6 spd questions

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

wannahdawg

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Posts
34
Reaction score
6
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
I've searched as much as I could, but couldn't find definitive answers.... Somebody tell me about the 6spd behind the HEMI. Model number, good/bad, etc...I see a lot of people complain about it, rather have the 8 spd, etc but I also see the opposite. I've got a 13 express CC 2wd, tow about 2500-3k lbs daily monday-friday with it, in the Appalachians and don't have any issues so far...80,600 miles...I'd like to take care of it though so if anybody recommends stuff, clue me in...
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
The 6 speed is the 65RFE. It's not a bad transmission it's just not as nice as the 8speed.

The good thing about the 6 speed is it's serviceable. The filters and fluid can be changed like any other transmission and the fluid is relatively cheap. There are some aftermarket pans that have drain plugs for easy draining.

The 8 speed fluid is $40/quart and the filters are integral to the pan so the whole pan needs to be replaced and it's $350 from the dealer.

The bad things about the 6 speed are if you do a full throttle kickdown at highway speeds it *can* kill the trans. Other thing is with the Hemi it's pretty much at its capacity. Other than that, it's pretty reliable.

Personally I like my 6 speed. I opted for it over the 8 speed simply because I plan on keeping my truck for awhile and I wanted easy/cheap maintenance.

Hope this helps!
 

DILLIGAF

Senior Member
Military
Joined
May 28, 2016
Posts
4,216
Reaction score
7,551
Location
Canada
Ram Year
2012
Engine
5.7
I just had to pay to get the new software updated. Now thats ******... I figured if they had new software for it it would be a nice freebie...lol...

I dont really like the 6 speed, But I have learned to live with it.

14045739_10154457855513552_2877868942979293805_n.jpg
 
OP
OP
W

wannahdawg

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Posts
34
Reaction score
6
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
Thanks for the post Austin, really helped me out.

Hemi395, that was what I was looking for, I been wanting to do the servicing myself because I do plan on keeping the truck. AND I use it as a truck. I have the 3:55 gears and have no trouble towing. It does what I need it to, and it does it well. I don't plan on modding for HP gains etc, nor do I hammer on it.

DILLIGAF, what's this s/w upgrade you speak of?
 

AustinB

Banned
Joined
Sep 8, 2015
Posts
3,942
Reaction score
2,052
Location
San Diego, Left Coast
Ram Year
2015
Engine
hemi 5.7
Thanks for the post Austin, really helped me out.

Misread the question. Don't have any good info to contribute... I traded in my 6spd for the 8 and wouldn't think twice about going back.

Seems like it works for your payload/needs, enjoy.
 

TRCM

USN, Retired
Military
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
3,238
Reaction score
5,359
Location
Newport News, VA
Ram Year
2012 1500 Laramie CC 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
The 8 speed fluid is $40/quart and the filters are integral to the pan so the whole pan needs to be replaced and it's $350 from the dealer.

The bad things about the 6 speed are if you do a full throttle kickdown at highway speeds it *can* kill the trans. Other thing is with the Hemi it's pretty much at its capacity. Other than that, it's pretty reliable.


Who the heck's brilliant idea was that ????


and how will full throttle kickdowns kill it ??
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Who the heck's brilliant idea was that ????


and how will full throttle kickdowns kill it ??
Yeah, no idea....

That's what I've read about the 6 speed is that the 4th gear clutch pack is the weak link as is the 3rd gear or in the 545RFE 2ndPrime...
 

Kytow

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2016
Posts
444
Reaction score
174
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
WOT downshifts into 4 and WOT up shift into 4 (130 mph) are what kill the 6 speed. I believe someone said its due to the spacing between some of the clutch packs.


Sent from somewhere with confusion.
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
WOT downshifts into 4 and WOT up shift into 4 (130 mph) are what kill the 6 speed. I believe someone said its due to the spacing between some of the clutch packs.


Sent from somewhere with confusion.
That's what it was, I knew it had something to do with wot and 4th gear...
 

TRCM

USN, Retired
Military
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
3,238
Reaction score
5,359
Location
Newport News, VA
Ram Year
2012 1500 Laramie CC 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
WOT downshifts into 4 and WOT up shift into 4 (130 mph) are what kill the 6 speed. I believe someone said its due to the spacing between some of the clutch packs.


Sent from somewhere with confusion.

Well, ain't gotta worry about that in a stock crew cab 4x4.
 

rocket800

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Posts
28
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2012 Laramie
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I don't mind my 6 speed either! How are you guys servicing yours? Mine is due and I'm torn between dropping the pan/filter change vs complete flush.
 

Kytow

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2016
Posts
444
Reaction score
174
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
I'm going to do mine at 30,000 miles. I believe I'm just going to drop the pan and change filter.

I'm also looking into changing the torque converter, probably wait until then. Trying to decide if I want to try and do it or pay a pro.


Sent from somewhere with confusion.
 

U&A

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2016
Posts
9,261
Reaction score
18,560
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2016 3500 SRW
Engine
6.4 HEMI
WOT downshifts into 4 and WOT up shift into 4 (130 mph) are what kill the 6 speed. I believe someone said its due to the spacing between some of the clutch packs.


Sent from somewhere with confusion.

Well ill never have to worry if that is what causes it. im to much of a :baby: and think my truck has emotions. I dont want to hurt her feelings. :buffer:
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I just changed my fluid and filter at 22000miles. If you do a pan drop every 30000 or so you shouldn't need a flush. I certainly wouldn't go the Chrysler recommended 120000 miles before changing the fluid...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Kytow

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2016
Posts
444
Reaction score
174
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
Well ill never have to worry if that is what causes it. im to much of a :baby: and think my truck has emotions. I dont want to hurt her feelings. :buffer:



I try to avoid WOT down into 4th. But 2-1 WOT is fun


Sent from somewhere with confusion.
 
OP
OP
W

wannahdawg

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Posts
34
Reaction score
6
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
Well I bought mine at 65k, and it has 80340 now. You recommend I go ahead and do a filter and fluid change? I did plugs, PCV, air and cabin filter at 75k...
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Well I bought mine at 65k, and it has 80340 now. You recommend I go ahead and do a filter and fluid change? I did plugs, PCV, air and cabin filter at 75k...
I would. Does the fluid still look red? Shift ok?
 

TRCM

USN, Retired
Military
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
3,238
Reaction score
5,359
Location
Newport News, VA
Ram Year
2012 1500 Laramie CC 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Well ill never have to worry if that is what causes it. im to much of a :baby: and think my truck has emotions. I dont want to hurt her feelings. :buffer:

Not here.....I mean, I do baby her, but I also smack her backside from time to time.


4 yrs old & <17,000 on her so far
 

Hemi395

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Posts
8,965
Reaction score
15,598
Location
Cape Cod MA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Not here.....I mean, I do baby her, but I also smack her backside from time to time.


4 yrs old & <17,000 on her so far
Damn I thought I had low miles at 22000 and 3.5 years old...
 
Top