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I'll be buying an '18 ram soon (coming from an '06). All the Aisin vs 68rfe threads I've found are a couple years old. Whats this community's current thoughts.
I cant speak to the Aisin but my 68RFE so far (24k) has been fine for my use. Tow an open trailer lightweight under 4k occasionally, as well as a 10k fifth wheel here in the mountains. Have no complaints at least yet.
I just read a few days ago that the Aisin was 64% more robust than rhe 68RFE. For an auto, I think I would go with the Aisin...since the Allison isn't available.
Make sure to drive them both. They drive different so get some seat time before deciding. Also if your going to tune her as of now there is not trans tuning for the Aisin, while there are plenty of tuning options on the 68.
My thinking is since the Aisin is a stronger transmission, get that option if the OP is going to work the truck like towing a heavy trailer or tuning the engine for more power. If the truck is going to be a daily driver/Sunday go to church/BBQ truck, then the 68rfe might be the more economical choice. A tune is good, but you can't increase strength or GVW capabilty with a tune.
There are plenty of parts available for the 68RFE but not so for the Aisin. My son had problems with his 2013 Aisin and a couple of dealers diagnosed a solenoid valve inside the transmission and that's what the code said too. The solenoid valves were not available by themselves it would have been a complete valve body replacement so we took it apart and interchanged solenoid valves. We had every single valve out, they are not all the same but we found one that matched the supposedly bad one. The problem did NOT move from the original valve location proving it was NOT the valve or the valve body. While in there we checked every single connector and all was good but we did find pins pushed back and some corroded in one of the connectors behind the drivers side wheel well. Put the pins back in and lubed up the connector with dielectric grease and it's been good ever since. My point is there are plenty of 68RFE's out there so the mechanics are pretty experienced on them, not so much with the Aisin.
Well, that's the problem with new technology and the Beta testing owners do on new vehicles. All this computer controlled stuff creates issues. That's why I have an '01 with a stick, no emissions and a judicious use of dielectric grease where necessary. Cleaning the VP44 plug with contact cleaner and adding dielectric grease to the contacts on my current ride resolved a lot of codes thrown and issues realized.
I've had both, the 68rfe is a fine tranny, the Aisin is a HD transmission that works very well when pulling a heavy 5th wheel. Low gear is very low and will get the truck and trailer moving without a lot of throttle. With the 68rfe I had to use more rpm's to get the load moving.
Next issue is a big part of the equation will be what rear end you get for what you are doing. That's another thread and another big decision.
Again drive them.
780,000 miles 60% towing, 07, 6.7, 68RE smarty on SW 3
trailer never under 10K lbs. only regular maintenance.
Truck was totalled by a deer at that mileage.
no experience with the Aisin
currently 160,000 miles smarty ultra ME on 2016 Ram
I had a 2013 2500 with the 68RFE and I hated how the transmission flared during shifts , but after 3 updates the transmission shifted pretty good. I know have a 2017 3500 with the Aisin and I like how it shifts and doesn't seem to flare during the shifts, plus the extra toque and horsepower is a nice upgrade as well.
I drive both. My personal 2500 with the 68RFE and my work has a 3500 with the Aisin. I really like the 68RFE, but it's sloppy compared to the crisp-shifting Aisin. We also have a Duramax with an Allison (which arguably is the benchmark tranny in these diesel trucks) and I would rank the Aisin even better than the Allison. So really, if you can spring for the Aisin, but the 68RFE is just fine for most people.
I can't compare the two automatics, as I have only driven the Aisin. I pulled my 5th wheel to AK and back with transmission oil changes before and after. With both oil changes, I sent samples to Blackstone Labs for analysis. Both came back just fine (just over 9k miles between samples).
The tranny would shift hard when going from drive to reverse even though I come to a complete stop before shifting. Took it to the dealer for a few issues this week and that was one that was solved with a TCM update.
Would I get an Aisin again? Sure.
Back to morning brew . . .
2016 3500 dually with 4:10 gears Aisin .....I pull a 36 foot toyhauler aound 16-18k loaded (3 quads and sand rail) depending if we are dry camping or full hook-up.....The Aisin has been great (knock on wood) so far. I pull the trailer over the grades from Ca to the oregon dunes. No lack of power ...I do have to shift to keep the R's above 2k on some grades but she pulls nicely. Also do a few trips though the Ca sierras when we hit Sand Mountain in NV...again no problems. Only 10k miles so far ...time will tell...good luck with the 2018 ...I suspect you will enjoy the truck ....BTW 4:10 gear ratio gives you the full 900 torque rating if i remember correctly.
My AS69RC has been absolutely stellar through 286,069 miles. In addition, there has been lots of heavy towing within that 286k.
The 68RFE is a much maligned transmission. I owned a 2007.5 RAM 3500 MegaCab (first year 6.7L and first year 68RFE) and the 68RFE was fine at 114k when I sold it.
I always said the 68RFE would give the Allison a run for its money.
The AS69RC just eats the Allison for lunch.
Originally Posted by studio5o
....BTW 4:10 gear ratio gives you the full 900 torque rating if i remember correctly.
The advertised power rating is available in SRW or DRW with the AISIN, regardless of the axle ratio.
09-05-2017, 09:26 AM
