RAM 3500 SRW - Aisin vs. 68RFE - Update

[j3ff9ack]

Looking at new trucks - seems hard to find the Aisin in stock. Are the benefits worth the premium price? I tow in the Rockies (Idaho/Wyoming/Montana) so I suspect the Aisin may be worth it if the integration between the transmission/engine/exhaust brake/cruise control is ironed out. But, if the 68RFE is adequate, I can take my pick off the lot and negotiate a better price at the end of December.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice by current/former owners - thanks.

[retispcsi]

I had a 68re in my 2012 3500 dually 4:10. No problems it worked as advertised and as good and reliable as the other 2 transmissions Ford and GM. The Aisin is a true medium duty trans. My 2014 has the Aisin and I tow heavy. Not sure yet as I will weigh as soon as I get done with loading. We fulltime and still emptying the storage unit. Dry out of the factory the unit was 17245. Yes I know the difference between dry and loaded weight. The truck has only 3700 miles so still not broke in. Anyway took a 2k mile trip up to Virginia for a shakedown for truck and fiver. What surprised me was that not only was the engine running cooler then the 2012 but also the tran temps. I use to tow a Cedar Creek 36rlts which was lighter with the 2012. The long and short is the 68re would handle the job but if you can spend the money the Aisin is just a step up.

[j3ff9ack]

I'll keep the group informed on my progress - heading to Boise/Nampa today and will see what Dennis Dillon has on the lot. Been looking at both web sites, but no substitute for seeing them in person.

[coolbreeze01]

Interested in which one you go with. Dave Smith or Dennis Dillon.

[B_O__Plenty]

I put 97,000 miles on my 68RFE with zero problems. Shifts were a little harsh at times when pulling, but overall it was good. Towing right around 12,000# in a full height fiver. Transmission never ran hot. I serviced it every 40,000 miles.

B.O.

[NC_Hauler]

j3ff9ack wrote:
OP here - thanks again for the comments. I appreciate the real-world experience with both transmissions. I am going to opt for the Aisin if I can find it in a truck on the lot. Will be checking Dave Smith and Dennis Dillon over the next few weeks.

Keep us posted if you don't mind.:B

[j3ff9ack]

OP here - thanks again for the comments. I appreciate the real-world experience with both transmissions. I am going to opt for the Aisin if I can find it in a truck on the lot. Will be checking Dave Smith and Dennis Dillon over the next few weeks.

[Bedlam]

I just bought a Cummins with the Aisin transmission. Although my current load could have sufficed with the Hemi, I knew I was going to keep the truck for a while and wanted the extra capacity for future upgrades. I only have 1000 miles on this combination but the two trips I have taken with the camper have been flawless.

[Greentreena]

I've towed my 12000lbs 5th plenty over plenty of steep highways and the 68RE is fine. If I attempt to tow with more power added via the programer the transmission seems unhappy. If I had a choice at the time I would have opted for the Asin however that wasn't an option in 2008.

[FireGuard]

Check out Dennisdilliondodge, in Nampa I believe. They post their no haggle price on line. About $9k-$13k off sticker depending on model.
I've been keeping my eye on them and used their pricing to negotiate with my local dealer but they wouldnt deal a few months ago. Ironically, they now have the 15s on their website for $10k off sticker.
I'm debating a 2500 vs 3500 but think the coil spring ride of the 2500 would make a much better daily driver.
The Aisin is tempting, but I plan to carry a light cabover camper and don't plan on towing over 13-15k lbs so the 68 would probaby be all I need. Won't be an option in the 2500 anyway.

[wilber1]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
If I were looking at a 3500 it would have to be the aisin. Chrysler is slowly outsourcing it's tranny's for a reason.

Really?????

What is your source on that one?

ZF and Aisin...

In addition you continue to tout that your next truck will have a Aisin tranny.

Why not license build the best from companies who specialize in building transmissions? ZF 8 speed, also used by Audi, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar, Maserati, Lancia, VW, Rolls Royce, Land Rover etc.

Got one in my Audi. Hands down the best transmission I have ever had in any vehicle. Can't think of one good reason not to use it.

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
If I were looking at a 3500 it would have to be the aisin. Chrysler is slowly outsourcing it's tranny's for a reason.

Really?????

What is your source on that one?

ZF and Aisin...

In addition you continue to tout that your next truck will have a Aisin tranny.

