Any Aisin Issues?

[wyosteve]

I'm starting to do some preliminary research on the assumption my truck will be part of the buyback and I'll be in the market for a new one. That said, I'm wondering if those that opted for the Aisin transmission have experienced any significant negative issues or what your overall opinion has been and was it money well spent. I tow several times a month with gross trailer weights of 5k to 15k, just fyi.

 

[LHarper]

Aisin is a $2600 option that is worth every cent. Especially true if you doing any towing.

 

[TFucili]

The only major issue I can recall is someone on here had a leaker that turned out to be a casting or machining issue that required replacement. Otherwise, everything I read and hear is super positive.

 

[Wingate]

Shuddering between shifts, especially unloaded leaving redlights.. but with all the other problems I have with it, its actually low on the list of things to get fixed.
r

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks guys, the Aisin in now up to just under $3000. Not sure I need that option since my 68fe has done well for everything I need it to do so far.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Thanks guys, the Aisin in now up to just under $3000. Not sure I need that option since my 68fe has done well for everything I need it to do so far.

Actually, it's not really a $3000 option........you will get dinged $600 for the 68RFE or a six speed anyway so it's really a $2400 option........

Sam

 

[wyosteve]

You're right Sam, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Ram4Sam]

You're right Sam, thanks for clarifying.

I went to great lengths to justify a new truck for myself.........this was one of many......:-laf

Sam

 

[jkern]

Is the Aisin still available for MY 2015 and 2016? i was "building" a new truck on the ramtrucks.com website today, and the Aisin was not an available option for me to choose. (i was looking at 2500 series trucks)

 

[Cummins12V98]

Aisin 3500 and up only.

Helps get this load rolling with ease. 32,500# combined.

 

[Bob4x4]

Don't get too excited about the buyback program. The media is not telling the whole story

 

[wyosteve]

Bob, could you explain what you mean by the 'media is not telling the whole story'? Not trying to bash you, but that is a worthless statement without some facts to support it.

 

[TJJEEPER]

I'm not Bob nor do I play him on the interwebs BUT...
They are being allowed to apply "Reasonable" depreciation. Reasonable has yet to be defined. Also they do not have to pay for your add-ons so you'll be out your goodies that won't fit the new truck.
Lots-o-fine print in the agreement.

 

[wyosteve]

I understand there are uncertainties. I've read the consent decree, which also says they need to pay a premium of 10% above the purchase price to the owner of any unremedied vehicle. And it does exclude modifications. My point was that generalities don't help understand the situation very much.

 

[wyosteve]

Additionally, my question was in regard to Aisin issues, not whether I should get excited about the buyback program, so the response by Bob was still worthless.

 

[Mingoglia]

Before purchasing my '15, I too looked for any inherent issues with the Aisin, and never found any other than the aforementioned launch shudder and torque management. If you put it to the floor at a stoplight, "stuff" just doesn't feel like it's happening fast enough. If you're cruising at certain speeds, and put it to the floor, "stuff" also doesn't seem to happen, at least not when you expect. It's like you're stepping on a pile of crap which is attached to the accelerator somewhere. LOL But once you wind it up, it behaves amazingly. In Tow/Haul mode with a load it downshifts like a manual through the gears. Combine this with the exhaust brake and you're not touching the brakes until you get down to around 15-20 mph when you're slowing down. Towing at speed and going up hill is awesome. Really does a great job. The funny thing is it seems like the more weight is on it the better it is. Stop light to stop light unloaded it's a dog, but load it up and it is does a great job.

I still rather have a manual, but the Aisin despite it's quirks is the best auto I've towed with. The quirks I believe are whats going to provide hundreds of thousands of trouble free miles so I'm happy to live with them. I don't regret this purchase one bit, despite how it may sound.

 

[NDanecker]

I sold my '13 that had the 68rfe just to get the AISIN (and the preferred 4.10 gears). After spending a year with the AISIN I am still happy to have sold the truck for the upgrade and would do it again. Not knocking the 68rfe ... but the AISIN for ""ME"" is a much better fit and worth every penny.

