The answer on the 68RFE depends heavily on which engine is in front of it and how the truck has been used. Here's how I work through the decision. Cummins 6.7L trucks — almost always reman or heavy rebuild: The torque load on the 68RFE behind a Cummins is at the edge of what the unit was designed for at stock tune. Any truck that has been tuned — even a mild economy tune — is running torque levels the 68RFE wasn't engineered to handle continuously. An in-house rebuild on a tuned Cummins truck that replaces only the failed components will be back in your shop within 30,000–50,000 miles. The correct rebuild for a Cummins application includes: upgraded Alto Red Eagle overdrive clutch pack (higher friction coefficient, more plates), Sonnax billet overdrive drum, updated solenoid pack, line pressure regulator valve kit, new separator plate, and an auxiliary transmission cooler quoted as part of the job. That's a $1,800–$2,400 parts cost before labor. If your shop can't do that spec consistently, a quality reman from a supplier who builds to that spec is the better answer for your warranty liability.
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Derale 13101 Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler
High-capacity auxiliary cooler that keeps 68RFE fluid temps in range on tow rigs — quote this on every Cummins 68RFE rebuild as a protection measure.
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