The funny thing about the "allison" behind the dmax is that it has more in common with a turbo hydromatic tranny than it does a real allison transmission. Allisons don't even have park, none that I have ever driven or seen.
CK5
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Trying to decide on a tow rig...
- Thread starter Shaggy
- Start date
zcarczar
1/2 ton status
I would say 90% of the allisons at work in the new Chevy Class 5/6/7 trucks have park.
84_Chevy_K10
Banned
AFAIK the 1000 series Allison is the only one ever to have park. (IE, the wanna be Allison)zcarczar said:
laketex
3/4 ton status
yeah, but how long do they last? Who do you know that is using one for a hauling or hotshot rig and has 500,000 hard towing miles on it?zcarczar said:
and sorry, I'm not into auto trannies. I like to row my boats!
Shaggy
3/4 ton status
This went downhill...
The Dodge is absolutely 100% out of the question due to the small backseat in the "crew cab". I have no idea when the megacab will be out, but I know it's going to be awhile.
I've researched all of these trucks pretty thouroughly and I'm astounded by the rumors masquerading as facts and reports of problems from years ago that are long since remedied that are floating around this thread and some others in the forum, from multiple parties and in regards to all brands of trucks. Seems like very few people can put their own personal choice of truck aside and comment the offerings as a whole based on the needs of someone else.
I'm still torn between the GMC and the Ford. The Ford would be the clear winner if I had more faith in the 6.0 to hold up to abuse. The GMC has too much car fluff in it for my tastes, but I may end up with it just because it's all there is. I'm still not a big fan of the Chevy, especially when the GMC is there to be had and it's much better looking IMHO. I would be willing to wait a few months for a megacab Dodge, but I have a feeling that it's going to be longer than that. I still may bite the bullet and hope for the best with the Ford, but I need to test drive one with the 6 speed first. I drove one with the Torq-**** and it's a gear-hunting engine-revving dog. One thing is for sure, the Ford is easily the nicest looking truck of the 3 as far as I'm concerned. I wish it were ugly, it would make my decision easier.
The Dodge is absolutely 100% out of the question due to the small backseat in the "crew cab". I have no idea when the megacab will be out, but I know it's going to be awhile.
I've researched all of these trucks pretty thouroughly and I'm astounded by the rumors masquerading as facts and reports of problems from years ago that are long since remedied that are floating around this thread and some others in the forum, from multiple parties and in regards to all brands of trucks. Seems like very few people can put their own personal choice of truck aside and comment the offerings as a whole based on the needs of someone else.
I'm still torn between the GMC and the Ford. The Ford would be the clear winner if I had more faith in the 6.0 to hold up to abuse. The GMC has too much car fluff in it for my tastes, but I may end up with it just because it's all there is. I'm still not a big fan of the Chevy, especially when the GMC is there to be had and it's much better looking IMHO. I would be willing to wait a few months for a megacab Dodge, but I have a feeling that it's going to be longer than that. I still may bite the bullet and hope for the best with the Ford, but I need to test drive one with the 6 speed first. I drove one with the Torq-**** and it's a gear-hunting engine-revving dog. One thing is for sure, the Ford is easily the nicest looking truck of the 3 as far as I'm concerned. I wish it were ugly, it would make my decision easier.
Ok, heres my first hand experiences from one trail outing... Went to the hammers and saw this:
1 - 2004 Ford F350 Dually with 6.0: Excellent looking truck, 2005's are even better looking but it was almost ready to go in to be traded by the lemon law due to surging issues and a bunch of other engine related stuff.
2 - 2001 Ford F350 Dually with 7.3: Again, great looking truck but the thing took 20 minutes to start in the morning when it was cold. Crank it for a while, wait 5 minutes, crank it for a while, wait 5 minutes... This may have been a battery problem though but it cranked fine.
3 - 2004.5 Dodge 2500 600 Cummins: No Problems - Small Back Seat
4 - 2003 Dodge 3500 SO Cummins: Same as above
5 - 2002 or 2003 not sure Chevy 3500 8.1 with Allison: Engine runs good other than knocking and burning a quart of oil ever 1500-2000 miles. Allison pukes tranny fluid out the breather every time it tows, even with a small trail with a jeep on it, trailer gets covered in tranny fluid. Runs good though.
