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Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine

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Rob Mo.

05-04-2004 20:50:40

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Simple question that I want alot of feedback on. If you were to buy a truck new or used with a Powerstoke, Duramax, or Cummins, what tpe of transmission would like to have? Automatic Or Manual?

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farmallsc

05-05-2004 18:04:42

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Automatc, allison (2002 GMC sierra 3/4 ton)

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dirthog

05-05-2004 15:59:13

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

used to think i needed a stick shift, wouldnt buy anything but a auto now

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T_Bone

05-05-2004 14:30:50

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Hi Rob,

You didn't give us much to go on your planed use of the truck.

Me, I went F350, PSD, DRW, 4wd, CC, LWB, 6spd. There was only 7% more cost vs a Reg cab, SRW.

I have a fish'n hole that has a 18% grade and in 1st-lo, 2nd-lo, I have to add fuel to descend the 18% grade at any RPM above idle. 3rd-lo I'm at 2500rpm @5mph with 16000GCW and never have to touch the brakes to descend. There ain't a auto around that can do that!

If I get caught in a strom and need to pull at 15mph chained up, once again I can decend grades without touching my brakes. A auto can't do that.

Most of the 5spd auto's don't stay locked up under 30mph without some modifications.

Now if I need a F450/550, then I would look at the F650 as then you have different engine choice PSD/Cat/Cummins, 10spd/7spd etc;, Allison auto's, 2spd diff's, air suspension, etc. and don't have to buy what Ford try's to force down your throat on the smaller trucks.

For my use manual is the only choice. The hydraulic clutch is very nice. I had one in a 61 Scout that held up well.

T_Bone

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Ryan

05-05-2004 10:52:14

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

We run a 2000 Ford 250 with the powerstroke disel and automatic transmission. You will have not trouble with the automatic if you learn when it shifts to help it out and not drive it "unconsciously". We have put at least 75,000 miles on the truck pulling a trailer (20+5 at 5600#) and now a 25+5 at over 6000# with no trouble. I change the fluid that is in the pan on the tranny every 10,000 to 20,000 miles and the filter and oil is changed at least every other time if not sooner. We have a chip, and have been as heavy as 40,000#s and the truck pulled it without problems. We just installed a transmission cooler with fan, because the floorboard gets warm and I also installed a temp gauge. The truck has 105,000 miles on it and have not had any trouble out of the transmission or motor. The only complaint I have is the front end is begining to wander and the fuel tank is too small (next project).

Ryan

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Deryl in Florida

05-05-2004 10:30:29

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I own a 1997 ford F-250 with the powerstroke diesel engine and automatic transmission. My truck's got 250,000 miles on it and still gets 18.5 mpg and the engine runs great and has never had any real work done to it. Transmission had minor work done at 180,000 miles but has always worked well for me.

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Mark

05-05-2004 10:07:07

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I am getting ready to trade my 1/2 ton 2002 Dodge for a 3/4 ton diesel with 6spd. One thing no one has mentioned is transmission life and repair cost. You will not get more than 75,000 out of most autos and they cost at least $4,000 to repair. A new clutch will set you back $600 or less. Every person I know with an auto has paid some major repair bills.

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Alex

05-05-2004 10:43:40

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Mark, 05-05-2004 10:07:07

Mark
I have a 92 Dodge with a Cummins and an automatic with overdrive 190000 miles, never had any trouble with the transmission. Haul heavy loads in overdrive all the time.

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Davis In SC

05-05-2004 09:44:37

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I have a 5-Speed in my 92 Cummins/Dodge & A 6-speed in my 2001. I have been pleased with both. The Getrag in the 92 is starting to make some odd noises, but has not caused any problems (yet).

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Hal

05-05-2004 09:32:59

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Do all these trucks use a hydraulic actuated clutch with the manual trans? GMC salesman told me they were having some problems with hydraulic clutch (slave cyls leaking?) and for that reason he did not recommend going with manual trans. Anyone heard of this?

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rustyfarmall

05-05-2004 12:03:04

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Hal, 05-05-2004 09:32:59

I don't know if mine has a hydraulic slave cylinder, but I do know that I have never had any trouble. I suspect the salesman was trying to steer you away from the manual trans. because they probably have a lot full of trucks with automatic trans. Naturally they would want to sell you one of those rather than ordering in what you really want.
By the way, the truck is a 2001 K3500, 8.1 and 6 spd manual. 28,000 miles.

