68rfe life

[jared43758]

How long should I expect a 68rfe to last in a 2500 just daily driving mostly 99 percent of its life. Not driving like a ass. Won’t delete till after warranty and only run stock tune. Will change trans fluid and filter every 60-80k miles unless shown proof I should do it sooner. ( I don’t wait 120k on any vehicle)

 

[hutchman]

I would expect it to last a long time. By reputation, they are great transmissions at stock power levels. You might check cumminsforum.com. I believe there are some guys on there with a lot of miles.

You will find some 68RFE hate in some places, but that seems to come from non owners or those who run more than stock power levels. If I was buying a Cummins today, I would buy a 68RFE.....unless I was towing super heavy.

I towed an 18,000# 5th wheel with one and 4.10s. I also towed a 19,000# 5th wheel with an Aisin and 4.10s. Both did the job well and neither showed much advantage over the other. The only noticeable to me advantage of the Aisin is the lower 1st gear.

 

[regal2800]

They r a good trans. I really don’t think you will have problems. There are a few guys on the other forum who hit shot with them and no issues.

 

[flan]

I can’t speak for longevity but I can speak to the amazing shift points and exhaust brake strategy when towing using the tow haul mode.

 

[jared43758]

How much can that 2500 haul. I use a truck for hauling in the bed. Gravel firewood and what not. I have 3-4 thousand pounds a lot of times. I know the diesel 2500 only has legal payload of 2500lbs give or take. If I knew it could handle 3-4 thousand I would get a 2500. My coworker has a 2500 gas and has a 425 gallon water tank he fills clear up and he said his didn’t squat at all. But it’s rates 3100 payload cause of the lighter hemi and trans. That’s why I been considering a 3500 to cover the payload I wanna haul for sure. And if imma get a 3500 I think why not get the added security of a aisin. Plus the bonus more power

 

[NordicNevs]

There are FAR MORE 68s on the road that have been flawless than there are that have been problematic. Internet and keyboard commandos will come in and tell you all day long its garbage but in general the context matters. Stock levels are fantastic for the 68. Some have had increased power levels with success as well. Many have towed a few hundred thousand miles with the 4th gen (pre "update") with little issues.
Shifts are great and the best part is, they are tunable if you like...not to mention longer service intervals. However, start adding a lot of power or substantial weight and they show their weaknesses. I do think the 68 gets a bad wrap, however I think you will have a lot of life and longevity with you truck and I would not worry much.

Now to the AISIN. The post about the payload is a valid one and I would be focused more on that than the trans. If your payload requirements are over 3000 then the 3500 is the way to go, now you have choice. Personally I have owned 2 AISIN trucks with great luck. They shift HARDER and are more like a commercial truck which should be expected. However, THEY DO NOT LIKE HIGHER POWER LEVELS and there is currently no way of tuning them. I chose what I did based on the selfish reasons of our 5th wheel selection and the HO motor.

You really cannot go wrong with either platform.

 

[jared43758]

Thanks for the replies. I’m kinda in the state of mind if I need a 3500 why not get the aisin. No reason not too? The service interval is not a problem to me. As far as added power, I have no desire for that. I think coming from a 85 k20, that 400/1000 will satisfy me for several years.

 

[jared43758]

As far as shifting, from watching YouTube videos of JBReviews, he complained of the hard shifting at first and said after some miles it started shifting a lot smoother, learning trans

 

[NordicNevs]

Hard shifts are a trademark of a Dodge and Ram product. I don’t think they get “smoother” as much as I think the driver gets used to how the truck is shifting.
To some degree the relearn/learn process is usually don’t take thousands of miles. Hundreds maybe.

 

[RamGuy84]

My 2019 3500 w/ a 68rfe so far is amazing. Excellent mpg, averaging 20+ when not towing, 13 when towing. I love how the 2019 updated one tows. My older Rams with a 68rfe, I never had issues with either.