Auto Trannys
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 4
I have heard bad things about all dodge trannys, behind gas and diesel engines. Even in the passenger cars and mini-vans. I hope now that dalmier-benz bought the company they can improve on the trannys.
I have no clue why they are so weak. One guess I can come up with is the diesels make gobs of torque. Torque causes slippage in the torque converter. Slippage causes heat and heat kills trannys.
I have no clue why they are so weak. One guess I can come up with is the diesels make gobs of torque. Torque causes slippage in the torque converter. Slippage causes heat and heat kills trannys.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I read an article one time about how most of the failure of chrysler trannys is people using the wrong tranny fluid. Other than that, of course there are a lot of people on FTE who believe everything Dodge is junk, and therefore believe their trannies are junk.
I do know most chrysler front wheel drive cars have the trannys die in the early 100,000s, but otherwise, I haven't heard much about them. I also read an article yesterday saying DC has spent millions improving engines and trannys, so hopefully they have been getting better.
I do know most chrysler front wheel drive cars have the trannys die in the early 100,000s, but otherwise, I haven't heard much about them. I also read an article yesterday saying DC has spent millions improving engines and trannys, so hopefully they have been getting better.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,518
Likes: 2,826
Let me just hope in here and say I think all the current auto trannys that trace their design back to Howard W. Simpson in 1955 are a joke.
A new design is badly needed. I have hopes for the electronically controlled double clutch "automatic" manual tranny, as seen in one or two exotics at present.
Yea, I know your C6 went 250000 miles or you have one of the 1 in 10 exploders that didn't throw a tranny, but I say they are all junk and prone to failure and take too much power to run.
Can we have an improvement, please????
A new design is badly needed. I have hopes for the electronically controlled double clutch "automatic" manual tranny, as seen in one or two exotics at present.
Yea, I know your C6 went 250000 miles or you have one of the 1 in 10 exploders that didn't throw a tranny, but I say they are all junk and prone to failure and take too much power to run.
Can we have an improvement, please????
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Wow, 85 you really need to look at the modern transmissions. I have a 200c (one of GMs worst ever) with 250k on it, I have an AOD with 300k on it, and I have an E40D that is starting to go out at 136k. THe big problem with the dodge autos is lack of quality. In an effort to keep up with needs they let a bunch of bad ones out. Many people have had all kinds of trouble the entire dodge driveline, not just the trans, but also the diffs eating themselves, and other nice things. No auto is perfect by any means, but saying they are all junk is just BS. 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. The weakest link in a manual is the clutch, and in an auto it's the TC. If you have a well built transmission and torque converter it will often require less maintenance that a manual.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,518
Likes: 2,826
Well, as usual, there is the opposite argument.
Do you think your seemingly quite good experience is normal?
I suppose any new design could be made failure prone by bean counters and poor assembly.
I submit that modern auto's may not be as pathetic as my experience, but I still say an improvment in design which incorporated toughness, simplicity, and reduced power loss would be welcome in all corners.
Do you think your seemingly quite good experience is normal?
I suppose any new design could be made failure prone by bean counters and poor assembly.
I submit that modern auto's may not be as pathetic as my experience, but I still say an improvment in design which incorporated toughness, simplicity, and reduced power loss would be welcome in all corners.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
The new autos are alot more reliable, and less power robbing. THe advent of new light materials has helped alot.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
i had a 01 dakota with the 4.7 and auto trans. the trans failed at just over 40 , when we pulled it and looked inside it looked to me like a zf design. "i'm a vw shop forman" the clutches were worn out from what I THINK was poor assembly of the packs as far as setup clearence , also the bearing in the convertor feel out , I PERSONAL think its just poor quality parts ,
i have to heard from way to many people that thiers also failed so it seems like whats up? one of these had 695 miles on it. these germen designed zf's are normally bullit proff "if this is a zf"
i also fund out from alldata the the tsb site that they had a tcm reprom avalible and it made a differnce in the shift and power feel.but between 36 k and 70k after the warrenty expired i spent 9 grand in repairs trans, front end "now recalled", shocks, rearend rebuild, brakes every 20k, steering rack leaking 'that happens", heater blower resistors every 6 months , a/c leaking into the car "a nother tsb 42 tsb's total just on the 01 with a 4.7"
my PERSONAL feeling is to much of a push for sales and not enough on q control. again this is only my PERSONAL FEELING not others
i have to heard from way to many people that thiers also failed so it seems like whats up? one of these had 695 miles on it. these germen designed zf's are normally bullit proff "if this is a zf"
i also fund out from alldata the the tsb site that they had a tcm reprom avalible and it made a differnce in the shift and power feel.but between 36 k and 70k after the warrenty expired i spent 9 grand in repairs trans, front end "now recalled", shocks, rearend rebuild, brakes every 20k, steering rack leaking 'that happens", heater blower resistors every 6 months , a/c leaking into the car "a nother tsb 42 tsb's total just on the 01 with a 4.7"
my PERSONAL feeling is to much of a push for sales and not enough on q control. again this is only my PERSONAL FEELING not others
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: calgary
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Let me just hope in here and say I think all the current auto trannys that trace their design back to Howard W. Simpson in 1955 are a joke.
