Stick Shift Duramax

[RockinPCRanch]

My dad and I have a dealer looking for a pair of Duramaxs with manual transmissions. I know an Allison equipped Duramax pulls well and runs well but I was wondering if there was anyone out there with manuals and how well they pull with a load and how the stock clutches hold and last over time? we will be using the trucks to haul square and round hay haul cattle and tractors and equipment.

[85-bowtie]

I've never driven a manual d-max, but there are a lot of guys around my area with their trucks broke down from blowing the stock clutch apart. They just don't seem to be holding up as well as the allison.

[hick]

This is just a "friend of a friend" type thing, but i know for 4 that are currently sitting on blocks (stacked rims accutally) cause the guy kept buying them and blowing the damn things apart. Being farm trucks, by the time they blew the tranny they were so beat up all he could do was park them in the back yard and part them out

Please don't take this the wrong way at all... but why would you want a manual rather then the Allison...

[RidinHigh98]

Probably cheaper.

[021500HD]

IIRC, someone posted here that the Dmax was not available anymore with the standard tranny, you'll have to get the Allison if you want the Dmax now.

[Hatfieco]

In regards to the manual versus an allison. I tow with a manual frequently and i know the allison pulls well. But how much is a rebuild for an allison? About 3 times more than the comparable manual. Not to mention factory allison trannies aren't too found of tuners over 100hp. My dodge with the nv5600 6speed got 180k on the stock clutch. At 100k I installed a smarty jr, ats aurora turbo, bd injectors, head studs, and had the head o ringed. I got a south bend replacement clutch for 500 from a buddy and its at 386k now with no signs of slippage whatsoever. My buddy with a manual dmax has almost 250k on his stock clutch. Alot of guys prefer the manual. I know I do. And I think 021500hd is right. I dont even think the 6 speed manual is even an option anymore.

[Mark13]

Originally Posted by RockinPCRanch

My dad and I have a dealer looking for a pair of Duramaxs with manual transmissions. I know an Allison equipped Duramax pulls well and runs well but I was wondering if there was anyone out there with manuals and how well they pull with a load and how the stock clutches hold and last over time? we will be using the trucks to haul square and round hay haul cattle and tractors and equipment.

If your a member on dieselplace go look for 01duramax6spd. He's got an 01 and 03 dmax both with zf6 manuals for his ranch out west. While the 01 is highly modded he knows the limits of what the stock stuff can take. I think he's just the guy you need to talk to.

[01SilvyZ71]

so the allison cant be had as a manual?

[Mark13]

Originally Posted by 01SilvyZ71

so the allison cant be had as a manual?

The allison is a 5spd, later changed to a 6spd automatic transmission.

The ZF6 is the 6spd manual he is referring to, not available after 06.

[01SilvyZ71]

oh alright thanks i was confused. i know the allison is an automatic i just thought they made an allison manual, but i see thats not the case.

[RockinPCRanch]

For us to get a manual in a truck it can't be any newer than an 07 classic body style. One of my main reasons for a manual it's easier to rebuild and cheaper I have seen too many Allisons shell and sen the repair build. When we haul hay we need something that will pull it's self with out nursing it along with the throttle like and automatic so if someone like my sister or mom drives it is nice and smooth instead of throwing someone off the trailer.

[Farmer98]

Yeah the ZF6s were stopped being offered when LBZs came out, as previously stated before. Get a South Bend clutch and you can run lots of power through them just fine I read

[Hatfieco]

Hell if your like me and hardly ever use the clutch they last forever lol. But yeah the southbend clutches are sweet. I love mine. So far its held up really well.

[dozerboy]

You will be looking at 05s and older there where very few ZF6 put in 06 trucks. With the Ally you could make a High Idle switch for the truck you there would be no nursing it. you hit a button and the truck will idle up there are like 3 set limits IIRC 950RPM, 1250RPM, and ... I know you can make them for sure on any of the classic truck but I'm not sure on the 07.5+. Just another option for you.

[rebelbowtie]

arent the manual dmax's de tuned

[Mark13]

Originally Posted by rebelbowtie

arent the manual dmax's de tuned

I do belive they are turned down a bit. But that's simple enough to fix.

[rebelbowtie]

i figure thats because the transmission isnt rated for that much torque

[gr8shot]

there are guys running in the 12's with just a south bend clutch. The tranny itself is fine. Its the clutch that is the problem. If you can find one get it, and spend the money on a good clutch and itll last forever.

[RockinPCRanch]

I figured on the trucks needing a good clutch. I have a friend with a south bend in a dodge and has decent luck he still spins it since he is just putting too much power to it. I know Dad would keep his truck stock besides the flatbed which mine will probably end up with one as well after a while and maybe a few other things done to it. as for the Idle control its just not the same as a manual the transmission will still warm up more than I'd like to see it since there is not too much air brought through the oil cooler.

[dozerboy]

If that did happen you can always upgrade the cooler.