Kit to replace the Dodge auto with an Allison??

[DBoyd]

Is anyone out there aware of a kit to replace the Dodge auto trans with an Allison auto?? With as many mechanics, machinists, and tinkerers out there surely there is someone who has done this.

Thanks

DB

 

[jwilliams3]

Its available at the Chevy Dealership and usually runs about $34-45k

 

[Buffalo]

I believe the cost to do this would be huge. I think the Allison is computer operated so, you would have to deal with that issue, also. I wouldn't be surprised that it could be done. Some of the Snap-On vans have Cummins/Allison combinations, I've been told.



You would probably be much further ahead by just upgrading the Dodge trans. with an ATS, DTT, or one of the other systems available.



If you were going to upgrade the power of the Cummins, you would have to upgrade the Allison, also. None of the "stock" transmissions seem to hold up to power upgrades, very well.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Tim]

I can't believe y'all want an auto so bad you'll adapt something else.



Autos suck.

 

[DBoyd]

I wonder what transmissions the Ford F650 or F750's run when they option for the automatic behind the Cummins 5. 9??

 

[BRayls]

the allison is just as prone to warrantee claims as the rest. more so really. for half the money of just a swap you could have a good trans(dtt,ats, or your choice of builders). then figure in the cost of the allison updates so it will hold up :-laf , they defuel the duramax in low gear. why would you want one?? I agree I really don't like towing with an auto, but I can bet you one thing we cannot outshift one. fastest diesel I seen was auto.

 

[XJSuperman]

I wonder what transmissions the Ford F650 or F750's run when they option for the automatic behind the Cummins 5. 9??

I thought these trucks got (option wise) the 8. ? cummins... not the 5. 9.

 

[RMalone]

Sorry thats too big of a bomb, too much money. For the same money you could have a premium dodge trans (DTT, ATS, GEOREND, SUNCOAST, and others), plus a wicked fueling box and turbo, prolly money left to buy the old lady something nice.



I don't honestly know how the much the conversion would cost but I do know how much the transmission, box, and turbo cost for the 04. 5. Added to the price of the truck, it's only a little a little more than a stock chebby with allison would have cost.

 

[jsimpson]

If it were doable for five grand, I'd do it. I like my brother's Allison a LOT better than my 48RE, His shifts better, slips less, has better gear spacing, better controlability. The 48RE doesn't even compare.

 

[nickleinonen]

I thought these trucks got (option wise) the 8. ? cummins... not the 5. 9.

the cummins in the 650/750 is the b series... i don't believe the c series is avalable in them. . [although the 3126 cat is]



the allison has a stand alone pcm controlling it. . the swap probably could be done with ease for one that had a manual to start with, or if a manual trans ecm was installed in a auto truck... if you go to the cummins/diesel conversions forum and search for "cummins S10" you will probably find the thread about a conversion installing a b series 24v p-pumped in a s-10 truck and an allison1000 out of a 8. 1v8 chevy truck. he said he had to get a tps from allison but the trans did have a stand alone pcm... that's all i know about it so far [i haven't researched it as i don't really want an automatic]





edit



did some searching and came across 2 threads...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78273&highlight=S10



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120126&highlight=S10

 

[Cattletrkr]

If all you're after is more gears, go with a Gearvendors or US Gear Over/Under aux trans. About $3K and double your # of gears. Won't be as fast, but talk about choices...

 

[BHolm]

Trust me, the 1000 series Allison as installed in GM trucks will not handle the Cummins. The next issue is wieght, that is a serious lunker, and space may be a concern. I don't see why you could not call up Allison and order up a series 2000 from a medium truck/bus though. That would take the stock power and some serious bombs. Allison would likely work closely with your application to get it to work as you like. I spent a day with an Allison engineer once. He was taking lap top data on my '01 d-max because it wouldn't hold fifth gear with a max GCVW load on. Cool guy, said he would like nothing more than to custom program my transmission but GM wouldn't allow it. They do custom programs for lots of companies though. Allison is a good outfit. The Allison in the GM trucks though, by the guys own admission, is pretty light duty. I'm giving DC another year or two, lets see what they come up with. The rumours are promising anyway.

 

[HBarlow]

The name "Allison" when used to refer to a medium-duty truck or motorhome automatic transmission commands respect. It is probably the reason many buyers opt for Chevy/GMC pickups and I would be willing to bet that it was a factor in GM's decision to offer it as well.



