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The 68RFE is a strong six-speed behind the 6.7L Cummins, but it has a known weakness: it runs hot, especially towing in overdrive at highway speed in summer. The factory steel pan holds the bare minimum of fluid, has no drain plug, and offers zero help shedding heat. The single cheapest mod that buys a 68RFE real reliability is a deep aluminum pan. It does three things at once.
- Adds fluid capacity. A good deep pan adds roughly 2 to 5 extra quarts. More fluid means more thermal mass, so temps climb slower and recover faster after a long grade.
- Sheds heat. Cast or finned aluminum acts as a heat sink. Real-world drops of 10 to 20°F under tow load are common versus the stamped steel pan.
- Adds a drain plug and a magnet. Fluid changes go from a messy drop-the-pan job to a five-minute drain, and a strong magnet pulls clutch material out of circulation.
Deep Pan vs Stock Steel Pan
| Feature | Factory Steel Pan | Deep Aluminum Pan |
|---|---|---|
| Extra fluid | 0 | +2 to +5 quarts |
| Temp under tow | Baseline | 10-20°F cooler |
| Drain plug | None | Yes (most) |
| Magnet | Small or none | Large drain-plug magnet |
| Reusable gasket | No | Yes (Mag-Hytec, PML) |
| Ground clearance | Best | Drops ~1.5-2.5 in (watch off-road) |
The one real trade-off is clearance: a deep pan hangs lower. On a stock-height Ram it is a non-issue for towing and daily driving. If you crawl rocks or run deep ruts, factor it in.
The Pans Worth Buying
Mag-Hytec 68RFE Deep Pan — The Towing Standard
Mag-Hytec is the name most diesel guys land on. Their 68RFE pan adds about 2 extra quarts, has a finned cast-aluminum body, a built-in dipstick/fill provision on some applications, a drain plug, and a powerful magnetic drain plug. It comes with a reusable gasket so you are not buying a gasket every fluid change. Fitment is specifically engineered for the Ram 2500/3500 68RFE, so it clears the crossmember and exhaust without grinding. This is the safe default.
Check Mag-Hytec 68RFE pan
PML Deep Pan — Maximum Capacity & Cooling
PML (Performance Machine Limited) makes a thick, deeply finned cast pan that adds more capacity than the Mag-Hytec and has more cooling-fin surface area. It is the choice if you tow heavy in hot climates and want the most thermal mass you can get. It hangs lower than the Mag-Hytec, so check clearance if you are not stock height. Drain plug and magnet included.
Check PML 68RFE pan
ATS / aFe / Cast-Aluminum Value Pans — Budget Tier
There are several cast-aluminum deep pans in the value tier that still add 2-3 quarts, a drain plug, and a magnet. They cool nearly as well as the premium pans; the difference is finish quality, the dipstick provision, and the included gasket. For a truck that tows occasionally rather than every day, a value cast-aluminum pan is plenty. Avoid the flimsy stamped-steel "deep" pans — they add capacity but do nothing for heat.
Browse 68RFE deep pans
Installation Notes for the 68RFE
- Plan for the extra fluid. A 2-quart-deeper pan needs ~2 more quarts of ATF+4. Buy a full case — the 68RFE total fill is already large.
- Use ATF+4 only. The 68RFE is spec'd for Mopar ATF+4 (or a fully licensed equivalent). Do not substitute Dexron.
- Replace the filter while you are in there. Dropping the pan is the time to put in a fresh 68RFE filter. Do not reuse the old one.
- Torque the bolts in a cross pattern to the pan maker's spec (usually low, around 10-12 lb-ft for aluminum). Overtightening cracks the ears.
- Re-check the level hot. The 68RFE level is read at operating temperature. Fill, drive to temp, and verify.
- Recheck the drain plug after the first 100 miles. Aluminum and heat cycles can loosen a fresh plug slightly.
Doing the Pan? Grab the Filter & Fluid — Ships Same-Day
While the pan is off, refresh the 68RFE filter, ATF+4, and a fresh pan gasket if your pan does not include one. gearboxinsider.com stocks 68RFE service parts and ships same-day before 2pm Eastern, free shipping.
Shop Gearbox Insider →FAQ
How much will a deep pan lower my 68RFE temps?
Expect 10-20°F under tow load from a finned aluminum pan, mostly from the added fluid volume plus the heat-sink effect. A pan alone is not a substitute for a proper auxiliary cooler on a heavy-tow truck — run both.
Will a deep pan void my warranty?
A pan is a service-style modification. Under Magnuson-Moss, a dealer cannot blanket-deny a transmission claim just because you fitted a deep pan, unless they prove the pan caused the failure. Keep your receipts and fluid records.
How many extra quarts does a 68RFE deep pan hold?
Depends on the pan: roughly 2 quarts for a Mag-Hytec, up to 4-5 for a deep PML. Always confirm the maker's stated added capacity and add that much fluid.
Do I really need the magnet?
Yes. The 68RFE sheds clutch and steel particles, especially when tuned or towed hard. A strong drain-plug magnet keeps that debris out of the valve body and solenoids where it causes shift faults.