no complaints about the 48RE...great transmission! As for the rearend, I've heard from guys with the 4.10's that it does better towing (especially mileage) but I have no complaints about the 3.73 as I use it as a commuter during the week (21 miles one way to work) and as a towing machine on the weekends. If I were retired and traveling or doing daily heavy duty hauling, then I'd probably have opted for the 6-speed for my first choice or the 4.10's with the automatic for my second choice. As it is, I'm getting 20.4 miles per gallon on a quad cab, short bed, 4x4, automatic with 2800 miles while commuting and about 17 when towing...no complaints at all. <br><br>My 2002 CTD had the 6-speed and it too was and is a great transmission. There was nothing better than running onto the highway and dropping that thing into 6th gear...the growl is a sound that can't be replicated and is music to my ears. Very nice transmission with longevity. <br><br>I've towed with both and have no complaints. The main concern with the 48RE seems to be longevity and durability but that is to be seen. Time will tell but for now I love the truck and if the tranny needs to be rebuilt at 80,000 or 200,000 I don't care as that's part of the risk of driving an automatic. <br><br>Either way you go can't be wrong as both transmissions are mated to the greatest diesel ever made.

 

Hey GO 4LO!<br>Come up to Dayton and stop by Arena Dodge up by Hara Arena. You'll be able to do back to backs all day if you want, since they have both trans on the lot. HO or SO,but mostly 4wd's. I just had to go see! PM me if you'd like.

 

I went with the 6 psd and black in color.<br>HO black adds another 3.6 HP...at least it looks that way at night.<br><br>