How's the Chrysler 68RFE Hold up With the Standard Output Cummins?

[Goose55]

I've been thinking about getting a '23 3500 dually with the Standard Output Cummins, which comes with the 68RFE Chrysler trans. My '19 Ram dually has the HO Cummins with the Aisin and has a transmission cooler. Running empty it never gets above 163 degrees F, summer or winter. A constant 163 degrees. What about that 68RFE? I note that it does NOT have a transmission cooler. Talk to me about the 68RFE.

 

[18CrewDually]

Of course it has a trans cooler. And if you don't tune it or abuse it and remember to maintain it it can hold up. There is also an aftermarket support if you ever want to build it up.

 

[Hemi395]

Theres a thermostatic valve on the cooler lines that only opens after the trans fluid temp reaches around 170*. There are aftermarket blocks that bypass this valve so the trans fluid is sent to the cooler at all times.

People that have problems with the 68RFE tend to be the ones that add 300hp tunes to their trucks and then complain that the trans blew up. Change the fluid/filters every 30k, don't abuse it, and it will last just fine.

 

[chri5k]

I have a 2500 with the SO Cummins and 68RFE. Tow a 13,500Ld horse trailer fairly regularly. Almost 200,000 miles on the original trans and engine. I do change the fluid and filter about every 60,000 miles. Have not seen / smelled burned fluid. Always looks quite good.

 

[Goose55]

I have a 2500 with the SO Cummins and 68RFE. Tow a 13,500Ld horse trailer fairly regularly. Almost 200,000 miles on the original trans and engine. I do change the fluid and filter about every 60,000 miles. Have not seen / smelled burned fluid. Always looks quite good.

 

[Dinky]

My 22' 3500 S.O has been fine. Sitting at 29k now and haven't had any issue but the internal filter popping off but that was my mechanics fault. My temp in the winter time was hitting 180-200 towing 10k trailer so I decided to do the value bypass. Now towing even more weight same condition I am at 167deg and haven't even seen 190 yet. Normal driving unloaded I was at 160-190 depending on traffic. After valve I am at 140-160. The transmission is fine if you treat her right and pay attention to services. The 68rfe does not like all the extra power people throw at it with a tune and I think that's where it's got a bad taste in people's mouth.

 

[jejb]

People that have problems with the 68RFE tend to be the ones that add 300hp tunes to their trucks and then complain that the trans blew up. Change the fluid/filters every 30k, don't abuse it, and it will last just fine.

Yep. I've paid close attention to threads about 68RFE failures since becoming a Ram owner 3 years ago. Almost every time you read about a failure, it's in a modded truck. Or if the person is asked about mods, they disappear from posting. Sure, there are failures of non-modded trucks too, but it's not a common problem at all.

Here's a picture of the dash from my 18 2500 Laramie CTD pulling an 8K trailer over Monarch Pass (West to East) in Colorado late last summer. This is near the peak. I was not babying it. It's a long pull.

 

[Hemi395]

Yep. I've paid close attention to threads about 68RFE failures since becoming a Ram owner 3 years ago. Almost every time you read about a failure, it's in a modded truck. Or if the person is asked about mods, they disappear from posting. Sure, there are failures of non-modded trucks too, but it's not a common problem at all.

Here's a picture of the dash from my 18 2500 Laramie CTD pulling an 8K trailer over Monarch Pass (West to East) in Colorado late last summer. This is near the peak. I was not babying it. It's a long pull.
View attachment 517241

Thats awesome, from what i understand that's a pretty intense route through the mountains?

In 2018 I towed my camper up the Ike Gauntlent north of there and my truck did great. I have the 65RFE in my truck, which everyone also complains is a terrible trans, and it has been flawless. Same thing though, people put tunes on it, beat the **** out of it. and call it "junk".

 

[Choupique]

I dont mind the 68RFE at all. Mine is still young (~80k miles) but I find it does just fine.

I think most of the ripped up ones are behind deleted engines with torque management deactivated.

 

[Hemi395]

I dont mind the 68RFE at all. Mine is still young (~80k miles) but I find it does just fine.

I think most of the ripped up ones are behind deleted engines with torque management deactivated.

Yup!