EverydayDiesel

Well it seems the chevy boys are not too fond of our tranny. Who in here has actually HAD any type of issue with their 68RFE? Please vote and list with the problem was.

http://duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14097

2171CTD

"Let me know how it runs. My friend w/ a 6.7 has an edge running the hot program and is interested in getting the smartty. On a side not he is on his 3rd tranny in 30,000 miles so tell your buddy to be careful!!!"

That guy is a moron! Being that "his friend" is blowing up transmissions with an Edge, the dealer wont cover it. Which means "his friend" has purchased two 68rfe transmissions out of pocket. OR, that guy has an imaginary friend. I know people always tell the truth and never make anything up on forums so it must be that terrible 68rfe.

Lil Dog

The 68RFE is a little shy when it gets close to 500 RWHP. The TC is only reliably good for a 60 hp bump with minor torque enhancements. They are not as stout as some trannies out there, but the Allison is no screaming heck either. Most of the real race guys put in race build 47RE's behind their mighty Duramax as it can't shift fast enough without burning out the clutches.

Ask any DM owner who disables the de-fuel shift option how long their tranny lasts.. They are no better..

Blake Clark

Yeah well, most Dodge guys aint too fond of their whole truck.



Ditto

I have an uncle with a 1200hp Duramax and he has the stock allision and can do a 1000mph and pull a 53' 18 wheeler trailer. Bet Dodge cant do that....


Some people really... uhh... Amuse me!

I have 50162 miles on my truck. I did the deletes and the Edge at a few hundred shy of 16000. Been having the Smarty for about 4000. I have not beat on my tranny but I have not cut it any slack either. EJA was ran on 5 many times, some with the Smarty on SW3 stacked.

Aint had a lick of trouble yet.


Oh BTW, just love the 4th option in your poll.

RAMRODD

I don't own one but I know a few guy that do. I am impressed with the 68rfe

Pliny the Elder

If the 68rfe are so great, why are the guys w/ high hp 6.7s putting 48re tranny's in? The 68rfe is much better stock than the 48re, but once you get up there in hp theres not much you can do to them to get them to hold.

And I wouldnt let the dmax guys bother you, a lot of high hp drag racing dmax's are running dodge 4 speeds also.

Blake Clark

Not saying that the 68 is better than the 48, just that they are not junk.

Dave Goerend is working his magic on the 68. I'm sure it'll hold whatever you can throw at it once he's done.

2171CTD

The 68 hasnt been out as long as the 48, so it doesnt have the same amount of aftermarket support. If you want to get more than 600 hp to the wheels in a 6.7 you have to get a built 48 since there is not a fully built 68 available yet. Right now there are many companies making TC, flexplates, discs, sprags and TCM tunes. Suncoast and ATS have drop in 68s out that will handle 600 hp and are developing ones to handle higher hp. Only time will tell whether the 68 can be built to withstand the abuse that a 48 can be built to handle

jthorpe

I haven't had any issues with mine, but it's stock. I pull an 11k 5ver with it and it pulls great. That's about all I care about right now until I have more miles on the truck to justify erasing my warranty.

Pliny the Elder

Right, but as of now if you want to make power, the 47 or 48 tranny is the way to go.

I hope they do make it with stand the power its a great tranny in stock form.

2171CTD

The 68 is an amazing trans in stock form, much better than the 48 in my 06. A built 48 is a different story. But, Im still gonna hold out for a built 68. It doesnt makes since to me to lose two gears by going to a 48 on a daily driver.

Maybe the Chevy guys should talk to some sled pullers about how fabulous the front suspension is on GMs. Maybe its a new custom mod that makes the front tires point inward.

Scotty

I have ran my truck for a total of 141867 miles as of right now. Just a shade over 80,000 of those are with the Smarty on SW3, towing. I changed the fluid/filters and flushed at 100K miles. Yes 100K miles and the fluid was normal. Never once have I felt anything unusual with the shifting or slippage from what I do with this truck. I do not intend to put anymore power to this transmission. I am working on securing a complete drop in trans and motor that will be the eventual replacement for this one. That is when I will BOMB.
The two other auto trucks I owned were a 96 that had the plastic connectors...cracked in the cold and emptied the trans. No biggy got it fixed. The other one was the previous 07 and sold it with 137K miles on it...and once again I only serviced it once and that was at 80K miles. The owner of that truck now has over 300K and no work on the trans.
I know some folks are probably wondering why I would wait that long. To be honest...I forgot. I did the trans, transfer case and diffs all at the same time. Oil was changed every 10K miles and the Fuel filter every 20K miles.

I think that the proven performance of the past trans and the 5.9 will be beat for performance and longevity very soon. Its the way it goes...look back and the latest and greatest always beats the previous...eventually.

Scotty

Blake Clark

That is exactly how I feel. The gear spacing on the 68 is just perfect. It can only get better as the gurus go to work on them.

Remember the old adage, "Good things come to those who wait"

Ill sit patiently and wait. Heck the Smarty was worth it eh!!!

EverydayDiesel

interesting results so far. not one single problem

raychem

The problem with the 68's is 5th and 6h gears when you add big power to them. The TC's leave somethng to be desired also. Lets see what will happen as most of the parts in the 68 are stamped steel and the TCM is just begining to be explored. I have a good feeling that some good things will come, just have to wait and see.