A Little Question

[Blake]

Hey guys

 

So, I went on a little trip with my cousin out of town today and he insisted on taking his Dodge Ram..okay, fine. He's got a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, crew cab with the 8 foot bed and the 4.7L V8 I am not, however, sure of what rear gears he has. Anyway, on the ride up to our destination I noted how smooth the tranny and engine were at all times. This started to worry me about MY truck. So, on the way back home I asked if I could drive it for awhile he said sure, no problem. So, I drive it around a few small towns and on the highway and I must say I was impressed..I am almost sure his truck weighs more than mine yet has a much smaller V8 (My truck specs are 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with the 5.3L V8 and 3.73 rear gears - extended cab, 6'5" bed." So..I'm like "WTF?" I am now testing it in all power bands and speeds..and it is just so smooth. Mine is no where as smooth..for instance if I get into it with my truck..it will go..but it jerks a lot..I think it is my tranny to blame..but I want your guy's opinions..I'm at a loss. I don't understand why my truck is not as smooth shifting and reving as his and I've taken fantastic care of my truck, as far as I know.

 

I know, no paragraph breaks

 

Any input would be most appreciated feel free to ask me questions and what not..I just think I'm missing something and I want to know what you guys think.

 

Thanks all,

Blake

[hubbycap]

Don't be too hard on your truck. Everything feels better in the beginning and then after a while you start to notice all the little problems. Given enough time the real Dodge would present itself, just like after being married for a while.

[svensk]

Just wait until he pukes his tranny before you. Transmissions in trucks are not supposed to shift like in passenger cars. You really want quick snappy shifts for longevity.

Also, yes the 4.7 is a smaller, weaker engine but it's a DOHC engine which might be giving the perception the power delivery is smoother. I would also ask him what he gets for mileage compared to you.

[SKYrado03]

Imho, and my Dads':

Whether, stick or automatic the object is to provide smooth up and downshifts, not only for the vehical, but also for you and your passengers....But that is in a perfect world.

 

With a stick you have a better 'feel', because your input, becomes the vehicle's output, and you can tell immediately, if you shifted correctly or not.

 

With automatics you lose some of that 'feel' and when it 'clunks', right away it becomes the machines' fault.

 

Let's see.

There are at least five operations while shifting manually:

• Recognizing a shift point, visual and sound.
  
• Preparing to shift, mental dexterity between arm, and legs.
  
• The actual shift, manual dexterity between arm, and legs.
  
• Retaining control of the vehicle while shifting.
  
• And finally, preparing for the next shift point.
  

 

And your brain and body, does all this in? two, maybe three seconds?

Once, I counted 2,865 shifts on a commute to work, five miles, in-town traffic, right after morning rush.

 

With an automatic, and I am guilty of it too....I become lazy, and forget what is involved.

I have found if the driver maintains a steady, if not a slight pressure on the accelerator, better shifts are accomplished.

 

 

Have you ever tried to 'flat shift'? Where the driver does not use the Clutch? Except when the vehicle is stopped? I believe it is still used in drag racing. Now that's fun!

 

Jeez, look at the time.

hubbycap, and svensk, also have valid observations....just mine, an my Dad's 2¢

 

steve

[Blake]

I appreciate the points and understand them; however, I am curious about your guy's truck especially you, svensk I just feel my transmission is way too rough during up shifts..we have a 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada which I believe has the same transmission..it shifts flawlessly. We also have a work truck which is a 1991 Chevy Silverado 4 speed auto..smooth as would be expected I understand it's a truck..but..it is pretty rough. (I'm going to exclude the F-word trucks and suvs that shift smoothly. NOTE: None are mine!! ) I was thinking it was valves but..it just doesn't seem likely that mechanically it would be spot on consistent. I think it is maybe the computer forking up shift timing? I really don't know but it is actually pretty annoying getting into other people's SUVs and trucks and them shifting smoothly without a jerk anywhere. I guess I should have been a little more specific..anyway..more input would be great..

