isuzu/Duramax/Allison GM Diesel for 2001

13

Comments

  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    That was me Sovercash1 on the last post sorry.
    I did not mean to hide.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    some more information from my uncle at the local Allison service house. said the allison should have the smarts in it to detect any problems and even shut itself down, as not to burn itself up.

    also said the recommended service interval is currently 50,000 miles, and with synthetic oils, instead of ATF, the service interval on the Allison will specified at 100K miles!! Design life of the Allison is 250-300K miles.

    He has seen this transmission a lot actually. there are many on the road in motorhomes, sans parking paw. Owners rave about the smoothness and strength of the tranny.

    i also didn't know, Allison and isuzu have been teamed up for a while. Isuzu's diesels are on many medium duty delivery trucks in the US, and all of them have an Allison mated to it. so their venture together is nothing new.
  • richardmrichardm Member Posts: 7
    A lot of the bobtail (small box trucks) are powered by Isuzu don't know about tranny. I work for Peterbilt we use alot of Allison trannys in these trucks. They are almost indistructable.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    Every OEM under the sun uses an Allison transmission. Way to many to list. The Medium Duty Isuzu trucks have the option of a Allison or the Aisin(Japan) Automatic.

    I drove a Duramax 7800 in a Isuzu medium duty truck today. I will tell you it was the quietest Diesel I have ever heard. NO kidding..

    The Name of the synthetic ATF is TranSynd it is made by Castrol for Allison. Very good But expensive..
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    Hell, i'd pay for expensive fluid if the service interval is every 100K miles.

    he told me that the little code readers would not work on the Allison, it actually needs to be connected to PC for service work.

    if any was ever needed...

    All the RV drivers with Allison rave about them, say you can't even feel them shift.

    and the excitement builds...
  • burbsearchburbsearch Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for your response of 2-4-00. Sorry to hear that the duramax will not be available in suburbans until 02. We have been holding off purchasing until the new diesel is available. Will have to rethink gas/diesel. Are driving an 89 with a 6.2 and so far it just keeps chugging along and gets 20 plus mpg on the freeway.

    On a different topic, can you comment on the need for a locking differential on a 4x4 suburban? We tow a 6000-lb boat and sometimes get onto steep, slippery ramps. We rarely get into snow and never offroad. Sales people that I have talked to say that the new drive in the suburban 4x4 has something like limited-slip and that the locking differential would not add much except cost.

    Thanx for your help, jb
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    No snow, no offroad, why 4x4 in the first place? If slippery boat ramps are all you encounter, the locker is all you need. And, i believe your salesman might have it wrong about the traction control. From all I've read, 2wd Subs. are now coming with an electronic traction control. Whether it is standard or optional I don't know? I have not read anything that indicated it was even available on the 4wd. If you are getting 4wd, because you just always like to know it is there if you need it, then use the same logic and spend the $250 on the locker, if the electronic traction control is indeed only available on the 2wd. If electronic traction control is available on both 2wd and 4wd, get that, and skip the locker. The electronics will work almost as well, maybe a little better, and won't have any harsh locker side effects. Seems like you could save $2K though and just go 2wd if all you have to worry about is boat ramps. Just my opinion, but I am one of those people that will go 4wd just because I like having it there in case hunting season is especially wet, so I don't really have room to be talk about blowing an extra $2K. Plus, when you talk about a $40K truck vs. a $38K truck, I guess the extra $2k is not really an issue. Hope I helped.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    Rodge350 said exactly the same thing I would tell you..
    The Electronic Traction Assist is only available on the 2wds, so if I where to only get a 4x2 I would for sure get the ETA.
    If I bought the 4x4, I would not even think about not getting a Locking Differential. Even if I got the Autotrac I would still get the Lock Diff.

    I hope we have helped; Not confused....

    SteveO
  • wwhite2wwhite2 Member Posts: 535
    I always thought it was a parking "pawl" a pawl is a simple mechanical device. Sorry if I am sweating the details .But I have seen one person use "paw" many times
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    That was probably me.. That wrote "Park Paw" instead of "Park Pawl"..

    Sorry for the incorrect spelling..

    Steve
  • ezapairezapair Member Posts: 2
    SteveO,

    Do you know if GM is going to offer the new 496ci big block in the 2001 or 2002 model Suburbans? From what I have read from some of your posts, it would probably be detuned and mated to the
    4L80-E, because the Allison 1000 series will not fit the Suburban. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The Vortec 8100 with 340hp and 455ftlbs torque and the 4L80E Automatic(like I said the Allison will not fit) will be in the 2001 Suburban.. Production starts in August... No time to wait, hurry to the Dealership and get your order in...

    Note: The reason the Allison will not fit, is because the Cab sits to low and the Trans hits the tunnel.. The HD pickup trucks have a 2 inch body lift...

