8-Speed

[sierraslt7]

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/07/gm-half-ton-trucks-gain-eight-speed-auto-6-2l-v8.html

[Silverado-Hareek]

I'm surprised they're doing this. In a few years the 10 speed tranny co-developed between Ford and GM will be out for both makers' trucks. Personally, I prefer less gears which is why I sprang for the 2014 to ensure I was getting a time tested 6-speed transmission.

[newdude]

Launch will probably be like the 6L80 when it debuted. Start with big motor/trim levels and trickle down over a model year or two.

[DanMan_S]

Finally! I was waiting for the 8 speed before I upgraded!

[MikeNH]

Whatever. Six speed works great with the tune. These new setups are just for fuel economy, the Ram I drove with one was powerful off the line but sluggish the rest of the time. I'm sure it'll filter down to all the engines over a couple years but I can't get excited about this, the 6 speed is a great match for all the V8s. I can see the benefit of this stuff in cars with weak engines but even the 4.3 seems like it does decent when just driving the truck.

[TxTruckMan]

I'm glad mine has the 6 speed. I couldn't stand all that shifting all the time. For what? 1 mpg? Maybe?

[fondupot]

cant wait for the all new 2020 Silverado Eco featuring 2.12 gears, a 2.3L inline 3 cylinder motor, and 39.5 speed transmission.

[losky79]

cant wait for the all new 2020 Silverado Eco featuring 2.12 gears, a 2.3L inline 3 cylinder motor, and 39.5 speed transmission.

 

Don't forget the "Cylinder deactivation" which takes it down to 1 cylinder!!!

[fondupot]

 

Don't forget the "Cylinder deactivation" which takes it down to 1 cylinder!!!

And 2 wheel mode that tilts the truck onto 2 wheels to decrease rolling resistance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone.

['01LS1]

I'm glad mine has the 6 speed. I couldn't stand all that shifting all the time. For what? 1 mpg? Maybe?

 

Do you notice much of a difference from the old 4 speed in terms of having to deal with a truck shifting?

 

The more gears, the more you can dial in BOTH power & fuel economy.

The 8 speed was the main reason I test drove a Ram & was the only part of the truck I wanted to leave the dealership with.

To each their own, but in my opinion the K2's should have rolled out day one with the 8 speed box.

[MikeNH]

It is very engine dependent on what gains you see. The best example I can come up with is the current Dodge Avenger/Chrysler 200. The bottom end ones have a 4-speed auto that once you reach highway speeds can only dump down to 3rd gear and on some not so steep grades in upstate NY, all downshifting did was make more noise. The car ran out of go. Merging on the highway is scary as hell because it just can't put power down at speed, 2nd gear runs out and it falls flat on it's face in 3rd. The 6-speed is much better matched to the engine. It also lets you start off in 5th gear.

[Imcrazy]

I like my six speed. My in-laws have a jeep with a 9 speed. It shifts wayyyy too much! I dunno if the K2 trucks will be good with two more gears I'm open minded.

[soltys]

What I don't understand is when cruising on the highway, the final gear ratio is still the same. So 6, 8, 10, hell 16 gears, when I'm cruising on the highway, my final revs are going to be the same for all the transmissions. Then only thing it's going to do is start searching more when I get into anything but perfectly flat road. No thanks. I'll keep my 6-speed.

[j-ten-ner]

I think the high gear numbers come in handy when I tow a heavy trailer.

Why else have semis 16-gear boxes?

 

For a truck as a commuter (that's what I use my truck for mostly) is the 6 speed way enough.

 

So why not leave it optional? Oooh ya...the EPA.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[KARNUT]

If they give you 513 gears and overdrive the trans the gas mileage would go up. It would be a lot easier to move the mass. Your seeing V6 cars now with 0 to 60 times that were unheard of a few years ago it all in the transmission. The fuel mileage in town is where you see the most gains I would expect.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk