I am self employed, and I am at RV dealers throughout the week. The "pusher" style RV (motor in the rear) run the Cummins and teh Caterpillar motor, both mated to Allison 6 speed automatic's. Of course, this is a different Allison then what is found behind the Duramax. My question is: Why the heck has someone not come up with a stand alone computer to run that tranny behind our beloved Cummins? I mean, I see alot of 4L80E (the Big Block Chevy tranny) behind quite a few Musclecars running carbs, because of the stand alone computer to control the electronic trans. So, SOMEONE has to be working onthis, because I know I am not the only one that has thought of this. I know $$$$$$$ would be a concern, but heck, with the amount of coin dropped on the 4 speed auto, it is safe to assume that those would drop a few more coins for the Allison tranny. Caterpillar makes two 6 speed auto's, one of which can handle over 1800 LB-Ft of torque The only thing I can think of why noone has done this is room, or lack of. The tranny (I have crawled under 50 or so RV's in the past few months) does not appear to be that much bigger then say a NV5600. Now, of course the scale of which I am looking is of course ALOT more room under the RV then our trucks, so the trans may APPEAR smaller then it actually is. All I know is that it would be WAY cool to have that tranny under my truck. IN fact, you would think that since it is behind the Cummins (most have been the LARGE Cummins 8.3L) that you could take the computer/wiring harness off of the RV, and put it on our truck. I know there are some variables that would need to be addressed, like Emissions. But, even still, one would think they would be similar enough that it could work. I guess I am going to have to take some measurements next time I am out there, and see how big that tranny REALLY is. All I can see now is visions of a 8.3L Cummins backed by a 6 speed Allision underneath my 3500

 

No one has any input on this topic????? I have found quite a few Allison trans through google, alot here locally in Hosuton. I mean, it would HAVE to work if they work in an RV. I mean, they are behind a Cummins, both the 5.9 and 8.3, Electronic's and size/fit should be the only hold up. But like I said above, if the Allsion is bolted behind a Cummins, one would think all you would need to do is take the computer and take some measurments to see if it would fit in our trucks. I found Allison transmission's ranging from $500 up to $3000, the $3000 having 5 year warranty and such. What am I overlooking? This seems like the way to go, and can not find a swap that anyone has done.

You look around, late model Hemi's transplanted in Challengers such as my car. The 518 and 618 tranny swap into my car with no electronic's is a popular swap. Get you a bellhousing and a stand alone computer. and BAM, overdrive late model tranny in a 35 year old car. Even the Tremmec 5 and 6 speed stick is a popular swap into my '71 Challenger.

I just see a 6 speed Allison behind my Cummins as something that is just WAY TOO COOL to not think about.

Shoot, maybe I am the only one that has thought about this swap. I guess time to get the ball rolling, becasue once it is done, I know others will follow.

 

This has been discussed over on the TDR. Size was the main issue.

 

Computers and the harness would be a nitemare. They are fun to drive though with the 6bt in front of them. I love the downshift on decell.

 

I am not computer genius by any means, but with all of the computer guru's out there right now, I would think that would be the easy part. As I thought, size would be a bigger issue. BUT, if you wer not worried about cutting up the floor....

 

Im personally think that the allison is overrated. I have even heard chevy owners talking about how they are overrated in their duramax trucks. For the same amount of money and a lot less effort, you can get you a built 48re and be done.

 

It's kinda like building the space shuttle from scratch without the blue prints. Given the source and an understanding ofthe parameters it would be a snap but when it guessin' it is a little harder. Marco had been working on the CATCHER for years.

The Allisons in the motor homes that would fit our trucks are limiting the engines in power and TQ otherwise they would not last. Unless you can find an Allison tech that will help, you are on your own. Allison won't even talk about a non-OEM usage. That and they laugh when you mention adding power to the Cummins in front of one of those transmissions.

The second hurdle is a t-case. There is really nothing off the shelf to mate to the Allison 1000 series that will work in our trucks. The cost to make something for a tranny that is not adequate is just not worth it.