A new design is badly needed. I have hopes for the electronically controlled double clutch "automatic" manual tranny, as seen in one or two exotics at present.
Yea, I know your C6 went 250000 miles or you have one of the 1 in 10 exploders that didn't throw a tranny, but I say they are all junk and prone to failure and take too much power to run.
Can we have an improvement, please????
A new design is badly needed. I have hopes for the electronically controlled double clutch "automatic" manual tranny, as seen in one or two exotics at present.
Yea, I know your C6 went 250000 miles or you have one of the 1 in 10 exploders that didn't throw a tranny, but I say they are all junk and prone to failure and take too much power to run.
Can we have an improvement, please????
This is a totally accinine statement
first of all not all modern trannies use the simpson gear set, which I might add is a very very good design
A good automatic is very efficent and durrable and has many advantages over a manual
Honestly if you don't have anything of value to say just refrain from posting please
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
An interesting statement, but not necessarly assinine.
Personally, I believe he raises a good point. Virtually every automatic transmission ever made (except the CVT) works the same way, and normally won't last more than 200,000 miles at best. I'm not saying there's a problem with it, but IMO we have the technology to do better. It would be interesting to see what can happen with a totally new design, one that doesn't use conventional automatic tranny workings.
On the other side, they have been steadily improving the automatic tranny, and there has been a lot of progress recently. Now, 4-speed autos are standard, and 5 speeds are getting to be common. Some of the high end cars and trucks are getting 6 speeds, as well.
Connecting Rodd, IMHO that post followed the FTE guidelines, hasn't insulted or degraded anyone or any group, and was meant with good intentions. Yours I can't say that much for. At the risk of being offensive, I suggest you read the FTE guidelines.
Personally, I believe he raises a good point. Virtually every automatic transmission ever made (except the CVT) works the same way, and normally won't last more than 200,000 miles at best. I'm not saying there's a problem with it, but IMO we have the technology to do better. It would be interesting to see what can happen with a totally new design, one that doesn't use conventional automatic tranny workings.
On the other side, they have been steadily improving the automatic tranny, and there has been a lot of progress recently. Now, 4-speed autos are standard, and 5 speeds are getting to be common. Some of the high end cars and trucks are getting 6 speeds, as well.
Connecting Rodd, IMHO that post followed the FTE guidelines, hasn't insulted or degraded anyone or any group, and was meant with good intentions. Yours I can't say that much for. At the risk of being offensive, I suggest you read the FTE guidelines.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Valley, NE
I think that most of the trans. failures I have been around were a result of too much heat from exceeding what the trans. was designed to do. Such as towing large loads with a 1/2 ton truck, or neglecting to change trans. fluid.
I am done with 1/2 ton trucks, all my stuff is 3/4 or 1 ton, just because I want heavy duty parts. I have burned up too many 1/2 ton Suburban trannies and rearends.
I change fluid every 30k, put synthetic gear lube in all my trucks.
I have heard horror stories from Durango owners about short trans. lifespans. But don't have any experience with Dodge, just Ford and Chevy.
Greg58
I am done with 1/2 ton trucks, all my stuff is 3/4 or 1 ton, just because I want heavy duty parts. I have burned up too many 1/2 ton Suburban trannies and rearends.
I change fluid every 30k, put synthetic gear lube in all my trucks.
I have heard horror stories from Durango owners about short trans. lifespans. But don't have any experience with Dodge, just Ford and Chevy.
Greg58
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 593
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
Let's see... I've had the following autos:
Torqueflite 727 - 208,000 miles
TH-350 - 110,000 miles
TH-400 - 130,000 miles
C6 - 100,000 miles
AOD - 150,000 miles
ZF 4 spd behind a BMW V12 - 180,000 miles
Of these, the only failure I had was the TH-350, after I put a 450hp small block in front of it. The rest were sold running fine. I'll bet the Borg Warner T5 is more failure prone than most automatics.
Torqueflite 727 - 208,000 miles
TH-350 - 110,000 miles
TH-400 - 130,000 miles
C6 - 100,000 miles
AOD - 150,000 miles
ZF 4 spd behind a BMW V12 - 180,000 miles
Of these, the only failure I had was the TH-350, after I put a 450hp small block in front of it. The rest were sold running fine. I'll bet the Borg Warner T5 is more failure prone than most automatics.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
i think we have raised some good points here, maintinance is always a major cause of staying put long and oil is cheaper,
i'm not sure how many companys are going this route as i'm a vw tech. the bettle convert is the first that I KNOW of its auto trans is a 5 speed with 2 clutch packs no sun gears, its really a 5 speed shifted by the clutch packs, the new jetta coming in march will have a 6 speed auto of the same design. maybe we are very close to some new very strong autos?
i'm not sure how many companys are going this route as i'm a vw tech. the bettle convert is the first that I KNOW of its auto trans is a 5 speed with 2 clutch packs no sun gears, its really a 5 speed shifted by the clutch packs, the new jetta coming in march will have a 6 speed auto of the same design. maybe we are very close to some new very strong autos?
