2011 durango

[stegomon]

looks like poop...but what ever...motor trend says something about an 8 speed auto in it's future??? what. why. these cars are starting to have almost as many gears as a big rig. and i would not want to have to rebuild or replace this trans in the future


clicky me

 

[Bennybooster]

It looks like a mini Van

 

[exbass94]

More gears doesn't necessarily mean more parts. Take the 4r55e and 5r55e trannies for example. Almost identical mechanically, yet one is a 4 speed and one is a 5 speed. The only difference is the computer controlling it, making it engage OD in 1st gear, effectively creating a 5th gear. I wouldn't be surprised if many of these 6, 7, and 8 speeds trannies do something similar. I heard about one vehicle the other day, don't remember which, (the new Hyundai Elantra maybe?) is getting a new 6 speed auto next year that actually has fewer parts than the current 5 speed auto.

 

[adsm08]

The planetary sets in the autos are odd beasts. They can make a lot of different gear ratios with very few parts. Heck, if I wanted to I could go rip my old Chevy 350 hydromatic (A 3 speed, direct drive transmission) out of my Olds, tweak the valve body a bit, and get a 9 speed trans. Granted it would have a totally useless triple OD reverse range, but it's still a 9 speed trans with only 2 gear sets.

A simple planetary can produce Reverse, Reverse OD, under drive, direct drive and Over Drive, with just that one gear set.

 

[stegomon]

hmmm interesting. i was thinking it was a real 8 speed with 8 gears

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Looks more like the Beemers and Porsche SUV's now but I thinks it looks way better then the last few models I think 04?

 

[martin]

Once you start getting into that many gears (to hide a motor with a narrow power band) you might as well go cv and be done with it.

 

[Sunk]

Doesn't look too bad, but I like the new Explorer better.

 

[trail B2]

I always figured it was a tool in the mileage acceleration wars from which we all benefit.Thats really interesting expanding the use of the same planetary gear sets always wondered how they made those trannys less than 6 foot long.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

I think it looks a lot better than the last body style, but it is still a piece of shit Dodge and I would avoid it at all costs. (terrible gas mileage, crappy transmissions, front end components that wear out in no time......)

Josh

 

[straycat]

Another reason never to buy a Mopar vehicle. That thing is so FUGLY!!!
I remember how excited I was about the new Jeep JK coming out and I wanted to wait until the next year to buy one so they can work out some kinks like most new vehicals. Well the underpowered motor was a big turnoff!!! My wife and I test drove three 08 models. I really thought about the 4 door Unlimited until I drove it around for about an hour. It had no power...just think about a lift and bigger tires?? Ahhhhhhhh!!! The only way I could own one is it had the Hemi motor in it!!!!