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kyhayman

05-05-2004 18:31:01

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Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to rustyfarmall, 05-05-2004 12:03:04

Wow, 28,000? on an '01? I'm getting ready to hit 100,000 (98,997 as of tonight) on my '01 Ram.

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DaveJWI

05-05-2004 09:14:16

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I'm currently driving an '84 Ford F250 with a 6.9 diesel and a granny low 4sp. I prefer the manuals over the autos. If I could afford a new truck it would be a Cummins HO with the 6sp. Don't trust the autos. Can fix the manual myself most times. Have rebuilt an auto also and didn't really enjoy it. My Ford needs another gear between 3rd and 4th. When loaded down you have to really wind up 3rd before you shift to 4th. Dodge had a lot of problems with their autos when they added the electronic controls to the 727. Have heard that they designed a completely new auto and aren't having problems anymore. Allison tranny in Chevys were having gear problems and I don't know if they have them sorted out yet. Fords, I know one guy who has a newer deisel that is running on only 6 cylinders and they can't figure out why and from my experience the new Power Strokes are the loudest deisels from outside the truck, but I hear the quietest inside.

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jim

05-05-2004 08:34:14

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

my previous truck was an F150 with a 5 speed, good truck, hated all the shifting in town. Got rid of it, now an F250 7.3P.S. S.D. 4 speed auto with O.D. Pull an 8000# race car and trailer with tools, pulls great, in every gear, and has a lot of get up and go. Heard a lot of horror stories about Dogge Auto tranny, heard people complain about the allison in chevy, heard compaints about Fords auto, so I guess it is a crap shoot, go for whatever is best for you.my .02 worth. The only drawback to manual is clutch and if you pull heavy loads on hills, it is a real hassle.

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kyhayman

05-05-2004 06:55:38

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

5 spd, behind a 5.9 cummins.

I didnt see that an extra low gear would gain me much for how I use it. Starting to think about an new truck, I drove a Duramax last week hauling hay for one of my customers, nice (much better ride than my Dodge, and seemed like really good power delivery) but I heard an auto was the only option. Think I'll wait and see how they last.

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James in NC

05-05-2004 08:36:40

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to kyhayman, 05-05-2004 06:55:38

The six speed manual is standard with the duramax. But you might have to wait a while to order it. I had being trying to order an 8.1L gas with a six speed manual since last August, it came in Monday.

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thurlow

05-05-2004 08:35:18

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to kyhayman, 05-05-2004 06:55:38

Mine's a 5-speed also behind the Cummins (early model....'93 one-ton dually); about 175,000 miles. Lots of folks have had trouble with the 5-speed Getrag; so far mine hasn't blinked and it's pulled some bad loads. Doesn't have near the torque or HP of the later models, but it's easily the best truck I've ever owned. Talked to the service manager at the local dealer about getting the valve cover gasket replaced....leaking a little oil. Was supposed to have had the valves adjusted 3 or 4 times already; got to get it done, still starts easily and still getting 19 mpg empty. Have torn up every automatic I've ever owned.....'though I've never had one behind a diesel.

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rustyfarmall

05-05-2004 06:36:57

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I chose to not go for the diesel in my 01 3500, because of the extra $4,000 wanted for the duramax. Instead, I got the 8.1 gas with the six speed manual. Also went for the 4.11 rear gears for some real stump pulling grunt. I am very happy with the truck. In my opinion, diesels are very overrated.

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James in NC

05-05-2004 08:34:50

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to rustyfarmall, 05-05-2004 06:36:57

I just got 8.1L gas with the 6 speed manual, could not justify the extra costs that go along with a diesel. I love it so far.

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buickanddeere

05-05-2004 05:20:43

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I prefer a manual but the trade in value drops $8000-12,000 at three years age around here manual vs automatic.

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mud

05-05-2004 05:13:59

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

hello there rob- we got a 2000f-350 crewcab whats got a 6 speed. pulls like kids fightin over a toy!
it ain't so bad in city traffic neither. i think it is better suited for off road than the automattick and we are in offroad and tar road often. also got a 6.2 diesel in a '83 suburban. on it's 3rd. aotomattick transmission. durn 700R things. good old engine though.

