I just bought 2017 RAM 3500 with 68REF

[Kany]

Hello everybody,

I am a new member, thanks for adding me. I just bought a 2017 RAM 3500 dually, I just found out it has a (68REF transmission) I didn't know about the Aisin trans. I want to use the truck for car hualling with 4 cars trailer.
Do you know if the 68REF will do the job?
Should I replace the trans with Aisin if possible?
Thanks in advance.

Kany

 

[Jim W]

Hi welcome to the forum first.
I would use the 68RFE auto in your truck. Several members have used this transmission in the past when the AISIN transmission was not available in the 3500 models. Some members if my memory serves me right, said they had between 250,000 and 300,000 miles without issues. They are in the hauling business as independent contractors. What you do need to do is service the transmission regularly at the mileage indicated in the O and M guide. Plus the rest of the truck as needed.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Day late and a dollar....oh well now you get to PiZZ with the Pecker ya gotZ.

The trans will be fine. Use TH and EB after starting every time. There is a U Tube vid of a RV Transporter that has over a million miles on his.

 

[HPSimpson]

Welcome to TDR best place to learn about Ram / Cummins great group of knowlege and experience folks!

 

[Kany]

Day late and a dollar....oh well now you get to PiZZ with the Pecker ya gotZ.

The trans will be fine. Use TH and EB after starting every time. There is a U Tube vid of a RV Transporter that has over a million miles on his.

Thank you for the answer, will you please tell me what is the TH and EB means.

 

[Kany]

Welcome to TDR best place to learn about Ram / Cummins great group of knowlege and experience folks!

Yes, I am sure I will learn a lot from here, thanks for welcoming me.

 

[Kany]

Hi welcome to the forum first.
I would use the 68RFE auto in your truck. Several members have used this transmission in the past when the AISIN transmission was not available in the 3500 models. Some members if my memory serves me right, said they had between 250,000 and 300,000 miles without issues. They are in the hauling business as independent contractors. What you do need to do is service the transmission regularly at the mileage indicated in the O and M guide. Plus the rest of the truck as needed.

Thank you so much for your advice.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Tow Haul and Exhaust Brake

 

[River_Final]

Day late and a dollar....oh well now you get to PiZZ with the Pecker ya gotZ.

The trans will be fine. Use TH and EB after starting every time. There is a U Tube vid of a RV Transporter that has over a million miles on his.

Why EB and TH after every start?

 

[SnoKing]

Why EB and TH after every start?

Because that is what Ron likes. Others just push EB, and yet others just drive. I am a push EB for bobtailing and when towing push EB and TH.

 

[HPSimpson]

Since I tow 90% of the time I push after start up EB then TH i feel more comfortable that way.

 

[Jim W]

I do tow a 5er a Cedar Creek model, when I am towing, I use both EB/TH this helps when towing. When I am not towing, just driving around town and or on the highway, I just use the EB. Why? The EB helps in slowing down your truck and will help in saving your brake pads, extending the service life of the pads. But you do need to watch the cars behind you as the brake lights do not function when the EB is used. They do come on when the service brakes are applied.

The only problem at least with me is, when I drive my wife's VW, TDI I am always looking for the EB function when we come to a stop light! Expecting the EB to slow her car down and then apply the brakes. Doesn't happen no EB on her car.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Keeps turbo moving and line pressures on trans higher. EB only works with TH on well.

Brakes last forever.

Best part is your trans is in the right gear all the time. As in right rpm so it you want to accelerate it simply does instead of dogging down then down shifting.

All personal preference. I barely use my service brakes.

 

[bigblock_doc]

I always manual shift from the get go. Keeps the rpms a little higher. Less chance of lugging down the convertor.
And less chance of overheating the trans. Had 316,000 miles on my 2012 with no problems.
Only when towing, which is 95% of the time.