TorqShift vs. Allison: How do these heavy-duty transmissions compare? – Jalopnik

When it comes to heavy-duty transmissions, Ford’s TorqShift (used in F-Series Super Duty pickups) and General Motors’ Allison transmissions (found in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD pickups) are two of the best. Of course, we could add the Aisin transmission found in Ram HD pickups, but it will no longer be available after 2025.

Some readers may argue that Allison transmissions have been in the same boat since GM and Allison parted ways after decades of a complicated partnership. However, the status of GM’s Allison brand transmissions and the Aisin used by Ram are in very different boats. GM produces Allison brand transmissions in-house, and will continue to use the same transmission in the future – simply removing all Allison brands – in its trucks. On the other hand, Ram has completely replaced its HD Aisin transmission with the TorqueFlite eight-speed HD automatic.

2025 General Motors HD pickups use the latest version of heavy-duty Allison 10-speed transmissions, the 10L1000 automatic. Likewise, the new Ford Super Duty pickups use the company’s latest TorqShift model, the 10R140, which also has a 10-speed transmission. But the TorqShift and Allison transmissions have undergone some evolution and have become the beasts we know today.

The transmissions in heavy-duty pickup trucks from Ford and GM underwent extensive changes from their early days. What started as five-speed transmissions in the early 2000s quickly grew to six-speeds, before moving to the current 10-speed offering.

Ford’s first TorqShift transmission was rolled out in 2003 in gasoline and diesel Super Duty pickups with the 5R110 five-speed. Ford replaced that transmission in Super Duty trucks equipped with the 6.7L Power Stroke, instead using the 6R140 six-speed in 2011. Ford later introduced its 10-speed TorqShift heavy-duty transmissions in the 2020 Ford Super Duty lineup. For 2025, you can find this 10R140 transmission in Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel and 7.3-liter gas Super Duty offerings. The Super Duty 6.8-liter gas engines are paired with a weaker 10-speed TorqShift G transmission.

GM began using the A1000 Allison five-speed transmissions in its HD pickups in 2001. That was the same year Chevy switched from Detroit Diesel engines to the Duramax. GM used it for a brief five years before switching the transmission of its heavy-duty range to the new six-speed A1000 in 2006. In 2024, the Allison brand’s 10L1000 automatic transmission became standard with gas and diesel engines in the brand’s HD pickups. Previously, the Allison-branded 10L1000 had only been available in GM’s HD Duramax diesel lineup since its 2020 introduction.

The transmission benefits from Randy’s broadcasts shared a video on YouTube of them tearing down a TorqShift 10R140. Along the way, they share comparisons with the Allison 10L1000 heavy-duty transmission. (By the way, if you like lesser-known car YouTubers and powerful diesel trucks, check out “The return of Red Delicious” from Randy’s broadcasts.)

Despite the TorqShift’s plastic transmission case, the components in the 10R140 are heavier. For starters, the fluid filter is about twice the size of the Allison. The fluid pumps appear identical in both transmissions, they are just located on opposite sides of the transmission. However, the pump gear in the TorqShift is much larger than that of the Allison. The two transmissions use a similar drum design, except the TorqShift drum is anodized and the Allison is not. The F-clutch teeth of the TorqShift are also much firmer than those in the Allison.

Other differences include the TorqShift’s higher friction material in the clutch packs and the use of stronger materials in key areas. Overall, the opinion in the video is that the TorqShift is a more reliable transmission than the Allison 10L1000 despite their similarities. Diesel world reports that the Allison’s clutch packs “have always been a weak link,” especially when paired with a Duramax tuned for more power. It’s not a surprising phenomenon, given the visual differences between the components present in the clutch packs of both transmissions.

Just because the TorqShift 10R140 transmission has a sturdier construction than the Allison 10L1000 doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own problems. As with the Allison transmission, the frequency of problems increases when towing heavy loads and adding power boosters to already powerful engines – especially the modern diesel engines that outpace the gasoline engines in today’s heavy-duty trucks.

One problem with Ford’s TorqShift 10R140 involved “a distressed No. 1 planetary needle bearing in the ring gear,” according to a March 31, 2021 letter filed with police. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The issue occurs on “Certain model year 2020 Super Duty F250-F600 vehicles equipped with a 10R140 transmission.” The letter goes on to say that the ailing needle bearing “will cause contamination that can lead to rough shifting.” This could cause the transmission to limit its operation and speed, and possibly even prevent the transmission from shifting forward or reverse.

Another YouTube review of the TorqShift 10R140 transmission, this time from Flying keysreveals some common problems associated with Ford’s heavy-duty transmission. Now that the transmission has been in use for almost half a decade, some faults are becoming increasingly apparent. The most common problem is slipping of the CDF drum bushing. When the bushing slips out of place it causes pressure and shifting problems. The second most common problem concerns planetary gear bearing failures, which are related to the needle bearing issues that will be addressed in 2021.

If you need your transmission to do the work of towing heavy trailers, the TorqShift 10R140 is the better option. In addition to the heavy-duty features mentioned above, the 10R140 offers lower gear ratios on the first six gears than the Allison 10L1000. For example, the TorqShift’s first gear has a ratio of 4.615:1 compared to the Allison’s 4.54:1 first gear. Both transmissions have a seventh gear with a 1:1 ratio before switching to the three overdrive speeds with similar gear ratios. For what it’s worth, the TorqShift’s reverse also has a lower gear ratio: 4.695:1 compared to 4.54:1 in the Allison.

A better reason to choose the TorqShift 10R140 over the Allison 10L1000 comes from the models they are paired with. You’ll find TorqShift on the 6.7-liter Ford Power Stroke diesel engine, an engine that delivers more horsepower and torque when towing. While the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel delivers up to 975 lb-ft of torque and power to tow up to 36,000 pounds in a properly equipped GM HD pickup, it is significantly less powerful compared to the Power Stroke. The 6.7-liter Power Stoke generates up to 1,200 lb-ft of torque in the Ford Super Duty for a maximum towing capacity of 40,000 pounds.