6 speed reliability

I have a 2013 sport with the 6 speed auto. I have driven a ram with the 8 speed and I do like the 8 speed. However me upgrading to a newer ram with the 8 speed is not in the cards for me.
I just drive in town occasional road trip and the only towing/hauling I do is a couple of quads on the weekend and once in a while a dump run or trip to the hardware store.

My question is what kind of mileage (with regular routine maintenance) should I get out of the 6 speed without major issues?
Is there any preventative measures I should take to help prolong the life of the transmission?

Thanks for the help.

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Regular maintenance, no WOT runs going on an on ramp or already highway cruising. 4th gear doesn't like to take WOT or abuse. Not too much power, a tuner and longtube headers is almost max for a DD with having some fun otherwise you should be just fine. Others with some more knowledge on these trans will chime in.


Sent from the howitzer

The trans will be fine if you dont do any downshift 4th gear WOT runs. Like on the highway or something. Make sure and manual shift into 2nd.

It's a good trans but yes it can handle much more power over stock. They do make built ones and many have made power with them. Just ask charonblk07.

From what I have learned, it is your first overdrive gear in the transmission that is weak. On your evic I believe it is actually fifth gear that is the weak spot. Second prime and third are essentially the same gear with different software in the earlier years. Fourth on your evic is actually 3rd, your 1:1 gear which is fine(I know , confusing). WOT upshifts into 5 and downshifts are where it is weak. Avoid that and your tranny should hold up just fine. Personally I am NOT a fan of the rfe trans, but I am NOT easy on my vehicles. There are many threads on this as well. I'm sure others will chime in. A maghytec or other aftermarket pan will also help in keeping things cool under there.

Ok thanks for the input/advice.

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I installed the Transgo Reprogramming kit. The trans shifts much fatser and a little firmer. It has heavier springs for quicker shifts. It also comes with a stronger snap ring which is what broke on my last trans. The upgrades to the valve body can be done at home by dropping the pan and pulling the valve body. The stronger snap ring and spring for the pump requires dropping the trans. But you can just do the valve body mods like I did. Here is the link to Transgo. It says for 45, 545 rfe but I have a 2013 with 65 rfe and it works great. One of my favorite mods. I have hated the way this trans shifts from day one, slow and sloppy. Now its quick and tight, although it sometimes still does know what gear to be in.

TransGo 45RFE, 545RFE, and 68RFE: 45RFE-HD2

I bought mine at Summit Racing.

FYI. No need to install the resister wire if you have a tuner.

Also, no full throttle kick downs and no WOT into overdrive (5th).

It's reliable provided you aren't making a lot of power or driving like a 16yr old with a pretty girl in the car next to you. There are plenty of 545/65s that are well into 150+K on stock transmissions that were well maintained and driven reasonably. My brother's 545 made it to 170K before it finally went and he DDs it and tows a holiday trailer 7-8 times a year. I abuse my built 545 and after 3 years it finally dropped the input clutches and is in need of a rebuild and I was happy with that longevity.

Hey Char, what makes a "Built Trans"? I mean specifically. Do they add clutch packs to each gear? Heavier duty clutch packs of the same size? Bigger clutch packs? Springs? Valves?

Does a built tran vehicle shift uncomfortabally hard?

Having to have the tranny rebuilt doesn't seem like "that" big of a deal.

RLJ10X said:

Hey Char, what makes a "Built Trans"? I mean specifically. Do they add clutch packs to each gear? Heavier duty clutch packs of the same size? Bigger clutch packs? Springs? Valves?

Does a built tran vehicle shift uncomfortabally hard?

Having to have the tranny rebuilt doesn't seem like "that" big of a deal.

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The one I have from L&M involves a machined input drum and backing plates to allow more clutches to be used, the use of 68rfe single sided clutches, the pump and valve body are modified for higher pressure, and he has some trans specific tuning as well.


It's never going to be a "bulletproof" trans until someone comes up with a clutch material that can take constant mild slippage without glazing over. If that ever happens then watch out, it'll be a new ball game.

Jerseymike said:

I installed the Transgo Reprogramming kit. The trans shifts much fatser and a little firmer. It has heavier springs for quicker shifts. It also comes with a stronger snap ring which is what broke on my last trans. The upgrades to the valve body can be done at home by dropping the pan and pulling the valve body. The stronger snap ring and spring for the pump requires dropping the trans. But you can just do the valve body mods like I did. Here is the link to Transgo. It says for 45, 545 rfe but I have a 2013 with 65 rfe and it works great. One of my favorite mods. I have hated the way this trans shifts from day one, slow and sloppy. Now its quick and tight, although it sometimes still does know what gear to be in.

TransGo 45RFE, 545RFE, and 68RFE: 45RFE-HD2

I bought mine at Summit Racing.

FYI. No need to install the resister wire if you have a tuner.

Also, no full throttle kick downs and no WOT into overdrive (5th).

Click to expand...

So it fit your 2013 65rfe no problem? How long or how many miles approx have you had the kit in? Any issues?

