new Truck help

[skorski]

Went to the dealer yesterday but still confused on what transmission to get. The aisan sounds good but do I realy need it ? Don't tow a lot of hills 5th is 13,500 Tow around 8000 mi a year from RI to Ca. I understand the 68rfe auto in the 3500 is a well built transmission??? Anyone have info on how they like the 68rfe #@$%!

 

[TCDiesel]

Its better to have and not need ,then to want and not have, The Aisin Waaaaaaaaaaaaay more transmission, the 3500 is Waaaaaaaaaay more truck then the 2500, So when you hit those 30-60 winds gust you know the trans and truck is more, the 3500 weights (SRW) 1600LBS more , so when that animal runs across the road and you need to take action that 1600 more keeps you on the road instead of the ditch or worse.


O I don't like the 68RFE for any type of towing over 8K.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I personally own both, a 3500 Aisin and a 2500 68rfe. There is NO comparison which one actually feels like a true heavy duty transmission. The 68rfe shifts way too soon, it will have the motor lugging around 8-900 rpm at which point the governor on the motor causes the truck to "surge". Putting it in tow/haul mode helps, but even then it shifts WAY TOO SOON. When I'm pulling 7,000lbs, I don't want the dang motor at 1,000 rpm! LOL The 68rfe also will slam into gear now and then, it seems to get confused easily if you are in a situation where you really step on it, then let off cuz some idiot cut you off, and then step on it again. The Aisin is ALWAYS in the right gear, shifts firm but not harsh in the slightest, doesn't have the "flare" you may have seen others complain about, actually will keep the rpm's higher when in tow/haul mode, and it allows the exhaust brake to work MUCH better.

In the 3500, I actually feel like I'm driving a true Heavy Duty pickup. The 2500 feels like just another truck. Don't get me wrong, I really like the 2500 and how it rides, and it is quicker than my 3500 even though it has less hp and tq (I'm sure because it's lighter) but if I could have had the Aisin in the 2500, I would have gladly paid several thousand more for it, it really is that much better of a transmission. I agree with TC, personally I won't tow anything super heavy behind the 68rfe, it handles my 6k boat like it's not even there but the other day I had to move a 12k roller across town and used the 2500 cuz the 3500 was already under my gooseneck, probably the last time I will tow that much weight with it, it just didn't feel comfortable. (I know, I know, there are plenty of people here that tow huge weight with their 68rfe's and love it, however I feel if they drove an Aisin with the exact same load it would be a different story) I had a 2010 3500drw with that transmission that I would hitch up to a 24k trailer for a total gross of 33,000lbs and it was HORRIBLE! So bad in fact that on my first trip towing out to Seattle, I stopped at Dave Smith and ordered my GMC Duramax / Allison on the way home.

On a side note: The reason I didn't just buy a 3500 srw was the coil spring suspension on the 2500, I am ordering a complete airbag setup to try and get the best possible ride since this isn't my only truck.

If I was in a position where I could only have one pickup, it would be a 3500 srw hands down no question about it. With the transmission being probably 75% of the reason for the decision.

:edit I really think you owe it to yourself to drive both, actually put a few miles on them, not just around the block. Any dealer worth a cr*p will gladly let you drive them. Even if the Aisin isn't equipped the way your want, at least drive a truck with the transmission in it. I think that will probably make your mind up for you.

 

[EDankievitch]

I've got the 68RFE in my 2500. I use to be a manual transmission guy so it was a huge adjustment for me to go with the auto. I have to say that so far it works really nice. Some times it has a mind of it's own esp with the engine break. And what I mean is some times it slows the truck as expected sometimes not. In the tow/ haul mode it seems to always be in the right gear for the conditions. I've yet to not be happy with that feature and the engine break works really nice in that mode. I have towed with it, Ny to Fla Keys and back towing roughly 7500-8500 lbs. It takes some getting use to it unlocking and locking when shifting some call this the "RPM Flair" My say is if your not running maxxed out all the time the 68RFE works just fine. Time will tell when I have over 200,000 miles on it as to how it lasts, I doubt it will hold up as well as the old 727 tourque flight my 89 had. I had well over 500,000 miles on that one and only had it out to do the Tq converter and front seal. It's funny the servicing dealer kept telling me that it was getting close to needing a rebuild, they started saying that at 150,000 miles. I told them just re adjust the bands at 250,000 and I'll keep an eye on it.... Last I heard it was still pulling strong ten years after I sold the truck to a fellow boat hauler. I used that truck to move boats lots of boats big (24,000-35,000 lbs) and small

 

[Jim W]

I can't speak for the newer trucks but I have a 08 with the 68RFE; I like the transmission. The truck has 71,000+ miles on it and I have a deep Mag-Hytec pan. I also tow a 5er; 318SAB Cougar that scales at 11,000 LBS. I have towed out west to Yellowstone and in the Rockies and back east thru the Smokey Mountains with the truck and trailer. I also use the tow/haul mode plus the auto selector to change gears as needed. I tend to shift the auto like a DSG transmission that is used in the VW and Audi cars. What I mean is I will use the selector to up shift and down shift whatever gear I need not waiting for the ECM to change the transmission gears. I tend to drive by the TAC and EGT gages keeping the truck around 60 MPH on the highway. So I am in 5th gear a lot instead of 6th but I will use 6th gear on the flat portion of the highway at about 1500 RPM’s.

Jim W.

 

[gsbrockman]

My 68RFE in my 2007.5 gave me over 114k miles of perfect service. I have two Aisin trucks ('13 & '14) both DRW Crew Cabs 4x4. Drop the extra $2395 over the 68RFE and get the Aisin.

 

[skorski]

Thank you all for the input Looks like it's the aisan

 

[Powder Extreme]

You're welcome and excellent choice!

 

[Ram4Sam]

I too came from a 14 year stint rowing a six speed and going to an auto was a concern of mine. Down shifting the stick and an exhaust brake was all I knew, very little use of the brake pedal to stop. The way the aisin downshifts while slowing down, along with the exhaust brake, I am very happy with it.

Sam

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have had zero problems with the 68RFE with 50K on the clock. It down shifts well and does not lug at all. The shifts are firm. I do use TH and EB all the time.

When I go to a 15 it will have the Aisin with the extra power.

 

[Bug Out]

If you can, go Aisin. 68 RFFE is adequate and thats it.