ZF S6-650 vs Allison
 

Which of the 2 transmissions would you rather have for pulling a gooseneck trailer? I found a 2003 Duramax with the 6speed manual and I was wondering if they are as good or better than the Allison for pulling?So If anybody could help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

With modern automatic transmission technology I see no reason at all to ever get a manual unless you jut prefer them.

I don't prefer them they are just cheaper to buy.It's in my price range so I thought I might as well take a look.

I hate shifting, but some like it and that's about the only reason it's even offered anymore.

As far as quality, both are great.

Operating cost has a big role too. You shouldn't have to rebuild a manual in 500,000 miles, if you can drive it properly. Clutch should last you a long time as well, and compared to the rebuild price of an Allison your talking pennies.

But what about pulling capabilities is the ZF S6-650 manual capable of beating an 01 Dodge Auto?Because If I can beat the Cummins dad owns I might be able to pay for it alot faster.

in my experince i like autos because you can put it in drive then just worry about were you are driving. Allisons are desighned for pulling so they can take the abuse but motoroilmcall has a good point since a manual is going to be cheaper to rebuild

Yeah that is part of the reason for getting one.Plus with the 6speed you put that truck in 1st gear 4H or 4L and I bet it would pull it out better than the Dodge.

I think you will find that most of us that have one are bias and love them. I had a 01 Dodge with the 6 speed and i prefer my Duramax Alli combo hands down. The Alli is extremely simple on the inside and even someone with some halfazz mechanical ability can rebiuld it. The parts are fairly descently priced aswell. You will get many trouble free miles outa it.:rocking:

Yeah I would get the Duramax Allison combo but it's out of my price range and this one is close 30miles away and is cheaper at $18,500 with 60,000 miles.

one thing about stick shift diesels they are slower than the auto's. loose boost with every shift.

but stock for stock the zf6 will tow better than the alison with a good driver.

Interesting thanks for the information.

I got a 03 with the 6-spd and there are very few people that can out pull mine. And as for the speed once you get the shifting down on your truck very few, and i do mean VERY few autos can keep up with it.

u should try to keep up with me:tttt:

Really.I bet so but how does it do pulling the hills?

hey ben are yuo talking about pulling hills or MOUNTAINS?? pulling hills yuo will be fine pulling mountains you will be fine as long as you know how to down shift when you start running out of power. :U:

Hills are what I am talking about.I was going to go test drive it today but I had to help haul corn out of the bin so I didn't get a chance to go test drive it.

I havent had a problem at all pulling any hills. The only time it even lugs down is when im over loaded, usually at around 46k or more. But if you shift at the right time u should be fine.

Alright thanks for the information.

hey kuntryboy what model is yuor truck??

Black06Powerstroke he has a 2003 Duramax w/6speed.The same thing that I am looking at basically.

thats what i thot, until i read he said he was pulling 46K.:humm:

Yeah 46K I can barely believe that but I bet it could be done.

next on a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

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^^ not (instead of next oops)

Sounds highly unlikely that the # he said was so high.It seems out of reach for any 3/4ton diesel truck.

Not really, just severely overloaded and severely illegal. He's talking gross combined weight too I'd bet.

^^ i might buy that one but a 46k load no way

Still duramaxes are the lightest trucks there are, so the heaviest I've seen is 8k lbs. 45,000 lbs-8,000lbs=38,000lbs...still way heavy.:ouch:

I couldn't agree more.That is a hell of a load for any pickup.

Yeah I meant gross, the heaviest i grossed was 51k on a 40 ft trailer, hauling hay that went almost 400 miles. I do drive a one ton and my empty with trailer is 17k so itll do the job and i still did it fairly easy, just didnt push it to hard.

Ok.I think the 03 6speed was sold.

got to make your move or all the cheap duramaxs are gonna be gone

yep when you find a good used truck you gotta jump on it cuz they wont be there long!!!!!!!!!!!

Aint that the truth

Well It might not be sold the guy never called me back.But I asume it is sold.

the other guy probably would pay more for it

He said he turned down a $19,000 offer.Then I matched the offer but he hasn't called me back since.

Good luck, if you do get it its a really good deal.

Yeah I gave up on it.I just don't have the funds for that truck.I don't even have the cash for a 6.5L anymore.

What did you blow your money on?