Duramax draws Dodge owners like flies

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by jsimpson

whereas the Allison has millions of dependable miles in school buses and motorhomes

The Allison in the Duramax is a BRAND NEW gearbox, designed just for the Maxipad. No track record on this one except bad reports so far. With as many 47RE's 4500's and 5600's as Dodge has sold I dont think the track record is too bad ESPECIALLY if one stays with stock HP like me

 

[MABurns]

The Allison 1000 series transmisions are not just in the Chevy and GMC pickups. The Allison 1000 is also in One-Way Rental Fleets , North American School Buses, General Purpose Trucks, Motorhomes, Refuse Vehicles, Transit Buses, Non-North American School Buses with SEM 5 Rating.



It is also in the US Army's LMTVs (Duece and a Half Replacement) and MTVs (5 Ton).



What is different in the GM version is the software for the 32-bit microprocessor that keeps the transmission in constant communication with the engine to determine the exact shift point for maximum performance. From what I have read all problems with the Allison in GM pickups are associated with their own software (GM's)and lack of techical competency on the part of their techs who simply replace instead of repair.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by MABurns

From what I have read all problems with the Allison in GM pickups are associated with their own software (GM's)and lack of techical competency on the part of their techs who simply replace instead of repair.

This makes sense now, I have always believed that the Allison should be as good as an transmission can get, and that GM must have screwed it up somehow. Imagine that, GM is the weakest link.

 

[DPelletier]

I don't pretend to know what all the issues are with regards to the Allison transmission, but I do know that my buddy had his (behind a 8. 1) go after 5000 mi. and I have read too many other reports of similar failures to be comfortable with one at this time. I am sure that Allison makes good transmission's and perhaps it is just the software, but I will wait for awhile before I buy one. I know the ford and dodge both have problems with thier automatics, but the Allison doesn't seem to be the solution that it was alleged to be, at least not until they work the bugs out!

I had heard that GM had been involved in the design of some of the internal transmission components in this application. Anybody have any more info on this, or is it simply an off the shelf Allison transmission with GM's software?

Dave

 

[jsimpson]

I would hope GM has been involved in the design: Allison is a GM division! The internal component that differentiates the pickup Allison from the rest is the parking pawl. The others don't have one. Other than that, the case was designed for the application, just as they are in all other transmissions. Sorry guys, I 'm not content to enjoy just those things in life that my Daddy drove! So you can go on bashing everything but what you drive for as long as you want. It doesn't in any way diminish the enjoyment I get out of driving everything on wheels and hulls! Carpe Diem!

 

[DRR-24V]

Not Bashing-Being Realistic !

JSIMPSON,

I am not bashing the Chevys, My Son drives a Ford PS and loves it. I am saying many of the Duramaxes have transmission problems. Chevy Dealers can not seem to fix them. It is no secret.

 

[kollmer]

I love my Cummins in my Dodge, it's sounds like a diesel should. Ford and chevy... sound like bad running gassers.

 

[LSMITH]

Please listen (read) carefully

Seems that some people have missed the point. Not all of us need to have a truck that can take 3500 pounds in the bed, not all of us need a truck that can't take 2000 pounds in the bed or an equivalent trailer load. Not everyone tows at max GCVWR. I would venture a guess that 75 % or more of the guys on the TDR do not use their trucks for offroading, so who really gives a ____ about the frame hanging low on the GM HD's? (it is ugly, I will give you that) There are some who DO NOT NEED the truck that fits YOUR needs. NEED is the operative word here!!!!!! As far as the capability of a truck goes, the owner decides what is needed and what is not. Face it fellas, there is a large part of our membership that commutes in their CTD and only loads it occaisionally. Don't get down on them because their truck FITS THEIR NEEDS! If you like what you have then good on ya! Let the others like what they have too.

PW, I agree with you on the loyalty/honor comment totally. I am not mopar or no car because I do believe that other manufacturers make a better product for given situations than their competition does.

