New to Cummins and TDR - trading my in my 6.4 hemi after one tow - coupla questions

[envelopo]

Hi Folks,

Had numerous EPA pollution equipment associated problems with my 2011 Duramax so decided to try Ram and the new 6.4 hemi (thought I wanted a gasser I quess), bought a very nice Silver 14 CCSB 4WD Big Horn about 6 months ago, loved the truck when I was using it as a car! In fact very impressed with what RAM is doing overall, just a great truck in many ways, however, first big tow screaming over the Oregon Cascades with our 8500 lb Arctic Fox 27T travel trailer was enough to put me right back in a diesel (plus I only got 7.5 mpg on the tow). I decided to tak the hit and I am in the process right now of buying a 2015 CCSB Big Horn 4WD in Maximum Steel, however the dealer just identified another one with everything I want in Silver except it has the snow plow prep pkj and dual 220 amp alternators. I love a single 220 but it seems that two might just add complication and put a drag on the power plant, the other thing is nobody seems to know for sure whats on the snow plow prep group beyond the 220 amp alt, I mean it might be fine but im never gonna plow snow with the truck and I seriously dont want it if the front springs are higher capacity. Anyone know whats on this package? Also any other recommendations for must have options on the new turbo diesels? For me must have functionl options are the anti-spin, 3:42s, 68RFE, and NOT the rear air suspension (tried that on the Hemi truck and did not like it overall). Plus, I plan on using opti-lube xpd in this truck, any opinions on that would be appreciated. Thanks for any and all input! B

 

[sag2]

Not much in it.

AHD HEAVY DUTY SNOW PLOW PREP GROUP E E E E E E E E
• 180 AMP ALTERNATOR (BAD) - W/EZC n n n n n n n n
• 180 AMP ALTERNATOR (BAD) - W/EZF n n
• 220 AMP ALTERNATOR (BAJ) - W/ESA n n n n n n n n
• 220 AMP ALTERNATOR (BAJ) - W/ETK n n n n n n n n
• TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE SHIELD (XEF) n n n n n n n n
RAM United States REISSUED: 12/08/2014 PAGE: 96
FIRM ISSUED: 07/08/2014 2015 2500 HEAVY DUTY CREW CAB
E -

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I doubt the dual alternators will be a problem, but they are overkill for most of us. Consider the Aisin trans, and I recommend the 3500 because it will be enough or more than enough for most things you do later. As SAG posted, the prep group is just the alternator and skid plate.

 

[CKelley1]

only consider the aisin, the 68rfe is a pos in comparison and it comes with more torque and horsepower with the aisin. as Joseph stated the alternator is not a problem, it only uses hp if needed, the net result is, it will use the same energy as a single 180 amp. opti-lube xpd is a waste of money but will not hurt it. the filtering on the 2015 eliminates most of the problems the older trucks had caused by contaminants. i haul very heavy and hate the 3.42 let Joseph know how you are going to use the truck and make a recommendation.

 

[RustyJC]

only consider the aisin, the 68rfe is a pos in comparison....

Not to say that I wouldn't order the Aisin if I were purchasing a new truck, but the 68RFE certainly has NOT been a POS in our application where more than 90% of the time the truck runs, it's towing a 5th wheel. It's been a good, reliable transmission that has done everything asked or expected of it.

Rusty

 

[envelopo]

Thanks everyone, I do agree that the Aisin would be preferred, however I like the ride on the 2500 and will never need the extra capacity, and from what I have gathered the 68 is a decent transmission at this point, so I'm goin 2500. Plus my so called outstanding allison on my frist diesel (an 05 Duramax 2500) failed at 115000 miles....so there ya go. Ended up pulling the trigger on a 2015 RAM truck with just the regular 180 amp alt today so while I learned alot about the dual alt deal, I ended up not going with that truck anyways cause I found this Larimie for just about 3K more, its a Granite Crystal Larimie 2500 CCSB 4WD with the anti spin, 3:42s (which I also wanted) and a few other minor options, $49810 after 11K off msrp.....this is as much as a compairable stripped Chev 2500 LT I was looking at! Anyway, looking forward to a good long run with this cummins equipped truck!

 

[Jim W]

only consider the aisin, the 68rfe is a pos in comparison and it comes with more torque and horsepower with the aisin. as Joseph stated the alternator is not a problem, it only uses hp if needed, the net result is, it will use the same energy as a single 180 amp. opti-lube xpd is a waste of money but will not hurt it. the filtering on the 2015 eliminates most of the problems the older trucks had caused by contaminants. i haul very heavy and hate the 3.42 let Joseph know how you are going to use the truck and make a recommendation.

If your signature is correct than how can you say that the 68 RFE transmission is a POS since you have never own one.
I have an 08 with 80,000 miles on the truck and pull a 11K 5er with a Smarty set at level 3 and I have had no issues at all with my truck. I use the truck as my daily driver and haul vehicle and I believe I could add another 80,000 miles to the transmission before any issue will occur.

Jim W.

 

[TCDiesel]

Of course driving habits play a big part in any Transmissions life, The 68RFE is not an Aisin 69RCS, Many have had success with the 68RFE, its not a forgiving trans, when you pass its ability it will suck up your wallet. IMO its better to have and never need ,then to need and NOT have.

If you pull thru the Rockies with the Aisin its smooth powerful and predictable, the 68RFE is goofy and sloppy, it flares when you're foot is into it ,it does NOT transmit power well.

