The early Dodge automatic transmissions couldn't handle the torque from the cummins so you either had to rebuild and beef them up, $4500 on my 97, or get a manual transmission. I had a 96 cummins manual, a 97 automatic, and now a 2006 manual. I've had absolutely no issues with the manuals or with the automatic after I had it built. Snohomish transmission in Monroe did the work on that one and they are pretty good. I've also heard, from them, that since 2003 the Dodge autos seem to be able to handle the diesel just fine.
