2006 to 2019+?

[JR]

It's simply because there is enough of a difference that it's worth mentioning.

Except the OP already knows what he wants, 2500/2wheel drive. Given he's owned that package for 14 years and wants the same thing again I think its safe to say he's happy with that set up. Not everyone needs a 3500 HO 4wheel drive....just sayin

 

[AH64ID]

Except the OP already knows what he wants, 2500/2wheel drive. Given he's owned that package for 14 years and wants the same thing again I think its safe to say he's happy with that set up. Not everyone needs a 3500 HO 4wheel drive....just sayin

He will most likely be very happy with that setup.

I usually only bring up the differences since on 3rd gens there were no real differences between a 2500 and a 3500 SRW, whereas now they are quite different and not everyone might be tracking the suspension and transmission differences.

 

[NonFord]

Funny, I owned a 04 with the 48 and that dang thing just shifted like it was no ones business. NEVER had a problem! Sold it with 138k for 22K. Got a 16 with the Aisin and let me tell yah, this sob aint like my 04 at all and is just a complete beast TSB or not. I love this truck, and I carry my Lance 855s like its not even in the bed!!!!

 

[jacknife]

I had a 14 3500 mega with a 68RFE . I now have a 20 3500 with the Aisin . My main gripe with the 68 was heat and with the 342 gearing it would shutter slightly when starting with the trailer in tow 14k t . Stop and go 100 degree traffic would easily get it up past 210 and higher when towing . That was my experience . As far as getting a newer truck I have owned a 96 , 06, 14 and a 20 never looked back, each was better then the last in my opinion.

 

[mpaulson]

I’ll add one major fact here that hasn’t been mentioned yet. And I have, and have had and driven enough of these truck to say this with a definite confidence.
My list:
-07.5 mega cab 3500 dually 4x4, chipped, regeared to 4.56. 68rfe and the only thing I did to that transmission in 200K was a valve body. That transmission would get HOT in and slow moving towing situations. But never had any hard part problems otherwise.(no longer have)
-2014 3500 crew dually 4x4, 4.10’s Aisin. Awesome truck for towing. 157K never touched transmission other than a wire harness issue.(No longer have)
-2018 3500 crew dually 4x4, 4.10’s Aisin. At 39K, no issues yet.(my personal toy hauler)(Still in service)
-2014 3500 crew dually 4x4, 3.73’s Aisin 130K, no issues yet(welding rig with full deck)(Still in service)
-2018 3500 crew dually 4x4, 3.73’s 68 rfe. 35K, no issues yet.(Welding rig with full deck)(Still in service)
-2019 3500 crew dually 4x4, 3.73’s 68 rfe .8K, no issues yet. About to take it on a 2400km drive through the mountains to get a full welding deck on it too.
Sooo, the point I want to make having driven all of these trucks in the mountains and prairies is that all the trucks with the Aisin have substantially much more engine braking power by an extreme long shot!
So if you mountain tow, the Aisin does make a serious difference. I was just in the mountains with my 2018 Aisin hauling my boat and my 34’ toyhauler at 28,900 lbs and had trailer brake problems. I did many 8-10% downhills with engine braking only. I can positively say that I would never have attempted that with the 68 rfe! Never!
Through all these trucks the engine braking difference has been consistent, even between the equally geared 3.73 with Aisin truck.

 

[Tuesdak]

Except the OP already knows what he wants, 2500/2wheel drive. Given he's owned that package for 14 years and wants the same thing again I think its safe to say he's happy with that set up. Not everyone needs a 3500 HO 4wheel drive....just sayin

It's all good seeing yours and other's experience. However, I did mention that not everyone needs a diesel engine or a 3/4 ton. Given that the HO Aisin is only in the 1 tons...

The same 14 year old thing is no longer available new. Only it's modern equivalent with it's improvements and faults.

4WD. Resale is a $10-15K difference as seen in the pre emission trucks. Ballpark 2006 on down : $15K 2WD and $25K 4WD. So an extra $3K upfront is making up for it in resale even if one never moves the selector/shifter from 2WD. Vehicles are not an investment, but, some choices have some real down the road value.

One last thing: asking for an "annoyance" of the TSB flash at my dealer was interesting as their transmission guys are swamped. The service writer was all "October" at first for an appointment. I assume the heat isn't kind to transmissions being 115+ degrees here. Do have an appointment next week.