Ok, now, if I had to choose between GMC and Ford, I would choose Ford. There are too many things I dislike about GM besides the engine/tranny's to let me buy one. I hate the squishy GM brake pedals, dislike IFS and the weak ass tie rods that break when you look at them wrong, don't like push button 4wd, not a fan of the exterior looks at all, Chevy or GMC. Ford looks great, I think it has a nice interior and you can get a floor shift t-case and there is lots of room. I haven't heard too many problems with the 05+ 6.0's, actually none. All the problems I heard were 2003-2004 with the first production runs of the engine but who knows. I would get it with a 6 speed manual though, no auto's in a tow rig for me, I love picking my gears on grades, not to mention how nice it works with the exhaust brake.
Dodge Megacab will be out in 2006 so you would have to wait till around Sept. of 2005 to get yours. If you did you would get one of the best backed and tested engines out there but I would get a 6 speed again with this, I don't trust Dodge auto's. The interiors of the Dodges are way nicer to me than the chevy's other than the seats, they could use some more padding. My truck has 93,000 miles on it and it hasn't had a single problem or been to the dealer except for a power steering hose recall when it was about a week old, it didn't leak but they said it would so they replaced it.
When I was tow rig shopping I looked at Ford, Dodge, and Chevy. I didn't care about looks, comfort, or anything else, I just wanted the one that did the best job of towing. I actually paid and joined the Diesel Page for GM stuff, Turbo Diesel Register for Dodge stuff, and thedieselstop.com to learn about and read others experiences before I bought something for myself. I chose Dodge because of the reliability and proven performance.
Anyway, long story short, if you have to buy now, buy the ford, if you can wait, get the Dodge. Either one with a manual of course
1 - 2004 Ford F350 Dually with 6.0: Excellent looking truck, 2005's are even better looking but it was almost ready to go in to be traded by the lemon law due to surging issues and a bunch of other engine related stuff.
2 - 2001 Ford F350 Dually with 7.3: Again, great looking truck but the thing took 20 minutes to start in the morning when it was cold. Crank it for a while, wait 5 minutes, crank it for a while, wait 5 minutes... This may have been a battery problem though but it cranked fine.
3 - 2004.5 Dodge 2500 600 Cummins: No Problems - Small Back Seat
4 - 2003 Dodge 3500 SO Cummins: Same as above
5 - 2002 or 2003 not sure Chevy 3500 8.1 with Allison: Engine runs good other than knocking and burning a quart of oil ever 1500-2000 miles. Allison pukes tranny fluid out the breather every time it tows, even with a small trail with a jeep on it, trailer gets covered in tranny fluid. Runs good though.
Ok, now, if I had to choose between GMC and Ford, I would choose Ford. There are too many things I dislike about GM besides the engine/tranny's to let me buy one. I hate the squishy GM brake pedals, dislike IFS and the weak ass tie rods that break when you look at them wrong, don't like push button 4wd, not a fan of the exterior looks at all, Chevy or GMC. Ford looks great, I think it has a nice interior and you can get a floor shift t-case and there is lots of room. I haven't heard too many problems with the 05+ 6.0's, actually none. All the problems I heard were 2003-2004 with the first production runs of the engine but who knows. I would get it with a 6 speed manual though, no auto's in a tow rig for me, I love picking my gears on grades, not to mention how nice it works with the exhaust brake.
Dodge Megacab will be out in 2006 so you would have to wait till around Sept. of 2005 to get yours. If you did you would get one of the best backed and tested engines out there but I would get a 6 speed again with this, I don't trust Dodge auto's. The interiors of the Dodges are way nicer to me than the chevy's other than the seats, they could use some more padding. My truck has 93,000 miles on it and it hasn't had a single problem or been to the dealer except for a power steering hose recall when it was about a week old, it didn't leak but they said it would so they replaced it.
When I was tow rig shopping I looked at Ford, Dodge, and Chevy. I didn't care about looks, comfort, or anything else, I just wanted the one that did the best job of towing. I actually paid and joined the Diesel Page for GM stuff, Turbo Diesel Register for Dodge stuff, and thedieselstop.com to learn about and read others experiences before I bought something for myself. I chose Dodge because of the reliability and proven performance.
Anyway, long story short, if you have to buy now, buy the ford, if you can wait, get the Dodge. Either one with a manual of course
Shaggy
3/4 ton status
Thanks for the thoughts Jason, that helps alot, actually. I've heard some problems with the '05 Ford, but not that many so far. I really really want to get a truck soon, but I'm starting to think that it might be best to wait for the Megacab. I'm just betting that if I buy it right when it comes out I'll have to pay a small fortune for it. So I guess that I have choices. Wait another 8 months for the Dodge, or settle for something else now and quite possibly regret it later on. Arg, this sucks. This would be so much easier if I didn't have the money to buy a new truck right now.
