2025 Cummins Rams moving to 8 Speeds

[racer12306]

Looks like the 2025 HD trucks with the Cummins is getting a ZF transmission now. Saw it in a promo email I got and it read like the Cummins was getting an 8 speed. The 6.4 has gotten the 8HP75-LCV for several years now.

Sure enough, it's getting the Powerline transmission.

PowerLine is the 8-speed automatic transmission for medium-duty trucks, heavy pickup trucks and buses. Short shifting times between eight gear steps guarantee a high degree of dynamics. The innovative gearset concept of the converter transmission with high total spread enables extra low engine speed and enables significant reductions of fuel consumption. With Dual Live PTOs the transmission can be optimally adapted on different applications.

https://www.zf.com/products/en/cv/products_76738.html

They had been getting the 68RFE. Should be a really solid upgrade.

You can also only get the High Output Cummins, 430hp and 1075ft-lbs.

 

[Rand]

While not a fanboy of ZF (the 9speed traverse mounted turds esp.)
the 8 speeds have been a Gold standard by which I measured other transmissions.

 

[74DartSport]

While not a fanboy of ZF (the 9speed traverse mounted turds esp.)
the 8 speeds have been a Gold standard by which I measured other transmissions.

ZF’s off-road units are bulletproof.
Their small industrial MDU’s I’m kinda meh on, seem durable but difficult to service. Leaky output seals involve major disassembly.

 

[edyvw]

8 speed is the gold standard last 15 years. This is really good news.

 

[02SE]

I still like my old HO Cummins with Aisin transmission, and CP3 HPFP, and solid lifters. IME the torque curve of the Cummins doesn't need as many gears as the higher revving V8's in GM and Ford.

This new RAM will only have one aforementioned Cummins option. Not standard and high-output. They are going back to an Iron block, will still have roller lifters, and supposedly a newly updated CP4 HPFP (I hope this one won't be problematic like some CP4.2's have been), and of course the ZF transmission. I'll take one for a test drive to see what they are like.

 

[The Critic]

This new RAM will only have one aforementioned Cummins option. Not standard and high-output. They are going back to an Iron block, will still have roller lifters, and supposedly a newly updated CP4 HPFP (I hope this one won't be problematic like some CP4.2's have been), and of course the ZF transmission. I'll take one for a test drive to see what they are like.

That is about where the good news ends -- Ram is still using 10+ year old cab/chassis while its competitors are using much more modern platforms for HD trucks.

 

[02SE]

That is about where the good news ends -- Ram is still using 10+ year old cab/chassis while its competitors are using much more modern platforms for HD trucks.

I still like the cab of mine better than the new GMs and Fords I've been in.

 

[97prizm]

Looks like the 2025 HD trucks with the Cummins is getting a ZF transmission now. Saw it in a promo email I got and it read like the Cummins was getting an 8 speed. The 6.4 has gotten the 8HP75-LCV for several years now.

Sure enough, it's getting the Powerline transmission.



https://www.zf.com/products/en/cv/products_76738.html

They had been getting the 68RFE. Should be a really solid upgrade.

You can also only get the High Output Cummins, 430hp and 1075ft-lbs.

2025 also adds glow plugs according to a few articles. It said that they used to use a grid or something like that.

 

[02SE]

2025 also adds glow plugs according to a few articles. It said that they used to use a grid or something like that.

Grid heater. I've started mine when it has been a bit below 0°F, without plugging in the block heater, with no problems.

 

[6.7 CTD]

I would rather have the grid heater, minus the failure (which can be eliminated), versus glow plugs.

 

[nthach]

ZF’s off-road units are bulletproof.
Their small industrial MDU’s I’m kinda meh on, seem durable but difficult to service. Leaky output seals involve major disassembly.

Around here, a transit agency used to order ZF Ecomat bus transmissions - and they were bolted to a Detroit S50. Those buses would fly on the freeway. Chicago, NYC and Long Beach also ordered ZFs for their buses. Certainly better than the Cummins/Voith combo but Allison/Cummins is better in the city, ZFs wanted to shift early but would hunt for gears.

I’m not shocked if this was a shrunken ZF EcoLife bus transmission. But it’s not a rebranded GM/Ford 10R/L like the Allison is.