 

[Powder Extreme]

As I've said before, I currently own both in a '13 one ton and a '14 3/4 ton. The Aisin is hands down, light years ahead and far superior to the 68rfe. Sure the 68rfe works, but the Aisin works much better. A small block gas engine will "work" yet we all own a Cummins, put that in perspective.

Not only is it a better transmission, but the programming of the shift points and how and when the exhaust brake engages are completely different and far superior. My silly 68rfe will up shift me to where the motor is only spinning 900-1,000 rpm in tow haul mode with 10k behind me, I'm sorry but that is absolutely STUPID! More torque is just gravy, and with the upcoming 900lb/ft coming up, even more gravy!

As stated above, certain low rpm, low speed, throttle lift off situations will cause it to hit 2nd gear pretty hard, like when you leave a stop light as normal and the jack wagon in front of you slows down so you are forced to lift off the throttle. Normal driving it shifts smooth every time. Only flaw I can see and don't really consider it a flaw is you HAVE to be COMPLETELY stopped when shifting between reverse, neutral and drive. If not it will slam into gear pretty hard. Even states this in the manual. Took some getting used to as I would normally back out of my garage, shift to neutral and let the truck coast to a stop, then shift into drive. If I do that with Aisin, it hits gear HARD. Not really a big deal, just have to adjust my driving style some.

Towing 30k uphill it shifts better than any truck I have ever owned, which is A LOT. Including numerous Allison equipped rigs.

 

[kthaxton]

Before purchasing my '15, I too looked for any inherent issues with the Aisin, and never found any other than the aforementioned launch shudder and torque management. If you put it to the floor at a stoplight, "stuff" just doesn't feel like it's happening fast enough. If you're cruising at certain speeds, and put it to the floor, "stuff" also doesn't seem to happen, at least not when you expect. It's like you're stepping on a pile of crap which is attached to the accelerator somewhere. LOL But once you wind it up, it behaves amazingly. In Tow/Haul mode with a load it downshifts like a manual through the gears. Combine this with the exhaust brake and you're not touching the brakes until you get down to around 15-20 mph when you're slowing down. Towing at speed and going up hill is awesome. Really does a great job. The funny thing is it seems like the more weight is on it the better it is. Stop light to stop light unloaded it's a dog, but load it up and it is does a great job.

I think everything you mention there aside from the Tow/Haul and engine brake stuff is engine pcm related, not trans related. Further, everything you explain there is the same with the 68RFE (no, I am not saying the 68RFE is as good or better, just that the things you mentioned are not specific to the Aisin).

 

[Mingoglia]

As I've said before, I currently own both in a '13 one ton and a '14 3/4 ton. The Aisin is hands down, light years ahead and far superior to the 68rfe. Sure the 68rfe works, but the Aisin works much better. A small block gas engine will "work" yet we all own a Cummins, put that in perspective.

Not only is it a better transmission, but the programming of the shift points and how and when the exhaust brake engages are completely different and far superior. My silly 68rfe will up shift me to where the motor is only spinning 900-1,000 rpm in tow haul mode with 10k behind me, I'm sorry but that is absolutely STUPID! More torque is just gravy, and with the upcoming 900lb/ft coming up, even more gravy!

As stated above, certain low rpm, low speed, throttle lift off situations will cause it to hit 2nd gear pretty hard, like when you leave a stop light as normal and the jack wagon in front of you slows down so you are forced to lift off the throttle. Normal driving it shifts smooth every time. Only flaw I can see and don't really consider it a flaw is you HAVE to be COMPLETELY stopped when shifting between reverse, neutral and drive. If not it will slam into gear pretty hard. Even states this in the manual. Took some getting used to as I would normally back out of my garage, shift to neutral and let the truck coast to a stop, then shift into drive. If I do that with Aisin, it hits gear HARD. Not really a big deal, just have to adjust my driving style some.

Towing 30k uphill it shifts better than any truck I have ever owned, which is A LOT. Including numerous Allison equipped rigs.

Yeah, mine shifts hard into gear. Even when stopped. Figured my lower than most 4.10 gears accentuate the hard shift. It did get very slightly less after my Long bed conversion when I went from the stock aluminum shaft to a regular steel two piece shaft. The steel absorbs some of this.