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Air shifted manual transmission? Thats interesting...
They do still have to clutch to stop, and take off, the rest of the time the computer does it, this is on the 12 speeds I believe. I was told the 9's have some sort of viscous clutch, rather than a torque converter, the description was like a motorcylcle clutch in the way it felt.
I wouldn't call dodge trannies junk. My 90 dodge dakota has 238000 on it. To date the only parts I've replaced are the water pump,valve cover gaskets, front rotors and calipers. Of course it have been serviced religously since new.
Altough I'am a Ford fan I have to admit the worst vehicle I ever owned was a 76 Ford Granada. I guess it goes to show that all auto makers can build crap now and then.
Like chevy they build crap now and they built it then. BIG GRIN
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Air shifted manual transmission? Thats interesting...
Yep. Mostly found in the rear section.
These "automatic" Roadrangers are actually shifted electronically with solenoids from first through fifth. Then, another solenoid opens an air valve to shift from low to high range, and then the computer tells the shift tower solenoids to go back to first (sixth) up to fifth (tenth) and so on.
I have never seen one of these in person, but I have seen the theory behind it.
I think all auto trannys are not the best design. Acctually, I think they suck. The idea isn't changing the whole design, it is making them work with heat b/c they can only generate so much. Find that point and make it.
If you have ever torn a tranny apart they are interesting things but I mean as far as the modem vehicle goes, there needs to be an improvement. Whoever makes the improvement will be a rich man/woman. There are many different ways. Which probably all of us could list many designs right now. It is the design that can be manufactured inexpensively, last long, and many other factors. Quality control.
Point taken. In reading the posts there certainly are a fair number of folks getting great results from the current offerings.
However, there is a tranny shop on each corner and two in the middle of each block, and they are always busy, so obviously not everyone hits the tranny lotto.
Also, as you noted, all these things have coolers getting rid of heat, heat that was generated indirectly by burning fuel.
So yea, a better design would be great. Stay tuned, I guess.
I know someone with a newer Dodge gas powered truck that had a tranny go at 60k (driven by a woman and given light duty).
A former boss has a 1999 DRW throws a transmission every 60-80k. It does not matter if Dodge rebuilds (the 1st time) or someone else. The fuel injector pump was another $2500, plus, much of the minor stuff on the truck is broken or falling off. The cheapest he has ever gotten off is $2500 for a tranny and it usually approaches $3500.
Plus, I have heard/seen about others, I just know them personally.
That diesel Dodge is getting up to 250k and it is on it's 4th or 5th auto tranny already.
Let us see:
$2500 x 4 transmissions = $10,000 plus $2500 inj. pump = $12500 in major parts and still almost two years left in payments. I would say the Chrysler truck would have been something to dodge.
The real problem with the Dodge transmissions, the FWD included, is the soft shifts. They make the shifts soft by intentionally slipping the transimission into each gear. The other problem with the FWD is caused by the drivers, by spinning the tires, or rocking the car quickly when stuck in mud or snow- the roll pin holding the cross pin in the differential breaks, allowing the cross pin to slide out, tearing through the wall seperating the differential and bellhousing, sometimes locking the torque converter in place.
I have seen c4 and c6 transmissions go over 300k without being touched, aside from having the fluid changed. Of course, these transmissions, especially the c4, are known for their harsh shifts.
"Many manual transmissions don't outlast autos, they have about the same lifespan. There are synchronizs in the manual trans that go out just like the clutches and bands inside and auto."
when the synchros go out in manual trannys the tranny still works, you just have to double clutch. my buddy has an '88 superduty with a 7.3IDI and an 5sp with 351K miles. 4th gear synchro is gone and double clutching is not that hard.