Allison Tranny - Diesel Forum

sho91mtx · 08-24-2007, 10:36 PM

May be a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Has anyone tried retrofitting an allison from the VT365 International combo into a super duty?

OMCUSNR · 08-25-2007, 01:24 AM

Why? Whats wrong with the torqueshift? or better yet the ZF-6?

sho91mtx · 08-25-2007, 04:52 AM

Needless to say I melted it at Fun Ford Weekend last week. The Allisons in our Internationals have proven to be bulletproof. One of them has 165k on it, not one fluid change, and it sometimes tows 30k lbs without any indication of strain. If I can put something in that stout I'd be happy. On the other hand, my '06 wrecker has 75k on it with not one problem with the torqshift.

tbsimmons · 08-25-2007, 12:14 PM

I would stick with the Torqshift.
Every Duramax that I have seen at work that guys use for more than a daily driver either break the tranny engine or both.
There is only a supply of about 15 trucks. Most are Ford to begin with, but there are 5 Duramaxes. Tuned or not did not matter. Stock ones blew the tranny towing heavy fivers.

joelykool · 08-25-2007, 04:42 PM

I find that hard to believe. There are a lot of hot shotters with duramaxes with a lot of miles. Haulin' RV has close to if not over 300,000 miles on his 06 duramax without a hitch. I have personally put on 60,000 miles on my 04 duramax with not a one drivetrain problem. Just like anything else, you take care of it and it will take care of you. However, my dad's 04 f-350 blew a tranny when the snap ring broke and reverse wouldn't engage at 27,000 miles and all ford did was rebuild it. Now he owns an 05 duramax for a work truck and an 03 excursion that the torqshift has held up fine. To each his own but in my expirence, the allison is an excellent tranny as is the torqshift but just watch the snap ring issue.

OMCUSNR · 08-25-2007, 05:05 PM

Ahhh -

What I'd do is get Brian at BTS to rebuild it. Then you wouldn't have to worry about all the interface stuff, and have a trans pretty close to "bulletproof".

tbsimmons · 08-26-2007, 03:11 PM

Believe what you want.
One the TC took a crap and took the tranny with it while towing a tow hauler. The other would start to blow through the tranny while towing another fiver. Was fine if you kept your foot out of it.
He last one starting to have shifting problems but would not do it for the dealer, finally they installed a new tranny.
3 out of the 5 Duramax's at work have had tranny problems. One switched to a Ford, 2008 F350 SRW.
Only (1) has over 100,000 miles on it, that one is still going strong. THe others were about 40,000 and less.
I am not saying they are not great trucks, I am actually a Chevy guy, but got a great deal on the F350.SO my first choice was a Duramax, but they were way to proud of them in my book, at least by the price.

Tranny's if built right from the start will have a great life if you keep them cool, dont let the ine pressure drop so it slips to the next gear, and keep the fluid clean.