Looking at a 2014 Ram 3500 Need Opinions

Aside from the trans pan difference I think the dipsticks are on different sides as well. I seem to recall reading that the aisin trans dispstick is on the driver side and the 68rfe is on the pass side

On the tranny, the Aisin is pretty much a rectangular design and the 68RFE has one corner that sticks out some, about a couple inches.

Nothimg wrong with the 68rfe trans. The failures behind them are a direct result of chips,tuners and kids blowing black smoke. However it is a slush box due to tuning from factory...torque managment is what they call it.

How much of a deal are we talking about? I'd offer way below NADA estimates and see if he accepts especially if its having issues right now. The hired driver for the past year really concerns me.

Just about any truck these days should be able to go 200,000 + miles without any major mechanical failures. Personally, I wouldn't be any more worried about the "rest of the truck" than I would the drive train.

That said, it would have to be at the right price. If he truly is having a fire sale, this might be a great buy. Take a look at other high mile trucks out on the market today. They are still holding their resale value.

Working the oil patch, we saw hot shot drivers every day and 90% or more used the Dodge 3500 as their hauler. I have seen hundreds of them with well OVER ½ million miles on the drive train, many with over ¾ of a million miles and several with over a million miles, so I would NOT worry myself over the low mileage on that truck. My concern would be the radiator and if it was overheated, which diesels do NOT like. I would pay a couple hundred $$ to a good diesel mechanic to go over it with a fine tooth comb. Remember, Dodge is not known for bullet proof steering & ride chassis components. A good starting point on purchase would be around 75-80% of low trade value, with NO accessories added.

I have owned three Ram/ Cummins. The engine if taken care of will last and last. Some have amassed one million miles before being taken apart. If the body is good and the price is right and you are willing to put some money into the radiator/fan combo and perhaps fix a few other things it could be a good deal. In the west where I live the big three diesels bring good resale values, especially four wheel drive and crew cabs. Both transmissions are good, the Aisin is better. My biggest concern would be the radiator and fan issues as the truck is only three years old and some investigation would be in order for me. If it is only the fan clutch then it is a non issue as they do occasionally go out.

Greene728 wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:
To tell on the tranny, I think if you google the Aisin and the 68re the pans are different so you could crawl under and check them out. With those miles I'd definitely want the Aisin trans if it were me, but then if it already had issues I wouldn't buy it unless he was practically giving it away. I looked on NADA and for rough trade in price was $21450. So if it already has issues maybe offer $15000. That's where I'd be on it. Price was for a crew cab 4x4 tradesman. A non 4x4 would be $18900 rough trade so I'd be around $12000. Just my opinion.

No need to crawl under the truck. Pop the hood and if the trans dipstick is on the left (facing the engine of course) it's the 68rfe. If it's on the right, it's the Aisin.

This^ is correct.
I wouldn't be scared of that truck if it was well maintained including regular trans servicing.
Aside from the truck driver imprint in the drivers seat, lol, hot shot trucks, if cared for typically have a lot less wear and tear on most components, relative to mileage.
A hauler is going to avg 50+ miles per engine hour (not counting idle time) whereas the avarage daily driver will be in the 30s. This equates to less hours on components who's lives are your based, like alternator, AC, etc. Brakes typically have less use/wear due to rolling down the highway , not stop n go.
Bottom line, a well maintinaed hauler should be in better condition than the same miles daily driver. Now if he was always pulling st the upper limits and getting back hauls, that may be more wear n tear.
I'd give $20k in good to great shape. It's probably worth 25 but that pays for the first big repair or 2.

That truck has the best possible miles put on it. If it has the AISIN I would snag it if it's a deal. Since you know him talk to him about his maintenance and dealer visits.

At 180K miles you can usually start thinking of a trans rebuild. The engine is good for three times that. I believe 14 has the new emissions systems with SCR, and that's better than earlier systems. If the interior & exterior look good, and you can get it for a decent price, I'd buy it. I would negotiate price based on a trans rebuild coming up. That's at least $4k, and over $5K if you go with a decent converter.