What makes an Allison an Allison

[stevensmith2859]

I am partial to Mopar, but also want to upgrade to a diesel. The weak link for Dodge has always been the transmission, but what makes an Allison so good. Better design? Better parts?

[ktvaughan]

I've heard good things about the Aisan trannie paired with the Cumins diesel in the Dodge trucks.....

[railroaderone]

Allison makes Comercial heavy duty auto match transmissions they just made them smaller for the GM trucks.
The Asian (toyota) is a very well matched unit behind the Cummings but it's only available in one ton and above trucks.

[MartyNH]

It's Cummins...Cummins...Cummins!

[Kenny kustom]

The aisin, is a med duty trans.
Very well built. It started in the 5500.

My last 3500 had the cummins/aisin. Very happy.
I passed on a few trucks that didn’t have the aisin.

[stevensmith2859]

So a Ram can be special ordered with the Allison? I didn't know that, niceeeee

[Jim34RL]

I have the 68RFE auto in my Dodge behind the Cummins. The truck has. 106,000 + miles on the OD with no issues with the transmission. I know of several users of this transmission who have had no issues what so ever. I have towed 40,000 + miles with this transmission, towing three different 5ER's. I am now towing a 34RL Cedar Creek.

This transmission was designed by German Engineers when Mercedes Benz own Chrysler. This transmission is not the older transmission that was coupled behind the 5.9L Cummins. Can this trans fail, yes but only if abused and not serviced as required. Just like an Allison can!

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by stevensmith2859

I am partial to Mopar, but also want to upgrade to a diesel. The weak link for Dodge has always been the transmission, but what makes an Allison so good. Better design? Better parts?

Dodge transmissions are pretty solid these days. Even the plain old 68RFE.

[UT_Grandpa]

I think there is some confusion between Aisan and Allison. Aisan is a foreign transmission (very good product and an extra cost item) and Allison that is installed in GM products. The Dodge Ram has the Aisan in the heavier trucks and various models of the Dodge (Mopar) transmission as standard equipment.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by UT_Grandpa

I think there is some confusion between Aisan and Allison. Aisan is a foreign transmission (very good product and an extra cost item) and Allison that is installed in GM products. The Dodge Ram has the Aisan in the heavier trucks and various models of the Dodge (Mopar) transmission as standard equipment.

The AISIN transmission is available in the 3500, 4500 and the 5500 models of the Ram trucks. This transmission is design for the Ram trucks for extreme duty. The 68RFE is only available in the Diesel trucks of the 3500 and 2500 models. This transmission is also designed for the Diesel trucks duty also. The gas trucks have a different model of transmission

[bscottroberts]

Back to the original question....

Allison and Duramax and are proven combination. They have had minor revisions over the years. The most recent LP5 Duramax is vastly different. However, the combination of the Allison and Duramax has lasted so many years...because it works. Smooth, Strong, great for holding speed on a downgrade.

Not trying to get into a pissing match- but look at the facts. If the Allison wasn't working for GM then they would have gotten rid of them a long time ago. I believe the Allison was originally offered back in 2003.

(Yes, the Aisin is a nice transmission. However, he didn't ask about the Aisin. He asked about the Allison.)

[Comanchecreek]

So here goes the battle. Duramax/Allison is a great setup. As with all of the trucks they have had their individual issues. The Allison has remained essentially bullet proof throughout the evolutions. The Cummins diesel has a great long time reputation for performance and durability. They also have had their issues over their evolution. The only real problem the Cummins has had is that it's been attached to a Dodge all these years. We talk a lot in these pages about Quality Control, and they seem to have had more than their share of issues in that department. Granted GM and Ford have as well. Mid 2000 Ford diesels were some of the worst trucks made from an engine durability standpoint. I own a 2003 Duramax which has great performance, but plan on a set of injectors every 100 grand.
My suggestion would be to go with the truck you like the most. None are perfect. Most handle the towing great as long as the performance matches the load. Each has it's strong points and it's weaknesses. All are pretty nice anyway. Just hang on to your wallet.

[Jakieboy]

Our 2008 Silverado 2500 HD/Duramax/Allison 6-speed has given us nearly 10 years of trouble-free enjoyment. I will buy a new one after I achieve about 300,000 miles.


That said, I don't think you can go wrong with a Ram/Cummins Diesel with towing packages. Close friends just bought a 1-ton, single rear wheel Ram for their new 5th wheel, and it is a delight.

[nieforth]

how did we get from Allison trans to Dodge trucks??

[ktvaughan]

Op wanted a Dodge truck with Allison trannie.

[poofam]

Gmc 3500 drw Allison tran all I can say is smoooooth. No jerk in shift points. If you get a ram get the Asia tranny.

[Comanchecreek]

Originally Posted by nieforth

how did we get from Allison trans to Dodge trucks??

He posted that he was partial to MOPAR.
Doesn't exist except for the custom swap guys. Well maybe in a Pete or a Kenworth, but I think he was looking a little smaller than that.
I know a guy that puts Cummins to replace the Duramax's, but he ain't cheap.

[N6ZCM]

I have Dodge 2007.5 2500 6.7L Cummings with the 6 speed automatic with now 140,000, have never done anything to it except maintenance... I have pulled 3 different 5th wheels from 30 to 42 foot. running up and down I-5 the grapevine, to Florida and back several times!

The bull I heard was the transmission is made a 2nd removed third cousin of Allison transmission company so it is suppose to be a bullet proof as an Allison, just different part names. What I read all over the internet is if you take care of it, it will take care of you!

[TandSH]

Just buy a Ford Super Duty and be done with all of the drama and options and special orders and...

[buffalobutt]

Originally Posted by stevensmith2859

I am partial to Mopar, but also want to upgrade to a diesel. The weak link for Dodge has always been the transmission, but what makes an Allison so good. Better design? Better parts?

The Abrams tank is equipted with Allison. nuff said