New Truck must haves.....???

[kthaxton]

They put the 68rfe behind the diesel because it's rated for the SO HP. Notice they don't put it behind the HO CTD. Yes it's lighter duty than the Aisin and the proof is in the Dodge ratings.

OP, there are lots of upgrades for the Dodge Ram you can concider, and I'm just one mans opinion. But if it were my choice, and I don't care what anyone else thinks when it becomes my choice. I'd buy the 3500 4X4 DRW SLT with the 8.4 radio W/O NAV and the center console. It would have the 4:10 diff, Aisin trans and standard wheels. If I were towing light more than heavy, it would be equipped with the 3:73 diff. I also would have the 5th wheel prep and buy the B&W base for it. (I already have the head unit) I would stay away from the OEM air suspension and buy a better quality after market system. I might be wrong, but the SRW 3500 has leaf springs which I prefer over coil suspension.

On a side note, also Dodge has the 68rfe because it's cheaper to build as Dodge is the manufacture of it. It's amazing to me that they know it's adaquit, but that's it, adaquit.

Since the 68RFE is better than what was offered with a Cummins prior to its inception (the 47 and 48RE), what do you consider those transmissions, cracker jack transmissions?

Regardless, while it is light-er duty that an Aisin, it is not a light duty transmission. My 68RFE and 3.42 combination tows my load just fine.

 

[dfb]

Got one! 7 /100000 bumper to bumper....

 

[RVTRKN]

Since the 68RFE is better than what was offered with a Cummins prior to its inception (the 47 and 48RE), what do you consider those transmissions, cracker jack transmissions?

Regardless, while it is light-er duty that an Aisin, it is not a light duty transmission. My 68RFE and 3.42 combination tows my load just fine.

FWIW, the 48re in stock form is a weak setup, however you can beef up the 48re to handle more HP than the 68rfe is capable of, even when upgrading one. The 47re is just a weak trans that is only capable of stock power, I'm sure there are kits to beef one up, but I wouldn't. There is a reason I owned the NV5600 and now have the G56. The 68rfe was not available for the C&C that I bought, and little was known about the G56 or the Aisin. My thought process was a Manual built by Germans (found out to not be the case after I bought it) or the Japanese built auto. Boy did I miss the boat, the Aisin is one hell of a transmission. TDR member EB has over 500K on his, and most of that is towing into the oil fields. I chose the Aisin, everyone else can make up their own mind.

 

[SnoKing]

FWIW, the 48re in stock form is a weak setup, however you can beef up the 48re to handle more HP than the 68rfe is capable of, even when upgrading one. The 47re is just a weak trans that is only capable of stock power, I'm sure there are kits to beef one up, but I wouldn't. There is a reason I owned the NV5600 and now have the G56. The 68rfe was not available for the C&C that I bought, and little was known about the G56 or the Aisin. My thought process was a Manual built by Germans (found out to not be the case after I bought it) or the Japanese built auto. Boy did I miss the boat, the Aisin is one hell of a transmission. TDR member EB has over 500K on his, and most of that is towing into the oil fields. I chose the Aisin, everyone else can make up their own mind.

Say what, the 47RE and 48RE are very similar, with the 48RE having more electronics OEM. Both can be rebuild to handle massive similar power levels. The 68RFE can also be beefed up, it just cost about twice as much to do it. SNOKING

 

[Bowtiepower00]

If you listen to the members on TDR, any 2500 truck is a POS and the 68RFE is going to grenade the moment you drive it off the lot.

In reality, the 2500 and 68RFE are more than ADEQUATE for most owners under most conditions. My rig spends over half of its life towing my toyhauler, without issue. Would I prefer a 3500 with Aisin trans? Sure. Could I find one for the $43k I paid for my Rambox equipped tradesman? No. All of the 3500 SRW rigs I found were closer to 50k, and I didn't have time to order.

I will say, if you plan on towing heavy, it doesn't take much to make the rear of the 2500 sag to almost level, even with a WD hitch. Payload rating will also be questionable with a decent sized gooseneck or fiver.

I will say, many of the fuel economy numbers I see posted on here are optimistic, or the owners are driving with Miss Daisy in the truck. I see 12-14 hand calculated on average, metro big city driving, with a best ever of just under 16 on a tank that included a couple hundred miles of highway at 75-85mph. Towing I have never seen above 10, except for one tank that was mostly 55-65 running flat in Iowa. Average is closer to 8 running 75ish and 9 running about 60-65 in commiefornia. 85 will give me about 7 towing my 7500lb Toyhauler. I have seen low 6's on more than one occasion, again hand calc'd. Had truck checked on the computer at dealer and everything is up to date and no faults found.

