2021 Ram HD Info From FCA

[JR]

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

Exactly my point Jim.

The 1000 lb ft rating of the zf was from two+ years ago in the above video.
Hard to say what they have currently, or if this is even the direction they are going, but it sure is a long time to be testing a unit for naught.

 

[Blackbrush]

Pretty sure the 68 hasn't (and won't) be supplied behind the HO motor. Rolling with the 68 is playing roulette. Plenty out there that hold up but far too many fail and it's not always based on how hard you use it nor how long you drive it.

 

[TFucili]

I think it is a safe bet that the 68RFE gets put out to pasture at the next change, and they go to one trans for all Cummins, like the other brands do. Whether it makes sense or not, not offering the HO in the 2500 is costing them sales. The numbers game works in the showroom. Since GM broke the glass GVWR ceiling for 2500s, maybe Ram will do the same.

 

[sag2]

The ZF 8 speed has been in the Charger and Challenger Hellcat for a few years now at almost 800 hp on a Redeye. I'm pretty sure they get abused much more than they would in our trucks. Size wise it is the same as all the other ZF's in FCA RWD vehicles for the last 10 or so years.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Love my AISIN, West Coast towing 34-36k combined I have ZERO reason to want more gears.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sounds like they want the 3.42 rear end.

That makes sense, this transmission has such a large gear spread that there is no reason for a lower rear end ratio.
Like they say, even fully loaded it starts out in 2nd on a flat road, uses first only in an incline loaded.
It's spec for 56K GCWR in commercial use. Thats a number.

 

[lpennock]

That makes sense, this transmission has such a large gear spread that there is no reason for a higher rear end ratio.

You probably meant lower which is numerically bigger number.

There is actually a few good reasons that higher rear end is better.
1. overdrive gears are weaker than direct drive and underdrive gears. (This probably applies more in a manual though)
2. High speed gears (lower numeric) slow the complete drivetrain down rather than just the engine which reduces parasitic drags.
3. Lower numerical gears have more teeth contact so they are stronger than the higher numeric ratios. (i.e. a 3.42 is a stronger gear than a 4.10 in the same diff)

 

[AnonEd]

The ZF 8 speed has been in the Charger and Challenger Hellcat for a few years now at almost 800 hp on a Redeye. I'm pretty sure they get abused much more than they would in our trucks. Size wise it is the same as all the other ZF's in FCA RWD vehicles for the last 10 or so years.

I've no problem with ZF boxes of any kind, but I'd guess a truck would be harder on it than a car for two reasons. One, it's hard to make a Hellcat "work" for much time at all where a truck could/will run closer to 100% a lot more. And two, since the "fuse" in the Hellcat is the rear tires (at least below, what, 60 or 70 mph?) while in the truck it could be the transmission (or U-joints, t-case, etc.). Where will the fuse be in a TRX?