Finally found one

[Kansas Kid]

I'm sure most of you don't know this, but I have been looking for a truck equipped with the Duramax diesel and ZF 6-speed transmission for almost 8 months to test out.  I feel that the manual allows the driver to help find the actual characteristics of a motor, so I was really interested in how the Duramax would perform (plus I love the ZF tranny).  

While on vacation, at a small GM dealership I found a 3500 cab & chassis, 4x4, with this combo.  I just had to drive it.  I must say, I was pretty skeptic about the low end grunt of the Duramax, but it is not a slouch in this area.  It may not be a strong as a Cummins below about 1500rpm, but from then on to 3000rpm the power is incredible.  I think this combo pulls much stronger then the Duramax/Allison trucks I have driven.  Needless to say I was impressed.  Bad thing is, it made my truck seem pretty pathetic on power.  

[wolfie]

I have seen one Duramax with the 6 speed in NY... I didn't drive it though... It was a GMC

[Pastmaster]

Where did you find it?

[General Lee 01]

What color was it????:biggrin:

[wolfie]

I think the one I saw was Charcoal Gray but I'm not sure. I look at so many...

[Kansas Kid]

Pastmaster,

I found the truck in Holdenville, Oklahoma.  Its just a small little town about 1.5 hours southeast of OKC.  That dealership must sell alot of HD trucks because they had more then Conklins has ever had on their lot.  I didn't really want to drive a 3500 because I don't need a DRW truck, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  It would take some work to get used to the clutch though.

General,

the truck I drove was Indigo blue.  I think it would have looked pretty good with a flatbed on the back, combined with the black fender flares on the front.  A standard dually bed would have looked better yet.

[RyanbabZ71]

dmax 6 speed

[Jpshostr]

Just go buy it, I think its calling your name.

[Kansas Kid]

Quote: from Jpshostr

Just go buy it, I think its calling your name.

LOL  If I go buy it, will you help my sending money for the half I can't afford?

Hey Ryan,  who's truck is that?  That is almost exactly what I want for my next truck.

[Jpshostr]

Quote: from Kansas Kid on 6:08 pm on Aug. 14, 2001

[

LOL  If I go buy it, will you help my sending money for the half I can't afford?

Hey Ryan,  who's truck is that?  That is almost exactly what I want for my next truck.

Remember, I'm a farmer going to college, I have no money.

[DigUout]

I'd be interested in a Duramax with the manual tranny.  I hadn't seen any in my area.  For towing in the mountains, I really like a manual.  What are the MSRP differences between the Allison and ZF 6 speed?

[Kansas Kid]

Quote: from DigUout

What are the MSRP differences between the Allison and ZF 6 speed?

The difference is ?.  Pretty big chunk of change for an automatic transmission.  Too much IMO.

[RyanbabZ71]

kansas kid its a guy over on edmund named quadrunner

if ou have any questions about his truck post it over here

http://www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/Trucks66/tocproto.htm

Start a topic and make sure to have QUAD in the subject

He just got the truck recently.  I think he has 6K miles

 

[DigUout]

Quote: from Kansas Kid on 8:34 pm on Aug. 14, 2001

The difference is ?.  Pretty big chunk of change for an automatic transmission.  Too much IMO.

 

Big yes, but ? is less than I would've thought when you compare book values of auto's vs manuals.  I guess a ?K truck is a ?K truck.  I sure would like to test drive one of those ZF 6 speeds though.  I'll keep looking at the lots for them, thanks for the heads up-

[Kansas Kid]

Thanks for the link Ryan.  I'm going to have to go post some questions for that guy over there.

I guess the reason I think the Allison is overpriced, is because I think a diesel engine should not have an automatic trans behind it.  The Allison may change this, but the autos rarely last long, and rob alot of power and mileage.