ZF Powerline for 2025 RAM HD Diesel

[Ozymandias]

10R140 is a beast, even the Aisin looks small side by side.. Inputshaft like a forearm.
Saw them at Suncoast's.

 

[AH64ID]

10R140 is a beast, even the Aisin looks small side by side.. Inputshaft like a forearm.
Saw them at Suncoast's.

It’s supposedly already being upgraded to the 10R180...

 

[Tuesdak]

Clearly there can be something better behind the Cummins for a transmission. My Aisin has been problematic shifting from day one, many software updates that have improved but not completely solved it... The Chrysler transmission offered for 2018 IMO was a slow shifter combined with the low output engine cal to get the memo to get the right gear and finally get moving. But the Aisin is still unrefined for shifting given the many software updates even on late model newer RAM's. IMO it's a production tolerance problem where some are not affected and others are too tight to let the current gear go for another.

My families other lemon GM ride lets me hear all about the loved 10 speed behind the Duramax. It's not the number of gears: it's how well it uses the gears and ability to be in the proper gear without the "Who is on 1st" engine stalling DRAMA my Aisin has. Sigh, I got to go raise hell with Stellantis, yet again over yet another item, to maybe get this fixed as my RAM dealer(s) get nowhere.

That style of transmission service, and long fluid life, was introduced a long time ago on other platforms. Toyota started using it in with the 2003 4Runner (in an Aisin), and people just don’t have issues with it. The fluid lasts much longer than “traditional” ATF fluids. It’s also hydroscopic, which is why the transmission doesn’t have a dipstick.

What a poor choice for lube! Lets look at the ignored brake systems that have the same problem with hydroscopic = fluid performance loss and RUST in the system. The NV5600 is a perfect example of lifetime lube means lifetime of lube over = transmission failure. If the other design defects like lack of lube to a bearing corrected by the aftermarket didn't burn it up first.

The HD use transmissions had better have a dipstick. Apparently the collective experience here doesn't have enough "Bad Luck"!

First No Dipstick Disposable Car for me was a GM rental in 2002 or 2003. Coming off of work I noticed a puddle under the rental. Someone had found a parking curb and punctured the FWD trans pan. AT that time the work site is in the middle of NOWHERE with 30 miles of NO Analog Cell Service. I have NO WAY WHAT-SO-EVER to make an informed decision of how much fluid is left in the transmission vs. risk to get home. Something pickup owners take for granted is the parking brick that will scrape up a "low rider" sedan. Potholes and speed bumps have potential to hurt a sedan as well.

I made the rental company tow it and called it in from a POTS line at work. Much wasted time of MINE over a lack of a dipstick.

Plenty of road debris on and off road that can and will pop a hole in a pan. Adding oil can save an expensive tow and a DIY repair keeps the pain down. You just haven't lived unless you have pounded a dent out of an oil pan that was rubbing the counterweights. And no: I don't offroad that much.

Tell me about the seals that NEVER EVER LEAK. Or yoke plugs on the driveshaft for that matter...

 

[crazy jerry]

10R140 is a beast, even the Aisin looks small side by side.. Inputshaft like a forearm.
Saw them at Suncoast's.

ya a real beast. practically everyone says they shift so bad it feels like your rear ended by another vehicle. people have even lemon lawed the truck because the trans was so bad.
https://nextgendiesel.com/blogs/transmissions-101/ford-10r140-transmission-problems-solutions

 

[NIsaacs]

If Ram uses this, woo hoo

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2024-TX-8-Brochure-Final-Digital-HiRes.pdf

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-con...2024-TX-8-Spec-Sheet-Final-Digital-Hi-Res.pdf

 

[AH64ID]

If Ram uses this, woo hoo

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2024-TX-8-Brochure-Final-Digital-HiRes.pdf

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-con...2024-TX-8-Spec-Sheet-Final-Digital-Hi-Res.pdf

That’s the ZF powerline. There’s a good chance it’s a version of that.

 

[Diesel85]

If Ram uses this, woo hoo

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2024-TX-8-Brochure-Final-Digital-HiRes.pdf

https://paccarpowertrain.com/wp-con...2024-TX-8-Spec-Sheet-Final-Digital-Hi-Res.pdf

I would buy a new RAM HD Cummins instantly if that had that transmission with the semi-truck style stalk shifter on it.

