2021 Ram HD Info From FCA

[TFucili]

It doesn't look like any material changes for MY 21. It is interesting that the SO and HO versions of the Cummins are called out, with their respective outputs(unchanged), but, unless I missed it, there is no transmission information called out. Neither the 68RFE, nor the Aisin are mentioned. By the same token, the ZF is not mentioned with the 6.4 Hemi, either.

https://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=21910&mid=69

 

[AH64ID]

Interesting. I find the lack of discussion to indicate that there won't be a change.

 

[MtnRider]

So just a new "night edition" paint job and that's it for 2021.....

I think everyone was banking on a transmission change, going to be lots of disappointment I'm sure.

.

 

[nukegm]

So just a new "night edition" paint job and that's it for 2021.....

I think everyone was banking on a transmission change, going to be lots of disappointment I'm sure.

.

and the speculation on transmissions will continue. cheers!

 

[Kirwin]

I don't think a change is necessary nor warranted. The Aisin and the 68RFE both support the stock truck just fine.

 

[endoscott]

Japanese engineering and Aisin for me! Durability and reliability. ZF recommends fluid/filter change at 70-80K miles? per gearsmagazine.com. COST 3-5X higher for service! I think you need a scan tool to determine fluid level, not sure on that. My experience with German dental equipment-great to look at, way overengineered (find the most complex solution to any challenge), virtually no techs willing to work on the equipment, parts always on the slow boat from Germany. When it worked it was great. But it broke 5X more often than American made or Japanese made, and cost 10X more to fix. Plus downtime. I really wanted to get a new truck in a year or two but the Cp4 fuel pump and ZF transmission? No thanks. Will stick with the evil I know. I love the Aisin. Tows like a dream.

 

[Tmartin000]

I have had 3 ZF's in my BMW's. Been flawless. I, for one, welcome a change. ZF makes fantastic transmission's. They already have them in the 4500/5500 Ram versions.

New CAN be better.

 

[AH64ID]

I have had 3 ZF's in my BMW's. Been flawless. I, for one, welcome a change. ZF makes fantastic transmission's. They already have them in the 4500/5500 Ram versions.

New CAN be better.

I don’t see a ZF offering on the 4500/5500, only on 1500/2500/3500 gas trucks.

 

[endoscott]

interesting..any of those BMWs get to 150 or 200K miles?

 

[Kirwin]

I don’t see any ZF transmissions offered in any HD Ram. The Aisin is the perfect towing transmission as far as I can see. And no newer is not necessarily better CP4 pumps come to mind! In a car, 8 speeds is one thing, but in a HD truck is a whole different application.

 

[AH64ID]

I don’t see any ZF transmissions offered in any HD Ram. The Aisin is the perfect towing transmission as far as I can see. And no newer is not necessarily better CP4 pumps come to mind! In a car, 8 speeds is one thing, but in a HD truck is a whole different application.

The 8HP75-LCV behind the 6.4 is a ZF.

The C&C trucks get the AS66RC.

 

[dieselshadow]

The 8HP75-LCV behind the 6.4 is a ZF.

The C&C trucks get the AS66RC. Behind the 6.4 Hemi

 

[Kirwin]

I stand corrected. I didn’t look at the HD gas trucks.

 

[Ozymandias]

I don’t see any ZF transmissions offered in any HD Ram. The Aisin is the perfect towing transmission as far as I can see. And no newer is not necessarily better CP4 pumps come to mind! In a car, 8 speeds is one thing, but in a HD truck is a whole different application.

Your right, a real truck has 16 gears.

 

[Ozymandias]

I don't know that we had this before, they say maybe 2023.

https://moparinsiders.com/zfs-new-powerline-8-speed-automatic-could-make-it-to-cummins-diesel-rams/

 

[endoscott]

Sounds like they want the 3.42 rear end.

 

[mpaulson]

I don't know that we had this before, they say maybe 2023.

https://moparinsiders.com/zfs-new-powerline-8-speed-automatic-could-make-it-to-cummins-diesel-rams/

The article says “up to 1000 ft/lbs”, well we’re already there, so it’s be maxed out at today’s numbers, not good.

 

[JR]

True, but they've also been testing the ZF 8 speed in the Ram HD for over 2 years that we know of, perhaps longer. That 1000 lb ft rating is likely old info despite being a newer article.

If you look at what HP/torque the 68RFE and early Aisin was paired to 13 years ago they are both coupled to engines pushing 200+lb ft torque more
now compared to 07 with internal upgrades and programming.

 

[SSchang]

interesting..any of those BMWs get to 150 or 200K miles?

I had a ZF in my 2008 BMW 528xI. Ran it to 204,000 miles. The guy who bought it from me now has 240,000 miles on it. Changed the fluid & filter once at 125,000 miles..

 

[Jim W]

13 years ago the AISIN was not available in the 2500/3500 model trucks only in the C&C models. I also believe this was a different model of transmission for the AISIN in the C &C models.

When the HO trucks were introduced for the 400HP/1000lb-ft of TQ, I believe the 68RFE had internal up grades with reprograming and a new AISIN was introduced for the 3500 pick-ups trucks.

Things never stay the same in production of vehicles even if the model number does not change!

I don't really see the need for another foreign design transmission in the Ram trucks. I am not a really big fan of ZF transmission. I have seen them junk out within a few hours of operation, when really worked hard. The German application engineers that we deal with always stated "THEY WORK WILL IN EUROPEAN TRACTORS" . Will baby this is Europe! Why do you need more complexity in a transmission design which could lead to more failures, at least statically. When you do a SIX SIGMA study, the more complex the design is the reliability numbers will go down.

I know this is just one off model but my truck is producing 60HP/120lb-ft of TQ over stock at the rear wheels, this is for a 2008MY. My set up in the summer for tire size is LT285/70R/17 which is a slightly taller tire, with 3:73 gears. The truck when pulling my 5er never seems to hunt for the perfect gear to pull in. At 65MPH and 1600RPM's the truck will pull all day long at this engine RPM's an road speed in 6th gear. The only time I will manually down shift is if I am traveling in the mountains when I am towing. I will than downshift to 5th gear to hold the EGT's down so, as to speed up the engine RPM's.
Just my $0.02