Now I have several comparisons here, though I'm currently dragging with a first gen titan with the 2.94, It severely outperforms any other half ton I've towed with (which runs the gamut between a '90 F-150, to a '10 ram) When I'm climbing divides with an overloaded trailer, I am constantly wishing for a gear between second and third. Keep in mind, when doing this, I MUST be in manual mode and over 2kRPM or my tranny will start cooking in a big hurry. While I don't have a comparison on the new 7speed, it seems to me that more gears would be a great benefit. However, it's easy to picture the mapping being useless, because nowdays, it's all about emissions, MPG, low noise, comfort, etc: Basically, the points of a pickup that don't matter for **** when it comes to actually getting something beyond cruising town with it done. Now the first gen motor and chassis are more than up to the rigors of heavy towing, but the tranny, suspension, and rear end leave much to be desired. They will however, get the job done if you're careful and smart about it. It's hard for me to believe that with 2 more gears, and more torque that the second gen isn't superior in this regard. It is disappointing that the new flavor still offers just the 2.94, and 3.36- But it isn't really shocking.
But, look now at the points made about the second gen, it revolves around the looks, the lack of a console shifter, the 'more refined' interior, ETC. That's because in these times, a half ton pickup is built to appeal to car people who are unlikely to ever put payload and towing cap even near the limit, and will never likely see greater off-roading duty than backing onto thelawn to load up the tree trimmings. With that in mind, if you are looking for a pickup to do the dirty, heavy dusty that pickups were invented to carry out, you're out of the nissan market, because you're going to need a one ton. I don't know about ram, but the current gasoline 3/4 tons in the ford and GM offerings aren't even up to par with my 140Kmi, 8yo first gen, EXCEPT: in transmission heat. If I had the choice between any of them, and my spine-cracking, ultra loud, non-turbo '89 F-350 (with worn out bench seat, 0 cup holders, no AC, ETC) to get a big haul done, it'll be the old rattletrap any day. (Do keep in mind this is only for the gassers, which might not be 'fair' pitted against a 7.3 IDI with a 5sp manual) I can't do anything but speculate without any hands on knowledge on the cummins XD: Oddly, the dealership isn't too keen on letting me hook 9.4K of scrap steel to the *** of an XD for a test drive. Back to the fluffy stuff: a second gen Titan could never work for me until my oldest daughter heads to college anyway, I need a six seater for my daily ride (Which also rules out my '89 by half).
But thanks for the report, Maybe I need to rethink on trying to get a second gen motor and tranny once I get the dana 60 and gm 9.25 (in 3.73) modded up for my Titan. Your post re-opened the brainstorm line of a six speed manual conversion as an alternative. Either one would require ECU foolery that is FAR beyond my ability, or a strip down and standalone, which..is the same category. Luckily, i know some folks, unfortunately, my wallet cries at the thought. Keep us up to date if any 'easy fixes' come to light on the shift-lack of the second gen powertrain.