Transmission reliability

[Michael Blunt]

I will be towing around 6500lb with a 2014 Ram with a 5.7 hemi is the transmission in this truck solid and will it hold up? Dodge has had some strings of transmission problems in the past I want to make sure I am not getting into another problem.

 

[mohemipar]

The new 8 speed ZF sourced transmissions you find behind the Hemi's are excellent. I wouldn't concern myself with that. Your 2014 might have one of the earlier ones that were still actually being built by ZF Friedrichshafen. I forget exactly when Chrysler started building them here.

 

[TXCOMT]

The new 8 speed ZF sourced transmissions you find behind the Hemi's are excellent. I wouldn't concern myself with that. Your 2014 might have one of the earlier ones that were still actually being built by ZF Friedrichshafen. I forget exactly when Chrysler started building them here.

According to Wikipedia:
"Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013."

While I haven't towed much with mine, it does seem pretty stout...perhaps other serious users will in, but OP, you should be GTG!

TXCOMT

 

[Cardhu]

put up transmission temp and oil temp on your gagues when towing. Lots of numbers floating around acceptable ranges. Hottest i've seen trans get yet is 90C. Typcially 88 when warm and towing. They are heated/cooled by engine coolant and as long as your in tow haul mode you won't have issues. I tend to lock out 8th at the speeds i tow at.

 

[Fitz-0518]

I have a 03 Ram 1500 5.7 with the 44RFE. Have 230k miles. My 2018 2500 6.4 with the 66RFE has 7,500k miles. My 07 mega Cab had the 55RFE with 150k miles. I service fluid and filters every 25k miles in my trucks. Have never had a issue. My 2018 has gone thru the learning mode and shifts and tows perfect. My 03, while getting a bit soft, still shifts perfect and it has towed most of its life. My experience with 7 Dodge/Ram trucks, their transmissions are fine. I do know that some members have had some issues with shift solenoids and torque converters and FCA replaced their transmissions.

 

[PoMansRam]

What transmission do you have? If you have a dial on the dash to change gears, it's the 8spd. Column shift, it's a 6spd.

FWIW, a co-worker of mine just bought a 2014 Ram express QC 4x4 hemi and it has the 6spd.

 

[Michael Blunt]

The new 8 speed ZF sourced transmissions you find behind the Hemi's are excellent. I wouldn't concern myself with that. Your 2014 might have one of the earlier ones that were still actually being built by ZF Friedrichshafen. I forget exactly when Chrysler started building them here.

So do the 6 speed transmissions have issues or do you know, I don't know at this point which one it has I have been looking at this truck in a local lot it comes from the fish and wildlife, it has been serviced regular so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Either should serve you just fine but do look to see if it has the 8 speed or 6. Like said before if it has the dial shifter you have the 8 speed the shifter on the column is the 6 spd. The 8 speed will run higher temps and it's meant to. My 14 6 speed always ran 140fnormal 150s if towing and my 2010 5spd ran 160s pretty consistantly. The 8 speeds I have herd running 190 under normal conditions low 200s towing. Hopefully someone with the 8 speed can confirm my numbers that's just my best memory from reading post.

 

[69GWC]

So do the 6 speed transmissions have issues or do you know, I don't know at this point which one it has I have been looking at this truck in a local lot it comes from the fish and wildlife, it has been serviced regular so that shouldn't be a problem.

Its simple and like was said, shift knob on dash its a 8sp, column shift its a 6sp.
Search transmission problems on here and you will aee what you need to know.

 

[Michael Blunt]

Either should serve you just fine but do look to see if it has the 8 speed or 6. Like said before if it has the dial shifter you have the 8 speed the shifter on the column is the 6 spd. The 8 speed will run higher temps and it's meant to. My 14 6 speed always ran 140fnormal 150s if towing and my 2010 5spd ran 160s pretty consistantly. The 8 speeds I have herd running 190 under normal conditions low 200s towing. Hopefully someone with the 8 speed can confirm my numbers that's just my best memory from reading post.

Do these trucks have the temp information built into the dash somewhere?

 

[69GWC]

Yes they do.

 

[AltWorld]

Do these trucks have the temp information built into the dash somewhere?

Under "Vehicle Information" on your little screen in-between Tachometer and Speedometer.

 

[Michael Blunt]

Under "Vehicle Information" on your little screen in-between Tachometer and Speedometer.

Thank you

 

[VernDiesel]

I have a 14 with 8 speed. I change fluid every 100ish & filter every 200k ish. 473k on this trans no repairs. I transport TTs & boats for the Mfgs to dealerships. Have done as much as 9100 pound 36.5’ ball to bumper 1,000 miles including over 5/6 percent grades. I have a tune that makes about 485TQ. No transmission repairs.

 

[billyw]

I've heard very little about the 6 speed as far as problems. It's a reliable transmission that does sport some interesting foibles.

 

[Gero]

I have a 14 with 8 speed. I change fluid every 100ish & filter every 200k ish. 473k on this trans no repairs. I transport TTs & boats for the Mfgs to dealerships. Have done as much as 9100 pound 36.5’ ball to bumper 1,000 miles including over 5/6 percent grades. I have a tune that makes about 485TQ. No transmission repairs.

Mr.vern. is there a guide you use to change your fluid/pan? I've watched boosted's video.

 

[VernDiesel]

Yeah it’s been a couple years but I think I got it off ZF’s site. Like a flow chart. A lift and a lube mover makes it easy.

https://www.cooltechllc.com/ford-gt-parts-accessories/70--cool-tech-llc-s-lube-mover.html