Posted by Andy (in MI) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 11:24AM :
In Reply to: Transmission rumor.... posted by MoparNorm on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 7:20PM :
Hi Norm,
A friend of mine saw the article in a car magazine. I think it was this months Mopar Collector Guide. I will have to double check to be sure.
This new Caterpillar transmission would only and ONLY be offered behind the Cummins Diesel and nothing else!! I don't know if they are planning on increasing the torque/horsepower where a heavier trans would be needed or if fuel economy with a four speed auto is laging behind competion or if the buying public just want more gear selections? I think the 48 and 49RE 4 speed is the largest automatic that New Process manufactures and it is starting to show its age.
You have to keep in mind here that Chrysler has a very strong microscope towards its market share and is being extremly aggressive in its marketing even by normal automotive standards.
Something even more interresting here is that I work for a laser company here in Detroit and we just finished prototype welding for a new Chrysler auto trans. All I can say is the input shaft is HUGE!! This could be for this trans, or maybe something else, I don't know.
I do know that the current Dodge Ram puckup is loosing some steam on the market front and Chrysler is currently looking at making big changes again. The current design for the Ram is from 2002 and that makes it one of the oldest, so I would expect that by 2008 or 2009 these changes will be implemented.
Now, I am not sure what the Frieghtliner Division of DCX uses for its engines/transmissions? Maybe the Dodge division will be getting similar drivetrains? Don't know.
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