My version of a Dmax test drive

[LSMITH]

I stopped and drove an 02 Dmax today. It was a quad cab type 2500 4x4 LB with the Allison auto. Mt first impression is it is quite a bit quieter than my Dodge, but I think the PSD may be as quiet.

Second, that transmission is absolutely awesome!! It works the way I think an auto should. It holds a gear until the speed is appropriate for the next, and as you coast down it downshifts as soon as the speed is appropriate for the next lower gear. It felt to me like it was always in the right gear, the engine was in it's powerband at all times. Shifts were firm, but not hard, no mushy slushbox feel at all. My Dodge shifts out WAY too fast under light throttle, it is usually in OD by 35 MPH unless I lock it out. The Allison stays in a gear until another is needed. The "tow/haul" mode made it hold the gears a little longer and shift a little harder. The trans also downshifted at higher speed in tow mode and was a big help in getting it stopped. The tow mode would be a godsend in heavy traffic that speeds and slows constantly or towing a trailer without brakes. As far as power goes I was not too impressed, but I am spoiled. Stock to stock and empty it will beat any other light diesel truck in a drag race period. I think a Dodge with an EZ will be close to the same power, and a Dodge with an EZ and 275's will outrun the Dmax easily. The truck I drove is basically the same configuration as my Dodge but with a long bed so the comparisons were easier to make. I liked the truck overall, ride and drive were excellent. The interior was nothing to talk about, but tight and quiet. The price tag was a shocker though, nearly $38K and not nearly "loaded". For my money I would buy a Dodge or a PSD and take the $6-8K left and trick it out. Best bang for the buck title still belongs to Dodge IMO. It is worth a drive if you have the time, but not nearly the truck I expected after all the hype it has gotten. One thing is for sure, that transmission is awesome!!! I can only hope the chevy guys will work all the reported bugs out of it and Dodge will offer it to us soon.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Did ya have any problems/failures with those aluminum heads during your test drive?

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I also went and drove one. They are very nice trucks, but you pay for it with $$$$$$$$$. The transmission is awesome and they have nice suspension in the front, crappy (too stiff) in the back. My truck is basically a car most of the time so the semi- soft suspension in the rear is nice. If I could get a Cummins in a Chevy I would be all over it like a pack of dogs on a three legged cat. Man, that would be the most awesome truck with a Cummins engine, an Allison transmission, and a crew cab.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Hey, LSMITH, Don't you know that any time you talk about a DMAX, you have to back it up with a VIN number. Otherwise, the guys that come over from Cheby land won't believe you. Good to hear you enjoyed the ride. The only one I rode in seemed like the transmission was changing all the time with acceleration. You know, like jumping into "passing gear".

 

[Barry]

I was at my Dodge dealer yesterday. He is also a Chevrolet dealer. He has a lifelong friend who is also a local bizman that trades with him every 6 months just for fun. He puts on about 6,000 miles and then trades it back in. He has had 7 or 8 Dodge/Cummins. When the Dmax was introduced, he had the first one in town. It was a 2 WD Auto. His second was a 4X4 Club Cab Dually 6 speed. He just traded it and went back to Dodge/Cummins. SO DMAX fans, here is your chance to scarf-up a DMAX cheap! Call Deanna @ 1 800 Bossier and tell "Giggles" I sent you. I asked her husband Johnny how much he needed for the truck(he is the sales mangler) and he mumbled just my $ out of it. I think he said something just over 30K.

 

[Bill Stockard]

LSMITH,



I drove the Chevy/GMC Duramax/Allison trucks loaded with weight in the beds and trailers in tow along with similarly equipped Dodge and Ford trucks. (See TDR Issue 33, pages 24-26)



I, like you, was impressed the Allison transmission. I have driven and sold medium duty trucks equipped with the Allison World(3000 series) automatic transmissions. The 1000 series in the GM product shifts similarly. There's also a big advantage in the 5 speeds instead of the 4 speed automatics in the Dodge and Ford. The 1000 series Allison is designed for a diesel engine where the present automatics in the Dodge and Ford were originally designed for gasoline engines. Diesels operate better with close, even transmission ratios.



Bill

 

[Barry]

Bill, the part I do not understand is the reports that the Allisons are giving trouble as well as the engines. We have been hearing of the Allisons failing in less than 5,000 miles behind the Dmaxes. However, we have heard nothing but good reports in the motorhomes... ... ... ... ... ... . I dunno... ... ... ... .

 

[JoeyD]

Most problems with the Allison are in the program. Although there have been some trans failures for other reasons. The guys who program don't seem to know what a diesel is made to do, stay low in the rpm's. Guys with the 6spd say it pulls down in the rpm very well. There have been updates to make it hold 5th gear that they say are better.

 

[LSMITH]

Bill, I read your article when I recieved the magazine. Well done and fair IMO. You are not kidding that the transmission is good. As far as I was able to tell in a short (15-20 miles) drive the ratios are very evenly spaced unlike the Dodge and Ford both that have a huge jump to OD.



I like others have heard of several failures of the transmission in very short periods of time. I have also heard this of Ford and Dodge. At least the GM camp has a new transmission to blame.



jdecampo, I am going to drive one, Dmax, with a six speed as soon as time permits. The lots that typically sell trucks have them on the lot around here. I am not optimistic about it pulling well in the lower RPM as the dyno charts I have seen show it making little power until 2500 or so, I am comparing it to the charts for the Cummins and PSD by the way. The Dodge 6 speeds that I have driven really seem to wake up at 2000 and pull hard to about 2800. The PSD 6 speeds seem to wake up at about 2400 and pull hard to about 3100. I expect the Dmax to perform a lot like the new PSD's for overall power and RPM range. The 275 HP PSD feels the strongest empty of all the new trucks I have driven, they really go empty. I have expectations but I intend to give the Dmax 6 speed a fair shake, as I tried to do with the Dmax/Allison that I drove.



The thing that scares me a little about the Dmax is the number of used ones on Ford and Dodge lots around here. There are a lot of them for a brand new model. Time will tell the true story about the Dmax, I think the Allison will be a great transmission if it is not already as the rest of their product line has an outstanding reputation.

 

[fj40charles]

Barry,



Interesting post. . I purchased my truck from Deanna too. Got a great deal on the truck. Folks who live out the country really do use their trucks for hauling heavy loads.



Charles

 

[Bill Stockard]

Barry,



Yes, the motorhomes with the 260 HP Cuummins bolted to the 1000 series Allison really get praises from owners. Sure makes you wonder how they can have problems with another engine--must be the electronics, programming, and torque converters.



I'll bet the Cummins Next Generation ISB/Allison combo would work very well in a Dodge truck!! If that happens, I'll be at my friendly Dodge dealer with my deposit in hand!!!



Bill