New Truck must haves.....???

[70bigblock]

Been a long time since I've been here...my daily driver 03 2500 SLT 4x4 QC HO 48re w/ Smarty Jr is runing great....at 211k.... I've done some upgrades in the past to include Tim at TRE Diesel going through the transmission and installing a billet TQ CV. ....I can't believe the lack of any rust!........my big repairs needed are pretty much limited to , blend doors, dash replacement and clothes hook replacement.........sticker was about 40k.....huge incentive...pd 31k...current book 18+K :-laf


I'm now driving about 80 plus miles to work and back daily and thinking I'm going to get a new ride. I've had the 03 .....since 03....and will not be trading it...I might sell it outright....

I built a couple 2500's but don't see the Aisin transmission as an option....only see it listed on the 3500...???

The 2500's were LL and a Limited's pretty maxed out .....can the Aisin be had on 2500?

What else should I be considering?

Is factory stereo Bluetooth capable?... Is nav included automatically?

what can I expect from the 6.7 for mileage running empty....?

any known issues on 2016's?

 

[RVTRKN]

Stay away from the 68rfe which means at the minimum a 3500 SRW. Its better though in the DRW so you can get more than the 3:42 rear differential. The G56 manual is adaquit at best but you lose HP and TQ with that option. The 2014 2500 W/68rfe I put @ 30K miles on was @14mpg average with the lie-O-meter showing @ 19mpg hwy. I never liked the way the 68rfe and the 3:42 rear diff kept the rpm's @ 1000rpm at 50mph, when I tried to accelerate, it would ping real bad. So I ended up having to paddle shift it all the time to keep the rpm's up. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this opinion, but from my experiance I would not buy any 68rfe truck.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

New truck must haves...?

An extended warranty!!

 

[SnoKing]

Our 3500 SRW with Aisin is a nice freeway cruiser and with the lower first and second gears tows our 16K 5th wheel great. 80 MPH cruising is like out for a relaxed Sunday drive.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'll add a long bed to your list

 

[Ram4Sam]

Been a long time since I've been here...my daily driver 03 2500 SLT 4x4 QC HO 48re w/ Smarty Jr is runing great....at 211k.... I've done some upgrades in the past to include Tim at TRE Diesel going through the transmission and installing a billet TQ CV. ....I can't believe the lack of any rust!........my big repairs needed are pretty much limited to , blend doors, dash replacement and clothes hook replacement.........sticker was about 40k.....huge incentive...pd 31k...current book 18+K :-laf


I'm now driving about 80 plus miles to work and back daily and thinking I'm going to get a new ride. I've had the 03 .....since 03....and will not be trading it...I might sell it outright....

I built a couple 2500's but don't see the Aisin transmission as an option....only see it listed on the 3500...??? It's a 3500 option only.......

The 2500's were LL and a Limited's pretty maxed out .....can the Aisin be had on 2500? Nope......

What else should I be considering? Depends on how you use your truck.....and what trim level you are looking at......

Is factory stereo Bluetooth capable?.Yes...... Is nav included automatically? It is a $600 option with the 8.4 radio......

what can I expect from the 6.7 for mileage running empty....? My usual tank, which is 50/50 city/hwy is 15 mpg.....all hwy will be closer to 20 mpg......all city will be a couple less.

any known issues on 2016's?....Nothing major yet........

...............................

 

[shorthorn]

I have had 0 problems with my 68RFE... If you arent towing heavy / frequently, I personally believe the 68RFE to be a fine transmission.

 

[RustyJC]

I have had 0 problems with my 68RFE... If you arent towing heavy / frequently, I personally believe the 68RFE to be a fine transmission.

The 68RFE in my 2011 3500 DRW worked just fine running unloaded or towing. The only problem I ever had with it was a failed output speed sensor that threw it into limp mode.

Rusty

 

[spoon059]

Stay away from the 68rfe... I'm sure I'll get flamed for this opinion, but from my experiance I would not buy any 68rfe truck.

You are prophetic! The 68RFE transmission is perfectly fine, can handle the power of the 2500 or 3500 engine and has a service schedule that is twice as long as the Aisin. The Aisin transmission is a fine transmission if you NEED it, but if the 68RFE meets your needs, its cheaper and easier to maintain.

