Transmission trouble

[BMullins46]

On our way home from Branson the transmission in my Dodge started shifting in and out lockup and out of overdrive even on the flat. Ran the last couple hundred miles in direct drive. Cost me about 2mpg. Took the truck to a transmission shop on Wednesday, they pulled the pan and there were chunks of material in the fluid, seems the torque converter was coming apart. Getting a rebuild with a stronger 2 clutch torque converter. The shop owner said the torque converter is the weak link in these transmissions. For and GM also have some issues with the factory torque converters, he didn't know how the new Fords will do as they haven't been out long enough. I had started looking at the new trucks, but when I told the mechanic to fix it that all went by the way-side since I can't see spending $4000 then trading the truck off.

[Mike Clay]

Maybe Ford is but have not heard to much on the Allison

[Rob & Cathy]

I can't see spending $4000 then trading the truck off.

That $4000 will look real good when you start pricing a new truck Bill.

Rob

[Travelers]

Bill,You getting that trans rebuilt or a rebuilt trans - off the shelf type?
No issues on the Ford trans.

[bigbunkhouse]

last I heard Ford around 99 had some torque converters splitting, most were replaced under warranty, mine has 235k miles with no issues. Allison....no issues that I have ever heard of. DOdge.......I have heard the auto tranny has been the week link for years, granted I am biased and would drown out any bad mouthing of FORDS...LALALALALALALALAAL im not listening to you...

Somebody correct me if im wrong but is the dodge tranny an Aisin or something like that?

[Chief409]

Weak link for the Dodge/RAM trucks for years.

Jeff

[Olbird]

Dodge, Ford, Chevy, GMC, will never be able to produce and meet the engineering, design, strength, reputation and any other word that can be found to describe the Allison transmission. The largest industrial equipment built today uses Allison, it is basically overbuilt for use it gets on these small trucks we call trucks.
I am just glad I have the opportunity to own the Allison transmission with it mated to the Duramax, if you not a GM lover one may say they will never buy a GM but I must say GM was smart in contracting with Allison Duramax from day one.

As a good friend would say NUFF SAID !!!!!

[bigbunkhouse]

I must say GM was smart in contracting with Allison Duramax from day one.

As a good friend would say NUFF SAID !!!!!

im gonna have to say i agree whole heatedly with that!

[dennis1949]

When mine went out in Branson they wanted $2500 just to tear apart and see what it needed. I sure do like my new GMC.

[snoking]

Just remember the GM pickup have the light duty Ally 1000. It is the 3000 and larger ones in medium duty and heavier duty applications that built the name.

I think Ford and Dodge have done pretty well with their 6 speed offerrngs.

[Olbird]

Snoking, I had the 3000 model Allison in my (GMC Top Kick) and my new GMC 3500 can tow more weight than the Top Kick.
They keep making these transmissions smarter and stronger, everyone knows that it is transmission to copy even Ford states they design there new trans to perform like the Allison for smart shifting and down hill braking.
Allison will not even share major programing with GM, they will send you to the Allison Center to do a computer connection on the transmission that tells everything the trucks transmission has performed.

[BMullins46]

You're right Rob. I started looking at the new Fords while I was waiting on the diagnosis from the transmission shop. That 63K -65K price tag sure made me gulp. Of course right now they are knocking about 10K off because it model year end. I've found a couple of trucks on line that are what I would be interested in, but, since I still have another year to pay on this one, I'm going to fight the urge to trade as long as possible. Also I'm getting better fuel mileage than I'd get out of a new one.

[BMullins46]

The transmission guy said the lighter duty Allisons do have some weak parts due to the cost of mfg and that once an after mkt replacement is installed they work great.

[Travelers]

Also I'm getting better fuel mileage than I'd get out of a new one.

Really? First, I have NO Dodge experience to draw from.
The numbers posted on here by the Ford and GM guys seem to be real good. My last outing I got 12.7 mpg purely towing. And that included a regen. I'M impressed with that!

[Rob & Cathy]

You're right Rob. I started looking at the new Fords while I was waiting on the diagnosis from the transmission shop. That 63K -65K price tag sure made me gulp. I'm going to fight the urge to trade as long as possible.

Rob