Ok the local dealer called today, just like he has for the past 4 years. "I order a new truck the first part of October for my business." Never-the-less I am running down this list of options that I would like to have, the biggest must have is a stick shift diesel, no biggie right? He comes to tell me that the LBZ is no available with a stick!!! Please tell me this isn't so!!!!:( What have you all heard???

According to GM's website the motor offered with the 6 speed is the LLY but its still defueled to the 300 hp and 520 ftlbs. My guess on why it is this way is GM still doesnt have the clutch flywheel problems fixed yet. THe new alli 6 speed has a manual mode that u can shift on the fly so until they get the clutch problems fixed unfortunately for u and a host of others thats about your only option if you want the LBZ.

The real question is with a transmission like the Allison why would you want a handshaker? I use to like nothing but manuals. After driving the Allison, no more.

Jim

Your dealer is correct, can only get 6 speed manual with 300 HP dsl. Wish there was better news

The 6spd '06 Allison automatic tranny's manual mode works like this.
It is a range select. [6] 5 4 3 2 1 These bracketed numbers
appear in the DIC. You put the shifter into "M" and the numbers appear
in the DIC. You push the + or - button on the shifter and the brackets
move to the higher/lower gear. 6 5 [4] 3 2 1 would mean that you
the driver have told the tranny to limit itself to gears 1-4. The tranny
will continue to be fully automatic in gears 1-4, but will NOT go into 5 or 6.
Hope this concept of range selection is clear, it is not the same as a manual.
Since you can change the range at will, on the fly, you could start from a
stop in range [1] and then + to range [2] when RPM's merrit, and so on.

Man that stinks!!! Just like my luck get all excited about the latest & greatest new thing, and then I can't get it!! Oh well life goes on. I like the manual b/c we check our cattle twice a day and with an automatic you are constaintly either on the brake or the gas, with a manual put in first or second gear and it will creep right along. Everybodys different just my preference.

Man that stinks!!! Just like my luck get all excited about the latest & greatest new thing, and then I can't get it!! Oh well life goes on. I like the manual b/c we check our cattle twice a day and with an automatic you are constaintly either on the brake or the gas, with a manual put in first or second gear and it will creep right along. Everybodys different just my preference.

do the same on the auto, put it it 1st and creep along. And if that is not slow enough, reach up and poke the 4lo button.

Jim

Like jholly said, the auto has P R N D M 2 1, and I think 1 and 2
behave just as if you had manual in 1 or 2 with the clutch out.
Since you will not be on asphalt with cattle, 4low is even slower.

Man that stinks!!! Just like my luck get all excited about the latest & greatest new thing, and then I can't get it!! Oh well life goes on. I like the manual b/c we check our cattle twice a day and with an automatic you are constaintly either on the brake or the gas, with a manual put in first or second gear and it will creep right along. Everybodys different just my preference.
Haulin', You need to go drive the Ally. It'll do all that, and more! This ain't you father's automatic.

If you ***** enough you can get the manual and the LBZ...if they still want you business that is...and after 4 years I think they will help you out...expect to pay a little more tho. but that JMO.

LOL yeah the extra money will be spent on clutches and flywheels unfortunately.

lol but from the sounds of it he isnt plannin on hot roddin it like the rest of us! lmao!

:funnypost good point

Speed costs much money in case you don/t know yet.

No I really don't go rippin' and tearing around, although a little smoke is nice. My father and uncles all have allison's and grant it they are nice, but I not an automatic type kind of guy. I sure I'll change one day.

No I really don't go rippin' and tearing around, although a little smoke is nice. My father and uncles all have allison's and grant it they are nice, but I not an automatic type kind of guy. I sure I'll change one day.

guessin' if you want a LBZ the day is quickly approaching :D

Jim

I agree you need to get the dealer let you demo one of the new allision.
It will idle forward like a manual. It will also pull a trailer from a stop better.:lol:

But his left foot is going to get bored :lol: That wont be a bumpin stereo system that will be his left foot hittin the floor lookin for a clutch:muahaha:

Hauln',

I have to agree with you. I've owned handshakers since 1978 and do not plan on going to an automatic. I enjoy the control that a stick offers...plus I really enjoy shifting. I will have to hang on to my '02 until GM gets its sh!t together and puts a good flywheel/clutch setup behind the LBZ.

MaxRock

Man that stinks!!! Just like my luck get all excited about the latest & greatest new thing, and then I can't get it!! Oh well life goes on. I like the manual b/c we check our cattle twice a day and with an automatic you are constaintly either on the brake or the gas, with a manual put in first or second gear and it will creep right along. Everybodys different just my preference.

There's more'n one way to skin a cat!

do the same on the auto, put it it 1st and creep along. And if that is not slow enough, reach up and poke the 4lo button.

