I know I'm a newbie and only have a Hemi but when my lease is up it is diesel time.I love the 3/4 and 1Ton SRW Rams with Cummins and even though I like the 6sp I would prefer and auto.My Dad has a 01 HD 8.1/Allison with 50,000 miles(most towing in the mountains)and I love the Allison.I just used a buddies truck(DMax/Allison) and towed a car trailer and truck from Wyoming back to NY(8500lbs).His is an 02 CCab longbox GMC.The engine is impressive and the truck is nice but except the tranny I like the Rams better.I would not buy a diesel with any other auto (Torqueshift is so close it mights well be a Allison),for the mountains the grade braking is nice and shift splits are perfect.I know most diehard Dodge guys will say the 48RE is fine but I'm a GM guy driving my first Ram,I like the truck but this auto tranny though it seems rugged is far from perfect.I'm leaning towards a Ram next time again but if an Allison type tranny doesn't arrive it'll make the choice tougher.

 

You may want to check more into the GMC so-called Allison Tranny. Go and check out the various GM web sites and see how many people have said various things that tranny.
Sure it would be real nice if DC could get Allison to go in on a tranny with them but I don't think it's going to happen. I have the 47RE and I love it. It does what I want and so far it's holding up without any problems. If yo put in great fluids (AMSOIL) then it should last a long time as long as you don't DAWG it out.

All I can say is I'll take the Cummins any day
Just my .01 worth

 

WyRam,
I don't have an auto but I'll give you my opinion anyway . If you look at the gear ratio's on the five speed auto's compared to a four speed, what they have done is add a granny gear. You need this (even with the torque converter) with the Ford and GMC because their diesels (high rpm V8's) do not have the torque down low to get a heavy load moving. The Cummins, with its low rpm I6 design, just does not need it. A granny gear is useful with a manual because it does not have the torque converter to help it get a heavy load moving.

The Boss Hog
(just my opinion . . . . . . . )

 

Maybe the torque of the Cummins negates the extra gear but grade braking is nice as is not getting the hunting other autos do when going in and out of the corners on the steep switchbacks.I also think if I can find a ratio chart 1st is lower but all splits are closer.

 

If you like GM, get the 6 speed Venture with you Dodge ram. It's a heavy duty 300# tranny developed by GM and Chrysler.

 

I'd drive the 48RE/Cummins combo. It's a totally different transmission that what you have in your Hemi. I found the shifts firm and didn't find it bad at all. The trans will also keep the torque converter locked in lower gears, down to 2nd in tow/haul.

It won't grade brake on it's own, but you can do it manually. I've heard from a couple friends who have driven the allison that they didn't like the automatic grade braking feature. Opinion I guess.

 

Can an allison be bolted right up to a Cummins. I have an 04 and would enjoy the ablity to drag it but am afraid-w-the 48RE and a few mods. Plus $4K for a bombed tranny is too much right now. Talk about newbie questions!

 

ppsi,
If $4K is too much for an upgrade, I don't think you want to know how much a new Allison would cost even if it would bolt up (which it won't).

The Boss Hog
(just my opinion . . . . . . )

 

ATS is the answer for the dodge tranny. call them and speak to Clint

 

I know from what I read the 48re is a good tranny but seems to be a bandaid until they have an answer.I'm almost certain my next purchase will be a Ram but a new auto would seal the deal.My local Ford/Dodge dealer said the since the Torqueshift they sell almost all Autos,before that most were 6pseeds.I would dare to say if a nonbiased purchaser was sold on and auto and drove all three he would have a hard time buying the 48re over the other 2.BTW,our Snap-on dealer has a Frieghtliner with Cummins/Allison.

 

I have the 48RE, I like it, and I'm not worried about it holding up for many years. But I don't expect it to last as long as a manual would. These new 48RE's may prove to be very long lived, and I hope so, but I didn't buy the truck to get the tranny, I got it to get the Cummins and the tranny was part of the deal. Can you imagine someone saying they got a Dodge to get the 48RE? I don't think so.
As far as driving it is concerned, it works fine. But it is obviously a dated design and would be much better as a five speed. Yes, I know it has a torque converter, and I don't "need" anything better, but it would be really sweet if the first three gears were a little lower and it had another intermediate (4th) before the OD. Or, better still, if it had four lower gears and the fifth gear was straight through. Then with taller differential gears we'd have the same final drive ratio and better efficiency.
Modern automatic trannies like the Audi 5 speed and the Allison really drive nice and aren't constantly reminding you that they are busy deciding and doing big things. Or that they used to be another tranny but were adapted into what they are now. Not talking about longevity with these, but driveability.
Maybe Mercedes will surprise us with a wonderful new 5 or 6 speed auto in a couple of years.
Meanwhile, where are my keys?

Wetspirit

 

I drove my '96 for years with the 47RE without ANY PROBLEMS. Yes I had to "manage" a few hills but, it ALWAYS shifted like a dream. Better gear spacing would have been nice since I had a 3.54 rear end and the hills got tough at times. Again, I could always put a Gear Vendor "system" in and solve "all" problems.

I expect my new 2004.5 next week with a 48RE tranny. When the EB is approved -
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...threadid=76813

I expect to have any downhill problems go away.......
MB may introduce their MB 950 engine in the near future and the smart shiftter would be a blast for the pickup market but....sometimes we must fish and quit cutting bate and get on with having fun....

I am really looking forward to my 2004.5 - 48RE - 4.1 dually.

Take care.
Cheers frank

 

Modern automatic trannies like the Audi 5 speed and the Allison really drive nice and aren't constantly reminding you that they are busy deciding and doing big things.

I had a 5-speed auto in my Audi A4. It wasn't a great trans IMHO. The combo of electronic throttle, automatic, and turbo just made it a bit strange. I got used to it until I drove another more normal car.

The D/A I drove had a lot of gear whine, which really turned me off. I'm told this isn't normal.

My wife asked me the other day "so the truck has the cummins motor, yes? But you were talking about an allison trans...Why can't you just get them together?" If she has already thought of this, then you know it's crossed DC's mind as well.

 

The Allison 1000 series is real sweet behind a 6BT, the braking is nice and the acceleration is awsome, 5 speeds are very usable. When I went to the Allison 1000 series school the instructor told us that they have no plans to offer it for retrofit. Also The 305 555 if I recall is right at if not a little greater than the rated output of the trans. The only problems I have seen have been a lot of switches going bad, any moisture, and wiring. I was easily able to keep up with cars at stoplights and this wasn't with a h/o engine.

 

Frank,

I like you'e attitude! Enjoy your new truck!

Wetspirit