Go Back   Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums > 3rd Generation Ram - Years 2003 and up > 3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (6.7L Only)
Register FAQ DTR Store Members List Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-31-2009, 12:02 PM   #1
RowJ
Registered User
 
RowJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas/Oklahoma Border
Posts: 7,756
68FRE vs 48RE- Opinions

Looked at 09's this weekend.
Have heard mixed reviews on the new auto tranny! i'm aware the 68FRE can't be built to handle much over 500 hp, so far! But......
I would like to hear ONLY from members that had 47re or 48re and now have the 68fre.
Any comparisons would be welcome! Like new trans or not? Why?

RJ
__________________
02, 2500, QCLB, 4x4, Auto, 3.55 Power-Lok LSD - DTT/Billet - Smarty/Pulsed Adrenaline - Mach 6's - BD Twins - Snow's H2O/Meth - FASS - F-1 Cam/Valve Springs - HTT Manifold - LazarSmith Bars - TC Lockup Switch - RAD - 3rd Gen Brakes - Fluidampr - DSS - 315/70/17 Pro Comp Xtreme A/T's
Best Dyno - 628 HP/1266 ft-Lbs.
Best 1/4 Mile - 12.72/105.94 - (7460 lbs)
RowJ is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 12:53 PM   #2
klx650a2
Registered User
 
klx650a2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Posts: 1,164
I had a 2000 with the 47re and now the new (to me) 68rfe. One word. Amazing. The engine brake works incredibly well and with the computer controlled 6 gears, its always in the right gear. I would never go back to only 4 gears again and I tow pretty heavy sometimes and it just works.

Keep in mind my only 47 mod a transgo shift kit.
__________________
2007.5, 2500HD, QC, Laramie, 4X4, SB, 68RFE, 3.73, Inferno red, Edge Insight w/pyro, MaxBrake, Firestone Ride-Rites and controller, Air-Zenith air compressor, EZ Change Drain plug, S&B drop in air filter, 250 watt oil pan heater, EGR unplugged.

2008 YZ450FX, matching 756's, Marcel Fournier ice tires, 320mm EBC supermoto front disk, billet fuel screw, DiD narrow x-ring chain, Ironman sprockets, Scotts SS oil filter, Dr. D pipe coming, love the SSS suspension...
klx650a2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 12:57 PM   #3
gcolby
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
x2 the 48 tranny in my 05 was junk. Did not like the ATS replacement either. Love the 68 tranny in my 08 MC. IMO the factory EB with the 68 works better than my PAC Brake and ATS in my 05
__________________
2008 3500 Megacab 4x4, Leveling Kit, AFE, Amp PowerSteps, 285/70/17 Hankook AT's.
gcolby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 02:27 PM   #4
katoiler
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: stuck in california
Posts: 150
The new trans is so much more than the 48re it is no compairson between the two. they should have done this years sooner and they would have put a serious hurt on the ford and chevy sales.
__________________
07 3500 SRW,6 spd auto,4.10's and black pearl.
katoiler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 03:17 PM   #5
Bill Davis
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 37
My early 03 SRW one ton had a 250 HP motor with a 47 RE transmission.
It worked fine and I had no trouble with the truck.
I traded and got an early build 08. I've had a turbo replacement and two
subsequent turbo cleanings. The 68 RE is a fine piece of working equipment.
The exhaust brake is also a plus.
I always wanted to try a gear vendors overdrive and a small HP programmer
on the 03 but read too many stories about how the 47 RE would not hold up.
BCD
08 2500 Laramie
Bill Davis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 05:05 PM   #6
gsbrockman
Registered User
 
gsbrockman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sand Gap, KY.
Posts: 990
I, too, owned a 2000 RAM 2500 w/47RE. It was a good running truck, but even stock, it still liked to "hunt" gears alot even with the stock size LT265/75R16's on it. The LT285/75R16's I added later contributed to the problem a tad more.

