Why do you Cummins guys want more gears

Cummins12V98 wrote:
There is NOTHING in writing stating RAM is changing transmissions.

There has been talk of a REAL Allison also.

Is there something wrong with the fake Allison? I have had 7 of them never spent a dime on one except to change the fluid. As long as they work they should, I could care less if its a 'Real" Allison or GM's version of a "Real Allison".

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

wilber1 wrote:
I would like more gears. An eight speed in my truck that worked like the ZF in my car would make me a very happy boy.

Is there a chance you’ll get your wish?
ZF8AP

video

The auto neutral idle was interesting to hear about 5% fuel mileage improvement. My 2018 HO Aisin did not feel like it was straining against the power train that much at idle. Now our 2020 Ford Edge ST will start moving the minute you remove your foot from the brake at idle. So it's autostop feature most likely does help with fuel mileage. I installed an Autostop Eliminator module that just remembers the override button position when the vehicle is turned off, as I hate the autostop feature. It is something that my mid 70's aged brain just does not want to buy into! Like why the h e double l would I want my car or truck to do that.

I simply removed the module attached to the battery on our Grand Cherokee. I hate the stop/start feature also.

On the Fords that screws up the intelligent charging.

I believe ZF is targeting the NA heavy pick up truck market with this transmission ... whether Ram is going to switch or not I have no idea but I did read an article that suggested it could happen in 2023.

As far as my motive in this thread goes I was really wanting to praise the 2021 Cummins for its flat power curve. I think many people fail to recognize how well the gear ratios of the Aisin work with the Cummins power curve. Even though I know more gears will make little difference to the Cummins ability to pull hills (it doesn’t need more gears for pulling hills) I really hope to see the Cummins get mated to this new ZF 8 speed.

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Those that support adding gears gears understand that it will improve the overall driving experience. It isn't just about some timed test running heavily loaded up a mountain that the vast majority of people will never do. Spending more time at less RPMs is more relaxing. It would almost certainly improve MPG. And it would allow RAM to consolidate the platform and offer only one transmission instead of the 68 and Aisin that they now offer.

I'd also say that neither of the current transmissions offer a "best in class" driving experience. Honestly, they are not nearly as pleasing to drive as what either Ford or GM offer in their HD trucks. I'd love to see them go to a ZF transmission. If it was anything like the ZF that Chrysler uses in so many vehicles, it would be a HUGE upgrade over the 68 or the Aisin.

And 4x, that link you have to the ZF is 3 years old. Did that transmission ever come out?

I’ve read that this ZF 8 speed transmission has been developed and tested with the Ram 3500 and is expected to be introduced in the 2023 model year.

Here’s a little more info.

Both links you have posted are three years old. I’d like to see something more recent before I’m convinced it’s around the corner.

This is fairly recent : it doesn’t specifically say Ram but sure makes me think it could be:
Click

Or even more recent

Both of those articles are heavy duty and commercial applications. I’m beginning to think Grit is right about your motives in this thread.

Bionic Man wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Those that support adding gears gears understand that it will improve the overall driving experience. It isn't just about some timed test running heavily loaded up a mountain that the vast majority of people will never do. Spending more time at less RPMs is more relaxing. It would almost certainly improve MPG. And it would allow RAM to consolidate the platform and offer only one transmission instead of the 68 and Aisin that they now offer.

I'd also say that neither of the current transmissions offer a "best in class" driving experience. Honestly, they are not nearly as pleasing to drive as what either Ford or GM offer in their HD trucks. I'd love to see them go to a ZF transmission. If it was anything like the ZF that Chrysler uses in so many vehicles, it would be a HUGE upgrade over the 68 or the Aisin.

And 4x, that link you have to the ZF is 3 years old. Did that transmission ever come out?

I’ve read that this ZF 8 speed transmission has been developed and tested with the Ram 3500 and is expected to be introduced in the 2023 model year.

Here’s a little more info.

Both links you have posted are three years old. I’d like to see something more recent before I’m convinced it’s around the corner.

This is fairly recent : it doesn’t specifically say Ram but sure makes me think it could be:
Click

Or even more recent

Still not specifically saying Ram but... here

There is NOTHING in writing stating RAM is changing transmissions.

There has been talk of a REAL Allison also.

Call your local Ram dealer.

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Those that support adding gears gears understand that it will improve the overall driving experience. It isn't just about some timed test running heavily loaded up a mountain that the vast majority of people will never do. Spending more time at less RPMs is more relaxing. It would almost certainly improve MPG. And it would allow RAM to consolidate the platform and offer only one transmission instead of the 68 and Aisin that they now offer.

I'd also say that neither of the current transmissions offer a "best in class" driving experience. Honestly, they are not nearly as pleasing to drive as what either Ford or GM offer in their HD trucks. I'd love to see them go to a ZF transmission. If it was anything like the ZF that Chrysler uses in so many vehicles, it would be a HUGE upgrade over the 68 or the Aisin.

And 4x, that link you have to the ZF is 3 years old. Did that transmission ever come out?

I’ve read that this ZF 8 speed transmission has been developed and tested with the Ram 3500 and is expected to be introduced in the 2023 model year.

Here’s a little more info.

Both links you have posted are three years old. I’d like to see something more recent before I’m convinced it’s around the corner.

4x4ord wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Those that support adding gears gears understand that it will improve the overall driving experience. It isn't just about some timed test running heavily loaded up a mountain that the vast majority of people will never do. Spending more time at less RPMs is more relaxing. It would almost certainly improve MPG. And it would allow RAM to consolidate the platform and offer only one transmission instead of the 68 and Aisin that they now offer.

I'd also say that neither of the current transmissions offer a "best in class" driving experience. Honestly, they are not nearly as pleasing to drive as what either Ford or GM offer in their HD trucks. I'd love to see them go to a ZF transmission. If it was anything like the ZF that Chrysler uses in so many vehicles, it would be a HUGE upgrade over the 68 or the Aisin.

And 4x, that link you have to the ZF is 3 years old. Did that transmission ever come out?

I’ve read that this ZF 8 speed transmission has been developed and tested with the Ram 3500 and is expected to be introduced in the 2023 model year.

Here’s a little more info.

Second gear is same as the very low first in the AISIN. Really don't get that as the AISIN's first is already like a Granny first in a stick. Only diff that would make sense is 3.42's and then tow in 6th or 7th and have a OD gear for running solo.

Getting on the freeway a bit faster, not a biggie worth trading to me.

Me Again wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

wilber1 wrote:
I would like more gears. An eight speed in my truck that worked like the ZF in my car would make me a very happy boy.

Is there a chance you’ll get your wish?
ZF8AP

video

The auto neutral idle was interesting to hear about 5% fuel mileage improvement. My 2018 HO Aisin did not feel like it was straining against the power train that much at idle. Now our 2020 Ford Edge ST will start moving the minute you remove your foot from the brake at idle. So it's autostop feature most likely does help with fuel mileage. I installed an Autostop Eliminator module that just remembers the override button position when the vehicle is turned off, as I hate the autostop feature. It is something that my mid 70's aged brain just does not want to buy into! Like why the h e double l would I want my car or truck to do that.

I simply removed the module attached to the battery on our Grand Cherokee. I hate the stop/start feature also.