 

[gsbrockman]

only consider the 68RFE or the aisin, the G56 is a pos in comparison

Fixed your post for ya..... :-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

only consider the aisin, the 68rfe is a pos in comparison and it comes with more torque and horsepower with the aisin.

He's comparing it to the Aisin, the Aisin is by far a superior transmission. As far as the 05 DMAX W/Alison, I had that combo in a 05 3500 DRW GMC, what a POC. I hated the way it detuned the DMAX when getting on the throttle. I have not driven the 2014 Ram 2500 yet, but I'll bet the 68rfe will be better than the Alison

 

[Newsa]

G56 was why I went with RAM. I didn't consider Chevy or Ford because they don't have a manual.

Love my POS G56. But I probably will never tow more than 8000 lbs.

 

[RustyJC]

If you pull thru the Rockies with the Aisin its smooth powerful and predictable, the 68RFE is goofy and sloppy, it flares when you're foot is into it ,it does NOT transmit power well.

Do you tow heavy with a 68RFE? I do (see signature). I don't know where you're getting your information about the behavior of a 68RFE, but my 2011 shifts just fine under load. Does NOT transmit power well? When the torque converter is locked up, it's all planetary gearing, so where exactly is the power loss you speak of?

Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

I heard of the 68rfe having shifting issues in 07 when it first came out, but was explained by it having to learn your driving habits. I'll know soon enough, I should have the new truck in 30 days, when the bed is finished.

 

[jgillott]

He's comparing it to the Aisin, the Aisin is by far a superior transmission. As far as the 05 DMAX W/Alison, I had that combo in a 05 3500 DRW GMC, what a POC. I hated the way it detuned the DMAX when getting on the throttle. I have not driven the 2014 Ram 2500 yet, but I'll bet the 68rfe will be better than the Alison

Having had an '05 Chevy with that combo, I am confident that anything that Ram is putting out is better than that Alison. Mine went out at 75K (would slip and shutter bad in 1st and 2nd). With all the other problems I had with that truck, it was better just to sell and move on.

 

[TCDiesel]

21 to 30K , My 48s after being built latest 117K and 104K, both were freshen up and sold ,still going strong, My 68RFE was return to Dealer after 2 replacements and it was on it last breath when it was return...Hmmmm I will share this our 2.6 D-Max pulling truck has a NV4500 modded, the truck is over 1300HP it latest the entire season (14)..So I/m not Trans prejudices, The 68RFE works OK but its NOT and Aisin or a manual. I only share personal information, there a lot more to a trans then just lockup. Take Your 68RFE with 10K thru Teton Pass (In the summer) then purchase The 69RCS report back.

I have left My blood and sweat on many 68RFEs ,Yep I know of 1 customer that's on his 3rd 68RFE 2012, Yep He likes to drive the NUTs of a dog, but his modded 2006 48re is still going strong after seven years service ( I built it for him).

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Ah, someone else trading the 6.4 for a CTD...glad I'm not the only one! Could never get used to the high RPMs when towing. Really missed my diesel. Good to read about another switch for the CTD.

 

[RustyJC]

I believe if you search the forums, you will find that a programming change was made after the 2011 model year. The shift flare complaints began after this programming change which was made because some people were complaining of hard (firm) shifts under load. Our 2011 doesn't have shift flare problems - it bangs the shifts pretty darned hard under load (which is fine with me), so slippage is minimal. You can't paint all 68RFE transmissions with one brush - since they are fully electronically controlled (the FE in the model designation), the programming in a particular model year will do a lot to determine the transmission's performance characteristics.

Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

I sure hope I have no issues with the 68fe, my Boss will just chew on me if there is any issues, for a loooooong time. He's a Ford fan, but it's no accident that he has a 7.3 PS. I asked for the truck, and out of respect for me he bought it, you can bet I'll be as easy as possible on it.

 

[EDankievitch]

It's all in how you use your truck and how you maintain it. If you run 100% stock and use the truck as Ram intended all the trannys will last. Add a power tuner or tow twice the trucks rating. Or skimp on your service and you'll have garbage fast. I've had the 727 tourqueflight in the 89 that I owned and towed over 24K with it that truck had over 500,000 miles on it when I sold it at 700,000 miles it was still going strong though very rusted. I had a first addition G56 and enjoyed it for the better than 200,000 miles that it was my friend. I had no issues with the dual mas flywheel clutch until I hit 127,000 miles then it slipped. I had a G56 in the 2012 and for the year that I fought with the engine filling it self with fuel, was a stiff solid transmission. Now I have the 68rfe all can say is it works well. Yes it has that sometimes strange rpm flair when shifting but I'd rather have it unlock and take the shock load off the system than have it slam things and risk breaking something. My trucks get serviced above what Ram/ Dodge called for. I don't abuse them I use them. Maybe the transmission's are POS's but I've had good service out of everyone that I have owned.

 

[mpaulson]

My experience with the 68RFE was good. At 228,000 km's I sold the truck with the original transmission in it and at the 10.000km mark the engine had the emissions stuff stripped and it was chipped to about 400 HP and maybe 750 FTLBS. 50% of the milage was towing/hauling at 24,000 lbs. The transmission was serviced every spring whether it needed it or not. Twice I had it up to 280 degrees while hauling me RV and quads up the side of mountain switchback dirt roads. I did have to change the valve body due to a valve leaking, other than that, the transmission never caused me and fear of concern. They are good.
with the choice now, I'll alway go with the Aisisn, but wouldn't be afraid of the 68 RFE.