    Steve
  • ezapairezapair Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the information. One more question. Will GM beef up the 4L80-E for use with the 8.1L?
    I thought it could only handle up to 440 lb-ft of torque.

    Thanks,
    Erik
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    Yes, the 4L80E will be enhanced to support the torque of the Vortec 8100.. Not sure what has been done, as of yet for the uprate..

    Steve
  • drl64drl64 Member Posts: 11
    Steve,
    I believe your info on the 4L80E being enhanced for 2000 is correct, but it will only be mated to the 6.0L Vortec in the new HDs. The Allison 1000 will be the only automatic paired with either the Vortec 8100 or the Duramax.
    Doug
  • drl64drl64 Member Posts: 11
    I meant the model year 2001 for the 4L80E being enhanced.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    I was NOT talking about the 2001HDs.. I was talking about the 2001 Suburban.. They will have an option of the Vortec 8100 and will only come with the 4L80E.. Remamber the Suburban can not pull a Fifth-Wheel trailer... so it will be limited to about 10,000 lbs.. The 4L80E will do the job..
  • norm6545norm6545 Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone have an idea what the base price will be for the new Chevy/GMC HD 4 by 4 with the duramax/allison?
  • richardm6richardm6 Member Posts: 45
    norm6545
    I saw the Chevy and GMC HD trucks at the Dallas auto show today.Looks GREAT!!!!! The man that was showing the Duramax said the information that he has is that it will be priced about the same as the Ford & Dodge.
    Richard Mc
  • drl64drl64 Member Posts: 11
    May 8 is approaching & I can't decide which engine! Here's what I know I want:
    o Sierra 2500HD crewcab SB with the Allison.
    o Also planning to add 285/16 tires (aftermarket)

    My situation:
    I'll be towing about a 12,000lb 5th wheel (10% use) and use it as a daily commuter (all freeway, 25k miles/yr).

    Pros/Cons as I see them:

    Duramax pros:
    Better gas mileage: ~16 or so highway maybe?
    Longer engine life: Plan on keeping truck 7-8yrs
    Duramax cons:
    Diesel is more expensive
    Duramax option cost more to purchase
    3.73 gears may be too tall with 285 tires
    Wife may kill me if it's too loud
    Vortec 8100 pros:
    Better acceleration
    Quieter engine
    Should be available with 4.10's
    Cheaper than Duramax to purchase
    Vortec cons:
    Worse gas mileage: ~12mpg/hwy? Any guesses?
    Shorter engine life: Will it go 150k?

    Also, I'm concerned 285/16 tires will make the 3.73's too tall (Duramax option). My next door neighbor drives a Dodge/Cummins, & I hear him coming about 5 minutes before he arrives. He likes his 3.42's, but only tows 5000lbs. I'd appreciate any feedback and/or recommendations.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The Duramax is as quiet as the 6.5 Turbo..The Cummins and Powerstroke are not even close to being as quiet..

    I would not even think about only having 3:73 gears.. The Duramax should will be up to the task..

    Take a look at what Pickuptruck.com had to say about the Duramax/Allison

    http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/reviews/2001/gmc/heavyduty/hd_drive.html

    Now what to do!! Hummmm....
  • drl64drl64 Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for the feedback. I did read Pickuptruck.com's article, which makes me feel much more comfortable with the Duramax. Have heard many favorable comparison's to the old 6.5 turbo, but have never driven one. Would you guestimate the Duramax will get mid-teens in fuel economy (unloaded, freeway driving)? I also read last night the Allison 1000 has a steep 1st gear, plus with the 5 gears the splits are narrower - all which helps with taller rear axles, do you agree? ...Also read that Allison is behind on production of the 1000 Series, which could delay deliveries until late Fall...

    May 8th or bust baby!
  • norm6545norm6545 Member Posts: 3
    If Chevy and Isuzu do their homework, the new truck should be getting 14 mpg pulling a heavy trailer and 20+ on the open road empty. That's my guess.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    What norm6545 says is what I expect for mileage.. It may even be a little better.. The reason I say this is because my 6.5 with 4.10s gets 16(I drive very fast) empty and 9/11 pulling 10,000lbs.. I have a 93 4x4 extended cab.. But my Dad hasa 93 Extended cab 2x4 with 3:73 and gets 21 to 23 on the road and 11/13 pulling close to same as I have..

