Ram exhaust brake at slow speeds.

[CampingN_C_]

This issue was brought up in another tread and I didn't want to hijack it so..
On our first trip out with the new TV we went to the NC mountains...of course :B. Going up the 6-7 % grade was awesome to say the least. However, coming down didn't necessarily meet my expectations.
Now this was Hwy 226 for all you locals reading. Very twisty and slow speeds. By twisty I mean it was hard to stay in my lane on some curves.
I thought the EB would easily hold me coming down but I'm pretty sure it wasn't on. I had to keep stabbing the brakes to keep the speed down. RPM's were approaching 3K, close to redline. I wasn't really watching the speedo but I'd guess around 15-20 mph. I had it set on auto, should I have set it on full? Or will it just not work that slow.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I only touched the service brakes once on each side and actually had to give the truck throttle a few times and upshift to 5th gear because it was slowing us too much!"

Try using cruise control when descending . Works well. If you need to slow down a bit touch the brakes then hit the cruise button at the desired speed.

In cruise mine shifts down pretty hard when I do that on a hill . It has smoothed up some ,but down shifts in cruise harder then I like. No issues when not towing down shifts very smooth on a hill. slight hills are okay, but steep grades pretty harsh downshifts when towing.

[Cummins12V98]

Bedlam wrote:
I love shifting manually but did not want to give up capacity for my love. I still have other shifters at home to get my fix and only really appreciate the automatics when stuck in traffic.

Same here, when at home I drive a 98 12V 2wd Cummins with a 5 speed stick with a South Bend clutch. Rock solid and dependable.

[Bedlam]

I love shifting manually but did not want to give up capacity for my love. I still have other shifters at home to get my fix and only really appreciate the automatics when stuck in traffic.

[blofgren]

Admittedly, that is pretty pitiful clutch life. My Ford had 110k miles on it when I traded it with the original clutch which still worked perfectly. I will not be a happy camper if the clutch goes out of this truck at 40k miles :M

The Aisin does sound like a great tranny and I probably would have bought one if the dealer had a Megacab DRW with one but they didn't. Also, my truck was a left over previous year model so they wrote a pretty sweet deal on it. One note of interest is that they advised me that the same truck with the Aisin tranny would be $7k more :E. I thought "I can live with some shifting for that":B The price on this truck was pushing my budget to begin with.

If I ever buy another truck and the Aisin turns out to be good and solid by then (which I'm sure it will) I will probably go with it. Guess I'm an old fashioned slow learner :B

[NC_Hauler]

blofgren wrote:


Not looking to get into a pi$$ing match with anyone here, but if one looks at the difference in complexity between automatic and manual transmissions it is obvious that there is much more to go wrong with the automatic. They have tons of electronics, bands, etc. that the manuals do not have. At the city I work at we have had all types of automatic transmissions fail including Torqueshift, all types of Allisons from 5500 Series GM's all the way up to huge ladder fire trucks, and countless Ford 4 speed autos. Rebuilding these units, especially the HD ones costs a small fortune. Some of these failed at very low mileages as well. Manual transmission issues are usually related to poor drivers, severe overloading, and jacking up power levels to much more than the transmission was designed to take.

Newer autos including the Aisins are much better than transmissions of the past but there is still a lot to go wrong with them :B

I don't need to go to the bathroom, so no competitive "peeing"..BUT in the last 2+ years on more than several diesel forums, especially the Cummins forum, I've seen more issues with the G56 tranny and only one or two with the Aisin..I mostly see posters talking about upgrades to the clutch......but This Aisin has only been in a reg. pick up application since 2013 models.

Haven't seen any low mileage failures, but just going by what I've gleaned off the internet and my own personal experience....This is first truck I could actually put in cruise, T/H and EB (aggressive mode), while towing in the mountains on the interstates, and not have to downshift, upshift, or touch anything unless stopping or slowing for traffic issues...As stated, I can tow down, I64, New River Gorge, (7% grade), I77 Fancy Gap very long downhill, I26 from NC border into TN, some 7%, the Saluda grade on I26 in NC, to name a few, and if I let off the throttle, the truck will almost come to a complete stop on it's own without me downshifting or touching the brakes...The tranny has performed flawlessly for me thus far, I'm really impressed with it,,

I do prefer the extra HP & TQ offered by the automatics now (and I do believe the numbers)...stock dyno comparisons have been posted on several of the diesel forums showing the auto tranny producing more HP & TQ than the manual, but maybe it's just a hoax?),

I'm not really into gear jamming anymore, especially in towns or while towing in the mountains...guess I'm just lazy:B.........

