Duramax diesel/ Allison tranny

[Ifishsum]

I don't own one, but I'm in the RV trailer business so I talk to plenty of people with these...haven't talked to anyone who regretted it. The platform has been out for a couple years now so the bugs should be out. Everyone I've talked to says it shifts smoothly with or without a load... I dunno if you're gonna tow big loads with it or not but it's about time someone came with a tranny in a LT that will handle the torque of the diesel engines they're putting in front of them!

[NEUTRON]

Check out pickuptruck.com...I think that's it. They did a side by side test of the big 3 diesels, 2003 models. See what they had to say.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2003...ive/page1.html

Read all seven pages...they run articles on all makes and models, so a good place to get info before plopping down your cash. The best never rest :smile: .

[ 12-31-2002, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: NEUTRON ]

[WaterDog]

Newt says:

See what they had to say.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">:grin: :grin: :grin:

[zigfish11]

I am no expert, but I would question the head on the Duramax engine as I was under the understanding it is aluminum. (this is an Izusu diesel and they have had head problems in the past). You might want to check out the improved Ford diesel I hear it's good. I have two friends who each own new Duramax powered trucks and they love them, but the jury is still out as far as the longevity of this motor as compared with the Powerstroke or Cummins(my choice). I have driven truck for over twenty years and have seen the good and bad in every diesel engine out there, the Cummins is pretty bulletproof in my opinion but do yourself a favor and research all the different engine choices, there's lots of websites out there to help you out. Good Luck.

[spinnermaker]

Ford

[Bankbound]

You can't beat the allisons'

[SeanD]

Ford stroker

[Streetwalker]

I have one, I love it Especially the grade braking. I have followed several forums for owners, & the heads have not been a problem. Awesome power, I hual a 10' camper & a 21' inboard V8 sled together & have plenty of power to spare & have not been able to get the trans temp any higher than 190-200 deg on the hills fully loaded & hot weather. e-mail me if you would like to know any other details

[fish_on]

My dad has had 10 fords newest a 2002 4 dodges newest a 2001 and just bought his first chev ever, a duramax with an Allison. He pulls a 40' horse trailer between Idaho and AZ . He said he will never buy anything else, it is the most comfortable, best performing truck he has ever owned. It gets 4mpg more that either the Ford or Dodge. Isuzu has been making diesels since the beginning of time so they know what they are doing, Allison has the best trany made period, match the 2 and you can't beat it. After riding in it and the ford there is no comparison, the chev is much nicer inside as well as out.

[GoFish]

I too have been looking at this combo and have heard a lot of happy owners. Especially those that pull heavy loads. Lots of folks like the strong engine and grade braking of the Allison. Check out URL=[http://forum.62-65-dieselpage.com/] (copy & paste cause I can't get the link to work). There is a discussion forum there much like ifish, except you can't post unless you subscribe but you can follow threads by member D/A owners. I've seen much discussion there about praise and problems. Lots of topics and some good info. Most of the good stuff is on the 2500/3500 Engine and Drivetrain page.

This is a fishing related topic cause everybody knows you need a good truck to tow your boat. Right Jen? :grin:

[ 12-31-2002, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: gofish ]

[Tyeebuster]

I have owned 2 Diesel Fords in the past and was ready to buy a new Ford last year. Need to say that I have ALWAYS been a Ford person and disliked several things about GM products. First, I have felt that they are "undersprung" and drag the ground as soon as a load is put on them. Second, I disliked the "weak" auto transmissions that seem to shift up so you pickup speed when going down hill (I am aware that you can shift it to a lower gear, but if I wanted to shift I would buy a 5-speed)

I purchased a Chev 2500 HD Duramax and have had it for almost a year now. It has been great!! It is Quiet, has lots of power with a load, and gets good mileage. I have almost 10,000 miles on this truck and most of the miles have been towing my 20' inboard sled. Two trips have been to Vancouver Island full of camping and fishing gear as well as towing the boat. Excellent grade braking!! NO over heating of the transmission or the engine. Is sprung well and actually rides like a truck. I would rate it a BUY.