The gearing in the 68RFE is far more superior; especially the Reverse ratio. I run some LT305/60R20 Wrangler SR/A's (about 34.6" OD) on some 20x9 Ultra Grinders and barely felt any loss of power. Seems as if the 68RFE likes to stay in 5th and 6th earlier and tighter, possibly due to contributing to "lugging" the engine some to keep EGT's up so as to keep the DPF cleaner (for those that still have a DPF)

Greg
__________________
2007.5 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie MegaCab 4x4 SRW Laramie 2FH Pkg, 6.7L CTD, 68RFE Auto, Electric Blue Pearl Coat, Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats in Slate Gray, Front Hood Protection, Anti-spin Differential, AM/FM/cass/6 disc CD w/SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Clearance Lamps, Under Rail Bedliner, Single Rear Wheel Group, Trailer Tow Mirrors, Power Sunroof, Diesel Exhaust Brake, EDGE Insight, 20x9 Ultra #214 Chrome "Grinders" wrapped in LT305/60R20 Wrangler SR/A's.

MegaCab Member #98
gsbrockman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 01:35 AM   #7
Lil Dog
Chapter President
 
Lil Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Posts: 4,236
Another vote for the 68RFE.. My first Auto in a Cummins and I must say, I don't feel bad about getting it. Sure it has some power limitations, but the way it shifts and holds is truly a marked improvement over the 48.. That and the EB makes towing the RV a breeze. I find it likes to hold 6th longer than it should, but a simple tap on the paddle and into 5th it holds any hill I have had with no trouble.
__________________
97 2500 4X4 LWB CC SLT Laramie 5spd LSD 3.55.
Isspro EV's pyro/boost, #10 Plate, PEAK 3K GSK, AFC Spring, DDP III injectors, S300 Turbo, PEAK IC Boots, TAG III, South Bend 13-1.25" Con FE clutch, SCOTTY II-UNI, MBRP XP 4", KDP Tab, 16° Timing, SS DSS / 03TBK, Roda Deaco PAS. Espar D5WSC heater. B-Quiet sound deadening inside.
Dyno 09-2009 401 RWHP / 1050 Ft-lbs


'08 2500 4x4 MegaCab Laramie, 6.7, 68RFE, 3.73 LSD, S-67ME POD.

Alberta Chapter #5 Prez... PM me for details...
Lil Dog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 06:39 AM   #8
ramble bee
Registered User
 
ramble bee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 712
68RFE.. I s a Good Trans, Just give them time and they will have MODs for them. There are a few out there doing flashes on the Trans Ecm. I am waiting to see how that works as soon as they get the bugs worked out I will Build the 68 what more could yuo ask for
__________________
2007 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA 4X4 RESCUE GREEN LOADED 4in LIFT (WIFE)
2006 Jeep Rubicon Wrangler GREEN4.5 Rubicon Lift
RUBITRUX (SON)
2009 Quad-Cab Laramie 6.7 Auto Loaded. Toys, Smarty ME Gauges,5"Exhaust EGR Delete More to come! :)

I SUPPORT THE WARFIGHTER.GOD BLESS AMERICA)

KYDTR #41
ramble bee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2009, 04:22 PM   #9
RowJ
Registered User
 
RowJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas/Oklahoma Border
Posts: 7,756
Thought the 68 RFE had no room in it for serious hp upgrades ??

RJ
RowJ is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2009, 10:02 AM   #10
own1bigtruck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Posts: 194
Send a message via AIM to own1bigtruck Send a message via Yahoo to own1bigtruck
I went from an 06 to an 08 mega. I absolutly love this tranny! It tows like a champ, doesnt gear hunt, and the exhaust brake is a great improvement. Only complaint that I have is the fact that you have to turn the exhaust brake on every time you start it. It should have been an on/off toggle switch that would stay on all of the time. One nice feature about the 68 is the ability to manually shift the gears in tow/haul mode. Nice if your loaded heavy going across a field and dont want it shifting on you. Will also hold tc lockup down to 20mph in tow haul mode which is great. You barely have to use the brakes to stop it. Not to mention a 5"TBE just sounds cool coming to a stop with a load on in 4th!
__________________
2008 Ram 2500 4x4 68rfe, 5" H&S TBE, H&S EGR Removal parts, HID head and fog lights, FASS 95/150, Edge Juice W/ attitude, Mag-hytec tranny pan, 'Zilla boost fooler, MP8, and XDI intake if I ever get the right elbow, Kenwood Low-band VHF for the FD, Verve Lightbar with traffic advisor! .