I have had no issues with the DEF system other than usage, Towing my rig uses quite a bit, easily 3% of fuel usage if not a bit more. Great trucks overall.

Only complaint I have, though it is a major one, is a rear differential failure at about 3000 miles, following a proper break in, that is on its way out again, with just under 10k on the truck. I added the extended warranty, so if I have issues I let the dealer handle it.

Bought mine from Bill Luke in Phoenix, they have pretty good pricing.

 

[SnoKing]

I towed our 39'4" 5er weighing just under 16K (25K combined) from Washington to the East Phoenix area at 60 MPH and got 10.7 MPG hand cal over all. Lowest was in Nevada on 93 with wind at 9.7. Speed kills mileage!

Filled up the other day in AJ and have a couple hundred miles running around Phoenix area on the 60, 10, and 101 and evic is reading in the 19's right now, so mileage is in the 18's. I drive the speed limit, did I say speed kills milage? Slow down and enjoy life a little. Snoking

 

[NIsaacs]

Lowest was in Nevada on 93 with wind at 9.7. Speed kills mileage!

Snoking

Did you mean hwy 95 in Nevada?

Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

SNOKING, a buddy of mine bought a used 2014 2500 Mega Cab, that tows his 5ver over the ratings of his truck. It tows just fine and has surprised him of the power, and it's got the 68rfe with the 3:42 diff. However his first question he asked me is how do you know if it's the Aisin auto? Told him it's a 2500 so no Aisin behind your CTD. He still has his 2001 2500 with the 47re and it does just fine towing the same 5ver, just at a higher RPM and slower when climbing Baker Grade. Yes the other transmissions can handle the power that the CTD can produce, even my G56 (which has cost me a bundle so far) has performed as advertised. Would I buy any of those transmissions with the Aisin available? Hell no, my hard earned money would only buy the best transmission ever available behind the D/C. This will be my last post on this subject, so I won't bore everyone anymore, but if you buy a HD light pickup, to work it out at the maximum ratings, you should equip it with the best available engine/transmission.

 

[Cummins12V98]

68RFE is no slouch. Only Issue towing a combined 29K was getting the load rolling on grade. I just babied it til it started to roll then hit it hard. It had 3.42's.

Pan at 65K with at least 1/2 the mileage towing. There was at least 50K on the AMZ/OIL.

Can't beat the Aisin with it's lower starting gears. I now tow just over 33K combined and I just push down on the go pedal and it simply takes off with NO launch shudder. This truck has 4.10's.

 

[kthaxton]

I chose the Aisin, everyone else can make up their own mind.

I am certainly not trying to influence someone to buy one trans over the other, I am merely arguing your point that a 68RFE is a "Light Duty" transmission. Rusty said it best, they just offer a "standard" and an optional trans. Saying it is "light duty" implies it is not up to the intended task, which it is.

Just because the Aisin is better, doesn't mean the alternative is crap....regardless of your rare, bad experience.

 

[SnoKing]

Did you mean hwy 95 in Nevada?

Nick

No 93, Jackpot South. SNOKING

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes, my bad, that works too.

I usually go through Reno and Susanville when I travel to the Northwest.

Nick

 

[SnoKing]

Yes, my bad, that works too.

I usually go through Reno and Susanville when I travel to the Northwest.

Nick

Lots of nothing on 93 for miles and miles and miles!!!! SNOKING

 

[gsbrockman]

85 will give me about 7 towing my 7500lb Toyhauler.

What mpg do you get at 95 ???

What mpg do you get at 105 ???

 

[Cummins12V98]

What mpg do you get at 95 ???

What mpg do you get at 105 ???

Sorry my 11 HO Dually would only go to 103.

Disregard second pic.

 

[dfb]

Sorry my 11 HO Dually would only go to 103.

Disregard second pic.
View attachment 96946

You say 4;10s? However, you're only reving 1400 at 60 mph? That's what I tack with 3:42....

 

[shorthorn]

You say 4;10s? However, you're only reving 1400 at 60 mph? That's what I tack with 3:42....

As I recall Cummins12V98 had 3.42's and 68RFE in his 11HO. His new truck ('15 or '16?) is 4.10's and Aisin. But then again, I could be full of it.

 

[dfb]

The dash looks the same.... idk....

 

[shorthorn]

The dash looks the same.... idk....

I don't think so dfb... I think the 2015 longhorn dashes have a much bigger screen like below:
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