68RFE Transmission Service Kit 10 Qt ATF+4 with Filters

Owners of 2011-2023 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 6.7L Cummins usually start looking for a 68RFE service kit when the truck hits its service mileage, starts towing more, or the fluid on the dipstick has gone dark. This kit puts the whole pan-drop service in one box: ten quarts of full synthetic ATF+4, the external spin-on cooler return filter, the internal pan filter, a pan gasket and a tube of RTV silicone gasket maker.

What this service does in a 68RFE

The 68RFE runs two filters, and a lot of quick services only change one. The pan filter sits on the pump inlet and protects the pump, valve body and solenoids from wear material. The spin-on filter on the back of the case cleans fluid as it returns from the cooler, the circuit that also feeds lubrication to the rear of the geartrain. When the return filter loads up, lube flow drops on a transmission that is already working hard behind a diesel. ATF+4 itself wears out with heat, losing the friction properties the clutch packs depend on. Fresh fluid and two clean filters restore all three. Ram's maintenance plan lists changing the 68RFE fluid and filter(s), with a shorter interval for frequent trailer towing, fleet or police use.

Signs the transmission is due

• Fluid that is dark brown or smells burnt on the dipstick
• Delayed or harsh engagement into Drive or Reverse once warm
• Pump whine, or fluid temperatures that run higher than they used to when towing
• Soft or flared upshifts, especially into the upper gears where the overdrive clutch carries the load
• Mileage at or past the severe-service interval for a truck that pulls a trailer

How to confirm before you service

A service will not fix hard parts that are already worn, so look before you pour. Check for stored codes and look at the old fluid and the pan as it comes down. A normal 68RFE pan has a light film of gray paste on the magnet. Heavy friction material, brass or steel chunks mean the clutch packs, pump or bushings are already failing, and the new fluid will not change that. The 68RFE high-mileage service checklist covers what to inspect at the pan drop, and the shift solenoid guide helps if the truck has shift complaints alongside dirty fluid.

Fitment

This kit is listed for the 68RFE in 2011-2023 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks with the 6.7L Cummins. Trucks from 2007-2010 and 2024-2025 also have the 68RFE, but the kit is not listed for them, so check the filter part numbers on your truck before ordering. High-output 3500 trucks with the Aisin AS69RC take a different fluid and different filters, and this kit does not apply. Send us your year and VIN if you are unsure. You can also browse the 68RFE parts page for other filters and pans.

Install notes

• Drain the pan, remove it and clean the rail. Change the pan filter, then remove and replace the spin-on cooler return filter, lubricating its seal with fresh ATF+4.
• Seal the pan with either the supplied gasket or the RTV. Do not use both together. If you have an aftermarket pan such as the deep aluminum pan, follow that pan's sealing instructions.
• Ten quarts covers a pan drop with some left for topping off; the converter keeps fluid that does not drain with the pan, so you will not use all of it.
• Start the engine, cycle the selector through the gears, and set the level hot on the dipstick. Ram's recall service instructions specify at least 160 F fluid temperature before the level is set.
• If the truck runs hot when towing even with fresh fluid, the thermal bypass valve cooler kit is worth a look.

How many filters does a 68RFE have?

Two on most trucks: the internal pan filter on the pump inlet and an external spin-on filter on the cooler return circuit. This kit includes both.

Is ten quarts enough for a 68RFE service?

Yes for a pan drop with both filters changed. A pan drop does not empty the torque converter, so you will have some left for topping off. A full flush through the cooler lines needs more fluid.

Should I use the gasket or the RTV?

One or the other, not both. Stacking RTV on a gasket can make the gasket slide or squeeze out and leak. Use what your pan is designed for.

How often should a towing 68RFE be serviced?

Ram's maintenance plan gives a shorter fluid and filter interval for frequent trailer towing, fleet and police use than for normal driving. Check the schedule in your owner's manual and service at the severe interval if you tow often.

Will this kit work on a 2019+ Ram 3500 high-output truck?

No. Those trucks use the Aisin AS69RC, which takes Mopar ASRC fluid, not ATF+4, and different filters. This kit is for the 68RFE only.

• 68RFE High-Mileage Service Checklist
• 68RFE Shift Solenoid Symptoms, Testing and Replacement
• 68RFE Ram 3500 Cummins Common Problems and Fixes
• 68RFE Pump Failure: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Replacement