53 cracks typically happen when towing heavy through the mountains, or from running the truck hard on a cold motor.

I try to let mine warm up with high idle, or if I have to go right away, I will take it easy on here and stay out of the throttle as much as possible till it reaches operating temp, then I will drive like a bat out of hell after that

basically just take it easy on them until they reach operating temp and you most likely won't crack it IF it is one of the weaker 53 blocks... not all 53 blocks have the weak spot in the block.

there was more than one 53 block cast and most of them were fine. but one of the casts shifted during manufacturing and caused a thin spot in the cast, so a small percentage of them developed the cracking issue.

the only real way to tell if your 53 is one of the effected ones is to drain the coolant, and pop a freeze plug in the area that typically cracks, and measure the thickness of the block.

as for the 6-spd:

your wife needs to learn how to drive a stick some time!!! besides: these beasts have anti-stall. she's not going to kill it. she can dump the clutch with no throttle and it will lurch forward and go!

 

True, but I'm now away from the 2000 manual, I really didn't like it. I will keep looking for an awesome 6spd, but I'll take an auto if I need to, mainly for my wife. I've been injured before and she's had to drive me to the hospital, that happened 3 weeks ago, so it's still fresh in my mind, what I my wife has to drive a big standard diesel through downtown San Antonio traffic, lol.

I had the #53 block, and the biggest thing I towed was my travel trailer before it went down. I had towed more weight with my 1500 single cab v6. I babied it with that trailer too, that's what bugged me. I just want something that's really nice, and will last.

 

I wouldn't be scared to hook 30k to my 53 block and tow it.

bring it!

well maybe I would...my trailer brake controller is busted stopping might be a problem!

 

Possible! But you'll eventually stop, so no worries! sucks for the soon-to-be "compact" cars I front of you, lol. I'm pushing forward with financing, I'm gonna see what is the best deal, and go from there. I would love to be back on the cummins forum as an owner and not a has been!