Questions Re: advantages/differences in the 2013 transmissions and engines

[MJWenrich]

I tried searching under the FAQ section for answers to my questions but cannot seem to navigate prior questions. So chew me out if I am in the wrong place. I was posting questions recently on the 5. 9 forum about payload capacity for my 2004. 5 truck and that has driven me to look at the possibility of a new Dodge. In looking, I see a lot of trucks with the 350HP and either the Aisin or 68RFE tans. I thought I had previously seen in the TDR there is a higher HP diesel with 800 ft lbs of torque. The cost differential for the Aisin is $2600 vs $600 for the RFE.



What are the advantages to the Aisen and if there is a higher output diesel, is there a fuel mileage penalty paid for that option? Lastly, I see 342 ratio and some 410 ratio rear gears. I believe the 410's I saw are on a dually. I currently have a 372(3)? ratio with my 4-spd auto and that has been just right.



I am thinking a single rear wheel will work for me as I intend to put a light weight camper on board and then tow an enclosed car trailer. A separate option could be to tow a car trailer that has living quarters. Either way, my current truck will not be sufficient or I will need serious mods and repairs to keep it on the road.



Advice and information appreciated.

 

[Cummins12V98]

All single rear wheeled trucks are 3:42. Dually's 3:42, 3:73, 4:10 are your options. The Aisin gets you 385/850. The 68 RFE is at least 350/800 but someone can correct me because I think it is actually a bit higher.

Single rear wheel I would opt for the 3500 with the Aisin.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My 2013 3500 Dually is the Mopar RFE transmission and 3;42 gears, I only have 2500 miles of towing (Combined weight of 25. 000#)the mountain passes of Washington, Idaho and Montana. So far I would not change a thing the gearing seems perfect, 6% grades it will downshift to 5th and pull over the hill just fine. Steeper than 6% and it downshifts to 4th and still maintains 60mph. I disagree with the idea that the 4;10 gear is the only way to go for towing. My opinion is that I would rather have the trans shift out of the overdrive gears on a hard pull.

 

[Jim W]

I am not going to get in to the debate on the 3:42 gearing or if it should be 3:73, 4:10's. I was at the TDR rally where it was explained to us that the newer 6. 7L engine and the repowered HP/TQ (370HP/800lb-ft) will work with the 3:42 gear set and did outperformed the 2012 MY truck in towing with the 4:10 gear set in it.



Now I have attached for you to review is the Ram Body Builder Guide see link below.



http://www.rambodybuilder.com/year.pdf



Now when you click on this link you will see a page that will allow you to click on several different Ram truck models, pick the 2500/3500HD pick-up icon. A second menu will than come up allowing you to choose several different menus one of them is the camper guide this is for truck mounted slide-in campers. See attached below.



http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2013/docs/ram/hdramcg.pdf



Hope this helps?



Jim W.

 

[MJWenrich]

From the response I am guessing there IS a higher HP engine. Jim... . what are your thoughts on the Aisin vs the rfe trans? I do not know what the advertised advantage to the Aisin would be but I guess with the additional HP on the 800/850 engine, it might better handle the power. But does it do anything else? Like different shifting or ratios in gears or lock outs for the gears, etc.

And also for Jim, I looked at the links you sent but I could only open the weight chart on the second link. The first would not let me select a category. The weight chart indicates that a 3500 truck equipped like my present one with an 8-foot bed, crew cab and 4-wheel drive would leave me 3400 lbs of payload. That's more than my current 2000 but less than I heard on another post (4000 lbs). It's probably enough for my needs but I probably would be at that max load with tongue weight added to the hitch. That's a good chart and may have me thinking dually if I want to go larger than current plans. As no dealer in central Ca. currently has the higher HP engine in stock, I will probably be ordering one. But the question remains about the Aisin. Really appreciate the help from all.

Mike

 

[MJWenrich]

By the way, I forgot to add that in looking on dealer sites I see the Aisin advertised on some trucks but they all show the 350HP/660 torque rating with diesel.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

By the way, I forgot to add that in looking on dealer sites I see the Aisin advertised on some trucks but they all show the 350HP/660 torque rating with diesel.

The lower torque and HP are for the CC trucks with the Aisin trans. NOT the consumer pickups.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Lower ratings for the 6 speed manuals also.

 

[Jim W]

Mike,
I think the Aisisn shift points will be a little different than the 68RFE and the Aisisn is a stronger transmission. This brand of transmission has been used on the 4500/5500 C&C model trucks, I believe since 07. 5 with the 6. 7L engine. I believe the users of this transmission on the C&C trucks will report back excellent service and pulling power + it has a PTO on it.
Now the Pick-up truck version is a different model number than the C&C trucks and I do not know if it has a PTO on the transmission. Someone with an Aisin can tell you if it has a PTO on it or not. I also believe that the pick-up trucks with the Aisisn in it will command a higher resale value in the future if you are thinking about selling in the long term.