What or where does the resister wire go? Do you just have to drop the pan?

Thanks.

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Yes. The kit fits no problem. As far as I can tell the differences between the 545 and 65rfe are: software, torque converter and solenoid. This kit does not affect those parts.

The valve body upgrades involves removing the pan, removing the flat filter, then remove the valve body. From there you install new springs, seals, and backing plate on the valve body then reinstall. It is a messy job. I used 7 quarts of AFT+4 fluid and used trans pan gasket sealer from the dealer. It took me around 5 hours because I took my time since it was the first time I worked on this trans. And the fluid dripped out of the trans the whole time. Messy, messy job. I was able to get the pan off without removing the exhaust which was nice but it was tight.

I have been driving for 3 months and about 3000 miles with the shift kit. It did take a while for the trans to learn the new shifts, so be aware of that. This trans will take time to adjust to any changes, so resist the urge to 'test' the new trans. But overall, I wish I would have done this sooner.

The resister wire gets spliced into one of the trans wires. I didn't use it since I have a tuner but it is covered in the instructions. I would not do it though. I would just use the Sonnax line pressure booster.

charonblk07 said:

It's reliable provided you aren't making a lot of power or driving like a 16yr old with a pretty girl in the car next to you. There are plenty of 545/65s that are well into 150+K on stock transmissions that were well maintained and driven reasonably. My brother's 545 made it to 170K before it finally went and he DDs it and tows a holiday trailer 7-8 times a year. I abuse my built 545 and after 3 years it finally dropped the input clutches and is in need of a rebuild and I was happy with that longevity.

Click to expand...

Is L & M still building trans. I haven't heard any updates in a while.

And what is going on with Super Street Performance. Last I heard they were working on testing new parts for Sonnax?? Any updates on this?

Jerseymike said:

Is L & M still building trans. I haven't heard any updates in a while.

And what is going on with Super Street Performance. Last I heard they were working on testing new parts for Sonnax?? Any updates on this?

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Mike is still building trans, you just have to contact him directly, he's never tried to mass market them like ATS or Sharadon did. As for Super Street, I take them one day at a time; Jerry has always promised something amazing was coming soon or just around the corner ever since I started in the hemi trucks back in '08. I'll be happy if/when it does happen but I'm not holding my breath for it.

So I am safe to add the transgo kit to stock truck can the sonnax pressure booster be put in a stock truck as well?
I do not plan on putting a tuner in this truck.
When you say it took time for the Trans to learn and adjust any check engine lights?

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2013sport said:

So I am safe to add the transgo kit to stock truck can the sonnax pressure booster be put in a stock truck as well?
I do not plan on putting a tuner in this truck.
When you say it took time for the Trans to learn and adjust any check engine lights?

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Click to expand...

No codes. The PCM takes time to 'learn' the quicker shifts. Meaning you may feel the occasional weird shift until it adjust.

The Sonnax was the first mod on my truck. Its a quick plug and play. I noticed slightly firmer shifts. Some people say it stops working after the PCM adjust but mine never stopped working. And the resister wire in the Transgo kit does the same thing. So you could do either. You could do the Sonnax first and see if thats enough for you.

I ordered both tonight so install in a few days. Thanks for the help.

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charonblk07 said:

Mike is still building trans, you just have to contact him directly, he's never tried to mass market them like ATS or Sharadon did. As for Super Street, I take them one day at a time; Jerry has always promised something amazing was coming soon or just around the corner ever since I started in the hemi trucks back in '08. I'll be happy if/when it does happen but I'm not holding my breath for it.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. My dealer rebuilt trans in going on 2 years now. So when it dies, I will contact Mike.

I recently put a Mag Hytec pan on my 65RFE and then did a couple drain and fills with Castrol Transmax ATF+4, basically doing a poor mans flush. Just doing that improved shifting noticeably. Last Saturday I drained out 7qts and refilled with Redline C+ ATF. Truck has 23K on it and it shifts better and quicker now than when I bought it with 14 miles on it.

I highly recommend changing the fluid and filters more often than stated in the manual which states 120000 for normal and 60000 for severe service. I would stick with 30000 intervals IMO

2013sport said:

I ordered both tonight so install in a few days. Thanks for the help.

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You are welcome. Just follow the instructions in the kit, there are parts that you won't use. The large snap ring is under the tray in the box, but you will only need that if you pull the trans. I used the pan sealer from the dealer. It sets up fast. Think I waited 2 hours to refill the trans, some people use a gasket. You can call Transgo tech support during the day if you have any questions. They are very helpful. I watched a bunch of videos on Youtube to learn how to do the install. I would suggest that. Let us know how it goes.

Hemi395 said:

I highly recommend changing the fluid and filters more often than stated in the manual which states 120000 for normal and 60000 for severe service. I would stick with 30000 intervals IMO

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I was planning on doing mine at 50k mile intervals. I'm currently at 45k. No shifting issues thus far. Hopefully I'm good.