Jim
:iamwithst (in a good way). Give it a test drive. I don't think you'll be disappointed! :D

Ok guys, I went to the dealer last night and test drove an 06 LLY with the 6 speed auto. Yes it was nice but, I just can't bring my self to buy one, but I guess I am going to have to. I must say the General has really let me down.

BS...you dont have to buy one. If the dealer tells you you cant order it the way you want...ask him whats so hard about putting the LBZ in the LLY format. Since the LLY is the only option with the standard tranny in 2006...it cant be to hard to just replace the LLY with the LBZ...or can it??
Dont settle for a tranny you dont want...giv'er hell!

LOL, GM isn't going to change the rules for you. It would be like telling them you want escalade interior in your truck. No it wouldn't be hard for them to do on the assembly line but they aren't going to do it! Those days are LONG gone.

Ok guys, I went to the dealer last night and test drove an 06 LLY with the 6 speed auto. Yes it was nice but, I just can't bring my self to buy one, but I guess I am going to have to. I must say the General has really let me down.

go ahead and get the allison. I was a hardcore handshaker also. After driving the allison I wouldn't go back for all the tea in China.

Jim

Why is it so hard for GM to come up with a capable clutch/flywheel for this new engine? It makes no sence. How hard can it be for them to beef up the manual and/or have Luk or Southbend provide them with a clutch to handle more than 300 hp?

Seems like they (Luk or Southbend) sell many clutches that handle huge hp/tq.

Why not reopen the New Venture plant (a joint venture between GM and Chrysler) and take over the production of the NV5600 tranny for the GM trucks. (Dodge went to the G56 from Mercedes for $$$ saving issues).
Or go with a RoadRanger setup.

Some people want the manual tranny and thats it. A lot of ranchers/hotshot drivers go with manuals for control plus simplicity.

I could see an automatic if it were the World series (4500 and up like on my neighbors Oshkosh mixer). But people like Hauln' and myself are manual folks, we like to be connected to the engine, plus an exhaust brake works great with a manual ... no crazy electronics for the tranny.

Ok guys after all your advice and suggestions.... I went in last night and ordered my 06. Just about the same truck I have now but with and AUTO, not by choice but neither the less it's done. I am going to keep driving my 05 and give my manager the new one. He not going to mine, as long as he's not getting my leftovers. So I'll tell you what my thoughts are on this LBZ with and Auto, in 4 to 6 weeks.

Why not order an 06 LLY/ZF6? Where I work we have a 3500 8.1/Allison that I have driven quite a bit, and I have also driven a friends Dmas/Allison a few times, and while they are a great tranny (and I'm sure the 06 6 speed Allison is even better) they are still an automatic. Some of us just prefer a manual, even over the best automatic.

Stephen

Well I guess I could of ordered a 06 LLy with a stick but, I really wanted to see what all the hipe was about with this new LBZ.

Well I guess I could of ordered a 06 LLy with a stick but, I really wanted to see what all the hipe was about with this new LBZ.

Yeah, I see your point. The LBZ does sound nice. Maybe sometime they will offer an LBZ with the manual. Hopefully at the very least they do continue to offer the LLY manual. Good luck with your new truck!

go ahead and get the allison. I was a hardcore handshaker also. After driving the allison I wouldn't go back for all the tea in China.

Jim

Hey,

I will hold out for an LBZ with a Handshaker too, won't wait forever though!! Just curious what you do with the other hand while you are driving your ally??:joke: :lol:

Take care,

Will

Why is it so hard for GM to come up with a capable clutch/flywheel for this new engine? It makes no sence. How hard can it be for them to beef up the manual and/or have Luk or Southbend provide them with a clutch to handle more than 300 hp?

Seems like they (Luk or Southbend) sell many clutches that handle huge hp/tq.



Southbend is STILL trying to get a clutch/flywheel set out for the dmax.

Supposed to be any day now.

Better get a manual in an 06 if you want one. From what I have heard, in 07 all you can get with a Duramax pickup truck will be the Ally.

Franklinman1999, I hope thats not the case but if it is I WILL be switch to a manual transmission friendly OEM!!!! And believe me it hurts for me to say that.

Hauln',

I may have to agree with you. What pi$$e$ me off is I no longer have the choice. I could have bought an auto when I purchased my '02...BUT I DON'T WANT ONE!!! Why should I have to pay a $2-$3k premium for an option I DON'T WANT!!!

It will be interesting to see if furd and dudge are still offering a stick if GM will belly up to the bar.

It really just burns my butt when I think about it!!!

OK...rant over!

MaxRock

That would hurt. But then again, it would probably save GM tons of money for you 1%er it probably costs GM more to put a manual in then it does an auto. SO in which case, I would make you pay a premium for your manual since it is actually a bigger inconvience for them.