Both links I sent you were the same PDF booklet from Ram just that the second one went right to the camper tab. Did you click on the year of the truck (2013) and then the icon of the pick-up truck? This should open up the drop down menu that will provide a lot of information on the RAM trucks.

Jim W.

 

[NIsaacs]

Jim... . what are your thoughts on the Aisin vs the rfe trans?



Mike

AS69RC gear ratios:



(1) 3. 75

(2) 2. 00

(3) 1. 34

(4) 1. 00

(5) 0. 77

(6) 0. 63

(R) 3. 54



68RFE gear ratios:



(1) 3. 23

(2) 1. 84

(3) 1. 41

(4) 1. 00

(5) 0. 82

(6) 0. 63

(R) 4. 44



Nick

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The Aisin is far stronger and more durable. It does have PTO capability. The new model, the 69 is a strengthened 68 that was previously used. We now have too good a trans, just like we have too good an engine for a pickup.

 

[rscurtis]

Pretty soon the entire truck will be too good for a pickup.

 

[MJWenrich]

Jim... When I click on the first link you sent I get the screen with the options of the truck and a second option for the vans but no action can be taken on those. For some reason I can't get into that file.

Nick. . thanks for the gear ratio info. Based on that, and because I do 4-wheel drive my truck on occasion, if I am reading it correctly, the Aision would be a better trans for crawling along in a low gear to hold the truck back on steep downhills. I don't believe I would need the PTO but I did not think I needed a 1 ton truck either. Now I wish I had one. A nephew of mine is looking at the Chev diesel with the Allison. Their MSRP on those is $7200 & 1200, somewhat cheaper than the Dodge at $7800 and 2600 for the Aision. Just a FYI for those reading up on diesel trucks. Not an endorsement.

Mike

 

[cerberusiam]

if I am reading it correctly, the Aision would be a better trans for crawling along in a low gear to hold the truck back on steep downhills.

If you plan on much of that, buy a Power Wagon with a gas engine. Trying to trail a heavy long truck with an auto and a diesel is not going to be less than satisfactory. Without suspension work and tires you will just get far enough offroad to get into real trouble.

Don't expect an auto to have much holding a low speeds, it doesn't work out well. Without the TC locked it won't retard much on a steep grade and the engine has little to no holding power. The gear ratios are meant to work well under power and TC locked, not so much coast sans an EB. The ratio is really a non-factor in those cases. Higher gear ratios like the 3. 42 will impact this also.

You will find more support for modifying and building a 69RFE than an AISIN. Witht he AISIN you are pretty much stuck with the dealer or specialty trans shops. AAMCO is not an good option.

 

[Caseylynn]

Just purchased a 2013 2500 Big horn 4X4 Crew cab 6. 7 6 speed manual shift 3. 42 rear end ratio to pull my 15K 5th wheel. Don't mind shifting,after reading some posts maybe the automatic would have been a better performer. This is my first Dodge and Cummins engine.

 

[GCP]

Just purchased a 2013 2500 Big horn 4X4 Crew cab 6. 7 6 speed manual shift 3. 42 rear end ratio to pull my 15K 5th wheel. Don't mind shifting,after reading some posts maybe the automatic would have been a better performer. This is my first Dodge and Cummins engine.

Congratulations and welcome to TDR!

Best,

GCP

 

[TJJEEPER]

Looking at the ratios that Nick posted I see a BIG difference in the reverse. In my 06 I had issues with backing and high trans temps. I like the lower ratio offered in the 68FRE. What's a guy to do?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Get the Aisin and put it in 4WD as needed to back up. . . it might be possible to make a cut out switch and have 2wd low range like we used to to with the vacuum disconnect on the 2nd gens. I haven't gotten around to checking whether the computer would get upset.

 

[Jim W]

Jim... When I click on the first link you sent I get the screen with the options of the truck and a second option for the vans but no action can be taken on those. For some reason I can't get into that file.



Nick. . thanks for the gear ratio info. Based on that, and because I do 4-wheel drive my truck on occasion, if I am reading it correctly, the Aision would be a better trans for crawling along in a low gear to hold the truck back on steep downhills. I don't believe I would need the PTO but I did not think I needed a 1 ton truck either. Now I wish I had one. A nephew of mine is looking at the Chev diesel with the Allison. Their MSRP on those is $7200 & 1200, somewhat cheaper than the Dodge at $7800 and 2600 for the Aision. Just a FYI for those reading up on diesel trucks. Not an endorsement.



Mike

Mike; Ram was updating the web link moving the 2013 trucks down to the general search listing of the model years 2004-2013. Try again I was able to get in.



Jim W.

 

[CecilJones]

All single rear wheeled trucks are 3:42. Dually's 3:42, 3:73, 4:10 are your options. The Aisin gets you 385/850. The 68 RFE is at least 350/800 but someone can correct me because I think it is actually a bit higher.

Single rear wheel I would opt for the 3500 with the Aisin.

Can the ratio be changed in a 4x4 3500 2012 from 4:10 to 3:42 or the 3:55?