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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Thought the 68 RFE had no room in it for serious hp upgrades ??

RJ

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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..

 

I love mine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 07.5 auto !! This is my thire dodge diesel and by far the best engine trans combo to date.