What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

3500 HO Diesel vs Standard Diesel

I thought I wanted the HO for the engine, but reading about the Aisin trans, I decided it was a bit too utilitarian for the lack of towing and more just street driving that I would be doing. I'd watched some videos (that I can't find right now) showing hard, bouncing shifts, almost like a tow truck or something. I understand that it may need to shift differently to handle the heavy loads, but, I didn't need that for my particular uses.

I'm not going to miss the HP or TQ.
 
Dave88LX said:
I thought I wanted the HO for the engine, but reading about the Aisin trans, I decided it was a bit too utilitarian for the lack of towing and more just street driving that I would be doing. I'd watched some videos (that I can't find right now) showing hard, bouncing shifts, almost like a tow truck or something. I understand that it may need to shift differently to handle the heavy loads, but, I didn't need that for my particular uses.

I'm not going to miss the HP or TQ.
Click to expand...

My HO/Aisin shifts nothing like any of those videos or reports. They've worked out the TCM for the most part.
 
Brutal_HO said:
My HO/Aisin shifts nothing like any of those videos or reports. They've worked out the TCM for the most part.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear that, was hoping they would have it squared away. The previous videos looked kind of violent almost. I'm sure it wasn't every single truck, maybe here and there.
 
Don't overlook the difference in maintenance requirements also between aisin and 68


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I daily my HO without issue. Shifts smooth as can be. Even have a bank’s PedalMonster in it. She moves real nice. Went on a long drive over the holidays and even came close to 20mpg…. No real complaints about the truck just ironing out some wrinkles here and there.
 
Dave88LX said:
I thought I wanted the HO for the engine, but reading about the Aisin trans, I decided it was a bit too utilitarian for the lack of towing and more just street driving that I would be doing. I'd watched some videos (that I can't find right now) showing hard, bouncing shifts, almost like a tow truck or something. I understand that it may need to shift differently to handle the heavy loads, but, I didn't need that for my particular uses.

I'm not going to miss the HP or TQ.
Click to expand...

Youve been fooled.

The Aisin is a fantastic trans for daily driving and HD work. Ive had both (68rfe and Aisin) and i honestly cannot tell the difference. Neither are a "sporty" trans, but the Aisn is VERY similar to the 68 in how it operates unloaded.
 
Last edited:
gimmie11s said:
Youve been fooled.

The Aisin is a fantastic trans for daily driving and HD work. Ive had both (68rfe and Aisin) and i honestly cannot tell the difference. Neither are a "sporty" trans, but the Aisn is VERY similar to the 68 in how it operates unloaded.
Click to expand...
Should I return it? :D
At the time I was shopping (Sept-Oct 2020), maybe it hadn't been worked out yet. Dunno.
 
I did not have any complaints about the AISIN in the 2019I had.... With tow haul on and EB full, it would kinda throw you forward..or at least that sensation.. If you weren't ready for it on applying the brakes.

I noticed on my 2022 that sensation is gone. I had to trade my 2021 SO because I missed the HO/AISIN...I tried to talk my self out of it... But I love that AISIN.

I think if you drove one.... You would see lol
 
sstoner911 said:
I did not have any complaints about the AISIN in the 2019I had.... With tow haul on and EB full, it would kinda throw you forward..or at least that sensation.. If you weren't ready for it on applying the brakes.

I noticed on my 2022 that sensation is gone. I had to trade my 2021 SO because I missed the HO/AISIN...I tried to talk my self out of it... But I love that AISIN.

I think if you drove one.... You would see lol
Click to expand...
Brakes last forever too.
 
I just ordered my 3500 today with HO and Aisin Tranny, even though dealer said it will take longer, you also get an Oil Cooler and a beefier rear axle

Includes:​

  • 12.0-Inch Single Wheel Rear Axle
    A 12-inch AAM rear axle is optimized for pulling power with a new plate-type limited slip differential, 4.25-inch axle tubes, upsized head, tail and differential bearings, O-ring-style axle-shaft hub seals, a 5-bolt brake flange and a new hub bolt pattern.
    Leather-Wrapped Shift Control
    Tip Start
    Transmission Oil Cooler
 
Tedorama said:
I just ordered my 3500 today with HO and Aisin Tranny, even though dealer said it will take longer, you also get an Oil Cooler and a beefier rear axle

Includes:​

  • 12.0-Inch Single Wheel Rear Axle
    A 12-inch AAM rear axle is optimized for pulling power with a new plate-type limited slip differential, 4.25-inch axle tubes, upsized head, tail and differential bearings, O-ring-style axle-shaft hub seals, a 5-bolt brake flange and a new hub bolt pattern.
    Leather-Wrapped Shift Control
    Tip Start
    Transmission Oil Cooler
Click to expand...
Some of that is drw, I know the lug pattern part is.
 
dec@ag1974 said:
So the fuel economy is better in the Reg Diesel with 68RFE trans
Click to expand...
Yes, the standard output has a higher compression ratio than the HO. The HO has lower compression ratio so it can take more turbo boost to get to the higher output. So in practice, if you dont need the higher ratings, then standard output will be slightly more efficient (and cheaper).
 
I dont think I am the only one, but I didnt buy the HO for the additional hp/trq. I bought it for the Aisin transmission. The extra hp/trq are a “bonus”

If I could have got the SO/Aisin combo I prob would have. But thats only available in the C&C and there isnt a Megacab option iirc.
 
Brutal_HO said:
He's just guessing.

I looked up the engine part numbers when the CGI came out and the only difference is the piston part numbers and the PCM tune. Nothing else. No HPFP change, no injector change. It's pistons and tune.
Click to expand...
Good call out.

Hadn’t watched it in a few weeks, just remembered him speaking explicitly about the compression ratio difference.
 
Was talking with the truck service writer at my dealer Friday, because he likes my dually so much. He also has a 3500, it's a 2021 Mega single wheel with the HO. Strangely enough, he likes the SO better, and said he will go back to a SO in the next year. He really didn't care for how the Aisin shifted and worked in daily driving, nor did he like the fuel economy. He does pull a big 5th wheel, so it gets worked. I just found the conversation interesting, that's all.
 
Firebird said:
Was talking with the truck service writer at my dealer Friday, because he likes my dually so much. He also has a 3500, it's a 2021 Mega single wheel with the HO. Strangely enough, he likes the SO better, and said he will go back to a SO in the next year. He really didn't care for how the Aisin shifted and worked in daily driving, nor did he like the fuel economy. He does pull a big 5th wheel, so it gets worked. I just found the conversation interesting, that's all.
Click to expand...
My boy has an SO 2500...when we pulled the jeep on the trailer with his truck I was very underwhelmed....I'd been a power stroke owner my whole life so his truck felt gutless....he did have the 3.42 gears and 35" tires tho....yet we were only pulling 9500 lbs....so with that in mind I ordered my HO 3500 with 4.10's just cuz I wanted the most grunt....I just drove from Indiana to Ouray Colorado and it only downshifted a 2 or 3 times....I did put 33" tires on it so with the gear calculator it's about 3.92 so it gets slightly better mileage but I also haven't hit 10k yet in the odo...I'm very impressed with this combo and the only thing the aisin does weird is shift from 2nd to 1st gear...once you get used to that tho it's no biggie...mpg for that leg of the trip going uphill the whole time was 10.6 @ 75 mph....never thought I'd like a Ram truck but thing is a beast...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top