Is the Aisin transmission worth it?

[catfishmontana]

I got the new truck bug, and the Aisin transmission trucks are a fairly rare find in my area, especially loaded out ones. My current truck is a 2012 Ram with the 68RFE, so I believe it's rated at 610 ft/lbs torque. A 2015 68RFE has a large increase over my current truck @ 800 and then there is the Aisin transmission trucks with 865. I doubt I can seat of the pants tell the difference in torque between the two new trucks, but are the ratios and transmission characteristics that much better really? The truck will be my daily driver (yes I daily drive a dually) as well as tow our new toyhauler in the western states.

[Bedlam]

The 6.4 Hemi and 6.7 Cummins engines are used in MDT's with milder tunes than the pickups. The Hemi only uses MDS for PTO operation and not when driving like the pickups. The automatic Aisin and manual G56 are the only transmissions available in MDT's.

[I_m_Rick_James]

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:


I'm sure the 68RE is an adequate transmission, as is the Aisin. There are those that preach the "MDT" moniker for the Aisin but that usually devolves into semantics. Bottom line is that they are all (regardless of brand) fairly decent transmissions that none of us will be able to quantify their strengths or weaknesses.

So the Aisin is not a MDT trans? Please elaborate.

I put my money where my mouth is and spent the extra for the Aisin, I'm an SRW but been right up to 25k GCWR and at that weight I like to know I have a trans with 140 lbs for metal in it than the 68RFE. For the DRW guys towing at near 40k, it's cheap insurance and a no brainer.

Now, people who tune their trucks is a different matter....they should've bought a Mustang

Feel free to put whatever acronym or label on your transmission you like. If the Aisin is a MDT transmission, cite what MDT utilizes the AS69RC.

I opted for the Aisin simply because it allowed for greater hp/ torque and I did not like the 68RFE in my '12 Ram.

Ram 4500 and Ram 5500. Hopefully this information clears your confusion on the subject.

Still waiting for a response, are the 66RFE and 6.4 Hemi's MDT transmissions and engines respectively?

[gtsum]

I have a 14 with the 68 Trans towing 15500 or so. I am close to weight limits and if I go to a dually I will be going with the aisin and 3.73 gears (vs my 3.42). Seems like I could use a bit more off the line to get him going

[Frostbitte]

I've never had the Aisin or driven one. I do have the 68 in my 2011 and I love it. Combined with the exhaust brake, it's awesome. My previous truck had the 545 in it so it's a night and day difference. I have no issues with it as a somewhat daily driver or towing our 13000 lbs 5'er. It doesn't overheat, it shifts pretty smoothly and the electronic range select is helpful when descending really steep hills. I also have a 4.10 rear gear so that certainly helps. 🙂

If I were to buy another RAM, I'd definitely give the Aisin a try not only because I tow heavy during the summer but also for bragging rights. I mean who doesn't want to say they've got a 385/865 Cummins! LOL. Pullin in to the family gathering/campsite and telling them to put that in their pipe and smoke it. LOL!
Honestly, no complaints about my 350/650 Cummins with the 68. It's a great combo so I can only imagine what the newer ones are like.

[Bedlam]

You need to consider what load you are carrying and how often. If you tow only on major holidays and otherwise use the vehicle for commuting or it sits in storage, you may not need the Aisin even though you may have a heavy load. We go out often April through October and are usually crossing mountains, so we have the Aisin. November through March we avoid towing through snowy mountain passes, but we still camp in the low lands and at sea level. We still have coastal ranges to cross, but these are easy compared to what we do during other parts of the year.

[mpierce]

I love the Aisin in my 2014 Dually! Is it worth it? Only you can decide that.

[I_m_Rick_James]

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:


I'm sure the 68RE is an adequate transmission, as is the Aisin. There are those that preach the "MDT" moniker for the Aisin but that usually devolves into semantics. Bottom line is that they are all (regardless of brand) fairly decent transmissions that none of us will be able to quantify their strengths or weaknesses.

So the Aisin is not a MDT trans? Please elaborate.

I put my money where my mouth is and spent the extra for the Aisin, I'm an SRW but been right up to 25k GCWR and at that weight I like to know I have a trans with 140 lbs for metal in it than the 68RFE. For the DRW guys towing at near 40k, it's cheap insurance and a no brainer.

Now, people who tune their trucks is a different matter....they should've bought a Mustang

Feel free to put whatever acronym or label on your transmission you like. If the Aisin is a MDT transmission, cite what MDT utilizes the AS69RC.

I opted for the Aisin simply because it allowed for greater hp/ torque and I did not like the 68RFE in my '12 Ram.

Ram 4500 and Ram 5500. Hopefully this information clears your confusion on the subject.

Ah yes, so the G56 & 66RFE are MDT transmissions and the 6.4 Hemi is a MDT engine? There is no confusion on my part, it's semantics.

[FishOnOne]

Don't let the Nissan Titan confuse you either

[transferred]

I'm Rick James wrote:

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:


I'm sure the 68RE is an adequate transmission, as is the Aisin. There are those that preach the "MDT" moniker for the Aisin but that usually devolves into semantics. Bottom line is that they are all (regardless of brand) fairly decent transmissions that none of us will be able to quantify their strengths or weaknesses.

So the Aisin is not a MDT trans? Please elaborate.

I put my money where my mouth is and spent the extra for the Aisin, I'm an SRW but been right up to 25k GCWR and at that weight I like to know I have a trans with 140 lbs for metal in it than the 68RFE. For the DRW guys towing at near 40k, it's cheap insurance and a no brainer.