    ALLISON is not going to HOLD GM up...............They will be ready..
  • norm6545norm6545 Member Posts: 3
    After reading the comparison road tests performed by pickuptruck.com, it makes me even more interested in getting my hands on the new Chevy or GMC Duramax. If what pickuptruck.com says is true, I believe GM has got a real winner. I also have to believe that GM has created the new power train so that it will can remain competitive for the next couple of years when Ford and Dodge take another crack at the top spot. I'm sure that after Vortec or Gale Banks goes to work on the after market blowers, exhaust, intake systems etc., that the Duramax will be cranking out even more horsepower and torgue. I'm excited and can't wait for truck to hit the dealer showrooms.
  • drl64drl64 Member Posts: 11
    Does anybody have an idea if 33x12.5x16 BFG T/A's will fit without rubbing on the new 2500HD 4x4? I read the HDs sit about 2" higher than the current 3/4 ton, but am not sure if an additional suspension lift would be required.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    I have a 93 6.5 with 33x12.5-16.5 Mud tires on 9.75x16.5 Weld wheels.. I'm going to take them off this truck and put them on my 2001HD..

    drl64
    Are you a member of www.TheDieselPage.com ? They have the most up up to date info on the HDs on the web,or anywhere for that matter..
    If you would like e-mail me I would try to find out the answers to your questions.. sovercash1@aol.com
  • setifssetifs Member Posts: 3
    I spoke with a representative from Lawrence Marshall Chevy in Hemptsted, TX and he said that the DMAX would ONLY be available in the 3500 HD, not the Silverado series this year and that pricing would not be available until late Fall. Is this info true or has anybody heard anything else?
  • richardm6richardm6 Member Posts: 45
    Setifs

    Everything that I have heard is that the Duramax/Allison will be offered in the 2500 and 3500 HD Silverado and GMC HD. They will not be offered in the LD trucks. I have been told by my local Chevy dealer that they will be available late summer or fall.

    Hope this helps Richard Mc
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The 2500Hd and 3500 series will be available with the Duramax/Allison.. October is more like the arrival time for the first trucks..

    Your dealer will findout all about it come this tuesday afternoon..
  • richardm6richardm6 Member Posts: 45
    Sovercash1

    Do you think GM is going to make an anoucement Tuesday about when they plan to start delivering the Duramax/Allison???? I hope they also anouce priceing. Hopefully they will also have crewcab Duramax/Allisons shortbox trucks by Oct. or maybe sooner. I think late summer or early fall was more wishful thinking on my dealer's part and MINE also.

    Richard Mc
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    I live in Dallas, but I'm familiar with Lawrence Marshall because I went to A&M, and always heard all the commercials. I went there once and was amazed at how many trucks they have. Do you know if they sell many diesels? I am trying to find out who has the highest volume diesel sales, so I can place my order with a dealer that will have a shot at getting an allocation. Thought about Lawrence Marshall, but don't know if they sell many GM diesels. Do you know, or do you or anyone else have any suggestions about finding out about the high volume dealers? I don't mind driving 5 or 6 hours, but the only place I have heard anything about was somewhere in Idaho, and frankly, that is not worth it! Thanks, and have a great day.

    Roger
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    Hey Roger, I'm an Ag myself and drove by Lawrence 100's of times. With the acres and acres of trucks they have, I can imagine they will be getting lots of Duramax's there. If you ever noticed, they have usually 10-15 3500-HD's just lined up on the lot. I've NEVER seen any other dealer that carries 3500HD's on the lot!! They also carry the 2 ton Chevrolets and GMCs, so they trully have just about every truck GM makes on their lot.

    You might want to check with them. I heard from my hometown Chevy dealer that GM is making Lawrence Marshall move closer in to Houston. Something about Hempstead being too small of a community for the allocations and amount of vehicles he moves. Sounds corny to me, if the dealer is moving trucks, who cares where he's at. Nonetheless, rumor is he's moving down Hwy 290 close in to Houston. no idea when, but could affect their truck supply for a few months..


    Sovercash
    Do you know if the Allison will be offered with the 6.0? a friend of mine is looking for a new 3/4 ton work truck and would love the Allison, but feels he doesn't need anything more than the 6.0.
  • leathal02leathal02 Member Posts: 114
    Ray Childress

    Lawrence Marshall sold out a few years back to Childress......
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    didn't he keep the name Lawrence Marshall?
  • setifssetifs Member Posts: 3
    I was in Hemptstead on Sunday the 16th and the name Lawrence Marshall was posted everywhere. I first heard about them when I was going to TAMU and bought a 6.5 Turbo from them when I graduated in 94. Like cdean said, they have a huge selection of 2500 and 3500 trucks with a variety of options. I plan on ordering a DMAX when they come out and I will be sure to give Marshall a chance on getting my business again!
  • leathal02leathal02 Member Posts: 114
    the name is still Lawrence Marshall(the dealership name) but Ray Childress owns it
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The Duramax 6600 will go into production the first week of October and the trucks should start rooling off the assembly line soon after.. I would think the first week in Nov for the trucks is very possible.. The Vortec 8100 and 6000 trucks will be about a month earlier than the Dmax..

    Cdean,

    The 1000 Series will not be available with the Vortec 6000.. Sorry....

    Our dealer here in NC stocks lots of 3500HD trucks all year long... They sell the heck out of em...

