New automatics behind the 6.7

[AFoulk]

A buddy of mine at work got the go ahead from his wife to buy a new dodge and he wants a cummins (it'll be his first). She said it has to be an automatic though. He asked me how the new automatics were holding up in the pickups and I didn't know what to tell him as I hang around in the 2nd gen. forums most of the time. So, for you guys that have them, how well do they perform, have there been any problems with them, and overall, are you happy with them? He really never tows anything, and hes not one of us power crazy guys so he wont really be stressing the transmission to much. Thanks.

 

[TFucili]

Mine is an '05, so I can't give personal experience, but it is a strange bit of irony that it now seems like the automatics work just dandy, but the 6. 7 Cummins is having its share of problems If it's not critical I'd probably wait a while and monitor things around here.

 

[bruiserbob]

Barrell Of Monkeys

That's My Description Of How Much Fun It Is To Drive With The

New 68 Rfe Auto 6-speed... . it Has All The Ease Of The Automatic

Shifting With Flexibility To Select Just The Right Gear For Your

Particular Situation (rpm's). If You Run A Search On Some Of The

Threads, You'll Find That A Lot Of The Diehard "stick Guys" Are

Raving About It... . it's Absolutely The Best Auto That I've Ever

Driven !!!!!! The Shift Is So Smooth, It Is Seamless. The Only

Downside Is The Tendency To Shift A Little Too Soon And Keep

Your Rev's A Little Low, But That Is What Makes The "plus" And

"minus" On The Shifter So Versitile... ...

 

[AFoulk]

I heard from some guys on DTR that they are gonna use a new fuel system on the 09's to try and cure some of the problems they've been having, is that true? I might tell him to try and wait if thats the case.

bruiserbob, I know what you mean. I've always been a diehard stick guy, but I think when I finally retire my 02, I'm getting a new one with an automatic as well. I must be getting lazy

 

[Bob V]

I've not heard any bad about the new autos, but, he needs to make sure he will drive it. The engine needs to get fully warmed up and driven to clean out the PDF, short drives with no load won't do it. Might look at this thread https://www.turbodieselregister.com...4611-injury-catalyst-full-time-give-back.html

Also, exspect 10-20% worse MPG that the 5. 9s, figure about 15 +/- for normal driving.

 

[AFoulk]

well, I don't think the mileage is a big deal considering hes only getting 12-13 his 02 1500 he has now. I think his shortest drive is his drive to work which is about 15minutes, which I think would be long enough. Another guy at work just bought one with the G56 manual transmission, and his hits full temp during his 10min. drive to work.

 

[catoiler]

The engine needs to get fully warmed up and driven to clean out the PDF, short drives with no load won't do it. Might look at this thread https://www.turbodieselregister.com...4611-injury-catalyst-full-time-give-back.html

Also, exspect 10-20% worse MPG that the 5. 9s, figure about 15 +/- for normal driving.

Not trying to hijack or slam, but is this from personal experience or just what you have read? I drive mine all the time less then 10 mile trips and have never had a problem with the DPF plugging. You are right about the milage it is way worse than the 5. 9. the trans is a dream to drive and tow with as is the factory exhaust brake.

 

[MCummings]

the sky is falling, the sky is falling...

I have not heard of any auto's failing that were not user induced.



In '04. 5 some Auto's were failing from a faulty t-stat in the cooler line, letting them overheat. Before that, the auto's were pick 'n choose as far as which ones lasted, and which ones failed.



So far I've heard of 3-4 broken trans, but only with owners gettin' crazy with power adders, and trying to launch with alot of boost. (Edge Juice on lvl 6, straight pipe, intakes and such, building boost and launching with 20+PSI)



As far as stock trucks tearing up the trans, I have not seen one on the internet yet.



Merrick

 

[Simplysmn]

The new trucks are AWESOME the new transmission is sweet to drive you can shift it how you want it or just leave it n drive and let it roll either way so far I think they hit the Nail on the head with the new motor n transmission combo

 

[MisterScott]

New transmission is great. I love turning the exhaust brake on then selecting successively lower gears on hearing the jake brake slow the truck. My sons love it too. Transmission is great. I just keep it topped out in 5th to prevent lugging around town and on cold mornings.