[Grit_dog]

Me Again wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

blofgren wrote:


Definitely a matter of personal preference; I like the manual transmission and the increased reliability it gives over the auto. I also don't think that the difference in HP/torque at the rear wheels is nearly as much as the advertised numbers due to losses in the auto slushbox. But that's a whole different topic 😉

What "increased reliability"(?), does the G56 offer over the Aisin automatic transmission:h....Is that just your opinion or a fact? The Aisin is a medium duty transmission that has been very reliable in slowing a 16,400# 5er on some very steep, mountainous curvy roads with no manual down shifting...It's in tow/haul and does a great job with little to no human intervention . Don't know if one can state, with facts that the manual offers "increased reliability " over the automatic:R

Actually the G56 and its aluminum case are noted for several issues. Over heating if pulling hard in upper gears being one of them. The dual mass flywheel that goes with it has issues also. All in all the Aisin would be consider much more reliable. The NV5600 is/was considered a much better manual tranny.

Chris

Agreed. And while my G56 trans is still working fine at only 130kmi, I'm on my 2nd replacement clutch. DMF clutch lasted about 40kmi. (Tuned truck, but wife driven, so mostly easy miles). South bend OFE lasted about 80kmi and wore out. Prolly too much town and city driving?
Got a prototype? Southbend ceramic single disk now that SB said I "couldn't" wear out! Lol. I like that, but it's super stiff and LOUD. 3 finger roller pressure plate rattles like an old 24V!

Pretty sure for my use, either the 68 or the Aisin would still be working just fine with only normal fluid changes.
Next truck will be an auto!

[blofgren]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"I only touched the service brakes once on each side and actually had to give the truck throttle a few times and upshift to 5th gear because it was slowing us too much!"

Try using cruise control when descending . Works well. If you need to slow down a bit touch the brakes then hit the cruise button at the desired speed.

Thanks for the tip; I'll try that. Using cruise control on descents isn't something that comes top of mind :B

[blofgren]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Me Again wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

blofgren wrote:


Definitely a matter of personal preference; I like the manual transmission and the increased reliability it gives over the auto. I also don't think that the difference in HP/torque at the rear wheels is nearly as much as the advertised numbers due to losses in the auto slushbox. But that's a whole different topic 😉

What "increased reliability"(?), does the G56 offer over the Aisin automatic transmission:h....Is that just your opinion or a fact? The Aisin is a medium duty transmission that has been very reliable in slowing a 16,400# 5er on some very steep, mountainous curvy roads with no manual down shifting...It's in tow/haul and does a great job with little to no human intervention . Don't know if one can state, with facts that the manual offers "increased reliability " over the automatic:R

Actually the G56 and its aluminum case are noted for several issues. Over heating if pulling hard in upper gears being one of them. The dual mass flywheel that goes with it has issues also. All in all the Aisin would be consider much more reliable. The NV5600 is/was considered a much better manual tranny.

Chris

At May Madness a couple years ago Stan Gozzi the West Coast Head Warranty Rep for Chrysler was asked about the Aisin Trans and he said "THEY DON'T BREAK". Personally I have heard of two Aisin's with issues they both had casting flaws and RAM replaced both in a couple days. I think both were in 2013's.

I have read of a few issues with Aisins on various Ram/Cummins boards as well. They definitely do break, as will the manual if it is abused.

Not looking to get into a pi$$ing match with anyone here, but if one looks at the difference in complexity between automatic and manual transmissions it is obvious that there is much more to go wrong with the automatic. They have tons of electronics, bands, etc. that the manuals do not have. At the city I work at we have had all types of automatic transmissions fail including Torqueshift, all types of Allisons from 5500 Series GM's all the way up to huge ladder fire trucks, and countless Ford 4 speed autos. Rebuilding these units, especially the HD ones costs a small fortune. Some of these failed at very low mileages as well. Manual transmission issues are usually related to poor drivers, severe overloading, and jacking up power levels to much more than the transmission was designed to take.

