>
> 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.
Well all you got to do to fix this problem is order the heavy duty groupo
and it includes a trans fluid cooler, so that really isn't a problem,
besides I've seen tractor trailers with autos (And it don't get anymore
extreme than that) and the drivers have said they've been pretty reliable,
so i don't agree with that argument.
>
> 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
You might be right, the Cummins might just have to much power for any
tranny to handle.
Bruce
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