 

[petersonj]

Here is a chart I put together to represent per cent of engine torque available in each gear compared to the previous gear after an upshift occurs in different transmissions. Hopefully, this will give a perspective of how one transmission will handle a load when compared to another transmission.

These comparisons are for a 68RFE, Aisin, and a Paccar TX-8

- John

 

[Ozymandias]

Oil change interval 150'000 Miles - commercial use.

 

[bcbender]

Does that account for Torque management algorithm, or just strait calculation.

 

[Ozymandias]

Does that account for Torque management algorithm, or just strait calculation.

Very likely straight as no one knows how much torque management is used for each gear.
At given throttle input. That's a well hidden secret of the MFGs.

But the above mentioned Paccar/ZF will have full torque capability in every gear - the Trans itself of course. Combined with an AAM axle there will be torque management as this axle is just by size to small to take the full load in first gear.

 

[Diesel85]

Must be getting real at this point with so much talk.

Freshly posted today:

https://moparinsiders.com/2025-ram-heavy-duty-to-get-new-zf-powerline-8-speed/

 

[Tuesdak]

"One standout feature is its ability to handle up to 1,000 lb.-ft. of engine torque"
The 2024 HO is already past it's "up to 1,000 lb ft torque" rating in the article. No, that's a PROBLEM not a feature!

 

[Ozymandias]

The 2024 HO is already past it's "up to 1,000 lb ft torque" rating in the article.

By now all the public numbers are just grape vine.

You can be sure that RAM won't lower the numbers nor will ZF supply a subpar Transmission.
Let's wait with that discussion until the real numbers arrive from RAM.

 

[Diesel85]

By now all the public numbers are just grape vine.

You can be sure that RAM won't lower the numbers nor will ZF supply a subpar Transmission.
Let's wait with that discussion until the real numbers arrive from RAM.

I'm like a kid in a candy store right now waiting to see the next flavor to come out straight up from RAM.

If nothing happens, then well, nothing happens. We got all stirred up over fantasies.

 

[Ozymandias]

This time it will be real, we waited for years that RAM finally catches up on the transmission side.

 

[sarj]

I’m hoping something comes of it. I’ve been staring this down for almost a year and gone so far as to test-drive most everything out there in one ton. I put an order in two weeks ago for a pretty dressed out F350 for a traveling truck, including better numbers, a short lift w/ 35’s, and a warn winch tucked inside instead out on a tray. It’s a very clean looking truck outside of the usual boxiness. I figured I could get used to it. To hear the story, they’re saying I’m 10-12 months out, and it was with a heavy heart I ordered a Ford. If this comes around in time, I would happily wait for the right Ram, though I have to admit the woman liked the seats and interior of the 350 better. I’ll be watching with interest this fall.

 

[endoscott]

In the same boat. We are selling our big 5th wheel and I don't think I really need a long bed truck anymore. I have a flatbed trailer if I need longer lumber and I am getting pretty lazy about construction projects anyway. Still going to get a 3500 though, sometimes tow heavier stuff. I would be interested in the new transmission at this point, and also hoping for more "self driving" features like adaptive cruise for long road trips. I had such a bad experience with our 1984 Ford HD 3/4 ton with the diesel that I am gunshy about Fords. But that is so long ago-my buddy loves his new Ford F350. Maybe we should look at those. Is the Ford exhaust brake any good? That is one of my favorite things on existing truck.

 

[sarj]

Everyone I listened to (non-sales types) says the Ram brake is no-contest the best, and the Ford brake is very adequate. As an unloaded driver, the 350 got around a lot quicker, much like my present truck. I'm about 25% on a 5th and thinking 75% TT in the 9K range. If I do the 5th, it'll be a smaller one. I'm in same truck Ozy has (minus 1/2 his goodies and still planning to keep as a work horse), and it's worked well over the years

 

[bcbender]

I have to admit the woman liked the seats and interior of the 350 better.

Haha.. Mine was the opposite.. bout the only thing she liked was the flat floor in the Ford and GMC and having more footwell space in the pass seat due to there not being a big turbo under the floor...

Is the Ford exhaust brake any good?

IMHO.. NO. That was the one of the top 5 reasons I did not consider either of them.. no feed back or "seat of pants" like you get with the RAM. Maybe a factor with the 10spd vs 6spd... so perhaps the 8spd will not be as good either... When test driving there was no discernable difference in decel with it on / off... ( Very different for sure from my dad's 18 F350 6.7 6spd.. and of course they wouldn't let me tow my trailer to do a tru evaluation )