 

[Pit Bull]

LSMITH

I think you are right. But I also think that most people who are not really into Cars and Trucks let the media make their decisions for them. You can tell this by the trucks they drive. These people buy because of 0% interest or no payment for 12 months etc. Not because they know sh** about the vehicle they are buying. I don't think this applys to anyone that takes the time to belong to the TDR or Ford and GM's like site. I agree that everyone has their own reason for buying. But how stupid can you be not to want a CTD

 

[brucew]

jsimpson

hello: i appreciate some of your input. if you are local to sw florida i would invite you to fire up your flhs and come to laishley park in punta gorda sun. the 16th. peace river abate is having a toys for toys toy run in conjunction with the brotherhood and cma aong with marine corp reserve league. since my twin cam is approaching lemon status ill be driving my ctd taking some toys to the collection point. my beloved with be on her purple roadking anf hope to make your acquaintance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jsimpson]

To claim that the 47RE, a forty-year-old transmission design with a (weak) tailshaft OD, a (weak) lockup TC, and computerized shifting added, is now a dependable transmission is an absurdity in the face of the volume of complaints about it on this website alone. The Duramax application Allison1000 is no more an "all new" transmission than any other transmission which has a redesigned case for a new application. The guts are the same; only a parking pawl has been added. But I don';t need to try to convince you, do I? Your mind is already made up.

 

[LSMITH]

Big Toy, you are probably right, and that is sad. I agree that the enthusiast would own a CTD, and that the wealthy enthusiast would try to do it with a PSD Just kidding, I have no qualm with the PSD, it is just more expensive to bomb to high levels.



Jsimpson, I agree that the 47RE is not without fault, but it IS one TOUGH SOB. PM or email me for details on why I think this if you want to know. I also disagree that the new Allison is the same as the another except the park pawl. You could load a new operating system in your computer and find it will not function. Software is a HUGE deal in the new systems, coffe maker to truck trannies. JMHO. Still, I think the GM camp has a much better transmission to start with than we do.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Jesus would drive a CTD, he inspired the design. Doesnt the good book say: "all good things come from above"?

 

[dodger22]

Replacement Allisons

As of about a month ago, GM had shipped out of its Woodstock Ontario parts depot 2300 replacement trannies for the DMax

 

[Texas Diesel]

Wow, that is a bunch. Where did you find this out?

I can just hear the chvy boys now: "out of blah blah sold, considering it is a new design, that is only a 0. 0000000001% failure rate, and due to owner error ( actually tried to tow with it)which is much lower failure rate than the CTD" Why do they always compare the DuraMaxipad to the CTD? Great post. I sure feel sorry for all the people who bought GM's lies (again).

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Originally posted by kollmer

I love my Cummins in my Dodge, it's sounds like a diesel should. Ford and chevy... sound like bad running gassers.

To me the PSD sounds like a coffe can full

of marbles when shaken, and the new Duramax

sounds like the old 6. 5TD and marbles in a

coffe can together!



I used to have a Chevy 2500 with a 6. 5TD and

4L80E, good truck, I miss it (it was paid for)

but I am not sorry that I have my CTD which

not only gets better mileage but it's an overall

tougher truck.

 

[TxDieselKid]

did yoiu hear it's got an Alsion transmission???

I will say that chevy had a smart marketing point when they signed to get the Alison transmission. I live in a small community, 30,000 or so, and I always hear... . "Yeah but it's got an Alison transmission. " As if this is the save all for the truck. This is one reason why they have sold so many, I promise!!!



AJB

 

[LarryB]

I think we must remember that "Best" is entirely relative. Every criteria has a trade off.



1. Most comfortable = motorhome

2. best hauler= class 8 truck

3. Best mileage = diesel rabbit

4. best top speed = Space shuttle

5. Best looking = Ford GT40

6. best 1/4mi = hydrogen peroxide rocket car

7. best puller = Burlington Northern



Best pickup? I guess everyone has to place their own values on the different criteria to come up with their own answer. Hey, everone can be right.



Best engine? Well DUH!, Cummins 12valve w/P-pump of course.

 

[dodger22]

Texas Diesel



The son of a friend of mine is a mechanic for a GM dealership, he also works at a transmission shop on the side. When he places an order for a part on-line to the distribution warehouse it shows stuff like quantity on hand and the history for that part. He told his dad that the warehouse had shipped out over 2300 Allison trannies since the intro of the DMax. (That is just within Canada, eh?). Made me wonder too.



I hesitated about relating this story as it falls in the category of "the brother-in-law told me about the cousin of his best friend's... ... ... " but you must realize that most people up here are not fanatical about what they drive so I am sure he was not spreading malicious rumours, particularly as he works for a GM dealership.



I suppose I could ask him for all the v. i. n. number involved.

 

[DRR-24V]

Duramax Draws Flies !!

I believe the only thing the DuraMax draws is flies.