Drove a Dmax

Shaners · March 22, 2005

Good power, but noticable noise over the 6.0L in my truck (expected that).

Allison shifted weird, but the truck only had 1 mile on it, so I'm sure it really didn't know what was going on (Adaptive shifting).

Temp gage fluctuated from 180* to 210* alot on my short ride (is this normal when climbing hills?)

Do these engines quiet down when broken in??? Sometimes it was very quiet, and other times it sounded like a gas motor with way too much timing (ping).

Either way I put money down on it.. and I told him to hold it until Friday so I can make my mind up.

(it's dark grey with the LT package and a sticker price around $48K) alot of cabbage!!!

tbyrne · March 22, 2005

The transmissions is probably still learning. It gets much better with time. I think it's very quiet for a diesal when cruising on the highway. I can hear it a little more when the truck is cold and someone driving in the city. Haven't experienced the temp gauge problem. Mine usually runs at about 187.

Remember, a few basic mods will give you ALOT more power!

Firetiger(MN) · March 22, 2005

You'll love the truck if you do happen to make the purchase. When the tranny gets smart, it'll feel like you're driving a 5 spd powerglide when it goes through the shi fts. Hardly noticable.

They are coming out with a 6spd Allison for 2006.5 I've heard and that'll be nice as well I'm sure. Just an FYI incase you want to wait.

Diesels are a little more maintenance and take somewhat more thinking to operate (cold weather operating, etc) than the gasser, but sure are fun. I know I love mine and don't think I could own a gas again. It'll take a good 10k miles to get it broke in and then I could tell it was starting to loosen up a bit and ran even smoother. Plus the mileage just kept getting better!

MS3DALE · March 22, 2005

Shaners I'll think you'll LOVE it once you buy it and drive it for a few months.

You won't go wrong buying it!

Shotgun · March 22, 2005

UH OH!! There goes the neighborhood

Machine · March 22, 2005

Go for it. My first diesel was bought with alot of hesitation on my behalf. The noise, smell, my lack of knowledge, and the additional cost all yelled - don't do it. Well , I did it, and i'll never own another gas truck again. Gas serves its purpose well in trucks, but diesels just do it better.

As far as the allison acting weird - its just breaking in. As far as the temp fluctuating - mine tends to roam on both trucks (Furd and GM.) My diesel actually got louder the more i played with its tuning. Louder at idle and at WOT, but remained the same at cruise speeds.