Mostly a clutch issue. The stock dual mass is not known for strength or reliability. Some stock trucks have seen them fail with very few miles while others have had them make it past 100k or more.

As far as engine differences, they are identical physically, just a difference in tuning. If you plan to unlock/delete/tune your truck it will be just as capable of producing power as the auto trucks.

That being said, you will absolutely need an upgraded clutch if you bump the power up. The debate as to what strength the g56 is good for is like asking who uses a winter front and who doesn't. Everyone knows better than the next guy. The biggest issue with the G56 I have heard about is case stretch, it can be remedied by a girdle, but that's a g-note and not necessarily needed. Just don't lug the trans in gear and you should be fine. It's a work truck, so I am assuming you won't be hotrodding around like a knucklehead and that you'll fill it with a quality fluid like 7 quarts of Mobile Delvac 50w.

 

Yeah it will be a work truck, and I know all about lugging the engine, especially when towing, it's not good for the engine or the transmission. And yes I always use a good quality synthetic lube in everything unless the spec says otherwise.

 

I'm running Kory's tunes from PPEI. There is a night and day difference between stock and using EFI live and I can tell you that your clutch wont like it and I'm only running the 30 HP tune. I'm going with a dual disk soon so this wont be an issue.

 

arty018:arty018:arty018:arty018:

 

i am also thinking of taking home a stock 2015 DRW and i am a manual kinda guy.

after reading on here and talking to people, it broke my heart knowing that i might not be driving a standard Cummins due to having a some sort of a aluminum cast and how aisin auto tranny is the way to go.

 

G56 is a great trans IMO lots of companies I worked for used them in their hot shot trucks. Main issue is the clutch upgrade to even a good single and they last a long time. Seen lots of trucks over 300 k still going strong.

I personally love mine in my 12 and am glad I found my truck as I almost waited and ordered an aisin. after test driving 1 when they 1st came out I'm glad I bought mine it's seemed like a strong trans but nothing beats shifting gears if that's your thing.

 

bryce did you upgrade your clutch? will it give you more HP when clutch is replaced?

thanks eh.

 

I haven't upgraded yet been saving for a dual disk most likely a 3250 south bend. I've gotten lucky that my stocker has held up this long 77 k now but it's not goin to last another year I don't think. My truck has been deleted since about 9 k and I could slip the clutch while stock so tuned is not a problem to slip if you boot on it below 1500 rpm. many g56 trucks I've driven have made it over the 100 k mark with the stock dual mass setup but you have to pay attention while driving no lugging and no foot to the floor under 1500 and they do just fine. I doubt the clutch will give any extra power when replaced but it will handle the power way better and then I'll be able to run the higher power tunes with out slippage.

Something to think about when switching to an upgraded clutch is the trans will make more noise the dual mass setup keeps the gear roll over noise down quite well. But taking the top off the trans and fully filling the g56 quiets it down alot especially if switching to real gear oil from the ATF they come filled with.

 

thanks for the info bryce.

i won't be going for the 68rfe, G56 and aisin on a DRW, which can tow more between the the 2 tranny?

 

I beleive Ram rates the aisin to tow more. I've never been one to look at tow ratings to much lol. From what I've seen in real life situations either will tow way more than most people would feel comfortable having behind the truck. All comes down to how you drive the truck I think some like to hold their foot on the floor and race around as fast as they can. Some like myself like to have total control of the trailer behind me just like my big rigs the EB and a stick works very similar to a stick and a Jake IMO.
Nothing wrong with the aisin either from what I've seen they take a crap kickin and come back for more.

 

i have been to a couple of chrysler dealership and been comparing prices and wanting a dodge pick up on diesel, i'll pass for now & enjoy my truck then later will see.

thanks.

 

Part of the reason of the discrepancy is the auto tranny these days dictates to the engine how much power to put down, based on many variables. So for instance in my Aisin, I'm not putting down the full 865 ft/lbs off the line. I'm likely not even putting out full power unloaded even when it's to the floor at 2k rpm. The mappings, the last I heard, are still a mystery, and depends on load, but it is clear the tranny calls the shots. With the manual, this isn't the case so they have to derate it. Heck, I fully assume the manual transmission trucks under most situations probably put down more power than the automatic equipped trucks... the only exception is when the auto trucks are loaded up going up hill and all the stars are fully aligned for the transmission to "permit" the engine to put full power to the ground. I have no hard evidence of this, put it's my gut feeling.

 

I think your pretty much dead on until deletes come into play that is then everybody is on an even playing field.