i want to get a dodge cummins but i dont no if i should get a automatic or manual what do u think whats fastr

Answer 1

Take a vehicle with the same engines and drive axles and the automatic has a higher top speed. Automatics are also more consistent when launching off the line at races. A REALLY good driver can beat an automatic with a manual transmission as they can apply all the torque faster. The automatic will loose some torque.

I read some of the previous answers and say bahhumbug. Goto any dragrace track and you will see very few pro-dragracers using stickshifts.
Now if you are buying a dodge cummins and plan to use it like a work truck I would recommend the manual. Hard labor, and I mean like hard work, will destroy an automatic transmission. I lived in the North East of the USA for several years and used to tell folks that plowed to get manual transmissions. We used to repair SO MANY automatic transmissions or replace them from folks how had them in trucks they plowed with.
How many semi trucks do you see with automatic transmissions?

From personal experience the Dodge 2500 with the cummins is an awesome truck. These engines can be brought upto over 600hp for considerably less money then most other engines.

Had a customer here with a cummins RAM, used to skulldrag many a BMW on the dragstrip with his 4X4 automatic diesel !!

Answer 2

I am on my third cummins and all three had the automatic tranny and all three were worked hard. I change the tranny fluid and filter "remove the pan" at least every year and I have never had a tranny issue. the previous two had over a quarter million miles at the point that I had to part with them. still miss the '91. As far as the allison tranny they actually did use that tranny in the first year of the diesel in the dodge trucks but could not handle the torque of the 5.9 so mopar went back to the time tested 327 tranny and the problem was solved. now on the newer trucks that don't use a variant of the 327 I have heard of issues in the gas engines but none in the diesel so don't know if they are beefed up or not.

Answer 3

The only thing I will agree with some of the others about the difference is, if you want faster get a gas engine.

Diesels are designed more for work and pulling loads.

For those that say there aren't very many big rigs with automatics then they need to get out more. I have personally driven 9 ton dump trucks that had automatics, and I know people that drive big rigs and they have told me there are a lot of automatics out there. The main difference is that automatic transmissions require a higher RPM from the engine than a stick shift.

I did see a truck at Ontario Speedway in California before it got closed down that held the record in the quarter mile for a big rig at 104+ and the mile at 140+, he was also putting down about 1200 HP at the wheels and he was running an automatic.

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram Diesel 2500 4X4 and the only problems I have had was the power steering pump had to be replaced because who ever owned it before me was using the wrong temp power steering fluid in it. After putting the correct temp fluid in it I have had no problems since. The other problem I had was I broke a tooth on a gear in the rearend and ended up having to replace the rearend. But I had driven about 600 miles with the piece rattling around inside the differential with no problems showing until the differential was opened up.

Another advantage to a diesel though is life span to rebuild, Cummins recommends rebuild at about 350,000 compared to gas engine having life to rebuild of about 160,000. Cummins told me as long as I do the normal maintenance (oil changes about 4k to 7500 miles, and fuel filter at 15k) shouldn't have any problems. Plus don't have to worry about getting smog tests or tune ups on a diesel.

Disadvantage of owning a diesel right now is cost of fuel, it is higher than regular gasoline.

I also asked Cummins approximately how many miles can a person get from a Cummins, their response was, "Nobody knows, haven't gotten that many miles on one."

I did read an article about a guy that got over 1,000,000 on his 2500 4X4, pulling trailers all over the US and he had to rebuild his trans twice, but only did normal oil changes and filter changes.

I LOVE my CUMMINS. CUMMINS is TOPS!!!!!!!

Sorry so long.

Answer 4

Why do you want a big, fast truck? YOu are going to kill someone go buy a sports car. That other guy is crazy bu the way. Manual is ALWAYS faster in a car with everything else the same. Automatic has to use a torque converter that usually takes about 15% of your horsepower to run. Maybe that other guy always stalls or something making him think automatics are faster. A big truck, however, is the only vehicle that I would ever consider buying an automatic in. Towing or plowing or any truck activity will kill your clutch in a manual. Also I will sat humbug to that guy below me. What kind of girlie girl race tracks are you going to??? Dont you uderstand what a torque converter is? There is no direct connection in an automatic transmission. The power runs through fluid which loses power. The only reason an automatic is faster overall is because the gears are taller becaue the torque converter creater more torque. This allows you to make the gears taller. Like I said, if you have everything the same, including the gear ratios, the standard will be faster - no power loss in the fluid. You dont see automatic semis because they have a lot of gears and a lot of extra parts. The extra gears dont fit and the extra parts wear out. You dont want anything complicated that could wear out in a truck that will be driven over a million miles.

Answer 5

Usually people go for a diesel engine for torque, not for speed. Cummins is a great engine if you're dealing with a truck.... if you want speed go get a hemi. The manual will give you more control over the gearbox, but the automatic will probably keep you from burning it up. LOL

Answer 6

I think they are pretty much the same either way, unless you really know how to drive a manual car. If you know how to drive the manual correctly, the manual will always be faster. Cars tend to save themselves some stress when they're automatic, and change gears a little earlier than you probably would. If you got the automatic you would probably lose 2 or 3 mph. Maybe more depending on the engine.

Answer 7

for Who Knows: the Allison transmission only comes in Chevy diesels.
For Albert: Yes, the Cummins is available with a manual trans.
And for your answer: I would go with the manual transmission, as Dodge automatic transmissions are prone to problems. The manual will allow you to do more work with your diesel, plus it will feel faster.

Answer 8

if you learn to shift right you can get more power more milege out of a manual. plus your brakes last longer if you downshift when slowing down and use the correct gear on an incline. also you want to turn some heads put that puppy in 4 or 5 th gear and go like 25 miles an hour you make so much deep rumble from the back pressure... plus chics dig it

Answer 9

I don't think you have an option with the Cummins; you have to take the automatic.

Answer 10

First off great motor! And from waht i have understood the allison trans puts more power to the ground than the manual.