Help me decide, . . New tow rig

[HBarlow]

I test drove an 09 with the auto and liked it. Just wish that I could test pull my trailer up a 6 or 7% grade with the new auto. Or downhill with it so I could see how the auto and factory exhaust brake work together.

I did have an 03 with an auto for a very, very breef time. Completely different transmission than the 68re but geeze I hated it.

Trust us, the new six speed automatics, 68RFE or Aisin in the cab and chassis version, are very different products than the old slush box MOPAR automatics of the past. They act more like a manual transmission that can declutch when stopped and shift itself from gear to gear.

Besides that, they have much better gearing including low first and reverse, even spacing, and double overdrive and they DO NOT use the lousy dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly that the G-56 manual uses fails early and often.

The engine, vgt exhaust brake function, and automatic transmission are all carefully integrated to work as a package together. You will be impressed the way they can hold the combined weight of a heavy truck and trailer on a steep down grade without ever touching the brakes.

 

[HBarlow]

Block made in Chiner???

Mark,

I believe he is confusing the mighty Cummins with something sold by Furd.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Trust us, the new six speed automatics, 68RFE or Aisin in the cab and chassis version, are very different products than the old slush box MOPAR automatics of the past. They act more like a manual transmission that can declutch when stopped and shift itself from gear to gear.



Besides that, they have much better gearing including low first and reverse, even spacing, and double overdrive and they DO NOT use the lousy dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly that the G-56 manual uses fails early and often.



The engine, vgt exhaust brake function, and automatic transmission are all carefully integrated to work as a package together. You will be impressed the way they can hold the combined weight of a heavy truck and trailer on a steep down grade without ever touching the brakes.

That's what I like to hear HB.



I just found out today that a friend of mine, bought a 2011 with the auto trans. He too, just like me, has always prefered the manual.



My NV5600 has only seen (1) replacement clutch and an annual oil change. I'm used to it, . . . not a great trans but it works.



I don't want anything to do with the dual mass thingamagigger trans and I have to admit that I'm getting a little tired of shifting so the 68RE just might find a home at our place.

 

[Wingate]

Mark,



I believe he is confusing the mighty Cummins with something sold by Furd.

nah... the new Ford 6. 7L block isn't made in China... Chiner... they are squeezed together in Brazil... Notice that I did NOT say cast or poured. .

Somebody vacuumed the floor at a machine shop and poured the leavins into a play-dough mold!!. . Out popped (or pooped) a Ford 6. 7L block!!.

You Ford fans, dont take this serious, Im just joking with Barlow!!!!. .

 

[Nyoest]

Block made in Chiner???

As sad as I am to say yes China. The wife, two friends and I went on the plant tour at Columbus. We were in the first tour group of the plant which was a little discombulated but very informative. The gentleman that led out group had been with cummins for years and was very knowledgable. When we got to the part of the line where they set the blocks I asked if they made any blocks in brazil yet. He said no, they all come from China. I don't know how you can get more accurate info than that.



It was a bitter little pill for me to swallow but most of the cummins is out sourced to other companies and/or countries. I had envisioned great hunks of steel and aluminum rolling in one end of the plant and beautiful inline bullets chugging out the other. Cummins sets the specs and does the final assembly But very little of our beloved B models are actually "made" by Cummins. Not to say that it still isn't a great engine or wonderful company, I've just seen behind the curtain.

 

[Bill Stockard]

nah... the new Ford 6. 7L block isn't made in China... Chiner... they are squeezed together in Brazil... Notice that I did NOT say cast or poured. .

Somebody vacuumed the floor at a machine shop and poured the leavins into a play-dough mold!!. . Out popped (or pooped) a Ford 6. 7L block!!.

You Ford fans, dont take this serious, Im just joking with Barlow!!!!. .

Yep, and I wouldn't be too surprised if the Ford 6. 7 block isn't "squeezed together" at the same place in Brazil as the Navistar powdered iron blocks.



Bill

 

[HBarlow]

As sad as I am to say yes China. The wife, two friends and I went on the plant tour at Columbus. We were in the first tour group of the plant which was a little discombulated but very informative. The gentleman that led out group had been with cummins for years and was very knowledgable. When we got to the part of the line where they set the blocks I asked if they made any blocks in brazil yet. He said no, they all come from China. I don't know how you can get more accurate info than that.

It was a bitter little pill for me to swallow but most of the cummins is out sourced to other companies and/or countries. I had envisioned great hunks of steel and aluminum rolling in one end of the plant and beautiful inline bullets chugging out the other. Cummins sets the specs and does the final assembly But very little of our beloved B models are actually "made" by Cummins. Not to say that it still isn't a great engine or wonderful company, I've just seen behind the curtain.

Had not heard that. It is scary at first hearing but Cummins has been building great engines for a long time. I'll trust them until I hear reports that the engine block is a mistake.

 

[jeepit]

HB,

When did Cummins start with the China blocks?

 

[Wingate]

Yep, and I wouldn't be too surprised if the Ford 6. 7 block isn't "squeezed together" at the same place in Brazil as the Navistar powdered iron blocks.



Bill

Did not know that Navistar is doing the same thing in the same part of the world... . hhhmm. . interesting...

 

[Bill Stockard]

Did not know that Navistar is doing the same thing in the same part of the world... . hhhmm. . interesting...

Yep, the Navistar MaxxForce 11 and 13. The blocks are "squeezed together", as you say which is a good explanation, in Brazil.



Bill

 

[HBarlow]

HB,
When did Cummins start with the China blocks?

That's news to me. I was not aware of it.

If it is accurate, and I assume that report is, I would assume Cummins is using very exacting quality control methods to insure the Chi Comm blocks don't sink them.

I'm sure Cummins remembers the 59 blocks.

 

[AABEN]

IF you want a top of line pulling truck go with the 09 or 10 new RAM the new 2010 that came out latter has 800foot pound of torque in the AUTO the stick does not have the 800ft-lbs of turk the first 2010 had less torque. You can look this up. Or go to a GOOD RAM dealer that seals a lot of 3500 trucks. == GOOD LUCK == stay with a longe bed also yhe auto comes with a JAKE brake.

 

[Grizzly]

It's sad to know that more and more good things are being out sourced to China.



So what's made in the US anymore, besides beer, prostitutes and taxes.



george

 

[HBarlow]

Lying politicians.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

It's sad to know that more and more good things are being out sourced to China.



So what's made in the US anymore, besides beer, prostitutes and taxes.



george

They make a lot of "Anchor Babies" here in Ca. Although a Mexican product by origin, it was however, "Made" in the USA. :-laf

 

[BrianJ]

Lying politicians.

Even that's been outsourced with the current occupant of the whitehouse.

 

[HBarlow]

Even that's been outsourced with the current occupant of the whitehouse.

Good point as unbelievable as it is.

 

[Mark31]

Good point as unbelievable as it is.

Considering that his birth certificate lists a country that didn't exist at the time and a hospital that wasn't a hospital as such at the time, what is unbelievable about it?

 

[Nyoest]

Yep, the Navistar MaxxForce 11 and 13. The blocks are "squeezed together", as you say which is a good explanation, in Brazil.



Bill

Now if you want to talk about a Mess of an engine the max force takes the taco. Company the wife works for bought five new prostars. Three of them ended up being towed when they tried to deliver them from Mehico. Availability of service is still about the same at 25,000 miles.

 

[HBarlow]

Are those trucks the smaller ones using Navistar V8s?