AS68RC Clutch Drum 2008, used and ready to install. Fits the AS68RC. Ships fast from the USA.
This is a used K3 clutch retainer drum for the Aisin AS68RC six-speed, removed from a 2008 Ram 4500 cab and chassis with the 6.7L Cummins that was parted out while the transmission was still working. It comes as a loaded assembly: the drum, its clutch plates, the reaction plate and the apply piston. If your teardown turned up a K3 drum with grooved ring lands, a stretched shell or a pack that will not air-check, this drops in as a complete unit instead of a drum you still have to build.
The AS68RC uses three rotating clutches, K1, K2 and K3, plus two brakes. Aftermarket clutch-pack catalogs label K3 as the pack used for 3rd, 5th and reverse, so it works in both directions and is applied every time the truck backs up to a dock or a trailer. Fluid reaches the K3 piston through sealing rings that ride inside the drum hub. In the Mopar parts catalog for the 2008 Ram 4500, the K3 assembly is the clutch retainer (68019741AA, since superseded by 68283106AA), five friction discs, five steel plates, a selective reaction plate, the piston with two D-rings, a return spring, a balance piston and two snap rings.
The drum is a stamped part. RevMax, which builds a billet K3 drum for the later AS69RC, says the factory stamping grooves at the ring lands, flexes under load, and lets its snap ring blow out, which can take the rest of the transmission with it. On a high-mileage chassis cab that tows or hauls all day, the drum is worth inspecting as closely as the clutches.
Write down exactly which gears are missing. Losing 1st through 4th points at K1, and losing 4th through 6th points at K2, so the pattern matters before anything comes apart. Our ratio code guide explains how the TCM sets these codes, and the Aisin slipping under load guide covers the in-truck checks to do first, including fluid level and condition. Once the unit is apart, air-check K3 with regulated shop air and look at the ring lands under good light. A drum with ring grooves will keep eating new seals.
This assembly came out of a 2008 Ram 4500 cab and chassis with the 6.7L Cummins and the AS68RC, the six-speed Ram used behind that engine in 2007-2012 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cab trucks. The Mopar catalog for that truck lists five selective K3 reaction plates, marked A through E (6.30 mm to 6.90 mm), so the plate in this pack was chosen for its original transmission. Isuzu and Mitsubishi versions of this Aisin unit are close but not always identical. Compare drum height, spline count and ring land size to your old part, or send us your year and VIN before ordering. More AS68RC hard parts are on our hard parts page.
| Fits | AS68RC 2008 |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
This is the K3 clutch retainer drum. The source part was identified as the K3 retainer, removed from a 2008 Ram 4500 6.7L. For the K1 drum with input shaft, see our other AS68RC drum listings.
Yes. It comes as a loaded assembly with clutch plates, the reaction plate and the apply piston, as removed from a working transmission. Treat the plates as used: measure them and replace any that are glazed, and fit new seals.
It should, since the 2007-2012 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs with the 6.7L Cummins use the AS68RC. Internal parts did change over the run, so compare drum height, splines and ring lands to yours, or send your year and VIN before you order.
Use the Aisin-approved ATF named for your truck in the owner manual. Mobil 3309 is a common choice for this unit. Do not use generic multi-vehicle ATF in a rebuilt AS68RC.
The factory drum is a stamping. Heat and constant cycling can groove the ring lands, which lets pressure leak past the seals. Under heavy load the drum can also flex and release its snap ring. A slipping pack builds heat and speeds all of this up.
After a rebuild, clear the codes and run the adaptive learn procedure with a capable scan tool if your truck supports it. Then drive through every gear with a light load so the TCM can adapt shift timing.
