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ajdoms23

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Hello everyone i’m in the market for a ram probably 2019 and up. I’ve always wanted one but i keep hearing about the transmission issues. I hear it was more present from 2016-2018 but curious what the input is on the form. I’m mechanical inclined so i would take good care of it but curious what the situation is if it can be avoided with proper maintenance or it’s just luck of the draw. Any input would be great thanks.
 

Fediej

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What specific issues? I haven't heard of anything major being a problem in regards to the transmissions since the mid 1990's. Unless you mean a manual being nearly impossible to find or people not liking the dial shifter for the 8-speed auto.
 
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ajdoms23

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i’ve read of numerous problems online all coming back to the idea the transmission aren’t very reliable. That’s why i was curious what actual owner’s opinions were.
 

CamperMike

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Are you talking the 1500 or 2500/3500? The 8 speed on the 1500 has a very strong track record. Engine issues are the biggest major concern on the 1500. Manifold bolts break which is common and moderate cost to repair... and less often the cam and lifters fail at higher mileage.
 

BlackGold6.4

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If you use your truck hard like a truck then yes there will be issues with the trannies, the gas 66RFE has the biggest issues and the 68 RFE behind diesels can have the same issues as the 66 due the weak spots inside (Flex plates for the valves and clutches). The newer 8-speed has somewhat the same issues as the RFE's but not as much. If these issues are caught soon enough the costs are minimal.
 

turkeybird56

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i was looking into getting a gas
If U going 1500 with the HP 85, not many problems at all, extremely smooth and reliable on 1500. Now, there can always be a problem, but for the most part, very lil issues at all that have been reported. BUT U do as U see fit and what your "research" tells you. All IMHO...
 
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ajdoms23

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If U going 1500 with the HP 85, not many problems at all, extremely smooth and reliable on 1500. Now, there can always be a problem, but for the most part, very lil issues at all that have been reported. BUT U do as U see fit and what your "research" tells you. All IMHO...
Appreciate it
 

PoMansRam

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Fellow Buffalo area guy here..

What specific model are you looking for? Hemi or Pentastar? Like said, most if not all ~2019+ 1500 hemi classics are going to have the ZF 8spd, which is an excellent transmission. All pentastar powered Ram 1500's come with the 8spd. Some trandesman/hemi models might still be available with the old 6spd, which isn't a bad trans. Performance, economy, etc are better with the ZF8.

Other than that, good luck in today's market. There's no flippin' way I'd buy used with what they want for them now.
 

turkeybird56

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Fellow Buffalo area guy here..

What specific model are you looking for? Hemi or Pentastar? Like said, most if not all ~2019+ 1500 hemi classics are going to have the ZF 8spd, which is an excellent transmission. All pentastar powered Ram 1500's come with the 8spd. Some trandesman/hemi models might still be available with the old 6spd, which isn't a bad trans. Performance, economy, etc are better with the ZF8.

Other than that, good luck in today's market. There's no flippin' way I'd buy used with what they want for them now.
YUP< I got My 19 and gonna run it till tires fall off, buy new tires and run it some more, LOL. The 8spd smooth as silk. And FWIW, I do enjoy my Hemi, which is only stock mostly, and enuf for this BOIRD (not a race truck, reliable/dependable transportation).
 
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tron67j

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Another multi-Ram owner, on third, a 2018 2500 6.4 6 speed. All run like a charm. Do things break, it can happen. But with the millions sold over the years I haven't seen routine volumes of complaints. I say don't try to solve a problem that you may never have. Buy what you want and need, and enjoy the ride.
 

Wild one

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The newer 8-speed has somewhat the same issues as the RFE's but not as much. If these issues are caught soon enough the costs are minimal.
Just where are you getting that info from,the 8HP70 is good to at least 650 rwhp with a good tune,and there's guys pushing them to well over 700rwhp and they're still living.Back up your claims there lad with some proof.
 

mtofell

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66rfe, 6spd in the 6.4 gassers (pre-2018?) are proving to be somewhat unreliable. The biggest issue is the valve bodies failing, sometimes doing other damage. I'm at 120K and have had two pretty major failures (36K and 90K miles).

IMO, quality transmissions is certainly not the first think I think of with Dodge/Ram. If not for my lifetime warranty I'd have unloaded this truck after the first failure.
 

Wild one

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66rfe, 6spd in the 6.4 gassers (pre-2018?) are proving to be somewhat unreliable. The biggest issue is the valve bodies failing, sometimes doing other damage. I'm at 120K and have had two pretty major failures (36K and 90K miles).

IMO, quality transmissions is certainly not the first think I think of with Dodge/Ram. If not for my lifetime warranty I'd have unloaded this truck after the first failure.
The 8HP70 in the 1500's ,isn't a Dodge/Ram transmission,it's a Germany built ZF transmission,with probably the best rep as far as a light duty truck transmissions go
 
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