    SteveO
  • setifssetifs Member Posts: 3
    Does that mean that the pricing won't be available until October? Can trucks be put on order before October 1?
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    Talked with a salesman over the phone yesterday. He said May 8th is the first day to order still. Said they were expecting a regional product manager from GM to come in and help with the ordering. They will not have pricing available, and won't know when to expect the product to start showing up in the fall. The worst part of all is he said they would not honor the GMO employee/supplier discount on these trucks for at least a year. He said they aren't offering it now on the new Subs and Tahoes, or the regular duty 2500 Silverados, because demand is too high. This sucks for me, as I figured they were the best shot at a dealership that would order one of the new HD2500 using GMO. I will not pay MSRP when GM says I should get it for 14% off! So, looks like I better keep nursing my '90 around for another year! I will continue to check with other dealers about using GMO. If I find one that will I'll post their info, but I doubt anyone is going to jump at the chance to waste a precious HD allocation on a customer they won't make any money on. I am really bummed out about it, but I guess I did kind of expect this to be a problem.
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    May 2nd is the first day for orders.. Pricing will be available in June.. The Dealers should be getting an options package with ordering info sometime late next week..

    Like I told someone else, If you go ahead and order an HD early and then when the Dealers get the pricing info and they give you the exact price, and say you decide to cancel the order there will be 10 other people to take it off your hands.. I kinda doubt that you will be out anything...I can promise you that..
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    Do you know if they changed the front diff for the 2001 HD's, or is it a carry over assembly from the past 3/4 & 1 ton trucks? I know I read they beefed up the entire IFS, but don't remember if it included any changes to the diff, like maybe a bigger ring gear as in the back? Just wondering. If it is a carry over, we'll have options for a couple different types of traction aides up front, but if it changed we'll have to wait who knows how long for someone to make a locker for it, or something. I just hate paying for 4WD and getting 3WD! GM is already forcing us to get the Gov-Lok because of the ring gear change in the 14 bolt, I hope they don't make us run an open diff up front just because! Well thanks, and have a great weekend.

    P.S. Are you all set to order next week?
  • richardm6richardm6 Member Posts: 45
    This morning I read a post on PickupTrucks.com saying that Ford is getting ready for war. The man said that he had seen Ford SuperDutys at deep discounts in his news paper. I went and got a paper and sure enough they have discounts from $3240 off MSRP up to $5708 Off MSRP these discounts were on extendedcab trucks. I hope GM will be trying to keep up with Ford. Thats the only way they can hope to get back in this market.

    Richard Mc
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    sales battle. Why else would Ford discount trucks???
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The Ring & Ginion gear size is the same size as the current C/K HDs.. The housing itself has been beefed up with a much denser aluminum than before and has many more ribbing for more strength.. The Half Shafts have been lengthed about 10mm and ar also bigger than the Current C/Ks..

    I will be ordering my truck in June, may be a little later, I had something asked of me so I may not need to buy one just yet...

    Steve O
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    Thanks for the info. Your wealth of knowledge on the new trucks is a real asset to this board and the diesel page. I am going to assume the current ARB made for the 3/4-1 tons will work then, since the ring and pinion haven't changed. Hope the assumption holds true. Either way, it really doesn't effect my purchase decision, but it is a lot nicer knowing we can have true locked 4WD if we want to spend the cash. Thanks again, and have a great day.
  • morey2morey2 Member Posts: 1
    I wanted to read about the Duramax Diesel but I can't get #1128 to come up?????

    morey2
  • jackal4464jackal4464 Member Posts: 8
    I know all the hype is about the new duramax diesel, but does anyone know about what dodge and cummins decided to do with thier 7.2 diesel that they had in the powerwagon, cause when I was looking at some of the specs on it, it looked like it would make just about everyone go back to the drawing board for at least a few years.... it was supposed to have 780ft pnds of torque. I haven't heard any more about it, but if I was to speculate that is the next diesel that dodge might go with...

    If anyone has heard anything about it, I would like to know more details about it.
    thanks
    rob
  • sovercash1sovercash1 Member Posts: 112
    The 7.2 liter in the Concept Powerwagon was a Caterpillar 3126, running on a synthetic designer fuel..
    Yes 780ftlbs of torque is a lot of power, but Pickups are not designed of that type of power.. If you had 780Ftlbs of torque what automatic would you use? The 1000 Series Allison is only rated at 545ft lbs.. You would have to go to an MD3000 Series. Which is almost twice the weight, is MUCH larger and costs more than double what the 1000 Series costs.... If I want a truck that has that much power I would buy a medium Duty truck..

    Steve O
  • sdpiersonsdpierson Member Posts: 69
    Do you, (or anyone else), know when GM is going to offer the composite bed. My dealer doesn't know. Is there anyone I could call?
    Thanks.
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