The Big 3 - auto trans and manuals in diesel pickups
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: South Indy
Facts from a Tranny shop in Denton, TX owned by my brother-in-law, showed that more Allison and Ford Automatc trannys had to be worked on than the 48RE. Also from a tranny shop owners experince, the Auto is a better towing tranny(check out the HOTSHOTTERS), and yes a modded truck needs a modded tranny.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Skagit County, WA
The virtual demise of manuals in all vehicles is sad. The automakers have definitely accelerated it beyond what the public demanded. When most automakers still offered sticks, they made it a chore to actually get one. I think they liked just building the autos as a mandatory option, as they got an increasingly expensive added option to the sticker price with them. Then of course, they got the inevitible service and rebuilding that went along with the inadequate auto trannies they put behind the diesels. Now look at the GM Allison tranny. They void the warranty if you don't use the exact manufacturer-spec'd, gold-plated trans fluid. How much is a rebuild for one of those nowadays? What, you had to get a 2nd mortgage to afford it? I've owned 3 new pickups in my life, and I factory ordered all three with sticks. My 2000 Ford Super Duty POS-Stroke 6-spd was a pleasure to run through the gears. My 1992 Dodge 5-spd is nowhere near as seamless to drive, but it's still the truck I'd rather have.
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From: CT
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Palmer Alaska
I think it is because the dealer can make more money with the autos. Cost 1000 dollars + more. A few friends were looking at new trucks. This is what happens. They cant find any trucks with manuals unless you get the xl trim or worker edition. So they settle on an auto. I didnt settle, I kept looking until I found my six speed in my 02. I went to the ford dealer and they have prob 200 super dooties. Zero had the stick. Zero. The dealer only orders autos. Money I guess. Make more of it. The sticks only come on special orders. So more and more people dont order trucks so less manuals. On the dodges, most people knew that the 47re was junk unless modded. So if you wanted the cummins motor, the tranny that didnt fail was the stick. Why do you think the hotshotters use the manual with cummins. This kind of thinking lasted for a while until people got to see how the 48re was working. What is going to happen with dodge is unknown, but if the six speed autos work like they should, you will see more and more dodges with autos and less with manuals. Plus they derate the cummins with the sticks. Only a matter of time and you will have to special order a stick in a dodge.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Forest Grove, Oregon
Here is a URL for a PDF on GM trans fluid: http://www.allisontransmission.com/s...5&DownloadID=8 On page 3 it states to only use Dexron III fluid that has a GM number listed on the lable or is licensed. So I guess not all Dexron III fluid is approved for use in the Allison transmission.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Western Colorado
After driving both Ferd and Chebbys with 6-speed manuals I'd say that the reason that they don't offer them (yeah, I know that Ferd still does but they shouldn't 
) is because anyone who has ever driven one of them back-to-back with a Dodge/CTD will either switch to Dodge or go for an auto in the Ferd/GM. Why? Because the manual lets the driver pull at low RPM that isn't possible with the auto. Why is it not possible? Because the light-duty Ferd & GM engines don't make the torque that the medium-duty Cummins does at low RPM. Why? Because both GM & Ferd know that the engine will not take it and so program the ECM to wait until a 'safe' RPM is attained which fits with the automatic tranny scenario. A torque-coverter makes the difference in driveability with a second rate powerplant. Get a Dodge/Cummins and be happy! 
) is because anyone who has ever driven one of them back-to-back with a Dodge/CTD will either switch to Dodge or go for an auto in the Ferd/GM. Why? Because the manual lets the driver pull at low RPM that isn't possible with the auto. Why is it not possible? Because the light-duty Ferd & GM engines don't make the torque that the medium-duty Cummins does at low RPM. Why? Because both GM & Ferd know that the engine will not take it and so program the ECM to wait until a 'safe' RPM is attained which fits with the automatic tranny scenario. A torque-coverter makes the difference in driveability with a second rate powerplant. Get a Dodge/Cummins and be happy!