Your problem seems to be more of an issue of failing to read your owners manual... The manual specifically states to drive your truck in a manner to prevent the engine from lugging. 1000 rpms at 50 mph is lugging your engine and bad for it. The very simple solution is to place your truck in tow/haul mode, which delays upshifts and keeps your trans and engine in peak power bands. I have no problems with my transmission empty around town, on the highway or towing my 9500 lbs trailer.

The issue is you need to know how to drive the truck correctly.

OP, the bottom of the line radio does not have Bluetooth, you need one of the upgraded radios for Bluetooth.
Navigation is not standard, you need an upgrade, I believe the 8.4 radio has nav. Personally I use my smart phone for free GPS and free constant upgrades, as opposed to paying for yearly upgrades from Ram.
Running empty on the highway I can get 21 or 22 mpg hand calculated. That is driven at 70-75 mph. Pretty darn good numbers for a 7200 lbs truck! Around town the average comes down a bit though. I am averaging 18 mpg over the last 3 tanks, which don't include towing. I generally average closer to 15 mpg overall because we tow a travel trailer 10-15 times per year.

 

[70bigblock]

TransEngineer replied to a PM and commented on both. Sounds like 68 would be fine for my intended use and IF it needed something, parts are less and usually more readily available .

Drove a 2500 SLT yesterday as that was closest they had spec'd to my build of LL ....surprised how similar it rode to my 14 year old truck...while my 4" exhaust is a little louder...wasn't much different from mine although the Nav and radio is much nicer....and the dash isn't all cracked up...it still rides like a truck...I guess being new and 14 years newer tech I expected more for some reason???....hate the "dealership" experience...

They located a similar truck they wanted to bring in and have their body shop spray the two tone on....I said you must be joking ....then the manager said my choice of interior didn't go with my choice of exterior and that......I guess I'll be ordering a 17.....???

Anyone recommend a very large volume dealer, I'm willing to travel to pick it up?

 

[SnoKing]

TransEngineer replied to a PM and commented on both. Sounds like 68 would be fine for my intended use and IF it needed something, parts are less and usually more readily available .

Drove a 2500 SLT yesterday as that was closest they had spec'd to my build of LL ....surprised how similar it rode to my 14 year old truck...while my 4" exhaust is a little louder...wasn't much different from mine although the Nav and radio is much nicer....and the dash isn't all cracked up...it still rides like a truck...I guess being new and 14 years newer tech I expected more for some reason???....hate the "dealership" experience...

They located a similar truck they wanted to bring in and have their body shop spray the two tone on....I said you must be joking ....then the manager said my choice of interior didn't go with my choice of exterior and that......I guess I'll be ordering a 17.....???

Anyone recommend a very large volume dealer, I'm willing to travel to pick it up?

Dennis Dillon in Boise, Id. Snoking

 

[LocoPilot750]

I bought a new '14 with coil springs in the rear. I had to go to the expense of lifting the front 2" to make it level, and for me it sat too tall. I had a hell of a time estimating where the front end was when parallel parking it. And to make things worse it shook and vibrated from day one, no matter what I tried. I traded it on a new '17 last week with self leveling rear air suspension. It sits normally level which is great, plus it rides smooth at the wife's Buick Enclave on the highway. No more bounce or vibration, even with 70 psi all the way around on Firestone AT's . And, I love the "park sense" on the front, which is standard now, when the bar turns red, I know I'm about 12" from what ever is in front of me. So both of these are a "must have" for me now.

 

[jhenderson]

Before I went to Dennis Dillon I'd look at indytruckchampion.com. He's a salesman for an Illinois Ram dealer that has a big following. From what I've seen, unlike the average salesman he's very knowledgeable about our trucks As far as I know when all is said and done he beats DD every time, plus unlike DD they will ship your truck to you which can be a big savings.

