FINALLY I could get my truck !! Well, pending I get the job this week 18 miles from home instead of 47. I've done searches here and a lot of good info, but in a summary and your humble opinions: Stock auto or manual is better? Dealer has 2- '05 2500's CTD, 4wd, LWB, QC, auto has low 30k miles, manual 55k miles both in good shape and I probably can work a deal as I've bought 2 cars there before. I'm not planning any monster mods. Now pulling a 25ft Terry but would like a 30ft fiver for the 2 of us later. Lookin for humble opinions. Pictures in gallery. Thanks guys!

 

With the kind of weights your talking you would be fine with either. The auto is actually rated to tow more than the six speed(I have no idea why though).
Joe

 

I'd prefer the manual no matter what the load.

 

Basically I think that your the guy thats going to be making the payments. So make your self happy. Think about how you will drive the truck most of the time. And buy which ever you prefer

 

Bother-in-law owns a tranny shop. Last year they did more Ford, Chevy and Dodge Manuals each than they did 48RE's. Autos are suppose to be better for towing. Parts are hard to find for the NV, as they are out of business.

 

Half way through the 05 model year the 6 speed changed from the NV5600 to the G56, which has a dual mass fly wheel. The G56 owners on here seem happy with them and the NV's have a large happy following, for the most part as well. It has been in the HO's since the late 90's.

The G56 is geared lower, so your rpms will be higher. If you're doing alot of highway, you might want to know this. My NV turns ~2100 rpms @ 70 so the G56 will be higher.

Reverse is top right on an NV and bottom left on a G56. G56 has an aluminum case. You can also check the door jamb for the build date. Early 05 build dates until at least January, when mine was built, have the NV. I don't believe there are that many 05 G56's because they went on restriction in the middle of March (I know, I got a price from Tomeygun and they went on the day I emailed him) and I'm not sure if they resumed prior to the end of the model year, which ended the middle of April, iirc.

My Con: I like the stick, but my wife can't/won't drive it.

My Pro: My wife can't/won't drive it.

 

Hey all, thanks for the info. I'll look/drive the trucks and see which i like.
12pack my wife grew up driving an Intn'l. Travelall and I taught her to drive stick so either way I might be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

 

I had a 98.5 auto and have owned a 01 6 speed since 02. The 6 speed is wonderful towing but it isnt the easiest truck to drive. I put the bd short shift kit on it and that helped alot. I really like the way the manual handles big loads, but , it get aggravating in traffic. My old auto ate brakes like candy. It was the old tranny, hopefully the new ones are alot better.

 

Their is no way a 48RE is better for towing over a 6 speed manual. That being said you can break a manual, but it takes a lot of abuse!!! I say if you are going to tow with a auto stay within towing specs of the truck.
One more thing on the early 05 they have the plastic sides on the intercooler, and the early 05 have the NV5600 manual. In mid 05 dodge went back to the all metal intercooler and came out with the G56 manual. Which manual is better depends on who you talk to but the all metal intercooler is the best.

 

I've owned both. . . love my dodges but will NEVER buy another automatic to sit behind a CTD motor. . . .just read all the posts from folks that have had issues with the poor thing. . . .

 

The older trans like your 98 were not near as tough as the current offerings(48/68/Asin series) The new ones are overall fairly trouble free. Some may not love the way in which they shift, but reliability is not a problem unless one is way over stock power/towing reccomondations. The Dodge autos fronted by the Cummins have proven to be as tough and reliable(probably more so) as any of the other manufactures offerings. Any trans can and will fail if it's design limits are exceded but if operated within the design perimeters it is a solid, reliable unit.(I've owned both as well)
Joe

 

I'm a driver - I just like the 6-spd better!

 

It depends on the traffic in your area. Nothing worse than being trapped in daily bumper to bumper traffic riding a clutch to inch along. Used standard shifts for years but as traffic built up AUTO was the way to go. Pulling a 34' travel trailer with mine and it's no problem.
Bob H

 

Either way, whatever you decide, you will wish you had the other at times.
If you get the auto, and plan on adding any horsepower, you will be spending min of 3000.00 to upgrade it.