Fig. 34 · Diesel & 68RFE
Cummins Rams, Duramax GMs, Power Stroke Fords.
Diesel transmissions live harder lives. I build them with diesel in mind. Not as an afterthought.
68RFE rebuilds behind 6.7 Cummins Rams. Allison 1000/2000 behind Duramax. 5R110W TorqShift behind 6.0 and 6.4 Power Strokes. All built with the upgraded clutches and cooling the factory should have used.
Fig. 35 · What fails first
Three trans. Three known weak points. One shop that builds around them.
The cracked 68RFE input drum [FIG. 01] is the single most common failure I see on 6.7 Cummins rigs. Billet replacement is the only fix that sticks.
I. 68RFE · Ram 2500/3500
Billet input drum, hardened lockup.
The factory input clutch drum cracks. Period. Pressure solenoid wears. I replace the drum with an upgraded billet unit, install a quality solenoid pack, harden the converter lockup, and spec the clutches around your actual torque number, not the stock rating. Tuned rigs welcome: tell me peak torque and the tune, I build around it.
68RFE rebuild: $3,800 to $5,200, tune-dependent.
II. Allison 1000
C1/C2 HD stack + Transgo kit.
Duramax C1/C2 clutch drum and forward pack take the abuse. Full HD stack + Transgo shift kit. What GM should have done at the factory.
III. 5R110W TorqShift
Alto HD frictions, billet intermediate.
Known issue on 6.0 and 6.4 Power Stroke rigs: intermediate clutch and reverse drums. Built right, it takes the tune.
FIG. 01 · Cracked 68RFE input drum vs billet, 2017 Ram 2500, 162k mi.
For the folks with a heavy hitch
Pulling a boat to the ramp every weekend? I build your trans knowing it's going to see 6,000 lbs on the hitch.
HD internals, upgraded coolers, firmer shift calibration. The kind of build that doesn't fade on a 90-degree Saturday with the bow on a trailer behind you. Same story for landscaping fleets, pest-control vans, and the guys who take their Silverado to the track on the weekend.
If I could give 10 stars I would.. My transmission in my handicap equipped. Suburban went got it to Anthony's shop. He changed his schedule around for me and managed to get me back on the road
Diesel questions I get
Before you call.
My truck is tuned. Can you still build it?
Yes. Tell me what tune you're running and the peak torque number. I spec the clutches and converter around that number, not the stock rating.
What does a 68RFE rebuild run?
$3,800 to $5,200 depending on tune and upgrades. That's all-in with a billet input drum, upgraded TCC, and shift kit.
How long for a diesel build?
I quote 2 weeks so a parts delay never blows through my window. Diesels are usually back in your hands in 4 to 6 days. The build time on the bench itself is about 2 to 3 days; the rest is teardown and test drive.
Fig. 08 · Symptoms
Having any of these problems?
Click through. I've written up what each one usually means and what I'd check first.
