Tranny slipping?

68PowerWagon · Mar 16, 2023

This is my first diesel & first 68RFE tranny. I am not familiar with how these 68's react, but it seems like it is slipping a lot when it shifts. Right before it upshifts the rpm's briefly rise. I know it took awhile for me to learn all the quirks on the 66rfe I had in my gasser 2500, so maybe I should just keep an eye on it for now. If that doesn't sound right to you drivers that own one, let me know & I will take it to the dealer. Oh yeah this is a new truck... 2022 with only about 3,500 miles.

JayLeonard · Mar 16, 2023

Mine does not do that.

MrScott · Mar 16, 2023

Mine seems to do that as well.
Hoping it is normal....

mtnrider · Mar 16, 2023

Normal. People call it shift flare but basically it's the factory tuning of the trans so it doesn't destroy itself with ~900 lbft of torque.

.

68PowerWagon · Mar 16, 2023

Thanks for the responses all!

06 Dodge · Mar 18, 2023

I have learned to put it in tow mode every time I start the truck IMO it shift a lot better...

Ram1683 · Mar 19, 2023

I know it a problem with the 8hp70 because I've been chasing it but I didn't know the 68RFE had the same issue. I wonder is something to do with ram's programming.

68PowerWagon · Mar 20, 2023

I want to take the valve that goes to the tranny cooler off, but I don't want to do that until I know the tranny doesn't need warranty work. On my last truck removing that valve lowered my temps 20-30 degrees. Much better for the tranny while towing heavy. Not sure why they cannot make the pass through wider. Even with the valve open it reduces the oil flow by over 60%! I was skeptical until I took mine off to install the bypass. Completely chokes off the oil flow.

Dinky · Mar 28, 2023

My 68rfe does that when i have my foot in it, but it is consistent so i am not worried. I think it has a lot to do with the torque management programming they have on it. this is the first truck i haven't been able to power brake it

.

I did the bypass valve and bigger pan already, i thought my transmission blew 2 months ago. The internal filter shot off the valve body, they did throw a big stink about my part for 3 weeks. I simply just told the dealer you will need to prove those parts caused the damage and heard nothing after that. My mechanic i used did the pan swap so he over tightened the filter so the plastic threads gave out.

joshuaeb09 · Apr 10, 2023

It's one of those 68RFE things unfortunately and will start to get better after some miles, but not perfect if you just jump in and drive without T/H on. I'm running the PPE flat bottom pan, the PPE extended filter that comes with an integrated metal nipple, and the PPE TBV delete. Normally Red Line C+ would be my go to RFE fluid, but I've been playing with the HSS Adrenaline Pro Shift +4 in this one and it does seem to have made some minor shift improvements (nothing earth shattering by any means). I also always run T/H mode which helps them a bit as I find the factory trans tuning just flat out sucks without it. Once emissions intact/on '22s tuning is more readily available I'll be seriously looking into Calibrated Power tuning and probably throw in a RevMax VB at the same time.

The RFE's aren't horrible and can be made a lot better, but from the factory they've always missed the mark IMO. They rush to 6th gear too early even though the OD's are the weakest point, shift too soft 90% of the time, and they should run a touch more line pressure IMO. If you've ever driven a 68RFE with a valve body and a tow tune worth it's salt it's like driving a completely different truck. I will give it to Ram that they did make some improvements to the '19+ units with the aux VB, but it's still got its quirks from the factory.

68PowerWagon · Apr 11, 2023

joshuaeb09 said:
It's one of those 68RFE things unfortunately and will start to get better after some miles, but not perfect if you just jump in and drive without T/H on. I'm running the PPE flat bottom pan, the PPE extended filter that comes with an integrated metal nipple, and the PPE TBV delete. Normally Red Line C+ would be my go to RFE fluid, but I've been playing with the HSS Adrenaline Pro Shift +4 in this one and it does seem to have made some minor shift improvements (nothing earth shattering by any means). I also always run T/H mode which helps them a bit as I find the factory trans tuning just flat out sucks without it. Once emissions intact/on '22s tuning is more readily available I'll be seriously looking into Calibrated Power tuning and probably throw in a RevMax VB at the same time.

The RFE's aren't horrible and can be made a lot better, but from the factory they've always missed the mark IMO. They rush to 6th gear too early even though the OD's are the weakest point, shift too soft 90% of the time, and they should run a touch more line pressure IMO. If you've ever driven a 68RFE with a valve body and a tow tune worth it's salt it's like driving a completely different truck. I will give it to Ram that they did make some improvements to the '19+ units with the aux VB, but it's still got its quirks from the factory.

What does the T/H do on the cummins/68rfe? My gasser with the 66rfe I would get a little firmer up & down shifts & it would lock out 6th gear. I am not noticing much difference with this truck except firmer down shifts.

RamCares · Apr 11, 2023

We see that you have received some great advice from your fellow forum members! However, if these suggestions do not address your concern and you decide to visit your dealer, our team would be happy to offer additional assistance throughout that process! We're available via private message.

Callie
Ram Cares

06 Dodge · Apr 11, 2023

68PowerWagon said:
What does the T/H do on the cummins/68rfe? My gasser with the 66rfe I would get a little firmer up & down shifts & it would lock out 6th gear. I am not noticing much difference with this truck except firmer down shifts.

T/H does the same thing it did on your 66 rfe it changes shift points so that is shifts at higher speeds compared to T/H being off along with firmer down shifts...

joshuaeb09 · Apr 12, 2023

06 Dodge said:
T/H does the same thing it did on your 66 rfe it changes shift points so that is shifts at higher speeds compared to T/H being off along with firmer down shifts...

Yup what he said. 100% stock truck might not be as noticeable, but with my 36x13 Toyo's being out of T/H mode it races to 5th or 6th inappropraitely even though I'm recalibrated on tire size. In T/H it's actually quite a bit better about not being stupid, but the shift strategy could still use some work.

Tranny slipping?

68PowerWagon

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JayLeonard

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MrScott

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mtnrider

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joshuaeb09

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