jwolfe3

I am looking at the new 2010 3500 series with an automatic when they come out. I know that Dodge had some trouble with their old automatic transmissions, but what about the new ones (6-Speed Automatic 68RFE). I have always been a GM person, and love the allison, but the 2010 duramax that has the urea tank does not sit well with me. I may go to dodge. My wife has a durango, and I love driving it. Thanks in advance.

RowJ

Welcome to the DTR web Site!
I think earlier Dodge trannys get a bad rap!
Most problems with previous autos were due to adding HP or towing very heavy. With some reinforcing, the earlier Dodge tranny can handle a lot of both!
But, the new six speed 68FRE auto tranny appears to be a real winner!

Read HERE for some good feedback! FYI - previous 4 speed auto trans were 48RE (2003-07) and the 47RE (96-02)
Hit 'Search' button and try "68FRE" for additional info.

RJ

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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)

SOhappy

I wouldn't call the old autos "troublesome". They could handle stock hp (+ a little) just fine. The only real drawback is that they are 4-speeds. That said, the gobs of Cummins torque almost makes up for that deficiency.

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2003 Ram 2500 CTD SO QC SWB 4X4 SLT 47RE
-Gauges, Alphaliner, Hankook 285s. 1999 Terry 26' SUT & a few toys to haul in it.

J.Suplanski

Dodge trans are not that bad, Its the TQ's thats the real problem!

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1994 12 valve 4X4 Fully loaded Carli Suspension with 3" Kings Suncoast full billet trans converter & Flex plate HX 40 370 injectors Snow Performance Meth h20 injection 315-75-16 Pro-Comp Extremes Wilco tire carrier Keeps up with the traffic!Thanks to Old Man Bob 4X4 & Pablo

jughead

from what this old man has seen most of the problems around here were from overloading. sometimes over double what the truck was rated for. increase of power by just a little made the torgue converter a slush pump and caused overheating

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slightly bombed 90 ctd 4/4. od trans, 0 to 60 7.7 sec., 1/8 mi. 9.65, 70 mi per hr., 1/4 mi. 15.89, 89 mi.per hr. weight 6569. added to stable. 1/2 ton 82 dodge with 97ctd. 370 injectors 0 fuel plate, 3k gov. springs, 3speed tq flite with manual valvebody

jwolfe3

so which one would be better...the automatic or the manual? I am not a big fan of shifting, but I do not want the lesser of the two? Also, I have heard that they have trouble keeping a front end in a dodge truck. Have they increased this issue to a more heavy duty front end (ball joints etc.)?

Spooler

Buy what you like. Some folks have had issues with the front ball joints but that is just about the same for any make 4x4. Not much to complain about in my book. You won't be sitting on the side of the road like others. That's the main thing, to get from A to B with no layovers on the side of the road LOL...

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2004.5 Dodge 3500 Dually 4x2 Quadcab, 325/600, 4.10 gears with LS, 48RE, Banks Monster Exhaust, Banks High Ram Intake, ISSPRO Gauges, Fuel Pressure, EGT, Boost, Trans Temp, 3 gauge Pillar mount, single steering colum mount, AFE Stage 1 with PGM7, Amsoil, Timbrens, Brakesmart,Bilsteins,Quad X2 Std.(Pressure Only [off]),HTT 62/71/13ss,Smarty,AirDog 100, Opie's Bypass,Goerend TC (15 blade left cut), VB, Billet Input shaft, flexplate

RowJ

If you tow over 10,000 lbs often... get the manual, preferably a 6 speed. If not, your choice.
(But with the new automatics, this may not be true). I like shifting, but I love my Cummins/Automatic combo!
Only real weakness in the front end, IMO, is the lack of support for the steering box. Several good and not expensive support brackets available to correct that problem. My Ball Joints are still factory at 190,000 miles.... just starting to show wear.

