'08 Superduty recall

[Builder]

I was reading an article on the Allison transmission. The article was from a company that takes transmissions including the allison and makes them a lot more heavy duty for trucks that have been modified for higher horsppower. The article talked about what needed to be done to the allison to make it heavier duty. I did find one thing interesting. The allison in stock form can take about 75 horses more then the last version of the duramax engine which should mean that it is good for about 435 horse or so. After that it needs more clutches in the clutch pack and higher hydraulic pressures internally. The article said that in a totally stock truck with the duramax engine there is pretty well nothing you can tow or do with the truck that is likely to damage the allison transmission.

A transmission is only as strong as its' weakest link. You really oughta look at the input, output and tailshafts of these things or just crawl under a truck someday before you buy one and take a dig photo of them. The Allison & Aisin look very large in diameter all the way through while the others look a lot more narrow through the tailshaft.

Another thing you need to ask yourself is why does GM warrant the Allison for 100K, but others do not offer as long of a warranty?

I found one of the previous posts interesting they talked about a dodge pickup with a jake brake. I dont know too much about jake brakes but from what I think I know the jake brake is incorporated into the engine itself and it has to be designed with the brake in it. It is not a add on item. I have noticed several places in towns where they have a sign no jake brakes. I am assuming that is because of the noise ?

Yes, the noise & vibration from jakes can shake homes & rattle windows. Exhaust brakes are usually quieter but less effective than a true jake brake.

 

[Builder]

Builder,

I have been posting in this forum since 4/07, and I cannot recall your "ripping" any other brands than Ford in that time, although I could certainly be wrong--but I am apparently not wrong about my Ford purchase. A quick update: we are still running OK, no major failures yet. Actually, no minor failures, either. And my mileage is really not that bad at 15 in combo driving and 17-18 on the road now. I suppose these 6.4's CAN do pretty well on fuel, after all.

John M

Guess you got lucky. j/k

So you've had your truck a whopping year and you're ready to declare your truck "a great ownership experience"? I'd give it at least 7-10 years, then you can reach a more believeable conclusion.

Most 6.4L guys are reporting 10-12 MPG on the diesel truck boards that are working them in truck like applications. Maybe you run unloaded all the time?

I rip my own truck plenty. I don't like it's lack of ground clearance in the middle because of the larger allison trans diameter. I don't like my lower GVWR compared to the competiton. I get 13.9MPG average in all stop/go driving with a 1,500 lb load of utility body & tools on board and some 12K trailer towing. I'm sure I'd do better with a pickup bed and nothing in it. I don't know my highway mileage because I rarely get a chance to drive on one.

Happy now?

 

[gemini5362]

A transmission is only as strong as its' weakest link. You really oughta look at the input, output and tailshafts of these things or just crawl under a truck someday before you buy one and take a dig photo of them. The Allison & Aisin look very large in diameter all the way through while the others look a lot more narrow through the tailshaft.

Another thing you need to ask yourself is why does GM warrant the Allison for 100K, but others do not offer as long of a warranty?



Yes, the noise & vibration from jakes can shake homes & rattle windows. Exhaust brakes are usually quieter but less effective than a true jake brake.

Builder I have a silverado I love my allison transmission that is one of the main reasons I bought a chevrolet pickup. The article I was reading talked about using it behind modified engines. I have read that same type of article before. If you modify your duramax to over 500 horses the allison in the pickups starts to have some problem with slippage issues. If you are going to spend a bunch of money making the duramax engine more powerful you need to spend a bit more and beef up the transmission. The allison seems to be able to take it just needs a bit of help in the clutch department primarily.


Loaded i get in the mid 13's with my 3/4 ton. Empty I can hit 20 or a bit better if i keep the speed down to the speed limit.

 

[RobertN]

I know some Dodge diesel and Ford diesel owners. ALL of the Dodge owners say they would like a better truck (not engine), it's the truck that gives them problems. I don't know how the new ones are rated. I don't listen that much anymore. But a few years ago there were a lot of problems. With the history I still wouldn't buy one.

But on the forums you will usually hear more complaints than praises.

I used to think I'd like a Ford with a Cummins blah blah blah.

My Ram CTD has been a great truck; every bit as good a hauler and reliable as friends with Ford diesels, better mileage, and as comfortable or better, IMHO.

I had Ford 3/4 ton gassers before; my '89 F250 was a GREAT truck. I would still consider another Ford.

But, my RAM has been great for the last 110,000 miles. I got it as a 300,000 miles truck.

Only thing I miss, is all the truck have impressive horsepower and torque gains since I got this truck in '01.

 

[bandit67]

But, my RAM has been great for the last 110,000 miles. I got it as a 300,000 miles truck.

Only thing I miss, is all the truck have impressive horsepower and torque gains since I got this truck in '01.

So get a mild chip to get your hp/tq up to or above the new ones. That engine can take it, and is pretty inexpensive to get power gains. Just do your research and you can find folks that have gotten good, safe gains without compromising engine longevity.

 

[RobertN]

Funny... Now, my Ford F250 was a little older '89 model. I tore the 4x4 IFS out of it, and put a straight axle in. The straight axle was tremendously better(it was a bolt in; the stright axle was offered on the super heavy duty F250 and F350 during those years).

The truck handled better, wheeled better. It also, turned much tighter... For some reason, the Ford IFS had some limits to it; turn radius was pretty poor. Sure, it was a long bed xcab, but other trucks easily out turned it.

The straight axle is much better in a truck that gets used. A street driver, well, maybe not so much.

IMHO, of course

My RAM2500 4x has been great.

We have a Dodge and that's my sentiment - although we've had very few problems with the truck anyway. I do wish it had independent front instead of the solid axle.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Sounds to me like the problem was the Ford IFS of the time (I think the ancient "twin I-beam" design, aka overlapping swing axles, which is about as crude as it gets). The main issue I have with the solid axle front is control when cornering on potholes. In Michigan this is a near-constant occurrence. Bad potholes in a freeway ramp can make things really scary. I don't have the same experience with my suburban (independent front, live axle rear) or prior Jeep Liberty (ditto), not to mention with the fully independent Hondas I had before those. Oh, and we tow a gooseneck horse trailer up to 10k with our Dodge, it's getting used.

The minor issue of a solid front axle is the ride height. High ride height is nice, until you have to park in a garage. Our Dodge won't fit in a lot of garages; I don't think the Ford "super duty" will either. Chevy/GMC heavy duties will fit in most of those same garages.

 

[JESSE1]

The "twin traction beam" was used on the 4x4 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. Not a real good system. The 1/2 ton trucks had coil springs and the 3/4 tons had leaf springs. One tons had a solid axle with leaf springs. The "twin I Beam" was used on 4x2 trucks and is still being used on the SuperDuties. Much more refined over the years.

 

[Builder]

Ford twin traction beam is vastly different from GM IFS.

 

[RobertN]

The Twin I Beam was also on the 1-tons/F350's. It used a beefier model diff (Dana 55?)than the 3/4 tons(Dana 44 center).

A solid Dana-60 was an option on the F250 and F350.

Those older IFS with that system were prone to sag in front. Rotational stresses on the leaf springs caused them to wear quickly. I know mine did Once I put the straight axle in, all my front end problems were solved

One tons had a solid axle with leaf springs.