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jdemaris

05-05-2004 07:27:37

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to mud, 05-05-2004 05:13:59

I've got four trucks and one Suburban with the 6.2s. I love them, got 450,000 miles on the 87 Suburban. In my opionon, the 700R4 overdrive automatics are worthless. I live in the hills and can barely use the overdrive anyway. I got fed up and unhooked the wiring harness from the trans. to stop the torque-converter from locking up all the time - made them drive much nicer. Every truck I had with the overdrive got converted to the T-400 three speed automtic first time the 700 crapped out. Now, I only have one overdrive left. I had no drop in fuel mileage and drivability is much better with the T-400. Now, I also have on Ford F250 diesel with the C-6 automatic. Worst fuel guzzler I've ever owned for a diesel - gets 12 m.p.g. tops. My neighbor just bought a new Chevy 1 ton pickup with the Duramax Japanese Isuzu engine and Allison trans. and so far the best he's gotten on the highyway at 65 mph is 12.5 mile per gallon. He says now he misses his Dodge-Cummins that got 19 mpg.

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Terry Nelson

05-05-2004 10:09:38

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Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to jdemaris, 05-05-2004 07:27:37

..Sorry..but I couldn't let this one go by without a response. I get 13.0 to 16.5 towing a 30 foot Airstream with my 2500 Siverado, Duramax and Allison tx, including mountainous terrain, and 16.5-17.0 mpg in the city. How does your friend manage to get 12.5 mpg at 65 mph on the highway? He may want to use the "D" selection, instead of the "1", for his gear selection!

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jdemaris

05-05-2004 17:37:56

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck eng in reply to Terry Nelson, 05-05-2004 10:09:38

I don't suppose he's driving it any different than he did his Dodge with the 5.9 - and that he said got 18-19 best on the highway. But, I don't know? I take all these fuel-mileage stories with a grain of salt unless it's from someone I trust. He's had the truck back to the dealer twice - about the fuel mileage and about some parts that "fell" off. The dealer told him the fuel-mileage will get better once the truck breaks in. He's only got 4000 miles on it. But . . . I don't believe the break-in claim. Maybe if it was 30 years ago, but not now. Machining tolerances are high-tech enough that there isn't going to be that much break-in.
And every vehicle's different - to an extent. You mentioned you can get 16.5 m.p.g. towing a 30' Airstream with your Isuzu-Chevy. I've got a little Subaru 4WD station wagon that gets 17 m.p.g. on the highway towing nothing. Quite a difference. I bought my Ford F-250 4WD from the original owner with 55,000 miles on it (6.9 I.H.diesel). The guy swore it got over 30 m.p.g. which I knew was nonsense - but I expected a lot better than it's getting. I don't think he was lying, just felt it was great because the fuel needle moved slow. I DID have hopes it would be as good as my Chevy trucks, but it's not. 12 m.p.g. running empty just doesn't seem right. Maybe it learned how to eat fuel from my Subaru. By the way, I have one car, that like your Silverado, also has an Isuzu engine - but it's a four-banger in an 81 Chevette. I've gotten 46 m.p.g. with it. Great little engine in a cute but crappy car.

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mud -no fight'n here now

05-05-2004 10:43:29

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck eng in reply to Terry Nelson, 05-05-2004 10:09:38

that 2000 f-350 7.3 with the 6 speed manual has been jest a sippin fuel. i ain't agonna say how much. don't matter none cause i know the dam truth of it. hahahaha!!!!

mud

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T_Bone

05-06-2004 05:57:29

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck in reply to mud -no fight'n here now, 05-05-2004 10:43:29

For the ones getting low fuel mileage on 97+ Ford diesels, you need to change the quick disconnect at the fuel pump suction side as it leaks air into the fuel system.

I used a 8" x 5/16" fuel line with 4 clamps, two on either side. Drain the tank before changing as it's gets really messy if you don't.

I was getting great fuel mileage, 19.2mpg (empty), but it would vary every so often. I now consistantly get 19.2mpg empty, and 14.1mpg pulling 16k GCW.

The other thing I found effects fuel mileage is resetting the puter every couple months. Just disconnect both battery's over night. No, pulling fuse #15 does not have the same effect.

T_Bone

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VADAVE

05-05-2004 04:04:52

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

I have an 04 Chevy with duramax amd Allison transmission. 2 reasons: 1) pulling capacity is greater and 2) wife never did get proficient with the previous standard transmission.

