Hey guys, Its time for me to get a new truck and I'm torn between a new Dmax or a cummins. I like both trucks and it don't matter to me about Dodge or GM because I think they are both great trucks.
I'm leaning more to the Dodge because of the deal I can get and the cost is very important.
My question is how bad (or good??) is the automatic trans in the Dodge. Im looking to buy a 4 door shortbed 4WD and I will do a lift with some bigger wheels and tires (36" maybe). The only real work the truck will do is tow my sons Motorcycle trailer with two motocross bikes in it @around 1500 pounds and once in a while tow my other sons Mustang to the track. 4500 pounds.
Will the trans live for 150K ? I can't afford to spend the money for a new truck and then have to replace a trans @ 50K.

Keep in mind that my truck i have now ,04 GMC 1500 with a 5.3 has been AWSOME and has towed cars accross the country @75 MPH like nothing and gets 20 mpg empty but now its time to step up.

Thanks,
John

I work full time at a HP trans shop in central Texas... We build a bullet proof dodge unit about every week .. in order to make one bullet proof you must fix to serious problems TQ converter and Valve body .... We Run SunCoast converters and Valve body package around 1600.00?? Heavy duty clutches Band and also Band strut with a Magtech Deep pan ... Trans will then Hold 18-20 qts of fluid conveter holds 6-8 alone! the pan is good for 8 extra qts.. As far as the Allison ..... They dont have near the problems the converters are not alot better for heavy heavy loads and big power adders BUT You will not find ANYONE that wants to work on the Chevy engine !!! HUGE pain in the Muther Fn AZZ !!! my guys will not even work on them after having to pull heads on one hell he almost walked out !! A stock dodge unit will allways go 100,000 They need a shift kit BAD from the factory they are only 300-400.00... If you brought me a brand new truck i would have no trouble getting a sun coast package together for you Converter,pan and valve body installed in a 2wd for 2200-2400.00 out the door

what about a 4x4 package...whats the difference there...

I work full time at a HP trans shop in central Texas... We build a bullet proof dodge unit about every week .. in order to make one bullet proof you must fix to serious problems TQ converter and Valve body .... We Run SunCoast converters and Valve body package around 1600.00?? Heavy duty clutches Band and also Band strut with a Magtech Deep pan ... Trans will then Hold 18-20 qts of fluid conveter holds 6-8 alone! the pan is good for 8 extra qts.. As far as the Allison ..... They dont have near the problems the converters are not alot better for heavy heavy loads and big power adders BUT You will not find ANYONE that wants to work on the Chevy engine !!! HUGE pain in the Muther Fn AZZ !!! my guys will not even work on them after having to pull heads on one hell he almost walked out !! A stock dodge unit will allways go 100,000 They need a shift kit BAD from the factory they are only 300-400.00... If you brought me a brand new truck i would have no trouble getting a sun coast package together for you Converter,pan and valve body installed in a 2wd for 2200-2400.00 out the door

nothing really.. 200.00 extra most of the time that covers and R/I reseal and new fluid and adjustments that need to be made... Like in a Chevy truck with Autotrac in the transfer .. it list for like 22.00 a quart... Alot of times we Run Amsoil in 5 and 6 speeds because it will cut fliud cost alone in half and meets all OE specs .... 8.00 a quart isnt bad till you put 20 in the transmission... 3 in a transfer case and service bolth front and rear axles with extreme duty 75/140 @ 17.00 a quart .. hell you will have 350.00 in just fluids !!

when i say new.. I mean under 40-60.000 miles.... NOT under 10,000 I have only done a handfull of trucks with under 10,000 factory miles in that case everything would be in great shape so not much extra and very easy to save time on extras and clean up time.... If you wanted to do something with your dodge I could for the 2250.00 Range That would cover the Converter,Valve body, deep pan HP band and bandstrut... thats tax shipping fluids out the door I did have a customer with an 04 3500 4x4 with edge juice,exhaust and intake system with out trans tell me he was just at 25mpg at 75mph

thanks for the info...

for diesels I like cummins
for going fast I like chevys