[Gobbaworms]

It's had its problems but they seem to be worked out now.
My father in law owns a diesel performance shop. He hasn't given it his full endorsement(too soon) but acknowledges Isuzu makes a good diesel.
BTW, his first choice is still Cummins. I'll be in the market soon and he always reminds me that if it wasn't for fixing Fords all the time, he'd be out of business.

Whats nice too is that when Streetwalker (across the street) fires his up at 6am, it doesn't wake me up. :smile:

[Streetwalker]

Sledder,
I forgot to add that I had sticker shock too when I first started looking, but got mine for alot less than you might think, very close to what the Fords & Dodges go for. BTW I'm not sure exactly what my mileage is to date but I went from Hillsboro to Garibaldi & back w/ the camper & sled on last month. The combined weight at the scales was 18,200, & burned 1/4 of tank (34 gall tank)

[SLEDDER]

Alright, You guys are getting me excited!! I currently own a 2001 Cummins HO. with the 6 speed tranny. I just replaced the power steering pump with 29K on the truck. At the 14K mark I replaced the fuel transfer pump. Cummins I love, Crhysler/Dodge I have my reservations. :depressed: I have heard of the heads on the Duramax were a potential problem, but that was resolved after the first year. I also would like a auto. so the wife can drive it without problems. She currently drives a 2002 suburban with the 496. Sweet rig, a little thirsty, but very sweet. I told you Ford guys you are wasting your time, I appreciate your input, but Ford is not in my future, unless it is a 1967 AC Cobra. I know and have seen too much regarding Ford deisel. I will probably be selling two rigs in the near future and possibly get the Chevy deisel. Thanks for all your input!! Stay safe tonight! I am drinking a bit at home, staying away from the car keys.

[ 12-31-2002, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: SLEDDER ]

[SLEDDER]

I am doing some research. Has anybody out there in IFISH land have the Chevy Duramax truck with the Allison tranny? If so What are your pro's and con's. If you have heard anything good or bad, please tell me what you have heard. All I have heard is they are supposed to be good rigs, but are spendy. Please if you have an opinion state it. You Ford guys don't need to waste your time.

[ 12-31-2002, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: SLEDDER ]

[6wapiti6]

I'd rather be Cummin' than Powerstrokn'...enough said!

[fishwhenican]

Go drive them all and see what you like!!
The only real downside of the Allison that I know of is when you are on a rough road at slow speed the trans stays in 1st gear, making for a very sensitive trottle at every bump. If it shifts to 2nd then that is too fast for the road. Otherwise I like the way that it downshifts and the way it will stay in the "right" gear when towing (in the tow haul mode)

As far as the aluminum heads the engine runs about 200 degrees cooler (exhaust temp.) when towing than either the Ford or the Dodge. Probably because of the High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel system.

The 2003 Dodge will also have a HPCR fuel system, but I don't like thier auto trans unless you change a few things including the torque convertor. The 24 valve engines have a electric fuel supply pump which they have quite a few problems with (sorry boys Cummins spec'ed it not Chrysler).

The Fords cost more to fix and have to be fixed more often than the Dodge, the jury is still out on the Duramax though. Also the new 6.0L powerstroke is a new engine with a new fuel system. Navistar went to Siemans and away from Cat for the fuel system design, this will be Siemans 1st shot at the diesel market. Siemans seems to do a good job with the gas injector market, but pressures are only about 25,000 psi lower. We will have to see at how well they do.

I like the Duramax!, I normally drive a Dodge and have driven the Ford enough to know I don't like the captains seats. We own all three, we work on all three, and we do fuel injection system repair (diesel) www.oregonfuelinjection.com

Drive them al and see which one you like best!

[ 01-02-2003, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: fishwhenican ]

[King Kong]

POWERSTROKE!!!

[Sturgeon Tom]

V-10 no rattle, :grin: but power to spair