The only auto trans I'd even consider is the Allison. The Torqshift is blowing up all over the place and lots of people don't like them, say they hunt gears like crazy. Dodge still has a hard time making a tranny that lasts more than 100k miles behind the Cummins, if you don't beleive that then you're fooling yourself.
RJ's right. I'm just saying that for a "light duty" (1 ton) truck, even up to the point it's "over loaded" is fine with the IFS, and it drives SO much better (especially heavily loaded). And I'll agree that service can be more money, these trucks get well over 100k without major service (other than the idler that usually goes out between 80-120k) as long as you do routine maintenance. Of course if you start "cranking the bars" like so many do, you run into dramatically shortened life span and resulting additional cost. Frankly, IMO, there is just no need to "crank" or "level" it if your going to use it for more than a grocery getter or poser. It makes no sense to me to try to build one of these IFS trucks into a serious off-road truck, so no need for bigger than 33" tires, which fit stock. And "leveling" ruins the truck for hauling. But if you need a real "tow rig" and all around hoss that is fun and comfortable to drive long distance with a load, or just around town, GM wins hands down I'm also a fan of the Alison, but even it could use some improvement. I really HATE the adaptive shifting. If you drive sane most of the time, then want to play a little, the stinking trans shifts soft and slow for the first few hard runs. I find myself forced <grin> to "hot dog" it more than I otherwise would just to keep the trans from softening up.
Hey Russ Slap a pic in the gallery of your rig, I would like to see a pic with the 285's, as this will be my next tire size.
Thanks, do you have one that I can see the tires a little better? You run the same stock alum wheels as I do even though a newer body style:
Best one I've got, not much better though. And I really like those "forged aluminum" wheels. Thought about after markets, but not worth the cost and frankly couldn't find any I really like better.
And if you need more than this maybe you need to jump up to a Freightshaker. But I would hate to drive a class 7 or 8 truck as a DD.
You must not have read up much on the 48RE, it's total trash. You contradicted yourself. You want the floor shifter dependability but you feel that the CAD is acceptable. I'm glad that I don't have a CAD to worry about, they're worse than ESOF.
100% agreement on that one, it's just fluff to appeal to the soccer moms so they don't have to get out and lock the hubs when the grass is wet at a soccer game. RJF, just because it's on the truck you own doesn't mean it's automatically the best.
Exactly. I'll be the first to admit it. My new truck has NO hubs, and NO CAD. The front driveshaft spins ALL THE TIME. I'm not too fond of that either...but it beats having a CAD.
I never said what I have is the best. But I do like my system that my truck has. I have lock outs on my K5 and after not having to do that routine anymore I have been spoiled. I personally don't like having to get in and out for the hubs, especially around here on the ranch because I'll be in and out of 4wd 3 tims in 1 hour going from road to dirt..and back on the road to the next ranch...and back in the dirt. I usually just leave the hubs locked on the K5 but then I'll forget and drive to town. The CAD system has a bad rep, I relize that and there are better setups. BUT.... I have the reliability of the lever shifting tcase with a little "convienance" of not having to get out mixed in, it's a happy medium for me. Regardless, I'd take the CAD setup over having the front shaft always spinning. The main times I use 4wd in my Dodge is up in the mountains snowmobiling. After riding 100miles on a snowmobile and ranking a couple of them out after getting stuck a few times, the last thing I want to do is lean over and have to lock hubs in and out in the freezing dark. If the CAD setup ever fails on me I'll go with the Posi lock deal.
I was thinking that too when I wrote it and figured you or someone would come along to point it out. THe way I look at it is I have one reliable part (floor shifter) and one conviencance thing that is not as reliable as lockouts but it's better than having BOTH the buttons and coil or electric selanoid setup that the chevies have.
That is were I'm commin from too. My K5 is my wheeler. I needed a towrig that I could drive for 20hrs straight and not be all busted up from the drive. For dsome reason I cannot get this pic to upload intothe gallery here?? It keeps saying No Pic found? Anyway I love my 05, hell I already have 8900 miles on it I drive it EVERYWERE.
Steve, you uploaded your pic, I think that message just means that the software couldn't find anymore pics to upload.
Weee, I love Chevy! (Although I would have rather had a GMC but the price and unavailability of the nv4500 prevented that). I'm tickled pink about my 2500HD with all of 520 miles on it as of tonight.
Good looking truck! I am sure you will love it. My parents have an '03 6.0, and they tow a 31' fifth wheel camper all over the place with plenty of power (for a guy in his 60's anyway ) and great gas mileage (9-11 towing).
