OT: Lazy people and tansmissions????

GM and Ford diesels don't have the low-end torque to pull without winding them up to 2500 rpm or so. They are classified as light-
duty engines while the Cummins in the Dodges is rated as a medium-duty engine. Ford and GM both have found that the torque converter makes up for a lot of the lack of low-end torque and helps insure that the engine's rods, crank, etc. are not loaded over the design limits. By the way, the new Dodge 6.7 CTD and recently released 6-speed auto is going to give the Allison boys heartburn. :-)

Glenn

I had a 93 Ford diesel with a five speed. Only real complaint I had, besides the dual mass flywheel, was that the split between 2nd and 3rd was waaaaay to wide for towing, parituclarly in the mountains. Current truck is 99 F-350 diesel I bought used. Ended up with an automatic because that's all I could find in a crew cab dually (big family, big trailer, no choice!!). I'm not very happy with the Ford automatic, although when I'm not towing it is nice to just step on the pedal and go. I'd much rather have a manual to tow with, particularly in the Rockies here in Colorado.

Next truck I might consider an Allison 5 or 6 speed, but I'd want to drive one first. Never again for a Ford automatic. I don't like having to baby the truck to avoid overheating the transmission.

Keith

Now wouldn't that be the hot lick on a TW 20 Ford or a 1066 IH? It is called progress better prepare for it.

Then I got caught on the 401 crossing Toronto on a Friday afternoon/evening. 2 1/2 hours of clutching and I was terrified that my left leg would give out before Markham.

Heaven forbid it should happen, but if ever I had to live in a city I'd need an automatic.

Still, when the truck decides to rev a little high while warming up, it's nice to know I won't be skidding through the next stop sign because all I have to do is press the clutch.

I'll stick to standards and avoid the city.

Rod

I hate automatics in a 3/4 or one ton truck. The allison is supposed to be a good tranny, but like any automatic, fuel economy and longevity sucks compared to a stick.

Now, with a diesel truck, don't get a five speed. Get the six speed because it will be a tougher transmission.

3.73 rear ends are great for highway miles. 4.10 rear ends provide high torque at the wheels for the most trailer weight but sucks a little worse on diesel fuel.

The worst thing you could ever drive is a gas automatic one ton. Constantly downshifting into 2nd and even first gear on the highway with a loaded trailer will reduce longevity by a looong time.

I take no preference in a manufacturer BUT they must be 'american' and have good stick shift transmissions.

On big fleet trucks, drivers can be hard on em, not knowing how to correctly operate a manual trans. and or just having bad driving habits but put a driver in there who knows how to drive, not ride the clutch and not grind gears all day, I think it's a different story. I've seen them and many truck owners say the same when hiring drivers, some people don't have a clue about them, have bad habits, or are just abusive.

Most public transportation buses and fire trucks had detroit-allison combos, even then they seemed to get good service life from them, now things have improved and its becoming the norm for even pick-up trucks.

For the money I like the single axle medium class trucks out there, when compared to dually and 1 tons, you get a lot more for the money and hopefully manual transmissions will still be offered, I've noticed that the 2 speed rear is fading away, another subject, same thing, people not knowing how to use those either.

I like the standard trans, but realize these new autos have come a long way, I'll always have something in standard, seeing everything I own is a stick except the lawn tractor. I don't mind them, it's 2nd nature to me, and I still think they are fun beleive it or not, even in traffic it don't bother me at all.

North East puller

I wouldn't be surprised if GM got tired of consumer complaints about clutches not holding up and just went with the automatics...just a guess.

PS e-mail open

I'm a former cop, mechanic, welder, pipefitter, steel worker, painter and farm hand (all professionally). I own another 200 acres of farmland, which we farm, horses, a small herd of cattle, combines (two) real tractors (two), a backhoe, a 4x4 truck (F-150), a barn, a huge workshop, a pond and woodlands.

Maybe I'm not a real man like you are and all, but please be careful about who you're 'bashing'. Americans that choose to live inside or outside the city, whether in the suburbs or the county are Americans nonetheless. Whether a guy drives a Chevy, Honda, Ford or Mercedes doesn't make him more of a man or less of a scourge on society, either way.

We all want pretty much the same thing, a good life and better world for our kids. Pointing fingers at other folks and declaring yourself of better stock can be a dangerous and deluding business. Specific individuals may warrant some derision, I suppose, but beware the temptation to judge poeple as a class based solely on extraneous, geopolitical or material observations.

Heck, if you actually knew me, you might even like me, even if I do drive a garden tractor sometimes (its okay, its a JD). BTW, if that automatic ever goes south on you, give me a call, I'll help you tear it down.

I like Standards and I have never had an automatic tranny last as long as a standard does for me. Got 200K on my last clutch, still had wear, but the disc springs were rattling.
I can fix any standard tranny, but not so with automatics....