[Boxer_Lovers]

I have 4:10's with the 68 tranny towing about 16,000 #s when loaded. About 23,000 miles on the truck, mostly towing. All kinds of terrain. Everything works very well.

[ScottG]

NC Hauler wrote:

ScottG wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

ScottG wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
If I were looking at a 3500 it would have to be the aisin. Chrysler is slowly outsourcing it's tranny's for a reason.

The initial reason for the Aisin was for it's PTO capability.

Don't believe that was initial reason for the Aisin being put into the cab over trucks. The Aisin was already being offered in the C&C trucks. Ram came out with new frame, all new suspension and offered higher HP and TQ with the Aisin to try to compete with the medium duty Allison tranny. Having owned 3 D/A equipped trucks, the Aisin is as good as the Allison, and again, BOTH are medium duty trannys...the offering of the PTO.with the Aisin is just a great addition to an already very good tranny.

According to Ram engineers that were interviewed, that was indeed the reason. CC trucks often need a PTO. Not offering that capability would have severely hindered sales.
Of course the Aisin competes with the Allison trans, just another reason to buy Ram.

Guess you read reasons from Ram engineers, same as I did when I ordered the Aisin in my truck back in Dec. Of 12....At THAT time, the,PTO was just an extra for conventional trucks..but more instrumental with
C&C models due to different bed configurations one might use with a C&C truck. Majority, and I say majority of regular trucks with Aisin rarely use PTO option, but purchased to get medium duty tranny offering along with the extra HP and TQ. Though, in a C&C truck, HP and TQ with Aisin has been detuned.

Believe we're saying same thing, you're saying CC trucks and I'm saying C&C trucks, meaning cab and chassis, i.e., truck with no bed and owner picks out whatever bed they want. As I stated above and earlier, the PTO would be used more with one of these trucks than say my crew cab, long bed truck.

Yes, sorry I didn't realize you were speaking of the standard type of p/u.
I suspect Ram needed to make some minor upgrades to the 68RFE to handle the new HO but realized they could save that engineering money or resources by just using the off-the-shelf Aisin. Besides, it was getting a good name and that is of course always good for sales.

[Cummins12V98]

NC Hauler wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I think I can speak of the 68RFE's durability. I tow the West Coast lot's of 6% grades. I have 3:42 gears and will admit they are the wrong ratio for my weight. The trans shifts nice and solid in all gears and downshifts well. I just weighed my TV 14K loaded, RV 15K on the axles for a combined load of 29K. With 55K on the clock the transmission has been flawless! Mostly tow in 5th basically the same RPM's at 60 as if it had 4"10's.

New truck will have 4:10's rear bags and Aisin trans. If the Aisin were not available I would be fine with the 68RFE again.

Just do it:B

Have the pricing just waiting on what they will allow for my trade in. Not impressed with the sales guy at DS may have to dump him for another!

[NC_Hauler]

ScottG wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

ScottG wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
If I were looking at a 3500 it would have to be the aisin. Chrysler is slowly outsourcing it's tranny's for a reason.

The initial reason for the Aisin was for it's PTO capability.

Don't believe that was initial reason for the Aisin being put into the cab over trucks. The Aisin was already being offered in the C&C trucks. Ram came out with new frame, all new suspension and offered higher HP and TQ with the Aisin to try to compete with the medium duty Allison tranny. Having owned 3 D/A equipped trucks, the Aisin is as good as the Allison, and again, BOTH are medium duty trannys...the offering of the PTO.with the Aisin is just a great addition to an already very good tranny.

According to Ram engineers that were interviewed, that was indeed the reason. CC trucks often need a PTO. Not offering that capability would have severely hindered sales.
Of course the Aisin competes with the Allison trans, just another reason to buy Ram.

Guess you read reasons from Ram engineers, same as I did when I ordered the Aisin in my truck back in Dec. Of 12....At THAT time, the,PTO was just an extra for conventional trucks..but more instrumental with
C&C models due to different bed configurations one might use with a C&C truck. Majority, and I say majority of regular trucks with Aisin rarely use PTO option, but purchased to get medium duty tranny offering along with the extra HP and TQ. Though, in a C&C truck, HP and TQ with Aisin has been detuned.

Believe we're saying same thing, you're saying CC trucks and I'm saying C&C trucks, meaning cab and chassis, i.e., truck with no bed and owner picks out whatever bed they want. As I stated above and earlier, the PTO would be used more with one of these trucks than say my crew cab, long bed truck.