I drive a 2014 ram 2500 6.7 Cummins, it’s deleted and has a 65hp tune. I’m putting a compound kit in with an s475 over stock along with 90hp injectors and head-studs. If I put these mods in and drive the truck normally and easy and don’t beat on it will the transmission hold up until I have the money to build it?
68rfe max hp
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Yea, you'll likely smoke the tranny even with stock hp & deleted tune IF you're not careful.
I was told that 4th, 5th and 6th gear are extremely weak on stock 68RFE. I would start with a deep pan and custom valve body before I do anything on the engine - that is to make it more reliable.
I was told that 4th, 5th and 6th gear are extremely weak on stock 68RFE. I would start with a deep pan and custom valve body before I do anything on the engine - that is to make it more reliable.
Well they’re right, you could torch the trans pretty easy with big power. Not a surprise or even a question. But you could also drive it for the next 100k miles if you don’t lay the power to it.
Which do you plan on doing? There’s your answer.
BTW if you’re asking, then you’ll probably roast the trans.
Which do you plan on doing? There’s your answer.
BTW if you’re asking, then you’ll probably roast the trans.
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4th locked up is the safest gear to bury the right pedal with.
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The 68 RFE is the wrong transmission for putting extra power into without some bullet proofing first. Even then it’s a pretty weak transmission and I don’t understand why Dodge continues to use it to this day. I baby mine and save it for towing our RV when camping.
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The stock 68rfe with trans tuning is good to 550HP with a simple VB change they are good to 650HP thats going by what the guy at revmax told me
I’m by no means nice to my stock tranny, but I’m also not doing boosted launches. She runs good and takes the power slightly better with a trans tune. I’ll be going through it in another year or two though, or when she pukes, whichever comes first. It’ll last a while, just don’t stand on the skinny throttle all the time.
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Lol, funny how a valvebody makes it good for 650hp but my $7,000 RevMax 550 with valvebody, billet input shaft, billet multidisc converter, billet flexplate, heavy duty clutches, and whatever else they do to it is only good for 550hp.
I put 4.10's in hoping to save the stock trans in my 14 but to no avail. It crapped out before 80,000 miles. No boosted launches or extremely heavy hauling either.
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Maybe the information I have is not correct but the way I understand, Dodge got behind GMC and Ford because they came out with their so-called “smart” transmissions and Dodge didn’t have anything except for the 48RE which was a good transmission but not compatible for “smart” technology. I read they used the one from their van production modified it for the 2500 and called it their “smart” transmission [68RFE]. Both GMC and Ford transmissions are hundreds of pounds heavier with much bigger clutch packs & bands from what I understand. From all the You Tube videos I’ve watched and the articles I read the 68RFE in its stock form is simply a weak and fragile transmission. Seems like the last transmission you would want to put more than stock power to if you want it to live. Not an expert what so ever on this subject but for me personally I don’t have a lot of confidence in my 68RFE and it wouldn’t surprise me if it turns out to be the first major problem I have with the truck one day.
My sister's 2017 2500 6.7 has 70k miles, already had work last year I believe it was valve body. Now codes for torque converter clutch. Truck is well maintained and tows a fifth wheel a couple hundred miles a few times a year. Daily driver. Same issues I read about constantly with the 68rfe. I have much more confidence with my aisin.
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So the 650 i was told is at the crank where as the 550 rated at the wheels big difference
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191 Posts
I don’t think the 68RFE is even good enough for the 850 pound ft engine it is supposed to handle today. As soon as they came out with the HO that was where the 68RFE was no longer available as an option. That should tell you something…
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I know many people including myself with 100+ hp tunes and a stock 68rfe just tuning on the trans no issues. The only reason the HO does not get it is due to the tow cap the aisin is better for towing hell i know of one guy who tows up to 18k campers for a living with his 19 2500 and he just had the original trans rebuilt at 325k miles thats not bad at all for a stock truck and trans.
The biggest reason the 68rfe got a bad name is the early years they had issues now they are a pretty solid trans but when people run a stock trans on a lifted truck with bigger tires and stock gears with way to much power its asking for trouble.
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191 Posts
I’m sure there are plenty of people that have had great luck with the 68RFE. I dealt with many fully deleted Hot Shots over the years and when I see their load I’m amazed how well they run. I’ve met many campers towing giant 5th with 68RFE transmissions that haven’t had any problems. I just think Dodge should go to the Aisin for all 2500 and above and send the 68RFE out to pasture.
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It would drive people away lots of people dont like the aisin for the more commercial feel with harsher shifts. I imagine when/if they do go to the ZF 8speed they will go back to a single trans platform.
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Theres pros and cons. The 68rfe has come a long ways since when it came out. Yes, its whole constant self learning can be a PITA and major weak point. Causing weird shift patterns and flukes. But with a a proper tune, along with a good trans tune, the truck can handle some extra power. Like a tune and aftermarket turbo.
I wouldn’t throw your setup at it lol. That combo would snap even a poor “built” trans lol.
But guys these days don’t now how to drive. People buy these 3/4 trucks and expect to drive them like a car or half ton truck. Zipping around everywhere . Constantly on and off the throttle, accelerating like a car. I see it all day, and hear it lol(the exhaust). Diesel trucks drivers flooring it constantly, from a stop light, or when they turn at a light, or keeping up with traffic, with no concept of the trucks power delivery. The torque management, how the power comes in, when the power comes on, when boost hits, when the torque converter locks. They have no idea. With these trucks you can’t get into the throttle whenever you want to. You gotta be aware what gear you’re in, what rpm’s you’re at, speed. All that. Be a driver. I mean you can do all that, but the trans won’t last. I don’t expect it too. Drive conservative, ease into boost. The truck would be fine for alittle.
I wouldn’t throw your setup at it lol. That combo would snap even a poor “built” trans lol.
But guys these days don’t now how to drive. People buy these 3/4 trucks and expect to drive them like a car or half ton truck. Zipping around everywhere . Constantly on and off the throttle, accelerating like a car. I see it all day, and hear it lol(the exhaust). Diesel trucks drivers flooring it constantly, from a stop light, or when they turn at a light, or keeping up with traffic, with no concept of the trucks power delivery. The torque management, how the power comes in, when the power comes on, when boost hits, when the torque converter locks. They have no idea. With these trucks you can’t get into the throttle whenever you want to. You gotta be aware what gear you’re in, what rpm’s you’re at, speed. All that. Be a driver. I mean you can do all that, but the trans won’t last. I don’t expect it too. Drive conservative, ease into boost. The truck would be fine for alittle.
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