will a allison tranny bolt up to my 01 quad cab

 

N o !

 

And you don't want one!
The biggest hp D-max I know just installed a 48RE for drag racing. Could not keep his Allison healthy.

RJ

 

As far as bolting straight up...no

With the Allison in so many medium-duty applications, I'm sure you could find an adapter plate to bolt it up. I believe I read somewhere that someone makes a stand-alone computer for the Allison as well.

 

You guys are talking two completely different things when you mention "Allison". The Allison transmission that GM uses isn't nearly the same heavy duty transmission that's used in medium duty applications.

Mike

 

Get on a duramax site and listen to them talk about their tranny. The 47RE and 48RE are what they put into their drag trucks. Pretty funny since we think that's the weak link in our trucks....

 

Are you sure??
I'm no Allison expert but It's my understanding, from a customer (with a D-Max) who works on Blue Bird School Buses, that it's the same??

RJ

 

its just that i have an automatic and i really dont trust it, ive just not heard anything good about them

 

Silotree, I think a much better approach than a medium duty Allison would be to build up your 47RE. Best would be a full build up from DTT or Goerend or ATS, but if you're on a tight budget there are a few things you can do to vastly improve it. The easiest is a Mag Hytec double-deep pan. This holds much more fluid than stock and provides a drain plug to make servicing it *much* easier. Easier servicing means a much higher likelihood that servicing will happen.

Also, a tranny fluid temp gauge is a good thing, and pretty much mandatory if you tow or haul. I like the sender in the ouput line running up to the front of the truck because that tells you the temperature of your hottest fluid, and it also gives you earlier warning if temps start to climb. Others like the sender in the pan.

Beyond that, you can also do an aftermarket torque converter and valve body relatively cheaply. Suncoast and Dunrite seem to be popular converters, although I'm not sure about the valve bodies--you may be able to get them from DTT/Goerend/ATS.

Also, don't underestimate how your driving style can affect the transmission. Even a really heavy duty transmission can be trashed by poor driving style, and on the flip side even a crap transmission can be nursed along by good driving style. Along these lines, the most important thing is if you're towing or hauling, lock out OD. The OD gear is so tall, and the engine produces so much torque that the lockup clutch can slip and burn out. If the torque converter isn't locked up, then that tall OD gear results in the fluid heating up very hot, very quickly. Note that I'm talking about towing/hauling here, not driving empty.

You might also do some searches here on transmission stuff--you'll probably come up with a lot of good stuff.

Good luck,
Mike

 

thanks mike i ordered a set of glowshift gauges (pyro, tranny, and fuel pressure) two days ago and should be here anytime. once again thanks everyone for the help

 

uh..something doesn't add up here..

I think it depends on the Allison tranny. I have one in my bus. but this not like they one put in the Dmax trucks.

My dad has a 6 speed Allison in his motor home. both his RV and my bus weight empty more than most think about towing with a 47RE. my bus is 22K empty, GVRW 31,700. My dad RV is 40K GVRW. His RV has 8.3L cummins..So I think the Allison will do the job but it depends on the model. I would use one from a Dmax..go find an AT545 from a school bus. ideally a school bus that use a 12v Cummins.

so I think it depends on the model Allison. I wish I knew the model for my dad rv. the one in my bus is a MT643. its only a 4 speed, but lock up in 3rd and 4th.

-dkenny

 

Dkenny, this is exactly what I wrote in my first post in this thread. The problem with the "real" Allisons--the medium duty Allisons like the AT545--is that they have no overdrive. First gear is usually very low, and 4th is 1:1 so you'd either need big diameter tires (like what's on your school bus), or much taller gears than 3.54, 3.73, or 4.10. I suppose if a guy were building up a massive towing beast that would never see speeds higher than about 50 mph it would be fine, but it doesn't make much sense for the vast majority of Dodge truck owners.

Mike

 

yes. with my bus I agree. in fact it has a 5.29 rear end with a top speed of about 65. 4th is 1:1..

but my dad's is a 6 speed with double over drive. I wish I knew the rear ratio, but the tires are the same 22.5.

I agree both are medium duty applications. not 3/4 ton truck use. but does this mean Allison trannys are bad?

-dkenny