Newer autos including the Aisins are much better than transmissions of the past but there is still a lot to go wrong with them :B

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

blofgren wrote:


Definitely a matter of personal preference; I like the manual transmission and the increased reliability it gives over the auto. I also don't think that the difference in HP/torque at the rear wheels is nearly as much as the advertised numbers due to losses in the auto slushbox. But that's a whole different topic 😉

What "increased reliability"(?), does the G56 offer over the Aisin automatic transmission:h....Is that just your opinion or a fact? The Aisin is a medium duty transmission that has been very reliable in slowing a 16,400# 5er on some very steep, mountainous curvy roads with no manual down shifting...It's in tow/haul and does a great job with little to no human intervention . Don't know if one can state, with facts that the manual offers "increased reliability " over the automatic:R

Actually the G56 and its aluminum case are noted for several issues. Over heating if pulling hard in upper gears being one of them. The dual mass flywheel that goes with it has issues also. All in all the Aisin would be consider much more reliable. The NV5600 is/was considered a much better manual tranny.

Chris

At May Madness a couple years ago Stan Gozzi the West Coast Head Warranty Rep for Chrysler was asked about the Aisin Trans and he said "THEY DON'T BREAK". Personally I have heard of two Aisin's with issues they both had casting flaws and RAM replaced both in a couple days. I think both were in 2013's.

[Cummins12V98]

blofgren wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Will the new RAMs having an electric front axle CAD, I wonder how hard it would be to create a 2 Low setup like I had on my 2001.5 with a vacuum CAD?

Seems a single electrical switch might do the trick? Chris

I would be really interested in this too. My Ford had manual hubs which was really handy for 2 Low while backing into tight spots which was much better for the clutch. I have had a bit of clutch smell a couple of times with the Ram after backing into tight sites so it would definitely be a benefit.

I have used 4 low several times with the trailer in tow. Pulling up on blocks and just backing up a steep incline and other times.

[Cummins12V98]

"I only touched the service brakes once on each side and actually had to give the truck throttle a few times and upshift to 5th gear because it was slowing us too much!"

Try using cruise control when descending . Works well. If you need to slow down a bit touch the brakes then hit the cruise button at the desired speed.

[Me_Again]

NC Hauler wrote:

blofgren wrote:


Definitely a matter of personal preference; I like the manual transmission and the increased reliability it gives over the auto. I also don't think that the difference in HP/torque at the rear wheels is nearly as much as the advertised numbers due to losses in the auto slushbox. But that's a whole different topic 😉

What "increased reliability"(?), does the G56 offer over the Aisin automatic transmission:h....Is that just your opinion or a fact? The Aisin is a medium duty transmission that has been very reliable in slowing a 16,400# 5er on some very steep, mountainous curvy roads with no manual down shifting...It's in tow/haul and does a great job with little to no human intervention . Don't know if one can state, with facts that the manual offers "increased reliability " over the automatic:R

Actually the G56 and its aluminum case are noted for several issues. Over heating if pulling hard in upper gears being one of them. The dual mass flywheel that goes with it has issues also. All in all the Aisin would be consider much more reliable. The NV5600 is/was considered a much better manual tranny.

Chris

[NC_Hauler]

blofgren wrote:


Definitely a matter of personal preference; I like the manual transmission and the increased reliability it gives over the auto. I also don't think that the difference in HP/torque at the rear wheels is nearly as much as the advertised numbers due to losses in the auto slushbox. But that's a whole different topic 😉

What "increased reliability"(?), does the G56 offer over the Aisin automatic transmission:h....Is that just your opinion or a fact? The Aisin is a medium duty transmission that has been very reliable in slowing a 16,400# 5er on some very steep, mountainous curvy roads with no manual down shifting...It's in tow/haul and does a great job with little to no human intervention . Don't know if one can state, with facts that the manual offers "increased reliability " over the automatic:R

[blofgren]

Me Again wrote:
Will the new RAMs having an electric front axle CAD, I wonder how hard it would be to create a 2 Low setup like I had on my 2001.5 with a vacuum CAD?

Seems a single electrical switch might do the trick? Chris

I would be really interested in this too. My Ford had manual hubs which was really handy for 2 Low while backing into tight spots which was much better for the clutch. I have had a bit of clutch smell a couple of times with the Ram after backing into tight sites so it would definitely be a benefit.