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Norm in Alabama

05-05-2004 06:26:56

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to VADAVE, 05-05-2004 04:04:52

Rob, have you had any trouble with the Duramax? There have been a lot of problems with them. Am contemplating buying one.

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George

05-05-2004 04:00:20

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

When I was younger, a manual was the only way to go. As I have gotten older, I have realized that with all the incompetent drivers on the road, there are a lot more important things to think about and shifting wasn't one of them! (Plus after one knee operation and one shoulder operation, a truck with a manual transmission would have been on blocks for months as I wouldn't have been able to drive it.)

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DuaneWKKC

05-05-2004 03:28:05

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Hey Rob Mo., Mine is a Dodge '02 HO with a six shooter, really like it, only bonus or problem is, depending on your of view, wife can't drive a standard. Not real bad to drive in stop & go or slow traffic. You can't hurry the six speed through the gears. From a stop its shift shift shift and you look down to realize you are going a whole 35-40 mph (and thats starting in 2nd). From there on out she moves. If I was to want to start BOMBing (More HP) I would have to replace the cluth with just a fueling box and injectors. Clutch to hold 400+ hp is around $900 bucks + install. Auto Transmission to hold the same Hp is over $2500. Probably not much different if you factor in labor on the clutch. You have to be comfortable driving what you drop your money on, not somebody else. Test drive both and see what you like. GOOD LUCK.

Duane W.

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Davis In SC

05-04-2004 21:42:23

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Wish a 9, 10 or 13 was an option.....

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john in la

05-05-2004 09:06:23

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Davis In SC, 05-04-2004 21:42:23

Why stop there..... ..... .
Lets get a two stick 4x5 with 350 rears.
Boy you could get down the road with that.
Even my wife would have trouble shifting that.

One rule my dad made and I also do to my kids. Girls; Boys: does not matter. You must be able to drive dads pickup (standard) before I will sign for you to get drivers license. Never know when you will need it. In fact both my boys can drive a 3 speed on column but did not push my girl to learn this one.

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Mike M

05-05-2004 05:16:43

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Davis In SC, 05-04-2004 21:42:23

It is in the line of low profile med duty trucks from real truck makers. I see a lot of horse people buying these trucks. Price might not be much more than a loaded out 1 ton.

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Jerry/MT

05-04-2004 20:57:27

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Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Rob Mo., 05-04-2004 20:50:40

Usually your GVWR is higher with an automatic than it is with a manual transmission. If you have to drive in heavey traffic, an automatic is easier on you. Just my thoughts.

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rustyfarmall

05-05-2004 12:11:30

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Jerry/MT, 05-04-2004 20:57:27

Actually, my 01 3500 with 8.1 and 6 spd manual has just a wee bit more towing capacity than the same truck equipped with the duramax and allison, not enough for that to be the deciding factor, but still has more.

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Rob Mo.

05-06-2004 00:19:56

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Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to rustyfarmall, 05-05-2004 12:11:30

Look what I started here, thanks for the input here, it is all great. I seen a reply on one having problems with the slave cylinder leaking, I've seen that in a rollback that we have (97 Chevy 3500 with a 454 5-speed). That truck has had 3 clutches, slave cylinder rebuilt. Seems like we go 30,000 miles with it & we have to put a clutch in it, but it more the pedal is why we do ( it gets so soft). To the subject, I prefer a manual transmission hands down for one reason power availibility. When you need the power go to next or last gear. There is not as much that can go wrong versus an automatic, I believe. The truck that I'm referring to is a 90' Dodge 3/4 ton that has an automatic, 2wd, & it is wrecked. It is a good project to rebuild & I think if the transmission holds up to pulling under 7000#, I would keep it.Give me some thought of a 90' Dodge with a Cummins/automatic. What goes wrong & how pricy are they to rebuild.

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cody thompson

03-07-2005 20:26:49

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck eng in reply to Rob Mo., 05-06-2004 00:19:56

i am all for stick shift not only because i like to shift but i have heard automatics dont have the balls to hold up to pullin but personly i dont even think automatics should be in a truck!! my buddy has 3/4 ton dodge cummins auto he is on his 3 or 4th trans at least. i dont know bout ford but i still dont want.

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Bob in Ohio

05-05-2004 06:38:11

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Re: Re: Whats behind your Diesel Truck engine in reply to Jerry/MT, 05-04-2004 20:57:27

The Allison automatic is a very good in a one ton.

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