Do I get the Aisen for my man or not???

[SteelToeStilettos]

Howdy Fellas,

I am nearly ready to buy my man a new Cummins rig. I have driven 3500 fleetside with the 68RFE and HO with Aisen trans, both with the 3.73. We are coming out of a 2011 2500 with the 68/3.73. Most of his driving is in town, big city traffic, but the occasional haul. So, he is the typical case that you would think would be steered to the 2500/68. Well, I am not sure about that. If I buy him a top of the line truck, it seems like a waste not to get the full value proposition if I can afford it. I have driven both a couple times, and they both ride surprisingly well, better than our '11 2500. The 3500 fleetside feels more solid, tighter to me, than the 2500. The Aisen shifts up quickly--firmly, but smooth in my view. I like how it moves up through the gears efficiently, reminding me of how I drove a stick once upon a time. The 3500 with the 68 took much longer to shift up, but arguably was a little smoother. I have read complaints about the Aisen shifting in some cases. What to do? I want him to be thrilled with his gift. Comments are appreciate.

 

[DHayden]

From your comments, an Aisin is not needed. If its mainly around town I think most prefer the 68 but I have not driven one so I couldnt say. If you have the money and you want the best and the longevity, then by all means get the Aisin. I am afflicted with getting the best I can buy, I rarely tow but max tow was the only option...I'm sick, I need help. Your husband certainly wont be disappointed in either.

 

[SteelToeStilettos]

It will be helpful to hear feedback from someone who has driven the Aisen for some time and can comment. Having driven a stick, I don't mind feeling the shift. When I drive my Bimmer is Sport mode, believe me, you feel the shift. It's driving, not a carnival ride!

 

[DHayden]

I have not driven one with a 68rfe, I do have an Aisin and I love it. It is firm but not jarring while empty. Towing is also firm but smooth with a 20k lbs 5th wheel.

 

[BarryG]

I have not driven an Aisin so can’t speak to them but I can say my 68rfe has performed quite well and have had zero issues so far with 160k miles so far. In fact enough so that I have 2022 on order and stuck with the 68rfe
While I also like to get the best I can (sometimes that money thing gets in the way but this isn’t one of those times) but I have found over the years that I don’t always need the “best” and many times the best is very subjective. Bottom line for me is if I can afford the best great but I don’t always need the best and if I see no real value/benefit in getting the “best” over whatever other level why spend the extra money for no reason other than to say or think “I have the best”

 

[lpennock]

Aisin transmission has a lower first than the 68 (3.75 vs 3.23) and has a larger 1-2 spread (88%vs 76%) so unloaded it seems pretty low on take off. Loaded it works well. On the other had the gear spread 4-6 is better for towing with the Aisin as it is 30% then 22% vs the 68 22% then 30%. In general you want gear spread closer as you get to higher gears.

The service interval on the Aisin is 30K miles vs 60K to 120K for the 68RFE so maintenance costs are higher with the Aisin.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[mpaulson]

I have five Ram 3500’s from 2014 to 2019’s and I’ve driven four of them on 2700km road trips through the western Canadian Rockies when I took them to Vancouver Island to get welding decks put on them. The fifth one is my personal 3500 4x4 dually with the Aisin. Two have the Aisin and two have the 68 rfe. The biggest noticeable difference is the the engine braking on the Aisin’s is substantially better. And by that I mean you literally don’t touch the service brakes on mountain grades or coming to a stop where with the 68 rfe trucks I had to be tapping the brakes frequently on the same grades and the downshift rate coming to a stop is much slower thus causing the service brakes to be used allot more. Aisin’s have much better hold back/down shifting aggression programming and I assume that’s because the internals can better handle the reversed braking stresses better that the 68 rfe.
Aisin along with the HO will command much of their cost difference at time of sale when your done with it as well and be an easier sell.
As already mentioned though, service intervals will cost you more. For me for my personal truck, Aisin/HO is the only way to go for me.

 

[Ozymandias]

I've driven the Aisin quite often in City traffic and on the long run, always without Trailer and it works just fine. I liked it and would buy it, as good as the 68.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It will be helpful to hear feedback from someone who has driven the Aisen for some time and can comment. Having driven a stick, I don't mind feeling the shift. When I drive my Bimmer is Sport mode, believe me, you feel the shift. It's driving, not a carnival ride!

I have owned both. The 68rfe in a 11 HO DRW and current 15 with AISIN. I liked the 68 as long as I ran Tow Haul keeping the rpm's up and it shifted well. The AISIN I feel shifts a bit more like a built trans with nice FIRM shifts.

To get the highest HP available you need to check the 3500 and AISIN box. I personally would go that route because you will have the power and towing capacity if it's ever needed.

I would HIGHLY suggest checking the Factory Rear Air option!!!!!!! This gives you an even better ride plus a lower entry height.

 

[bcbender]

I went from a 04 HO with the NV5600 / 4:10 to the 2020 HO with AISIN / 3:73... no comparison.. so much smoother, capable, and more than enough truck for all my needs.. I tow a 26' gooseneck equip trailer and a 44' 16k fifthwheel... no regrets but as has been said it costs more... The interior of the new trucks is lightyears ahead of my old 04 and way better than the 2012 HO we have IMHO... of course I am alittle jaded since there were not a whole lot of boxes "not checked" on my new rig. What ever you decide it'll be a great improvement over your current truck and smiles will abound... ( at least thats how a felt when my wife said get the one you want.....)

 

[bcbender]

To get the highest HP available you need to check the 3500 and AISIN box.

Yeah.. forgot about that... good point, in 2020 the 68RFE was only available with the 800 engine, not the 1000 HO

I bought mine off the lot and saved alot of $$$$ but if I was ordering one, Id get the same exact truck with Air ride and the 50gal Fuel tank.. (that should be std on a 3500 truck IMHO!)

 

[SteelToeStilettos]

Boys, I have read with interest your comments and detailed assessment. I particularly appreciate the downshifting detail from mpaulson--this perspective has been totally missing, and is quite persuasive. Thank you all!

 

[SteelToeStilettos]

Yep to rear air suspension...cool option. Husband better smile about all this.

 

[SnoKing]

If resale value is a consideration, the go Aisin or stay home. I had my 2015 3500 4x4 CC SB SRW Aisin Laramie for 5.5 years and loved it.

 

[JR]

Husband better smile about all this.

If not its time to find a new husband

Kidding of course. In all seriousness, you might consider including him in the purchase process. Its a big investment and thats really the only way to know for sure you are checking ALL the boxes that he wants....

Good luck!

 

[AH64ID]

I personally wouldn't buy one without the Aisin, but many do and are happy with the 68RFE.

My Aisin has been great empty or loaded.

 

[endoscott]

Aisin all the way. Quality, performance, and value. Talk to a Toyota mechanic and ask them how many 4-runners they see with a failed Aisin.....Japanese engineering.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yeah.. forgot about that... good point, in 2020 the 68RFE was only available with the 800 engine, not the 1000 HO

I bought mine off the lot and saved alot of $$$$ but if I was ordering one, Id get the same exact truck with Air ride and the 50gal Fuel tank.. (that should be std on a 3500 truck IMHO!)

Yes!!! I forgot about the 50 gallon tank.

 

[Cummins12V98]

AISIN is a true Medium Duty trans. Meaning they are found I’m many other applications other than just RAM.

As Stan Gozzi said “they don’t break” when asked about it at May Madness.

 

[Blackbrush]

I own both. Would never buy a 68 again.