68RFE How long will it last?

[Shadrach]

Put a deep pan on and mount the temp gauge on the dash itself along with a pyro and boost gauge. The temp probe goes in the pan itself. I like having the 3 gauges on top of the dash instead of the pillar. All I have to do is look down a bit while driving. I had 3 on the pillar on my 03 and it made the blind spot worse. David

 

[Jim Brewer]

I am thinking of installing a Hy-Mag trans pan and wonder what experience people have had with those, and where you installed a temp gauge on the dash.

I've had ATS pans on my 47REs and my 68RFEs. They're _really_ simple to install as long as you don't mind having trans fluid dripping on you (which I don't). Definitely would recommend any deep pan if you're going to be pulling anything.

For gauges, on my 2001 I had the 3 pillar setup from Geno's like Shadrach mentioned. That was ok, but I agree that it exacerbated the blind spot. On my 2007, I have the Edge Juice box mounted on the windshield. On my 68RFE, the Juice read the temp from the CAN bus. On my 4R100, I have a different sender with a separate CAN address which the Edge box can pick up.

If you use your phone in the truck, one option would be to read trans temps (and a buttload of other data) with the Torque app and a plug in bluetooth OBDII reader. https://torque-bhp.com/software/torque-android-obd2-adapters/

 

[Jim W]

I have a 2008 which I bought with 85k on it. From the records, the transmission was replaced with a rebuilt at about 75k. I don't know what the problem was. I am guessing the trans shop was reponsible for the fact that the bottom of the engine oil pan is caved in (good oil pressure and temperatures so just annoying). Not sure how easy that is to change.
I am thinking of installing a Hy-Mag trans pan and wonder what experience people have had with those, and where you installed a temp gauge on the dash.

I have had a Mag-Hytec transmission deep oil pan installed since March of 09, on my truck with a trans temp probe in the pan. I also change my transmission oil and filters every 40K. So far so good with my transmission. My transmission temp when towing my trailer are between 180 and 200F depending whether I am towing on flat roads or pulling a grade. My transmission gauge is located on the A-pillar with the Boost and EGT gage, which I like having the gauges being there. Because I monitor my boost and EGT temps all of the time when towing. The transmission has 112K miles on this unit and is the original trans that was installed in my truck. I am also using 60HP/120lb-ft torque over stock settings with my program installed on this truck.

 

[Fordracer350]

Extra Gauges?

My transmission gauge is located on the A-pillar with the Boost and EGT gage

OK, so I am convinced I'm going to install a Mag-Hytec pan and a trans temp gauge. A couple of people mentioned having a Boost and EGT gauge. Why are those important? I'm new to having a diesel so I'm not sure if that's standard practice or if there is a problem with the Cummins that I should be paying attention to.

 

[mpaulson]

If you don’t put a programmer/chip etc on the truck, you don’t need a boost gauge or an egt gauge.
As for a transmission temp gauge, again if all other things being stock, it’s not needed either. It’s just a reference item, so you can see how different driving condition effect the temperatures. These trucks are pretty good at protecting themselves if stock.

 

[Jim W]

OK, so I am convinced I'm going to install a Mag-Hytec pan and a trans temp gauge. A couple of people mentioned having a Boost and EGT gauge. Why are those important? I'm new to having a diesel so I'm not sure if that's standard practice or if there is a problem with the Cummins that I should be paying attention to.

I installed these gauges before I installed a programmer on my truck and used them for a 6-month period or so. The EGT gauge would show you when the truck was in the regen mode by climbing to 1450F when it was in regeneration. Along with this and the OHD showing the MPG's reading you could tell how long you were in regeneration mode of the DPF. When I was towing my 5th wheel trailer I was in regen every 200 to 300 miles. When towing the boost pressure would climb and depending on what gear you are in the boost pressure could be an around 30PSI or a little higher. I am not stock now so, I use those gages a lot more.

I am also old school and I like to know what the critical components are doing for the engine. Even if I remained stock I would still monitor the EGT's and Boost pressure.

When I did my installation in Mar 2008, the Edge Insight monitors where not available at the time. I would use the Edge Insight now instead of my gauges cost are pretty close but the Edge Insight offers a lot more information and is easier to install. This just plugs into the OBDII port everything is monitored except the EGT temps from the exhaust manifold. Edge does offer attachments that will monitor the EGT's if you want that. See Geno's catalog on page 8.

 

[RVTRKN]

Wow, I have never seen a regen go over 950*

 

[Jim W]

Wow, I have never seen a regen go over 950*

When I towed my first 5er a Ameri-Camp Summit Ridge 270RKs, I would hit 1450F every time I would REGEN. When I was towing my gauge would show around 1000 to 1050F every time the truck would regen. I believe others have note this too when they were towing and the truck would go into regeneration.

That is why I wanted gauges for the EGT and Boost along with the transmission.

I know see 850 to 1100F in the mountains 6th gear, when I am towing my Cedar Creek 34RL. I drop to 5th gear and the EGT's will go down but the Boost will climb to 30 to 35PSI.

 

[TulsaOkie]

I have a 2011,4x4 3500, with 441066 miles as of today. Just hit the 10,000 hour mark. No problems with this transmission !!!

 

[bigblock_doc]

Well, no problem with the trans but..... Motor just let go at 316,000.
Not happy. I expected more from this cummins.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Well, no problem with the trans but..... Motor just let go at 316,000.
Not happy. I expected more from this cummins.

Stock or tuner?

 

[bigblock_doc]

deleted with race me at 124,000, set for tow.

 

[Dahlsfarrier2018]

I just got my 2018 2500 4x4 back from the dealer after having a major trans failure at 79k miles. I bought the truck new and have towed a 5200lb trailer for work since day 1. Always in tow/haul, maintained properly, MagHytec pan, no tune and no hot rodding. I was told the solenoid pack failed which then took out everything in the trans. All i saw was a check engine light and i only had 1st, 4th and reverse within 5 miles of the light coming on. Just about every part needed was on back order. After 3 weeks Ram authorized a reman trans. The dealer told me this is a big problem and has been for awhile, 7 trucks in right now for trans problems. They also told me if I don’t upgrade it, it WILL fail again. I bought a F350 to replace the truck for business use.

 

[Jim Brewer]

The dealer told me this is a big problem and has been for awhile, 7 trucks in right now for trans problems. They also told me if I don’t upgrade it, it WILL fail again.

Unbelievable. It seems the 68RFE is still a POS. I know ATS has a different (proprietary) valve body & I know they understand why these crappy transmissions fail. How sad.