 

Just wait for the Aisin 6 speed auto to come out in the new Dodges next year. Then figure out how to get it under an existing rig. Then you'll have something. Also, I understand that it has a .63 OD.

I hope the MPG doesn't hit the skids with the new engine. If not that could be a sweet rig. 6.7 Cummins/6 spd Aisin auto.


Wetspirit

 

I have rode in a d-max allison truck with Just a single box, and the transmission was a mess. Buckin all over the place. They are great when modded, but so are dodge trans, and they cost less. We use a 4l80e's behind our cummins chevy conversions and love them, and it dosen't take much money to make them hold.

 

Actually this is an idea ive had floating around in my head since they announced the 6sp auto.

 

NOT refering to the Allsion 1000 behind the Duramax. Refering to the Big Daddy units behind the RV pusher Cummins and Caterpillar. As I metioned above, Cat just made one that handles 600 HP and over 1800 Lb Ft of torque, STOCK. Not only are they handling that much power, plus those RV's are WAY up there in weight, so they get abused big time with the constant weight AND power, so these trannies are more then adeqate. The 4L80 is just another tough 4 speed, and you would have to get a stand alone computer for that as well, so I see no reason going that route, especailly since the new auto's in our truck seems to be handling most of the power pretty well.
But, that is not my point anyway. i was just asking if someone had thought of it, done it,etc....and if not, wondering why not.

 

Why not just get a DTT, ATS, Suncoast, or Goerend and be done with it. Cheaper and less electronics than trying to convert that Allison. Once you've built your tranny with one of the aforementioned builders, you are nearly bullet proof. I think the reason no one has pushed further on the Allison thing is because there is no need with the aftermarket builders on the 47 and 48 RE's.

 

The big ones won't fit without major floor modifications and you still have the problem of hooking to a t-case.

The Allison 1000 series comes behind the Cummins in a pusher configuration but the motor is detuned and managed to keep from eating up the trans.

The transmission behind the d-max may be an Allison but Allison washed their hands of it when they sold it to GM.

All that aside, the 1000 series is simply not enough transmission for the Cummins in stock form and hopeless when the engine is powered up.

The Aisin is going to be an interesting option but I suspect the electronic controls that they implement will be the deciding factor in feasability and cost. What you gain may just not be enough to offset the cost.

 

I figure size was an issue, and tha tis why next time I am out there, I am going to take some measurements. Not real concerened about the 1000 as I know that is not enough tranny.

 

I have a 6 speed manual, because I did not want a 4 speed auto, all my friends own auto's, and my Powerstoke had an auto that I blew up, and had BTS go through it, built to the hilt. BUT, it was still a 4 speed suto . I like to be different, and I do not want a 48RE, if I did, I wold have bought an auto truck. What I want, is something different. I like tinkering with things, making things, and no one I know has the Big Series Allison 470's and such in their truck. The only thing that would hold ME up is the electronics, but I know if someone could figure out a box for it, I would have NO problme cutting up my floor for it. And once again, since some are built (as I stated above) to handle 600 HP and 1800 lb ft of torque, AND the weight of an RV, it will last FOREVER in my truck. And since I have a 2WD, I am not concerened about a transfer case either. Maybe I should have posted earlier, I am not worried about a tranny holding 5, 600 horespower or whatever, as my truck will be making in the vicintiy of 400 at the flywheel, and I wil not be taking any furhter then that. I just like the "dare to be different" appoach to things. I can not STAND to be the same as everyone else...I bought a Powerstroke, and seemed everywhere I turned, Powerstoke's, including the majority of my friends. IN my area, more PSD and DMaxes, so I bought a CTD and a 6 speed. And I love them both, and the ONLY tranny that will find it's way into my truck is the Allison other then my 5600. And, if I can not do that, then the 5600 will stay. Not a matter of will it hold this or that, and you can't do it...as I think any thing can be done with enough determination and a little fab work (I have/run a fab shop) That's all. Make any sense now