New 68RFE

[stateofdade]

Got the new transmission yesterday. What a difference! Combined with the new tunes, this is a different truck. Would highly recommend Jacob Benton from Benton's Diesel out in KY. Doesn't overcharge and has some of the best customer service I've experienced aside from Dirty Diesel. I've been very pleased with the change in my truck!

 

[nlambert182]

Do you have any more details of what you had him do?

 

[stateofdade]

He also swapped out the tensioner and idler pulley and made some adjustments to my weight reduction. He pretty much does everything. He's also a distributor for a couple of brands out there. I know he sells and installs turbo upgrades as well. The guy knows his stuff for sure. I've been really impressed. Did some research on him by checking other folks who had gotten transmissions from him before and no one had any complaints. Just praise. Plus, what other shop can you go to and see a kangaroo hopping around? It was worth the drive for sure. Had all of my stuff swapped out and ready for me to return home in just over 24 hours.

 

[nlambert182]

I mean in terms of the transmission... what did he do to it/which one did you end up going with?

 

[Sherman Bird]

I mean in terms of the transmission... what did he do to it/which one did you end up going with?

I'm amazed at which particular features or items turn someone on about a car/ truck/ service. A 68 RFE transmission is the old 727 unit with an overdrive added to the rear as an afterthought. In the early years of overdrives, those were absolutely unreliable. With many engineering and hardware upgrades, they have gotten better... "This is a different truck" evokes a possible biased conclusion that these changes caused the truck to be at a level not previously considered possible, in a positive way. Conversely, it could mean something else to others.

I'm thinking that this shop has a pet kangaroo? I knew a guy once who had a pet White-handed Gibbon Ape, and would show his customers, to ooh and ahh over. Laws have changed such that having a pet Gibbon is no longer legal. But why? I can only imagine the Vet bills and liability should the ape bite someone! (A HUGE possibility).

Lately, the EPA has been aggressively going after Mom and Pop Diesel shops and shutting them down and confiscating everything; leaving the owners looking at prison time. This was related to me just yesterday by Michael Herzing, Host of "Let's Talk Wheels" radio show where he delves into all things and trends, current and past, in automania. And OP points directly at them, by name and locale. https://www.thedrive.com/news/inside-the-epas-messy-war-on-dirty-diesel-trucks

 

[HEMIMANN]

I'm amazed at which particular features or items turn someone on about a car/ truck/ service. A 68 RFE transmission is the old 727 unit with an overdrive added to the rear as an afterthought. In the early years of overdrives, those were absolutely unreliable. With many engineering and hardware upgrades, they have gotten better... "This is a different truck" evokes a possible biased conclusion that these changes caused the truck to be at a level not previously considered possible, in a positive way. Conversely, it could mean something else to others.

I'm thinking that this shop has a pet kangaroo? I knew a guy once who had a pet White-handed Gibbon Ape, and would show his customers, to ooh and ahh over. Laws have changed such that having a pet Gibbon is no longer legal. But why? I can only imagine the Vet bills and liability should the ape bite someone! (A HUGE possibility).

Lately, the EPA has been aggressively going after Mom and Pop Diesel shops and shutting them down and confiscating everything; leaving the owners looking at prison time. This was related to me just yesterday by Michael Herzing, Host of "Let's Talk Wheels" radio show where he delves into all things and trends, current and past, in automania. And OP points directly at them, by name and locale. https://www.thedrive.com/news/inside-the-epas-messy-war-on-dirty-diesel-trucks

In the 2010's, EPA started going after older diesels in-service, at least in CA they were trying to force emissions upgrades on the older diesels. They hadn't gotten to the point of forcing retirement and replacement at that point. It was getting so bad, I'm glad I was pushed out then.

On the Harley Forums, they're still kind of in denial that EPA will come for their deleters, too. I tell them otherwise, but most to want to hear or believe it. Lots of guys taking of exhaust cat converters and modifying AFR ECM tables richer. It's only a matter of time - denials are stupid when it's already happened to other engine classes. Closing your eyes won't wish it away.