Many are not aware that the automatic transmission currently available in Chevy/GMC pickups and other light trucks is similar to the medium-duty/motorhome transmission of the same name in name only. There was an interesting article published in "Trailer Life" magazine describing the new Allison 1000 several years ago when the light duty Allison was introduced in GM pickups. I don't remember much from the article, I wasn't interested in owning the transmission or the truck it was installed in, but I do remember finishing the article knowing the new transmission was not a truck transmission.



Everyone knows that V8 engines, including V8 turbodiesel engines, don't produce much torque at low rpm compared to our in-line six engines. If GM has to use computer programming to limit Duramax engine power in first gear and in overdrive as we hear, the transmission must not be very strong. I wouldn't expect an Allison 1000 to live very long behind a mighty Cummins engine towing a heavy load over mountain passes.



I'll admit my bias. I am certainly not a GM fan. I do own a '56 Chevy but wouldn't care to own one much newer than that one.



Harvey

 

[DBoyd]

Hmmmmm!! You all have opened some interesting avenues for thought. I was reading today in a trucking magazine that Cat is coming out with their own auto transmission. They say it will handle up to and including the C15 engine which is around 625 horse and probably in excess of 2000 ft/lbs torque. Now that would be a travel trailer pullin outfit!!!

Naw, the reason I was speculating about an Allison auto is something that would be as reliable as a manual but more user friendly for a lot of folks. I wonder what the percentage of the Dodge Cummins units are sold with the auto trans. ?? I know the further north and especially east you go, the fewer manual rigs there are. Whether it is traffic jams with the stop and go or the matter of hills and curves on the rural roads, the manual trans seems to come up short as far as sales.

 

[fox]

The only reason to put an Allison in our trucks is the gear count and spread. For dependability you need to go no farther than DTT or Goerends.

 

[DBoyd]

I wonder what happened to the time when a manufacturer built a transmission - engine combination that would stand up to a couple hundred thousand miles with normal maintenance?? I believe I can remember when they did. Course we used to not hang 20K# on the end of the vehicle and expect it to pull it thru heck and high water either!! And just how much does the DTT or Gorends upgrade add to the cost of the automatic transmission?? The manufacturers have the auto trannys avail. if the public would pay for them. It would be great if they offered 2 or 3 grades of automatics like they offer the standard transmissions. Course they would be more expensive but it sure would save on pulling the trans and having it aftermarket upgraded!!

 

[nickleinonen]

I wonder what the percentage of the Dodge Cummins units are sold with the auto trans. ?

in my area, it seems like 99. 9% are automatics... i have seen 4 diesels with manuals... my own, one on a lot when the 3rd gen first came out, and 2 at the autoshow [before the HO was avalable with the slushbox]



my dealer had never ordered or had on their lot a manual trans dodge ram ever [they wouldn't even get the the srt10 2door, but now they have a few srt10 4doors as they have slushbox's behind them ]

 

[DBoyd]

Nickoleinen

Do you find the reason for the shortage of manual transmissions as I have previously stated? Stop and go traffic or hilly, windey, rural roads or is there another reason? While living in the Lancaster OH area for 8 years, I observed a lot fewer diesels sold or on the lots up there. I would suppose the cold temps in the winter and the associated problems with starting and running would be a major factor in the shortage.

 

[BRayls]

$3,500-5,000. that should handle anything you throw at it.

 

[DieselMinded]

I had a figger on dodge autos produced and If I recall right it was for all 2500's and it was like 90+% were Auto's I'll try to dig it up.



I drive a Cummins At work VIA Capacity Yard Dog and its an Auto ... . yes its an allison ... and the trany is huge ... but its awesome . . One Time in band Camp... I Mean... . sometimes on PM shift and when the yard is empty I leave the Trailor brakes on and with a 45,000 # Trailor I go WOT and the trany and the POWER Blows my mind ... . it shifts under that weight like it wasnt even there it dont even Throw you around in the cab when it shifts like my Dodge does going down the highway WOT ... BAM... BAM... . BAM..... LOOOOOOOCCCCCCCKKK ... GONE ! Can be a ruff ride sometimes.



But Im talking about a trany bigger than YOU ! Would require alot to fit that model in a ram.



As for the Truck Versions Dont be fooled Those Duramax guys first bomb is a Suncoast tripple ... Duramax Owners account for more Suncoast sales then Cummins owners from what Ive Seen. mostly to the fact that Cummins owners have all diffrent types of TC/ Trannys



BTW: the Yard Dog dont hardly smoke any ..... Ive been looking at the Pump for sometime when nobodys around ..... :>



I could imagine when the next shift comes in and hops up in it ... . LOL



DM