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TXContractor1

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I'm in the market for another 2024 diesel pickup. I prefer the inline-6 Cummins simplicity compared to the V-8 Powerstroke and Duramax. However, I'm not sure if the 68rfe tranny is the deal breaker here compared to the other 10-spd Ford and Allison. I'm looking for reliability! Any advice would be appreciated-
 
It’s not a bad trans. It’s not perfect but neither is the ford or Chevy. I’d rather have the 68rfe (and upgrade it) over the new ZF tech filled junk.
 
TXContractor1 said:
I'm in the market for another 2024 diesel pickup. I prefer the inline-6 Cummins simplicity compared to the V-8 Powerstroke and Duramax. However, I'm not sure if the 68rfe tranny is the deal breaker here compared to the other 10-spd Ford and Allison. I'm looking for reliability! Any advice would be appreciated-
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Go with the High Output Cummins and Aisin transmission in a 3500. Far superior transmission in terms of durability and reliability. Or wait to see if the ZF powerline 8 speed becomes a reality soon.
 
The Ford-GM 10R/10L trans is having its own growing pains. It's a cheap knock off of the ZF design to boot. GM only gets to slap an Allison tag on theirs for marketing.

LegendaryLawman said:
It’s not a bad trans. It’s not perfect but neither is the ford or Chevy. I’d rather have the 68rfe (and upgrade it) over the new ZF tech filled junk.
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Nothing "new" about the ZF Powerline. Your claim of "junk" has absolutely no basis in reality. ZF makes solid, well regarded and reliable transmissions used in many platforms from sports cars to Class 5-8 trucks. That also includes the current Hemi Ram.

Assuming it hits the RAM Cummins application as rumored it will be stellar.

mbarber84 said:
Go with the High Output Cummins and Aisin transmission in a 3500. Far superior transmission in terms of durability and reliability. Or wait to see if the ZF powerline 8 speed becomes a reality soon.
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This.
 
I work on the ZF transmissions on a daily basis and yes they have their little quarks and I mean little and thats even far apart.
The ZF is a very solid and reliable gearbox and a super gem if you service regularly.
I wish I could wait for the ZF to become a reality in the 3500 but I know what I was buying with a 68RFE and will be proactive sorting the weak links.
 
If my 68RFE remains reliable, I gotta say I actually like it. I HATE Fords 10 speed. It's so busy, gets confused and won't upshift sometimes especially when using the exhaust brake in the mountains. Other than how the F250 looks, that trans is what I dislike most about that truck.
 
T143 said:
I work on the ZF transmissions on a daily basis and yes they have their little quarks and I mean little and thats even far apart.
The ZF is a very solid and reliable gearbox and a super gem if you service regularly.
I wish I could wait for the ZF to become a reality in the 3500 but I know what I was buying with a 68RFE and will be proactive sorting the weak links.
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I've heard the valve body is the weak link. Sounds like Dodge Ram should make the damn upgrades by now since it's been out since 07'. The buyer shouldn't be the one to upgrade to have a solid tranny. Say no more.. shame on Ram to keep making upgrades to the overall truck but not the tranny over the years!
 
ive heard second hand that the ford 10 speeds are not holding up well. but thats what ive heard.

my 68 held up till 99k then went into the shop on july 3rd. pulled and had broke c clip with trashed clutches. rebuilt it still bad, im currently waiting on a new trans from ram to show up for install.

this is my 3rd ram 6.7. first issue out of any of them ive had.
 
I have had both and prefer the Aisin hands down. .No lag in down shifting never has gotten hot when towing . I tow 15 k and it does a great job ! Why all the excitement over an 8 speed is beyond me . The longer stroke and larger torque curve of the Cummins makes for a good match with Asian in my opinion .
 
oledirteh said:
ive heard second hand that the ford 10 speeds are not holding up well. but thats what ive heard.

my 68 held up till 99k then went into the shop on july 3rd. pulled and had broke c clip with trashed clutches. rebuilt it still bad, im currently waiting on a new trans from ram to show up for install.

this is my 3rd ram 6.7. first issue out of any of them ive had.
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Bad deal!
Hope that works out for you
Thank you sir for responding
 
TXContractor1 said:
I've heard the valve body is the weak link. Sounds like Dodge Ram should make the damn upgrades by now since it's been out since 07'. The buyer shouldn't be the one to upgrade to have a solid tranny. Say no more.. shame on Ram to keep making upgrades to the overall truck but not the tranny over the years!
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I hear you but Dodge already knew by 2020 the production is stopping and only beautification was allowed to keep sales ticking over no real improvements because they will never make their money back its just the bottom line that counts anything above that is a bonus.
 
The 68RFE is a good tranny, as long as you keep the truck stock and are not one of the "red light racer" types. The forums seem to bear that out. Personally, I'd shy away from any big first year changes like a new tranny. I've been down that road, not doing it again.
 
Is there a source for info on changes between the years on 68RFE's? i have a 21 truck and the part number on it started with a AA i believe. my replacement trans in the mail has a part number of AC which they claim in the most up to date 68RFE. curious to what all is updated/changed.
 
oledirteh said:
Is there a source for info on changes between the years on 68RFE's? i have a 21 truck and the part number on it started with a AA i believe. my replacement trans in the mail has a part number of AC which they claim in the most up to date 68RFE. curious to what all is updated/changed.
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Dodge has been running with that tranny since 2007. Don't you think they would have it perfected by now over 17 yrs! As much as I'd like to buy one, this is a deal breaker! I hope that works out for you sir-
 
My RFE was feeling like it likes to slip a lot from new and I accepted that this is how it works. During my last two weeks of use towing my caravan around for 4300km during the last 400km I stopped and when I restarted and drove off I had a fairly aggressive gear change I think it was between 2 to 3 or maybe 3 to 4 I was not paying attention because all was going well, I tapped off the power immediately and then noticed that I forgot to select tow mode and selected it immediately and carried on but the same aggressive gear change happened but I kept going and all was fine. This morning driving to work with a empty truck I could feel that gear change again but much less aggressive but still a light jolt. I have already done a gearbox service and I am going to do another just because and to compare what is in the sump between the first and second oil change.
My question is is this normal behaviour for the RFE? I am very very green to the American Truck thing.
This photo is my first oil change at 4500km
 

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My 68RFE has had no hard shifts ever. Towing or not, tow/haul mode or not. 22 2500 with 14K miles. I've not changed the tranny fluid yet. No where close to that actually. Why did you change it at 4500km?

Might want to get a dealer to look at that.
 
jebruns said:
My 68RFE has had no hard shifts ever. Towing or not, tow/haul mode or not. 22 2500 with 14K miles. I've not changed the tranny fluid yet. No where close to that actually. Why did you change it at 4500km?

Might want to get a dealer to look at that.
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Look at my photo that is metal in the pan ,all aluminium.
I changed because what you see in the photo is what I was more or less expecting from a brand new box busy bedding in.
 
T143 said:
Look at my photo that is metal in the pan ,all aluminium.
I changed because what you see in the photo is what I was more or less expecting from a brand new box busy bedding in.
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That's what the filter is for. I'm sure the engineers that set the 60K miles change interval took that into account. Seems a bit like looking for trouble to me. But, we're all different.
 
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