Big thanks to Keven@K2, RSD, Kens Performance Solutions
own1bigtruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2009, 01:08 PM   #11
nyctry96
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: St Louis
Posts: 20
I had an 05 with the 48re. It went out at 117,000 miles. I have 56,000 on my new truck with the 68fre so I don't have any longevity info on it. But, as for everyday driving I like the 68 better. There are times that I like the ratios of the 48 better, but overall I like the 68 better. In my opinion Dodge should look at the ratios a little better. I like that the 48 is around 2000rpm in 4th at 68-70mph. The 68, at 70mph, is around 1750rpm in 6th and about 2250 in 5th. I think I would rather have 5th the same as 4th in the 48, and have an even lower (say .62) for 6th gear. And yes, having the exhaust brake is SOOOO nice.
__________________
Terry

2005 5.9 Quad Cab 4x4 Auto--Now one of my work trucks
2007.5 Mega Cab 6.7 4x4 Auto--Now a work truck
And now driving a 2009 6.7 Auto Quad Cab Dually. Stock for now.
nyctry96 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2009, 02:52 PM   #12
walks
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 39
the 68 is awesome, love the EB too. Had a built Georend in my 2000 and i loved it, awesome tranny period. The 68 is amazing too, and i can only imagine what it will be like once Georend comes out with one. I can't wait! Im sure i won't miss my 47 one bit.
__________________
New Truck. 2009 6.7 Mega cab, 6 speed auto. S&B Intake, muffler mia,7" tip.

SOLD 2000, 2500, Goerend tranny, head studed, BD pulse flow injectors, juice w/ attitude, FASS, S&B, 4" turbo back with 6" stack. 5" Superlift w/ coil spacers. Full stereo 2 12's in custom center console.
walks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2009, 11:57 AM   #13
Raspy
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
 
Raspy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Smith Valley, Nevada. Denair, CA
Posts: 2,374
I'd love to put 68 in my '04. Hopefully, someone will come up with a controller to run it and we can start installing them in our older trucks.
__________________
John

Prepare to stand by!

'04 2500 4WD std cab, HO, 48RE, TC, VB, Hytec pan, Dynatrac, '08 steering linkage, track bar, '08 H2s, Toyo 285/70 E, Smarty, Walbro, gauges, Brakesmart, exhaust "out the side", intake tube, billet filter lid, Kilby guard, KYB front, Rancho 9000s rear, Timbrens, PW flares, rear blocks missing, front 1" lift, wheel well liners, debadged, splatted bugs, hood pal.
Raspy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2009, 02:26 PM   #14
HOHN
Registered User
 
HOHN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Engineering 2010 Cummins HD Engines
Posts: 6,223
Row-- I don't know what the Tq limit of the 68rfe in aftermarket trim, but a new truck with the 68rfe is so good it's almost enough to make you not want to bomb a truck!

..almost..
__________________
Justin

I like to think I can offer you some points to think about, but I have LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE with the vast majority of performance enhancements out there: turbos, fueling boxes, etc. I can comment on how things might be "on paper" but things on paper and in the real world are very different. DO NOT make buying decisions based exclusively on my advice or any internet forum "wisdom". I'll offer you my free advice, and you'll always get your money's worth.
HOHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 10:48 AM   #15
Chubby
Registered User
 
Chubby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Albany MN.
Posts: 175
I love mine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 07.5 auto !! This is my thire dodge diesel and by far the best engine trans combo to date.
__________________
07.5 Megacab Dually.............. Loaded loaded Loaded..............................
Chubby is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
vB.Sponsors
Copyright 2003, DieselTruckResource.Com