Many problems you hear about can be traced back to oversized tires, after market wheels, poor maintainence or abusive driving.... expecting the frame/body to handle as much as the Cummins will. JMO.
Also, on sites like this, you hear mostly from those having problems.... not the thousands that are more than satisfied.
As mentioned ^, with 4x4's, it depends on how hard you work them. Front end on the 2x4's appear to be fairly trouble free.

coolbreeze

I'm very happy with my 68RFE. Its great for towing.

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2008 3500 CTD Quad Cab LB SRW 6 speed Auto 4X4 3:73 P3 Brake Control White Born 09/07.

Tyler_02

I havn't towed anything with mine yet but from the 4 speed that I had in my 06 to this 6 Speed its night and day difference IMHO I did tow my 7x20 enclosed cargo trailer that weighs about 3500lbs and on tow haul and the exhaust break its really amazing!

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2009 3500 6.7L Patriot Blue SRW QC Big Horn Long box 6Spd Auto

20O6 2500 Silver 4x4 610 CTD SRW QC SLT Big Horn Package Long Box..AFE Stage 2..AFE Bladerunner..Aeroturbine Exhaust..Bullydog PMT **SOLD**

2002 Yamaha Grizzly 660 w/ 28" ITP 589's mounted on C-Series Aluminum Wheels

Apache1

I tow 4 x 4 heavy with the 68 RFE. It's more than enough for the truck's warranty limits. Never had a problem.

Wouldn't go back to a manual after owning and hauling with two 68 RFEs'.

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2010 Silver 3500 Big Horn, SLT, 6.7 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab, 68 RFE, Auto T/C, L/S, Protect & Technology Groups, RollnLock, B/W Gooseneck

Sold 2008 Silver 3500, 6.7, SLT SRW Quad Cab, 4x4, 68 RFE Auto T/C, L/S, Protect Group, B/W Gooseneck

wytesyko

I havent done alot of towing with my 68RFE, but when I have it was excellent, I have hauled the work trailer (about 5k) didnt even notice it was there. I had to go pick up my bro and his now sold 3/4 ton chevy that was loaded to the max, had all his stuff, his truck and gear on the car hauler,set the cruise @ 65mph and drove 3 straight hours passed cars with no problems, tow/haul mode and the exhaust brake are excellent and got 14 mpgs as well.

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2007.5 2500 Big Horn, 285/70/17 Dueler revos
2006 Lincoln Zepher (wifes)
1993 Ranger (beater truck)
1993 Wrangler (sold)
20ft sea ray

jeepin

I hauled heavy with my auto 80% of the time and had no probs loved it.

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02 quad cab short bed 6spd
Edge juice with attitude 4inch magnaflow 6inch tip
FASS
Airaid drop in
Rv injectors
Exhaust brake
08 quad cab 4x4 dually 6.7 Auto stock. SOLD

Toy
71 Jeepster.
Still not done.

Posm

I put about 60K per year on a truck and have had 4 Dodges and had an 07 Chevy. The Chevy was nice, but it did not feel like a truck. I bought it expecting a smoother ride than the Dodge and it did not deliver on that point. If I could have the Allison or the 68RFE, I would choose the 68RFE. It seems to be more intuitive than the Allison.

What I miss on my Chevy
The gizmos were nicer than my 08. Auto headlights, count down to oil change and other electrical gizmos. 16 inch tires (more choices)

What I hated about the Chevy

24 Gallon fuel tank, the tail pipe, the 24 gallon fuel tank, about 1 less MPG than the dodge, 24 gallon fuel tank (200 mile range towing)

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2008 2500 4X4 White, Laramie, Unknown spray in bed liner, Dodge step bars, tailgate lift assist, Truxedo Cover, B & W Turnover Ball.

klx650a2

I went from a 2000 with a 4 speed auto to the 6 speed 68RFE and man, what a transmission. Always in the right gear, no hunting, and the engine brake, what a marvelous thing to put on a truck at no extra charge. It stops the truck hard and is very impressive. I've towed heavy with it and it works great. First and second are lower gears than first gear in the 48RE to get the load moving and 5th and 6th are a double overdrive. I'm pretty picky about things and this tranny is awesome.

Now if there was some easy way to get rid of that stupid regeneration, it would all be good.

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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...