Now, people who tune their trucks is a different matter....they should've bought a Mustang

Feel free to put whatever acronym or label on your transmission you like. If the Aisin is a MDT transmission, cite what MDT utilizes the AS69RC.

I opted for the Aisin simply because it allowed for greater hp/ torque and I did not like the 68RFE in my '12 Ram.

Ram 4500 and Ram 5500. Hopefully this information clears your confusion on the subject.

[rch10007]

If it helps... I have a 5 speed Aisin trans in my 4wd '99 Jeep Cherokee. It's got 260K miles on it. I've never had an issue with it. Just changed the gear oil in it and all was clean and clear...

[GBuilders]

I love my Aisin with the 3:73. I wasn't planning on buying a new truck until I saw the left over 2014 and it just happened to have the Aisin. I'm happy I did and it's a joy to tow with.

[Cummins12V98]

larry barnhart wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

blt2ski wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:


I'm sure the 68RE is an adequate transmission, as is the Aisin. There are those that preach the "MDT" moniker for the Aisin but that usually devolves into semantics. Bottom line is that they are all (regardless of brand) fairly decent transmissions that none of us will be able to quantify their strengths or weaknesses.

So the Aisin is not a MDT trans? Please elaborate.

I put my money where my mouth is and spent the extra for the Aisin, I'm an SRW but been right up to 25k GCWR and at that weight I like to know I have a trans with 140 lbs for metal in it than the 68RFE. For the DRW guys towing at near 40k, it's cheap insurance and a no brainer.

Now, people who tune their trucks is a different matter....they should've bought a Mustang

Feel free to put whatever acronym or label on your transmission you like. If the Aisin is a MDT transmission, cite what MDT utilizes the AS69RC.

I opted for the Aisin simply because it allowed for greater hp/ torque and I did not like the 68RFE in my '12 Ram.

One MDT is the 45 and 55 series Rams. BUT, not sure of any others.

As you Rick notes, ALL the current transmissions in the pickup lineup are way the heck better than 30 years ago, even 10-15 years ago. Take your pick, do not look back.

With this in mind tho, I personally would take the aisin, only because as I stated earlier, the first gear is lower, so you have more take off gearing etc for low speed maneuvering. The difference in OD and DOD is not enough to worry about. But stalling out on a steep grade can be an issue loaded heavy enough.

marty

I have not towed the new MS but I did tow the 07 MS twice with the 15 RAM with Aisin. It really gets 30K rolling easily compared to my 11RAM with 68RFE. To be fair the 11 had 3:42's. Still I know there is a big difference with the Aisin.

One thing that really impressed my was I took Conway Hill about a 5% grade on I-5 NW WA on cruise at 60 about 1/2 way up the trans downshifted to 5th without dropping 2-3 mph before downshifting like the 68RFE would. I was surprised it downshifted so seamlessly.

What your truck does is how I tow with our truck but I hit the button for a downshift because the Allison and duramax seems to want to keep pulling in high gear and of course lose some speed.

chevman

With the 11 I would hit the downshift toggle before the speed dropped and that gave me something to do while towing. Now with this new trans I may get bored if it does everything for me 😞

[larry_barnhart]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

blt2ski wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:

transferred wrote:

I'm Rick James wrote:


I'm sure the 68RE is an adequate transmission, as is the Aisin. There are those that preach the "MDT" moniker for the Aisin but that usually devolves into semantics. Bottom line is that they are all (regardless of brand) fairly decent transmissions that none of us will be able to quantify their strengths or weaknesses.

So the Aisin is not a MDT trans? Please elaborate.

I put my money where my mouth is and spent the extra for the Aisin, I'm an SRW but been right up to 25k GCWR and at that weight I like to know I have a trans with 140 lbs for metal in it than the 68RFE. For the DRW guys towing at near 40k, it's cheap insurance and a no brainer.

Now, people who tune their trucks is a different matter....they should've bought a Mustang

Feel free to put whatever acronym or label on your transmission you like. If the Aisin is a MDT transmission, cite what MDT utilizes the AS69RC.

I opted for the Aisin simply because it allowed for greater hp/ torque and I did not like the 68RFE in my '12 Ram.

One MDT is the 45 and 55 series Rams. BUT, not sure of any others.

As you Rick notes, ALL the current transmissions in the pickup lineup are way the heck better than 30 years ago, even 10-15 years ago. Take your pick, do not look back.

With this in mind tho, I personally would take the aisin, only because as I stated earlier, the first gear is lower, so you have more take off gearing etc for low speed maneuvering. The difference in OD and DOD is not enough to worry about. But stalling out on a steep grade can be an issue loaded heavy enough.

marty

I have not towed the new MS but I did tow the 07 MS twice with the 15 RAM with Aisin. It really gets 30K rolling easily compared to my 11RAM with 68RFE. To be fair the 11 had 3:42's. Still I know there is a big difference with the Aisin.

One thing that really impressed my was I took Conway Hill about a 5% grade on I-5 NW WA on cruise at 60 about 1/2 way up the trans downshifted to 5th without dropping 2-3 mph before downshifting like the 68RFE would. I was surprised it downshifted so seamlessly.

What your truck does is how I tow with our truck but I hit the button for a downshift because the Allison and duramax seems to want to keep pulling in high gear and of course lose some speed.

chevman

[Bedlam]

The AS69RC and 6R140 are both used in Class 4 and 5 trucks. The 6R140 is also used in Class 6 and 7 trucks.