What to buy 68rfe or Aisin

[JFortune]

Question for the knowledgeable TDR folks. I’m looking into getting a new truck, It will be a Ram 3500 Crew Cab Dually. 6. 7 Cummins 4x4. I am debating over the 3500 pick up or the 3500 cab and chassis, I will be putting a Deweze bale bed on it so either will work fine. I’m not worried about the DEF on the Cab and Chassis. . The reason for not knowing which truck to get is I want to get the best Automatic Transmission that I can. I do not like the Getrag transmission I’m a NV5600 guy. I pull fairly heavy, also do slow long work like hauling hay in the field. Also climbing hills while building fence. Pretty much work the truck. . What are the major differences between the 68rfe and the Aisin? Seems to me for being a commercial grade transmission I have heard that people don’t like the way the Aisin shifts and they have to shift it manually. Where as the 68rfe do not know anything about it other than it is an Orion, are they any good? Would just like some input. Thanks. .

 

[HBarlow]

I selected the cab and chassis platform rather than the pickup back in late '07 when I was studying the new trucks for many reasons including the Aisin transmission.

The C&C has stiffer springs that won't sag in 50k miles under the kingpin load of a heavy fifthwheel trailer and begin bouncing down the highway like a '50s Buick sedan. The C&C has less restrictive and less problematic emission equipment than the pickup version. The C&C stands tall and proud in the front end, doesn't bow down like 2 wd pickups do. Stated another way, the C&C rides level unloaded and the rear suspension will only deflect about three inches under full or excessive loads.

The Aisin is very tough and works great from the factory. I pulled a 4k gooseneck/fifthwheel hydraulic dump trailer with 16k pounds of gravel in the dump bed 65 miles, partially over rough secondary roads two weeks ago. I also pull my own 14k fifthwheel RV trailer. I have found no need to shift it manually and dispute that claim. It shifts perfectly in drive when unloaded or in Tow/Haul when heavy loaded.

EB, an oilfield hotshot hauler and TDR member who rarely posts has probably 400,000 to 425,000 miles on an '07. 5 3500 C&C with the original Aisin with only routine service.

My C&C has 118,000 trouble free miles on it. In the early years of the ISB6. 7 when some early '07. 5 - '09 pickup owners were complaining of soot issues and replaced turbos, egrs, and more my C&C was perfect. It is all original except for the rear u-joint which failed with a heavy load of gravel at around 75k miles.

I'm sold on the C&C and highly recommend it to anyone who wants a work truck. The tow bed or flatbed is not as sleek, smooth, and pretty as a pickup, but functionally it is a great truck. If I ever buy another one it too will be a C&C.

Your opinions may differ.

 

[NIsaacs]

Since you are going to install an after market bed, I would think the C&C standard frame rail width would be a plus. With the pickup you would have the extra cost of the dually bed that you don't need. Is the bed electric powered or PTO? I think the Aisin has that option but not the 68rfe?



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

That's correct. The Aisin offers the PTO capability.

I think the C&C also provides a row of OEM quality auxilliary switches designed into the bottom of the dash on newer trucks. My '08 doesn't have it.

Another small but, imo, powerful advantage is the braking feature of the variable geometry turbo commonly called exhaust brake switch is programmed to remain on once placed in the ON position. Pickups are programmed to turn the exhaust brake function off everytime the key is turned OFF. The driver is forced to activate the brake again everytime he starts the truck. My exhaust brake was turned on in January of 2008 when I picked the truck up at the dealer. It has never been turned off.

The Ram Body Builder's Guide available for print out on the Ram website is a valuable book of information available only for C&C trucks.

 

[EB]

For what you are going to use it for, I would definitely recommend the Cab and Chassis. I tow heavy all the time, went across the scales in Ok. last week at 34,720 lbs. That is pretty much normal, the next day I was probably close to 38,000. The transmission temp will run anywhere between 150 and 190 depending on load and outside air temp and terrain. Never seen it above 200. I haven't ever driven a pickup with the Orion transmission so I really can't comment about it. We do have a gal that drives where I work with a 09 Ram with the Orion and she also pulls a big gooseneck. She has had no problems so I'm sure it is OK. I've done nothing to mine except change the oil and filter on it and I am over 420,000 miles. It is a working truck. Oh, by the way, it also has a 180,000 mile warranty on the transmission.

 

[kkreigh]

I am very happy with the 68rfe in my 2011. I haul a 24 foot camper into the mountains and really like the lock in gear feature of that transmission. I have no experience with the Aisin.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I can't say what one is better. Never have driven the Aisin trans. But my 68rfe performs flawlessly. I always turn on the tow/haul and EB. Towing a combined 27,000# with 3:42 gears I can't complain one bit. Temps are 172 at 90 degrees outside in all conditions.

 

[sag2]

Just to clarify the Orion name was the code name given to the 68RFE transmission when it was first released. It is an upgraded version of the Chrysler built 45RFE and 545RFE transmissions that have been around since the late 90's. The 68's and the 545/45 are all built in the same transmission plant in Kokomo.

 

[NIsaacs]

I think EB's post should answer the OP's question. 420,000 miles so far on his Aisin, doing what he does, must be a record for an automatic transmission.



Nick

 

[JFortune]

Thanks to all... C&C is the way I'm going...

 

[RonD]

Good choice on the C&C, the use of DEF will be a plus with the kind of work you are going to use the truck for, much better emissions on the C&C also, just a better real work truck, and the Aisin has a flawless track record.