HO Confusion

[Batmbmw]

Good evening everyone I have a 2015 Ram 3500 DRW Mega cab and I’m trying to find out if the turbo diesel is a high output motor, I’ve searched every thread and scoured the Internet and even checked with my VIN #to see if it said anywhere that it’s a high output, I can’t find anything that would suggest that it’s a high output even though I have seen threads that said all 3500s come with a high output motor, the sticker on the window when I bought it doesn’t say High output Cummings turbo, so can I assume that it’s not since it’s not on the sticker ? Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[rzr6-4]

Edit: google “AI“ sucks and I didn’t verify it, see below.

 

[tjfdesmo]

The HO designation was around long before 2019. If the truck has the 68RFE (trans dipstick on the right), it's an SO, if it has an Aisin (trans dipstick on the left), it's an HO.

 

[stevenP]

Not all 3500s came with the HO engine trans combo. It was an option. My 2014 dually did have the HO engine, as it also came with the aisin transmission. Driving side by side, honestly its hard to even notice the difference in power. The aisin shifts hard and clunky. The 68RFE trans is smoother shifting and is a lot smaller.

For 2025 there is no more SO engine option. All the diesels are HOs now.

 

[rzr6-4]

The HO designation was around long before 2019. If the truck has the 68RFE (trans dipstick on the right), it's an SO, if it has an Aisin (trans dipstick on the left), it's an HO.

Shhhtooopid. Same premise but totally different answer from wording it differently.

 

[Batmbmw]

The HO designation was around long before 2019. If the truck has the 68RFE (trans dipstick on the right), it's an SO, if it has an Aisin (trans dipstick on the left), it's an HO.

Ok, I do have the Aisin sooo I’m gonna assume that I have the HO then , Thanks

 

[Batmbmw]

Not all 3500s came with the HO engine trans combo. It was an option. My 2014 dually did have the HO engine, as it also came with the aisin transmission. Driving side by side, honestly its hard to even notice the difference in power. The aisin shifts hard and clunky. The 68RFE trans is smoother shifting and is a lot smaller.

For 2025 there is no more SO engine option. All the diesels are HOs now.

Yes that’s what I’m coming across ,some posts Tell me that all 3500 DRW with the Aisin tranny is a high output but other threads say no and I can’t find anything. Is there a designation on the motor somewhere that would tell me? The original sticker doesn’t say it’s a high output it just says the 6.7 turbo diesel

 

[tjfdesmo]

The only Cummins/Aisin combo that is not HO is the derated version in the C&C trucks. A pickup with Aisin is HO.

 

[nlambert182]

My 2012 2500 had the 68RFE and was an HO according to the build sheet. It also had this badge on the tailgate.


My 3500 with the 68RFE was indeed an SO (no HO indicators on the build sheet and had the 68RFE), and my current truck is the same. On the "older" trucks it should designate as an HO with the vin and at least on some years, wore the badge mentioned above.

In all honestly though, I could really never tell the difference in terms of towing performance.

 

[tjfdesmo]

My 2012 2500 had the 68RFE and was an HO according to the build sheet. It also had this badge on the tailgate.
View attachment 559748

My 3500 with the 68RFE was indeed an SO (no HO indicators on the build sheet and had the 68RFE), and my current truck is the same. On the "older" trucks it should designate as an HO with the vin and at least on some years, wore the badge mentioned above.

In all honestly though, I could really never tell the difference in terms of towing performance.

The Aisin didn't appear in pickups until 2013.

 

[nlambert182]

That has nothing to do with what I said though... lol.

I was merely indicating HO vs SO.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Not all 3500s came with the HO engine trans combo. It was an option. My 2014 dually did have the HO engine, as it also came with the aisin transmission. Driving side by side, honestly its hard to even notice the difference in power. The aisin shifts hard and clunky. The 68RFE trans is smoother shifting and is a lot smaller.

For 2025 there is no more SO engine option. All the diesels are HOs now.

I have heard many HO owners state this. They noticed a little difference when towing, other than that the biggest difference was mpg. They say the HO gets 1-2 mpg less than the SO. That is why I opted for the SO. I didn't want to fork out another 2k & less fuel mileage for just a little better pulling power. I only tow heavy 15-20 times a year, but if I did daily, I might of splurged for the HO.

 

[nlambert182]

For 99% of people (unless you hotshot for a living) the SO will be more than adequate for anything you can put behind it. You're not likely to ever notice the difference.