 

[nlambert182]

I'm not sure what either of those posts had to do with my question. I am just curious to know what the upgrades were to the transmission.

 

[Daw14]

Besides , in a few months the epa may no longer exist.

 

[jaflowers]

It's somewhat needed but from your lips to Gods ears.......it can go in its current form.

 

[stateofdade]

To sort things out, this guy doesn't do tuning. He's a transmission and diesel shop who specializes in the 68RFE and the Cummins in particular, although he can do almost anything. I just thought it was fun that he had a baby kangaroo. He was extremely knowledgeable and able to explain everything quickly and concisely in regard to the transmission. His priority seems to be a quality build and making it affordable enough for most people to upgrade. I know he does enough business that he stays covered up and has had clients from all the way from NY and from south FL. Elsewhere as well. I can certainly understand why after my experience with him. I could have ordered it and had it shipped, but it was much more convenient to just drive the 5.5 hrs and stay a couple of evenings in a local hotel while he performed the work himself.

As for the transmission specs, I got the Stockish with the tuneless valve body upgrade. The old transmission had some issues and didn't perform well. It did the job but nothing like it should. The new one has a dual disc billet torque convertor as well. Just a world of difference in the shifting quality with the new internals. It's very crisp and solid when shifting now. I didn't have to increase line pressure with this particular billet valve body. Before I chose Benton's, I made sure to look up some folks on various forums and ask them about their experiences. Not one person had anything but high praise for their build and the support they got afterwards. The warranty offered is good and I'm completely satisfied that he'll back it up if it were to come to that point.

The tuning I had done by Cooper's out of Canada. I got everything through Dirty Diesel Customs and they are also top notch on customer service. I've had 2 adjustments done to the tune in the past week and it was done within an hour of sending logs from the Autocal v3.

I like the 68RFE even though we all know it's an oversized minivan transmission. It does the job and does it competently. With some upgrades, it becomes more reliable and stronger than OEM.

Sorry for the late reply. Been busy with work & family.

 

[MJCs18Diesel]

Sherman Bird , I have to ask; my 2004 CTD 4x4 had, and my 2018 CTD 4x4 has the 68RFE transmission. I hope you can comment on your post "A 68 RFE transmission is the old 727 unit with an overdrive added to the rear as an afterthought", It seems to imply Ram does not integrate improvements over the years to make it a "new and improved" reliable transmission.​

Could a certified RAM transmission Tech please comment on the positive aspects of this longstanding transmission?​

Thanks in advance,​

 

[06 Dodge]

Sherman Bird , I have to ask; my 2004 CTD 4x4 had, and my 2018 CTD 4x4 has the 68RFE transmission. I hope you can comment on your post "A 68 RFE transmission is the old 727 unit with an overdrive added to the rear as an afterthought", It seems to imply Ram does not integrate improvements over the years to make it a "new and improved" reliable transmission.​

Could a certified RAM transmission Tech please comment on the positive aspects of this longstanding transmission?​

Thanks in advance,​

For the most part the 68 ref is a good transmission, but they did have a few problems in some years with parts like valve body, but they were never made to hold up to added power to the Cummins engine or put 44 inch tires in it then complain the transmission is trash....

 

[chaosh1]

I have been watching the Clutch values in my 68RFE and i think ill be needing a rebuild in the next couple years. I have been looking at Inglewood Transmissions. They seem to be the Best our there.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I have been watching the Clutch values in my 68RFE and i think ill be needing a rebuild in the next couple years. I have been looking at Inglewood Transmissions. They seem to be the Best our there.

What program is that?

How many miles on the tranny? How much and often do you tow?

Thanks (I have the 66RFE).

 

[chaosh1]

I think i used AlphaOBD. I have 56k miles, But im lifted, on 35" tires (not regeared) and i tow 10k lbs travel trailer at least 4-5 trips a year.