 

[catoiler]

The brake sounds great in the cab but whines like a jet at the pipe,wished it had the same sound out the pipe as in the cab.

 

[Garlic]

The new trans is awsome!!, Full throttle shifts and into lock up too! In regular mode the shifting is seamless, The shifting gets stiffer and higher revs when in T/H mode. Love the trans. My 96 has towed 70K+ and the 47 series trans has neve been touched except for servicing.

 

[gsbrockman]

Mine is an '05, so I can't give personal experience, but it is a strange bit of irony that it now seems like the automatics work just dandy, but the 6. 7 Cummins is having its share of problems If it's not critical I'd probably wait a while and monitor things around here.

Nice. :-laf :-{}



I have right at 11k miles on mine and my 68RFE is greattttttt.

I have a friend that has over 50k miles on his '07. 5 3500 DRW hauling hay 90% of the time, and all is well with his rig, too.



Greg



#ad

 

[WNowlan]

I have a slightly bombed 04. 5 and my brother and I own a Boat business. Towing the same boat is a dream with his truck. Mine is great but I miss not having a Jake. I will be adding a engine brake to mine. He drives like five minutes to work and was taking it easy. He had some problems with the trap. I told him to drive like he stole and he has not had any more problems.



Next truck for me Mega DRW Auto. :-laf

 

[jelag]

08 5500 owner here... . The Aisan transmission is so much better than the NV5600 we had in the 3500's... I just returned from a 1,100 mile trip, loaded at 19,500 lbs. . averaged 11 mpg which is better than the F550 we are about ready to trade.....

Still under 5,000 miles but I think we're going to be happy with this one..... will post pictures soon... .

Only wish a Mega cab was available in the 4500/5500 C&C...

 

[TFucili]

Nice. :-laf :-{}



I have right at 11k miles on mine and my 68RFE is greattttttt.

I have a friend that has over 50k miles on his '07. 5 3500 DRW hauling hay 90% of the time, and all is well with his rig, too.



Greg



#ad

I am glad you are happy with your rig, and I didn't write the post to flame anyone, but your satisfaction does not invalidate the various people who have had some serious issues with the 6. 7. Relax, we're on the same team I didn't tell him to buy a Powerdork

 

[AFoulk]

I hope my buddy at work buys one of these things so I can drive it Thanks for all the input guys

 

[NStates]

The new Automatic

I have an 08 6. 7 with the 68 RFE automatic. I had a 2001 and a 2005 stick 6 speed due to the size of the fifth wheel I was towing but have downsized slightly and went to the automatic. Only have 6,000 miles on it and no extensive towing but find it excellent especially when I tow. The gear selection and exhaust brake are great. It runs smoother than anything I have ever has.



Norm



2008 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2



6. 7 Liter Cummins (R) Turbo Diesel Engine, 6 -Speed Automatic 68RFE Transmission, 3. 73 Anti-Spin Differential, Brilliant White, ISSPRO Gauges, Transfer Flow Fuel Tank, PullRite #20,500 Super 5th Hitch, Line-X, XTRA Bed liner , Hayes Genesis brake controller, PML Deep Transmission Pan, Custom Graphics, Pull a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel.

 

[PaulBarker]

i love my 68rfe, its a great transmission. a few guys on the cummins forum had the gm Allison transmission before the 6. 7 with 68rfe they have now and love it. they sayit pulls better and handles the power better than a Allison

 

[JCleary]

I intentionally didn't drive the Laramie '08 on the lot when I bought my '07 5. 9. I knew I'd fall in love with the transmission and get the 6. 7. Since I have a desire for 600+hp (my '03 was only 555 rwhp), I didn't want the DPF. I went with the tried-and-true 5. 9 and 48RE.



Knowing what I know now, I would have gotten the '08. It has plenty of power, and the mileage is about the same. My 5. 9 auto only gets about 11-12mpg in town, down about 4 from my '03.



The 6. 7's are reported to get about the same, so that's what I would do if I could do it again...



Since I'm waaaay upside down I don't have to worry about it for a few years