Bruce Aaron Hefner wrote:
> >
> > 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 point is automatics generate more heat and heat is destructive, plus
adding an additional cooler offsets the reliability increase (to some
degree) by adding additonal components to fail. Automatics are more
complex and more sensitive to contaminants than Stds, Run an automatic
hard when it's 2 quarts low for any length of time and you'll be
visiting Aamco soon. Granted it won't do a std any good either but it
will survive much longer.
KW
> >
> > 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
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:07:54 EDT