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Old 04-25-2004, 08:46 PM
TomJ TomJ is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Back in Colorado for now
Posts: 1,316
Quote:
Originally posted by psfred
None of the automatics will hold up to the diesel engine's torque unless handled VERY gently, and even then probably have limited life.

Get a 5-speed, you won't regret it. Saves fuel, and if you get a beefy one, will last forever.

Towing heavy trailers with light duty transmissions won't work -- they get overloaded every time. Diesels produce prodigous torque, and the trannies inevitably slip too much, wearing the clutches out.

Peter
Well, it seems that's a mfg issue, NOT a tranny issue. To explain; You wouldn't put a Toyota auto behind a 454 chev, you'd biuld a transmission that could handle the output of the given engine. There ARE truck autos out there that CAN handle the torque, they just build them to handle it. The problem appears to be GM/Dodge using transmissions that are not SUITED to the application.

They positively can build an auto that could handle the torque of a diesel, they just don't, apparently.

Would LOVE a 5-speed, but finding a long bed but std cab USED diesel pickup with one is like trying to find an honest politician. Well, except we KNOW they at least made the pickup!
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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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