Just checked DealerConnect and ordering is now open for the 6.7L with either the 6-speed manual or the new 6-speed auto for the 2500/3500 pick-ups. Pricing has not yet been turned on. The original pricing I gave you guys a week or two ago I a told by my zone man was not correct, that it was a system error in the DealerConnect programing. Pricing is due to be released shortly. I have all ready placed several orders for stock.

 

Cool cant wait to see how the new 6 speed auto is!!

 

I may have to drive the 6 spd auto to see how it is.
Scott

 

Luke....This is with the new Orion 68RFE transmission, right? NOT the Aisin 6 speed like in the Cab and Chassis trucks, correct?

 

I thought they were going to discontinue the 6 speed manual?

 

No, they are continuing the G56 manual trans. But they are discontinuing the 48RE auto trans and replacing it with the 68RFE. And, if you get a Cab and Chassis model those include the Aisin 6 speed autos and not the 68RFE.

 

dumb question - why do they offer 2 different 6 speed auto trannys?

 

Right, except Dodge does not call it an Orion or a 68 as far as DealerConnect ordering is concerned. It is simply called a 6-speed HD-RFE.

 

I always wondered why they did this too. I would think it would be more cost effective to just have one option...especially since they are similar. Oh well...I'm sure they have their reasons.

 

It is kinda dumb to me to. I like the Aisin a lot. I really can't get a straight answer from any of my DC zone people, except that they needed the Aisin in the C&C for the PTO capability, so they decided just to buy the ready to go Aisin for that, and they can't let their people go who were making the 48re either. So they had to come up with something for them to do as so they don't get the unions all over their backside, so they came up with the HD-RFE.

 

Luke S,

How long until you have a 6.7L/HD-RFE on your lot?

 

I have no firm facts on that, but from past experience I'd guess about the end of January if there are no quality problems and the trucks don't have to sit in storage awaiting extra quality audits. If they do, we're probably talking february or march before they start trickling in.

 

I asked that very question to some Dodge Marketing Reps at the Texas State Fair. 2 different guys didn't know the answer and they referred me to an older gentleman with them who supposedly knew "all" the answers.

So I asked him too. He just mentioned something about the PTO option on the Aisin........like Luke mentioned above. So I asked, well why not just make the PTO available to everybody? He didn't really have a clear cut answer to that either. Hopefully the answers will become more definative in a month or 2.

 

just order my new truck today cant wait

 

Ha ha, another example of how unions can screw it up for everyone...

If I were to guess, the 68RFE is not being designed/built for serious work trucks, hence the need for DC to buy the Aisin. Because they have to buy the Aisin, this lowers their margins on each truck, so they will only offer it when necessary. On the other hand, since the 68RFE is made in house, their is a higher margin (profit), and so they want to push that tranny in the normal trucks, of which 60-75% don't see hard work. This is just my guess, of course.