5500 or 550

Get a RAM with the Aisin. Preferably a 2018 or older but not too old. 14-18 is what I would stick with. The 2019+ are nice looking but they went with the more failure prone CP4 fuel pump which was a bad idea.

 

Should be fine with the clutch fixed. Mine doesn’t have the original DMF and clutch either any longer. Noisy transmission at certain engine speeds. I got rid o the ATF and went with Redline MTL which it seems to like the heavier viscosity better anyway but it is still noisy.

 

Pretty good deal. 4wd is really more of a selling point everybody thinks they need but usually don't, and it adds weight and cost to the truck so there is a real penalty for having it.

I had my eye on this one awhile back but couldn't really justify it. Great configuration though and probably the last new one with a manual left over.
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Only noise at the lower rpms and these transmission don’t like the lower rpms. I usually shift around 3k which drops me down to 2k, No noise. Also added a transmission cooler and pump, keeps the temps way down. As for fluid I’m running Castrol syntrans 75w-85 which is what is recommended by Mercedes the manufacture of the transmission. Also only tow in 5th which isn’t bad on rpms with 3.42 gears

 

Exactly, this is a work truck a tow rig if you please. I’m not taking it off road. The 2wd has less steering issues, better mpg and like you said less weight. The fact that nobody wanted a 2wd really drove the price down on this one that even though I didn’t need a new truck I had to buy it. Really loving it and happy I bought. New is always good, but if you can find a slightly used one for 10-15k less, that’s the Best Buy imo.

 

If you need 4wd, you need it. I know I would never use it so I was okay with a 2wd.

 

I will say you’d be surprised how much traction you have with some axle weight from a trailer.

 

Why not spring for some locking hubs and use 4 low with hubs unlocked when reversing with the manual transmission?

 

People do this and there is even a mod to use 4lo without engaging the front axle so 2lo I guess. Being my truck is 2wd I don’t have that option. I’ve learned to live with it, just can’t seem to understand what the engineer was think when deciding to put such a tall reverse gear.