Asin used to be Aisin-Warner, but I think that changed. At one point or another you would probably find an Aisin built transmission in everything from Porsche to Jeep to hybrids, and dump trucks... They have been a supplier to every major brand.

I thought it strange that Dodge would develop their 68RFE for 2500-3500 pickups, but then use the Aisin in the cab and chassis trucks from one ton to the 5500 series. It would seem simpler, logistically, to have run with one or the other (if the 68RFE had a PTO mount).

 

I think that the pto was the biggest concern for the 4500 and 5500 for contactor use! I do agree why the two diff trans?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Yeah, having a cab and chassis that you can't put a PTO on just wouldn't fly, but you would think that developing their on 68RFE had to be expensive, as would having to deal with the logistics of two different 6 speed autos...

I wonder if they began development on the 68RFE before they decided to get into the medium duty market? I also wonder if there ins't more money for Dodge in the 68RFE...

 

From what I recall from Chrysler school I belive the 68 uses allot of parts from the old 48. They just added a bigger case electronics and two clutch packs and it seems to work preety darn good for basicly old tech design!!

**update ** its only designed after the 48 no parts!!!!

 

I could be wrong, but I think the 68RFE is totally different, and uses clutches, where the 48RE had bands?

I'm not much of an auto transmission guy...

 

I'll stick with my 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual tranny. I wouldn't own a Ford with a diesel in it! I've had Ford gassers that where good trucks but every oil burner I've ever been around has had problems. On top of that have you ever opened the hood on a Ford diesel? I have and it scared me so bad I slammed it shut as fast as I could, I can't imagine trying to work under there! The Chevy's are good trucks but I'm just a Dodge or should I say a Cummins fan.

 

actually its called powerstroke 2008 f-350 towing capacity 28,000lbs, and thats not dually. but dodge is always better than chevy.

 

The early Ford 6.0's were a headache, but the newer twin turbo engine seems to be doing fine, other than the flaming tailpipe thing. Things are pretty cramped in there, though. Somewhere I've got some photos of the cab off of a new truck, to fix an oil leak at the return line from the turbo...

The 7.3 Powerstroke was also a pretty decent engine. Ford seems to also have very good suspension, and good steering, and pretty decent fit and finish. Their 5 speed auto I think is also pretty stout.

The thing that really impresses me most about Ford is the wide front axle that comes on the F450 and is optional on the dually 350. I test drove an F450 and it is absolutely amazing how tight the front wheels will cut. It's like you get another wrap of the steering wheel from where mine hits the stops. I'd bet that longer F450 would turn a circle inside the turning radius of my truck, which would make it way handier in parking lots and stuff.


On the topic of Dodge stick shifts, the NV5600 shifts like a truck, and on mine you had to hit 3rd just right. I also felt 1st and Reverse were a bit high for manuvering a heavy trailer in tight spots if you run 3.73's. With a 4x4, just use low range, but on a 2wd it might be a bummer.

My current truck has the G56 manual. It snicks through gears easily and with a positive feel, but it makes a bit more gear noise, and also 6th is considerably lower than what the NV5600 had. It's great for towing, but I think reved up a little higher (even with 3.73's) than it needs to be running empty on the freeway.

Mainly, I don't care for the dual mass flywheel and clutch setup on the G. I just don't like the soft feel of it or the sound.

When the stock clutch takes a dump, I'll stick a Southbend OFE in there with solid flywheel, which should make me a very happy camper.

With fuel prices the way they are, the lower 6th won't bother me much since I'll mainly use the truck hauling or towing. Plus, my last empty road trip I got 20.5, which is pretty good for a 4x4 dually quad cab, so apparently a couple hundred more RPM doesn't cut MPG much.

 

The best tow vehicle is whatever you have and don't owe any payments on. My 4.8 V-8 Silverado pulls my trailer and quad just fine. Combined weight < 3/4 ton. I've pulled a friends trailer built on mobile home axles with 6 quads on it and I had to keep looking in the mirror to see if it was still there. I couldn't even feel it, but my 5x8 trailer sways and bounces around and I know it's there.

 

Dodge's are funny trucks. They look good, but their crew cab is almost as small as an extended cab in everything else, and the mega cab is rediculously big, and doesn't have enough bed space. If they had a happy medium crew cab I would've bought one.

I agree with jumbofrank 100%. The best vehicle of any kind is one you don't have payments on! That reminds me of the quote by Ben Franklin..."a rich man is a man with no debts."

I have an '08 nissan titan. I was hesitant to buy it because the titans are only a 4yr old model line, but it has standard features I like that other 1/2 tons don't offer, or are optional, plus I got a good deal on it. I've had it for 6 months now & i'm very happy with it.