 

[RVTRKN]

I did keep the RPM's above 1000, because I had no choice, it might as well been a manual equipped truck. I won't spend the big dollars for a HD truck and equip it with a light duty trans. If the importance was so critical to not be in a high gear the trans picks, then it should be programmed for it. And BTW, the 68rfe will clunk real bad if using T/H to try to compensate for the lugging, if I just wanted to put it in drive and go. If you compare both auto transmissions side by side, you'd understand why the Aisin is a much better choice. It's your money, you can waist it if you want to. Lucky for me it wasn't my money that bought the truck, that is now in a lemon law suit. There were many problems with the 2014 I drove, if Dodge would have had a higher ratio choice in the rear diff, a lot of the issues it had would probably have been OK. And the 3:42 is the reason why they want to run at 1000rpm in 6th @ 50mph, that the transmission picks all by itself.

 

[SnoKing]

I bought a new '14 with coil springs in the rear. I had to go to the expense of lifting the front 2" to make it level, and for me it sat too tall. I had a hell of a time estimating where the front end was when parallel parking it. And to make things worse it shook and vibrated from day one, no matter what I tried. I traded it on a new '17 last week with self leveling rear air suspension. It sits normally level which is great, plus it rides smooth at the wife's Buick Enclave on the highway. No more bounce or vibration, even with 70 psi all the way around on Firestone AT's . And, I love the "park sense" on the front, which is standard now, when the bar turns red, I know I'm about 12" from what ever is in front of me. So both of these are a "must have" for me now.

I just spent 60 buck+ and put a cam in the grill with a 4.3" display on the console. SNOKING

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[kthaxton]

I won't spend the big dollars for a HD truck and equip it with a light duty trans..

Light Duty? That's a bit dramatic. Technically, the 66RFE is the "light duty".....and they don't put that behind a Diesel because......light duty.


I have had no issues with my 68RFE. Please accept MY anecdotal evidence as the correct anecdotal evidence.

 

[RVTRKN]

They put the 68rfe behind the diesel because it's rated for the SO HP. Notice they don't put it behind the HO CTD. Yes it's lighter duty than the Aisin and the proof is in the Dodge ratings.

OP, there are lots of upgrades for the Dodge Ram you can concider, and I'm just one mans opinion. But if it were my choice, and I don't care what anyone else thinks when it becomes my choice. I'd buy the 3500 4X4 DRW SLT with the 8.4 radio W/O NAV and the center console. It would have the 4:10 diff, Aisin trans and standard wheels. If I were towing light more than heavy, it would be equipped with the 3:73 diff. I also would have the 5th wheel prep and buy the B&W base for it. (I already have the head unit) I would stay away from the OEM air suspension and buy a better quality after market system. I might be wrong, but the SRW 3500 has leaf springs which I prefer over coil suspension.

On a side note, also Dodge has the 68rfe because it's cheaper to build as Dodge is the manufacture of it. It's amazing to me that they know it's adaquit, but that's it, adaquit.

 

[RustyJC]

Ram just offers standard and optional transmissions, for pete's sake. The capabilities of the Aisin are certainly greater, and that's reflected in the engine BHP/torque ratings as well as the GCWR and trailer tow ratings as well as the $$$$. If your application is within the operating envelope of the 68RFE, it likely will serve you well - mine did. If you need more and/or have deeper pockets, then opt for the Aisin AS69RC. I've had both as indicated by my signature.

Rusty

 

[EGroeneveld]

If you don't need a dually I'd still go 3500 MegaCab or CC-Longbed, Cummins/Aisin, 5th wheel prep, factory steps, the factory mud floor liners, factory bedliner, I personally like the Laramie for the leather, butt warmers and coolers.....And ''Sport'' if available or the ''blacked out'' version so black inside and out.

I wouldn't pay extra for any tires or wheels, I'd get good tires/wheels as soon as I could level it out or lift it. Or even work it into the deal.

I also love having the bigger tanks like from Titan Tanks or Transfer Flow.

My next to do item is a Buckstop front bumper and LED light bars.

LOL.

 

[Ram4Sam]

70BB, Quite a task deciding what you want.....isn't it.........:-laf The transmission choice is no exception. Here's what I suggest........Take some time and search this forum and the Cummins forum for posts with transmission complaints, sloppy shifting, shift flares, torque converter lockup, frustrations with the dealers to fix the problems. etc. Keep track of how many complaints are about the 68RFE and how many are about the Aisin...........see what you think........

Sam