dnewton3
Staff member
The Allison 1000 series trannys for the light duty trucks don't come with "Transynd" in them. They are filled at the GM factories with either a DEX III based product (pre '06), or DEX VI ('06 and beyond).
The trannys are tested functionally at the factory (now fully GM, as GM kept that product when they sold off Allison) with TES-295 fluids, IIRC, but then they are drained for shipment. GM fills them with DEX based products once installed in the vehicle. So while there may be a bit of leftover "Transynd" in the tranny, I would expect the bulk of it (perhaps 95%?) is a "conventional" DEX based GM factory fill. Further, now that GM owns the 1000-series factory outright, it would not suprise me if they either will change to DEX VI for testing soon, or haven't done it already. That, however is speculation on my part; I have no factual basis as yet. Still it makes sense for them to save money and use their own "house" brand.
In general, I agree that the TES-295 clones (TorqueDrive, 204SAT, AutoTrans-5) are all very good options; top notch performance for a reasonable savings. Licensed TES-295 fluids are REQUIRED by Allison ONLY if you are in a contractual Extended Severe Service Agreement. Other than that (which rules out about 99% of us), a clone will be a fine choice.
You might want to note also that Allison is forbidden to do warranty work any 1000 series tranny in a light duty truck until the GM warranty has expired. It's GM's way of protecting their own dealers. By the time a newer ('07 or newer) 100k mile powertrain warranty has expired (and you've presumably conformed with DEX VI use), the issue of TES-295 licensed fluids is a far moot point.
The trannys are tested functionally at the factory (now fully GM, as GM kept that product when they sold off Allison) with TES-295 fluids, IIRC, but then they are drained for shipment. GM fills them with DEX based products once installed in the vehicle. So while there may be a bit of leftover "Transynd" in the tranny, I would expect the bulk of it (perhaps 95%?) is a "conventional" DEX based GM factory fill. Further, now that GM owns the 1000-series factory outright, it would not suprise me if they either will change to DEX VI for testing soon, or haven't done it already. That, however is speculation on my part; I have no factual basis as yet. Still it makes sense for them to save money and use their own "house" brand.
In general, I agree that the TES-295 clones (TorqueDrive, 204SAT, AutoTrans-5) are all very good options; top notch performance for a reasonable savings. Licensed TES-295 fluids are REQUIRED by Allison ONLY if you are in a contractual Extended Severe Service Agreement. Other than that (which rules out about 99% of us), a clone will be a fine choice.
You might want to note also that Allison is forbidden to do warranty work any 1000 series tranny in a light duty truck until the GM warranty has expired. It's GM's way of protecting their own dealers. By the time a newer ('07 or newer) 100k mile powertrain warranty has expired (and you've presumably conformed with DEX VI use), the issue of TES-295 licensed fluids is a far moot point.