The problems with the Allison in 2001 may have been isolated. The torque converter came apart on one of the first trucks to the Florida market. At that stage of the game the dealership was instructed to replace it with a new one (torque converter and tranny). Allison/GM did not trust the technician with the repair. I have heard of injector issues with the Duramax but never had a problem.
The Dodge has them all beat on mileage IMO. Especially with the 6 speed stick which GM discontinued. I like my Duramax and Allison but mileage is 14/17 with a best of 19mpg hwy driving it like there was an egg under foot and no speeds above 65mph. A friends 3500 Dodge dually gets 21MPG interstate with the six speed manual with a small trailer in tow at 70-75 mph. I saw it with my own two eyes and was very impressed with the Cummins power. Mash the accellerator at 60mph in high gear and it pulls, meanwhile my Duramax/Allison is searching for the right cog before accelleration happens. Not that I want a stick mind you, just pointing out the one shortcoming of the Allison slushbox.
Weren't the GM vans that were equipped with the Duramax rated to make less hp and torque than the trucks. I think the tranny was the 4L80E like the tranny behind the 6.0 and big block gas engines, they detuned the engine to help the tranny survive. It was rumored the Allison would not fit in the vans. Unless Ferm gets hold of it :)....
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