Re: Tranny repl; was Re: Auto vs 5-spd; was Re: 1998 Dakota R/T (questionabout the R/T!)

From: Klaus Wilkens (klaus@buffnet.net)
Date: Sun Oct 12 1997 - 10:23:26 EDT


Dick Campagna wrote:

> ----------
> > From: Rob Agnew <ragnew@islandnet.com>
> > To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> > Subject: Re: Auto vs 5-spd; was Re: DML: 1998 Dakota R/T
> (questionabout
> the R/T!)
> > Date: Friday, October 10, 1997 11:48 AM
> >
> > At 08:33 AM 10/10/97 -0400, you wrote:
> > >In a message dated 97-10-10 06:34:20 EDT, you write:
> > >
> > ><< Will Tier - The Cummins engine in the 5-speed Dodge Ram (which
> has a
> > > "granny" first gear) is more powerful than the Cummins in the
> automatic
> > > Dodge Ram. Apparently, the automatic can't take the engine's
> torque,
> so
> > > they have to de-rate it. Which one would ". . . fade away in
> (the)
> > > rearview mirror?" >>
> > >
> > >Never did care for them stinky, noisey hard starting diesels and am
> not
> > >familiar with them or their tranny's but I know a guy who has one
> and
> his is
> > >a automatic which he loves. Hauls a horse trailer back and forth to
>
> Florida
> > >and told me he just sets the cruise on 70 and kicks back, up hill
> down
> hill
> > >no clutching or shifting just relaxation. Says he leaves them
> sticks
> right in
> > >the dust looking for the right gear. I never knew him to be
> untruthful
> > >though...
> > >
> > >Bill
> > Spoke with my friend who owns an RV shop, re: Dodge Cummins, after
> > watching them pass all the Chevs and Ferds in the mountains, all
> pulling
> BIG > 5th wheels. It seems that the automatic is the transmission of
> choice for
> > towing mainly because of the gear ratios of the 5 speed...too wide a
>
> spread
> > in the higher gears.
> > Rob Agnew
> > ragnew@islandnet.com
> > Victoria, B.C.
> > Canada
>
> Rob, While that MAY be true (I don't know), the automatic is more
> problematic than the 5-speed under the diesel's big torque, according
> to
> the folks on the various RV newsgroups/lists, who often tow 12,000
> pound
> trailers. So, in general, they have stated they prefer the stick. A
> big
> disadvantage for the stick, though (reportedly a German Getrag
> tranny), is
> that it reportedly has to be replaced as a unit if it goes bad, 'cause
> it
> can't be repaired! I'm not sure about that, either. I'm sure that'll
> cost
> at least a fortune.
>
> Dick (& Geri) Campagna, Mt Laurel, NJ campagna@nothinbut.net
> (Per favore, non mi rompere i coglioni. Grazie!)

To amplify on Dick's comments - Automatics do not perform as reliably
under extreme use conditions as manuals because of the heat generated
internally.

The Cummins is detuned in both the automatic and std shift version. I
believe it is a marine engine adapted for use in the Ram, I also have
read that it has increased HP and Torque for 98 or 99 and there have
been concerns over the durability of both transmissions with the
increased power. I have not seen or heard any folow up so this may go
into the area of rumors for now.

KW



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