The current Dodge simply is not an option, I need a real crewcab. I sat in the back of a Dodge and considered it for about 5 seconds, then came to my senses and said no way.
The current Dodge simply is not an option, I need a real crewcab. I sat in the back of a Dodge and considered it for about 5 seconds, then came to my senses and said no way.
Just use the money and put EFI on your k10 and then you wouldn't have the money to spend on a tow rig at the moment .
I would go ahead and buy the Ford now if you have to buy now, 05 F350 would be pretty bad ass, and hey, you could go wheeling for once
.I would go ahead and buy the Ford now if you have to buy now, 05 F350 would be pretty bad ass, and hey, you could go wheeling for once
Shaggy
3/4 ton status
Too late, you already talked me into waiting for the Megacab.
Sweet! I'm getting ready to buy some go fast goods for my dodge
Shaggy
3/4 ton status
It's gonna look pretty silly having a new trailer at my house but not having anything to tow it with.
What kind of trailer did you pick up? It seems as if my dream of actually seeing your truck on a trail in person before I die may become a reality 
.
I was just reading on TDR about a guy with a truck identical to mine that just laid down 940 ft/lbs and 450 hp so I think I am going to copy his setup... Kept it below 1300* too! Since I got stuck with an SO and not an HO I need some more oomph to get over hills, slowest I've ever gotten down to was around 45 mph and thats just no fun! But thats with 16,000 pounds behind me.
.I was just reading on TDR about a guy with a truck identical to mine that just laid down 940 ft/lbs and 450 hp so I think I am going to copy his setup... Kept it below 1300* too! Since I got stuck with an SO and not an HO I need some more oomph to get over hills, slowest I've ever gotten down to was around 45 mph and thats just no fun! But thats with 16,000 pounds behind me.
Shaggy
3/4 ton status
Man, I just read that the Megacab is not likely to be offered in a longbed, just a shortbed. That really sucks since the shortbed is going to suck for a slide-in camper. I may end up buying a Ford after all. I am so damn tired of looking at trucks! Nobody has a dually that I can test drive, and nobody has a 6-speed that I can test drive. God forbid anyone have a 6 speed dually to test drive!
GM has stupid IFS and a car interior, Ford has an engine that I don't trust, and Dodge has a nonexistant truck with a bed that's to short.
I don't have a trailer yet, but when I sell the S-10 part of the proceeds are going towards a trailer. I should probably get crackin on working on my truck again so when I have the stuff to get it to the trails, it will actually start and drive.
GM has stupid IFS and a car interior, Ford has an engine that I don't trust, and Dodge has a nonexistant truck with a bed that's to short. I don't have a trailer yet, but when I sell the S-10 part of the proceeds are going towards a trailer. I should probably get crackin on working on my truck again so when I have the stuff to get it to the trails, it will actually start and drive.
Slightly off topic but technology and the want for more power is amazing. Ten years ago if you could stay above 45mph with 16K that was amazing and would make most people tickled pink.willyswanter said:
FRIZZLEFRY
1/2 ton status
Hey,ya forgot about minewillyswanter said:
Oh lol! Forgot about yours cause it didn't do anything weird, it ran normal
Ok:
Frizz's Ford: Not sure on 6.0 or 7.3 but it ran fine, started fine, worked fine, I highly reccomend a clone of Chris's truck
Ok:
Frizz's Ford: Not sure on 6.0 or 7.3 but it ran fine, started fine, worked fine, I highly reccomend a clone of Chris's truck
FRIZZLEFRY
1/2 ton status
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you drive from the front seat? All kidding aside I really like the Dodge quad cab, looks like an extra cab with forward faceing doors, (I think that is really the market they were after) and looks like it has a chance of fitting in my garage. I guess at the moment I don't feel I need something as long as a semi trailer.
I hope the new Mega cab doesn't make it look like one of those airport limo's.
Burt4x4
1 Ton First Gen
Baaah
Nothing better than a Cowboy Cadilac
The garage is for the K5 anyway hahahahahahah
I still love my rig, it just quit smoking too..nasty habbit to start anyway ahahahahaha
Good Luck Shagadellic
Oh and I'm in hte market for a trailer too so if you find a good one and they have two let me know
Burt
Nothing better than a Cowboy Cadilac
The garage is for the K5 anyway hahahahahahah
I still love my rig, it just quit smoking too..nasty habbit to start anyway ahahahahaha
Good Luck Shagadellic
Oh and I'm in hte market for a trailer too so if you find a good one and they have two let me know
Burt