 

Thanks,

 

Blake

 

 

P.S. His mileage is generally 3 MPG less than mine I guess it's a good thing he has the 36 gallon tank to keep going without having to fill up every 100 miles =P

[SilveradoLAX7]

Mine is very smooth at cruising speed (35+) under moderate throttle. I do feel some of the shift at lower speeds, especially when slowing down (3rd to 2nd) then hitting the gas again. I think this is more of a natural part of the tranny, with a reasonable power to weight ratio. I've driven my folks' 2002 quad cab Ram with the 5.7 and it shifts pretty smoothly, but I think this, as much as anything, is a product of moving a good bit of weight, with less than ample power. A very crude analogy would be a power lifter walking with a light wheel-barrow, then sprinting; there is going to be a noticeable change... vs an average man pushing a heavier load and also kicking it up a notch. The latter change is pace will seem smoother, but is not necessarily better.

 

Again, a very crude analogy based only on my driving a heavier Ram Quad Cab, and my V8 RCSB. but...Mine tows better, and wins off the line no questions asked.

 

-J

[SKYrado03]

I was thinking it was valves but..it just doesn't seem likely that mechanically it would be spot on consistent. I think it is maybe the computer forking up shift timing?

Thanks,

Blake

That is quite possible, with all the sensors/electronics, even on your double aught.

 

Shortly after I bought my truck, I did have a powered solinoid valve replaced on my '03.

I was experiencing harsh third, to second, then back to third shifts.

 

Steve

[svensk]

Your probably do for new tranny fluid. A rebuild might be on the horizon for you as well. Just keep an eye out for slipping.

[Wingnut]

And your brain and body, does all this in? two, maybe three seconds?

Once, I counted 2,865 shifts on a commute to work, five miles, in-town traffic, right after morning rush.

 

With an automatic, and I am guilty of it too....I become lazy, and forget what is involved.

I have found if the driver maintains a steady, if not a slight pressure on the accelerator, better shifts are accomplished.

 

 

Have you ever tried to 'flat shift'? Where the driver does not use the Clutch? Except when the vehicle is stopped? I believe it is still used in drag racing. Now that's fun!

 

If it takes you two or three seconds to shift a manual...You're driving something that needs to be double clutched If I'm in a rush, my shifts in a manual are probably more like a quarter of a second. ;)

 

And if you counted shifts...2,865 of them...You need a hobby.

[K.Jump]

That Dodge is probably on it's 2nd or 3rd tranny...they all shifted nice and smooth right up until they went out.

[SKYrado03]

If it takes you two or three seconds to shift a manual...You're driving something that needs to be double clutched If I'm in a rush, my shifts in a manual are probably more like a quarter of a second. ;)

The actual shift, yes I would agree, but I was trying to give a rough estimate for the entire sequence of events.

 

And if you counted shifts...2,865 of them...You need a hobby.

Naw...I'll leave that to you younger guys, I do go fishin' though, My one spot has 2,865 holes to fish from..

[Wingnut]

Naw...I'll leave that to you younger guys, I do go fishin' though, My one spot has 2,865 holes to fish from..

 

lol....I don't even know what that means.

 

But I'm on the downhill slide to 40, so I'm hardly young. ;)

[SKYrado03]

Naw...I'll leave that to you younger guys, I do go fishin' though, My one spot has 2,865 holes to fish from..

 

lol....I don't even know what that means.

 

But I'm on the downhill slide to 40, so I'm hardly young. ;)

 

Now that's strange. When you said "downhill silde", I immediately thought of my climb to 60, yep, 57 this August.

Early retirement with full company benifits, 60 with 35 years service.

 

Someday maybe, I'll have to show you my "one spot"with all the holes, its called the Susquehanna River.

 

Ah, to be 40 again.....

[Wingnut]

By "downhill slide", I mean I'm 36. I'm still "officially" in my "mid" 30's

[SKYrado03]

By "downhill slide", I mean I'm 36. I'm still "officially" in my "mid" 30's

Ahh..cough!....cough!!

Excuse me, I'm still trying to get over this cold, damn thing's been with me for 3 weeks.

 

Officially, and by the numbers:

Something called rounding off.

 

When you make 34, your still in the early 30's

34, 4 is less then five = early 30's

 

I will give you, 35 is mid-30's, but..............................

 

It can also be said,

35, 36; 5 or 6 is equal or greater than 5.

35, 36 = 40 = Late 30's

 

My apologies on your demise, Wingnut.

Steve