Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
BUZZ WATCH EXCLUSIVE
ALLISON OPTION CANCELED
One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that Allison transmission option for the next Ram has been canceled. Dodge had planned to offer the Allison 1000 Series TM 5-speed automatic in diesel equipped Ram pickups.
The electronically-controlled transmission featuring lockup, overdrive and dual power take off drives has received high marks for its ruggedness and capability, it's rated at 545 lb-ft gross torque and 375 gross hp. The 1000 Series also employs electronic controls to precisely manage shift timing for maximum fuel economy and shift quality. Mercedes already uses the transmission in their Econic trucks.
Unfortunately it won't be used in the Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks when they show up in 2003. This is disappointing news for diesel drivers. The current 47RE (used for diesel and v10 applications) is not popular with Ram owners, who generally feel that its not up to the task of absorbing the large amounts of torque the Cummins puts out.
Dodge reprogrammed the transmission for 2000 which seems to half helped my modifying the shift points. My source tells me that a reworked version of the 47 RE is being developed for the 2500/3500 Rams.
I have yet to track down the reason for the cancelation. . . I do have a theory. Allison is a GM division. When I first heard Buzz that we'd be seeing one of their transmissions in the Ram I was a bit dubious that they would allow a competitor to use one of there units. This was compounded when I learned that GM planned to use the T1000 five-speed in their own HD pickups.
When I contacted Allison, they stated that the company is "committed to selling to other OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturer). " To prepare for the added demand the company recently built a new manufacturing facility in Baltimore.
So why the cancellation? As far as I can tell, the decision was just made. I'm guessing it stems from DC' current legal problems with GM over the Hummer H2 grille. I'll keep you posted as more information comes to light.
-taken from car-truck.com
ALLISON OPTION CANCELED
One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that Allison transmission option for the next Ram has been canceled. Dodge had planned to offer the Allison 1000 Series TM 5-speed automatic in diesel equipped Ram pickups.
The electronically-controlled transmission featuring lockup, overdrive and dual power take off drives has received high marks for its ruggedness and capability, it's rated at 545 lb-ft gross torque and 375 gross hp. The 1000 Series also employs electronic controls to precisely manage shift timing for maximum fuel economy and shift quality. Mercedes already uses the transmission in their Econic trucks.
Unfortunately it won't be used in the Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks when they show up in 2003. This is disappointing news for diesel drivers. The current 47RE (used for diesel and v10 applications) is not popular with Ram owners, who generally feel that its not up to the task of absorbing the large amounts of torque the Cummins puts out.
Dodge reprogrammed the transmission for 2000 which seems to half helped my modifying the shift points. My source tells me that a reworked version of the 47 RE is being developed for the 2500/3500 Rams.
I have yet to track down the reason for the cancelation. . . I do have a theory. Allison is a GM division. When I first heard Buzz that we'd be seeing one of their transmissions in the Ram I was a bit dubious that they would allow a competitor to use one of there units. This was compounded when I learned that GM planned to use the T1000 five-speed in their own HD pickups.
When I contacted Allison, they stated that the company is "committed to selling to other OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturer). " To prepare for the added demand the company recently built a new manufacturing facility in Baltimore.
So why the cancellation? As far as I can tell, the decision was just made. I'm guessing it stems from DC' current legal problems with GM over the Hummer H2 grille. I'll keep you posted as more information comes to light.
-taken from car-truck.com
