Transfer Case Failure x 2

[Newsa]

Bumper pull ratings are not that high anyway. Those numbers are for 5th wheel and gooseneck I believe. SnoKing

I always thought my 16,350 tow rating was really designed for a bumper pull. I can only load 2350 by manufacturer specs (limited by rear axle rating and rear leaf springs) in the bed. A gooseneck or 5th wheel of 16,350 would likely load 3350 to 4000 lbs in the bed overloading my rear axle and rear springs by 1000+ lbs. Mine is a 2013 Ram 2500 with g56.

 

[AH64ID]

Sure the Aisin and Auto-Level might reduce the tow rating since they are heavier than the 68RFE and springs, but only by a couple hundred pounds... of which who really pays that close of attention to.

Personally the 16% increase in torque is worth the Aisin, as is the trans itself.

The auto-level is better, my 0.02, empty or loaded.

That being said, the 2500 does carry the same GCWR as the 3500, so the whole overloaded thing is just BS.

 

[SCF Truck]

Ask the dealer why he wants to put you in a truck with a lower tow rating. Particularly when it uses the same transfer case.

They aren't smart enough or are too lazy to study the Ram tow charts. Much easier to up sell me into a truck with the Aisin and make money on that sale.

 

[SCF Truck]

Sure the Aisin and Auto-Level might reduce the tow rating since they are heavier than the 68RFE and springs, but only by a couple hundred pounds... of which who really pays that close of attention to.

Personally the 16% increase in torque is worth the Aisin, as is the trans itself.

The auto-level is better, my 0.02, empty or loaded.

That being said, the 2500 does carry the same GCWR as the 3500, so the whole overloaded thing is just BS.

Agree but I only need to pull the gooseneck once in a while. I'm really not interested in spending another $20k for a 3500 with an Aisin. I suspect FCA wont do an even trade upgrading to a 3500. I wouldn't if I were in their shoes.

 

[JR]

I agree. I am thinking this "smart shift transmission" is somehow shifting into reverse on a down grade. If so, then yes it would be violent when it breaks.

The 68 is not a full electronic transmission like the ZF 8HP, it (the 68rfe) still has mechanical shift linkage

 

[RVTRKN]

More than likey the trans was damaged from the first breakage, OR, it was the culprit. I don't trust the 68rfe, SCF you'd be better off with the Aisin. If you were to compare the two side by side, then you'd understand the quality as well as the slight decrease in ratings, as the Aisin weighs alot more.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have 4 years and 65k on my Factory Rear Air Ride, it's AWESOME!!!

Rides great plus I run 35psi rears on my Dually. Truck is in Alt Ride and sets nearly level as seen below. Second pic is with full RAWR of 9,750#. Pretend second pic is not there.

 

[JR]

The 68 will probably forever live in the shadows of its predecessor, and unfairly so. How many failures do you see on here in stock form, not nearly as many as specific truck issues, emissions issues, etc. And yet it still gets thrown under the bus, kinda strange. Most of the members here wouldn't work one to its limits.

Regardless, this is obviously a QC issue from the factory that has yet to be properly diagnosed. I wouldn't let an unknown issue sway me from getting the same truck again, but thats just me.

 

[Shiner]

Bumper pull ratings are not that high anyway. Those numbers are for 5th wheel and gooseneck I believe. SnoKing

Your beliefs are wrong again, max tongue weight with class 5 receiver is 1800lbs, which with 10% tongue weight is spot on with max tow rating for this truck.

 

[SCF Truck]

The 68 will probably forever live in the shadows of its predecessor, and unfairly so. How many failures do you see on here in stock form, not nearly as many as specific truck issues, emissions issues, etc. And yet it still gets thrown under the bus, kinda strange. Most of the members here wouldn't work one to its limits.

Regardless, this is obviously a QC issue from the factory that has yet to be properly diagnosed. I wouldn't let an unknown issue sway me from getting the same truck again, but thats just me.

Agree. I just called the dealership COO and said put me in one of their 2500 CC's - tomorrow. I'm done.

 

[NIsaacs]

The 68 is not a full electronic transmission like the ZF 8HP, it (the 68rfe) still has mechanical shift linkage

Yes, I wondered about that. It probably couldn't get in reverse without a physical shift. It could however (I think) down shift to 1st if something was wrong with the electronics, that would be almost as bad as reverse, depending on what gear it shifted out of. Say a downshift to 1st from 5th or even 4th with e-brake on. IDK anything about the new trannys, just speculating I guess.

It appears the t-case is getting a huge shock load of some sort.

 

[KParsons]

this is some sad story. the level of incompetents is staggering . i am glad its near the end for you.

 

[SCF Truck]

Yes, I wondered about that. It probably couldn't get in reverse without a physical shift. It could however (I think) down shift to 1st if something was wrong with the electronics, that would be almost as bad as reverse, depending on what gear it shifted out of. Say a downshift to 1st from 5th or even 4th with e-brake on. IDK anything about the new trannys, just speculating I guess.

It appears the t-case is getting a huge shock load of some sort.

I keep wondering also if the electronics are off. Probably never know.

 

[Shiner]

I keep wondering also if the electronics are off. Probably never know.

Probably true on our end, but I am sure engineers will use it as a test bed to figure it out. At least one would hope.

 

[Wayne M.]

They aren't smart enough or are too lazy to study the Ram tow charts. Much easier to up sell me into a truck with the Aisin and make money on that sale.

They probably have one ready to give you.
I don’t think I can compare ride quality of my 3500 to a new one unless it’s got leafs. That being said, I think it rides fantastic for a one ton pick up. I gave a lift to a staunch GM truck guy years ago, and after he got out, he just looked at the badge on the door in disbelief. Complemented the ride quality the next day.

 

[Wiredawg]

Hey fellow veteran, if still open to free advice, get the 3500 and the Asin. Not trying to start a transmission war, but the Asin is a heavier duty transmission. Hopefully, this advice is worth what you paid for it.

I caught up on reading this thread and believe you can't go wrong getting what you had... likely not too many chances if this happening again. I was thinking if dealer offered the upgrade for $1K to 2K, it would be a deal.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ozymandias]

Agree. I just called the dealership COO and said put me in one of their 2500 CC's - tomorrow. I'm done.

Keep is updated.

 

[AH64ID]

What do the engine rpms do right before the transfer cases break?

 

[SCF Truck]

Hey fellow veteran, if still open to free advice, get the 3500 and the Asin. Not trying to start a transmission war, but the Asin is a heavier duty transmission. Hopefully, this advice is worth what you paid for it.


I caught up on reading this thread and believe you can't go wrong getting what you had... likely not too many chances if this happening again. I was thinking if dealer offered the upgrade for $1K to 2K, it would be a deal.
Cheers, Ron

If only! The Aisin is a $2695 option plus another $4k'ish for the 3500 Reg Cab if you can find one.

 

[SCF Truck]

What do the engine rpms do right before the transfer cases break?

Engine rpms are normal. No high revving. First time it happened was a total surprise everything seemed normal. Same with other times. Seemed to be running very similar to the loaner truck. Only difference is my truck has always seem to slip excessively before gear lock up. I confirmed that when I had the loaner truck. The loaner shifted more quickly. Told the service managers this but it seems they get target fixation and want to r & r the transfer case.
Just dont know. Frustrated as heck the Ram area service rep has never talked to me.