I think durmaximizer has a good point, but on the other hand if GM would build a flywheel assembly that was worth as SH!@# they might be able to appeal to a wider range of 6 speed guys. I know quite a few people that would love to run a dmax but went the dodge and ford rought for the shear fact they tow all the time and want a manual. They have seen the problems i've had with my flywheel, and want nothing to do with it, even though my 02 with predator will out pull theirs with similar tunes. I think if GM could build a better reputation with their 6 speeds they might be able to make them feasable. Anyhow, just my thoughts.

J-HEFF

GM is forgetting about people who a manual tranny. When I looked a my 2005 GMC, I had the dealer search for a Duramax P/U with a manual. Zero trucks within 250 mile range. Dealer won't order for you, unless you put down $5000 cash up front.

Go down the street to the Ford dealer and find 6 or 7 F250 / F350 trucks on the lot with manuals. Go to the Dodge dealer, they had over 20 trucks on the front lot with 6 speeds, and more in the back lot.

This was in the same rural town. Kind of confirms that they are dropping the 6 speed.

I even remeber back to around late 90's I tried to buy a 6.5 diesel with a stick nobody had one, but there were fords and dodges with manuals everywere. GM in my eyes has never been manual freindly. I guess will all have to wait and see what's happening no matter how messed up it seems. My father is a retired GM supervisor and he has told me for the last 10 years that GM is phasing out the manual, well I guess it looks his prediction was right.

I had to go 1200 miles to get a 6 speed.

Ill be holding onto it like grim death for a llllloooonnnnngggg time.

I had to special order my truck to get the 6 speed. Every time I think about what GM is trying to do it just pi$$e$ me off.

I wonder how many miles I can get out of my '02 before she meets her maker??? I guess I may have to find out.

Yeah but what do you do, guess my LBZ will be in soon, this is the first new truck I have bought for my company that I won't drive first. It's going to be interesting to see how long it will last. LOL

GM is thinking that if we have one damn good automatic, that no one will miss the manual. I think they are right to some extent, but also wrong to some extent. I mean not to really back GM, but they have one heck of an auto I mean it's a 6 speed with a manual shifter on the column so you can pick your gear, your nose and your seat all at the same time. Not really but why do you want a hang shaker when you can have the best of both worlds. I am not sure why you all are so reluctant to give the auto a try. I know the dodge and ford guys think we have the sh!t, but you all think the grass is greener on the other side.

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?????????????????????

I think GM is manual friendly, I really do. Maybe you are so stuck on shaking hands and using your left foot. He!! I don't know.

What the hell do you want? They gave you chocolate and Vanilla together and you still think it tastes sh!tty. I don't get it.

What do you want, your cake and eat it too?

One more quuestion, why can ford make the ZF work but GM can't. Don't they use the same tranny?

"What do you want, your cake and eat it too?"

NO! I just want a STANDARD transmission!!! These are supposed to be TRUCKS! Not luxury vehicles, dont get me wrong there is nothing with an auto, but they are not for everyone. Im tired of GM not caring about what people really want, such as canceling the camaro/caprice, instead we get the ssr and hhr WTF. Now this. If GM doesn't offer a standard I Will not be a return customer. By the way I drive an 04 6-speed.

duramaximzer,

I understand where you come from, but I use my trucks for work and pleasure for my business. Not saying and auto won't work, it's just not what I want. If I am going to buy a new truck every year and spend upwards of the mid $40,000 range I am darn sure going to please my self.

Yes Ford uses the ZF tranny it works great for them, I have a 2000 F-350 with a 6-speed tranny it is tough as nails. The problem with GM lies between the motor and transmission. The Clutch/Flywheel design for GM for what I do it fine, I have very little trouble with mine. But others do have problems.

You will never be able to make an auto replicate a stick. A stick is a stick and an auto an auto. It might come close but no cigar. Allison has learning capability but it can't read my mind and I haven't found anything with a female sounding name that could!!!):h

GM is market driven and GM has always appealed to the consumer who wants more bells and whistles. For some reason these masses don't want sticks and those of us who want bells, whistles, sticks, cake, leather interior, are left out.

I too am bummed to hear that GM is killing the stick. I drove nothing but sticks my entire life and it was really hard to order my 05 with the ally. I still have my 74 4x and in fact drove it yesterday had to pry it out of my son's paws, and you know what I miss the 3rd peddle.
But I must admit the ally is one awsome tranny and the tranny braking is very nice.
I test drove a new caddy a few weeks ago with a 6 spd stick what a rocket ship. Come on GM you guys are starting to worry me! Quality not quantity!

Allison has learning capability but it can't read my mind and I haven't found anything with a female sounding name that could!!!):h

:funnypost :iamwithst :muahaha: