Allison 1000 vs 68RFE: Tuned Diesel Decision Guide

If you are building a tuned diesel and choosing between the GM/Allison and Ram/68RFE platforms, the transmission is a critical factor. Here is the head-to-head.

Related 1000 guides

Shop the parts for this fix

Doing the whole job? 68RFE Master Rebuild Kit - Frictions & Steels, Gaskets & Seals, Filter, Shift Kit, Servo, Solenoids, Bushings (7-Piece) — $640.99 $674.99 (save 5% vs buying separately)

Or grab the individual parts:

Get the parts for this repair
Shop 68RFE Parts →

Stock torque ratings

Allison 1000 (LBZ-LMM era):

  • 520-765 ft-lb input
  • Designed for HD truck use from day one

    • 68RFE (2007.5+):

  • ~750 ft-lb stock rating
  • Designed for HD truck use
  • Lower-rated than AS69RC HO version

    • Tuned torque tolerance

    Allison stock truck tuned:

  • Up to 700 ft-lb: stock parts hold
  • 700-850 ft-lb: HD C2 clutch needed
  • 850-1,000 ft-lb: HD C2 + HD converter + tune
  • 1,000+ ft-lb: full HD rebuild required

    • 68RFE stock truck tuned:

  • Up to 600 ft-lb: stock parts hold
  • 600-750 ft-lb: HD sun shell + TCC converter needed
  • 750-900 ft-lb: HD OD drum + HD direct clutches required
  • 900+ ft-lb: complete HD rebuild required

    • Failure modes

    Allison:

  • C2 clutch failure (#1 in tuned applications)
  • TCC clutch shudder
  • Internal harness failure
  • Output shaft seal leaks
  • Read our Allison C2 clutch pack

    • 68RFE:

  • TCC clutch failure (#1)
  • 5th gear sun shell crack
  • OD drum failure
  • Internal harness failure
  • Read our 68RFE common failures

    • Rebuild costs (tuned-truck level)

    Allison HD rebuild:

  • Parts: $3,000-$4,500
  • Labor: $3,000-$4,000
  • Total: $6,000-$8,500

    • 68RFE HD rebuild:

  • Parts: $2,500-$4,000
  • Labor: $2,000-$3,000
  • Total: $4,500-$7,000

    • Allison costs ~25-40% more to rebuild

    Service costs

    Allison:

  • TES-295 fluid required
  • 18 quarts: $300-$500
  • Service every 30k-50k miles
  • Annual cost (tow): $250-$400

    • 68RFE:

  • ATF+4 fluid (cheaper)
  • 17 quarts: $100-$160
  • Service every 30k-60k miles
  • Annual cost (tow): $50-$100

    • Allison service is ~3-4x more expensive per year

    Driveability

    Allison shift quality:

  • Slower shifts (clutch protection)
  • Excellent tow mode logic
  • Predictable behavior
  • Tap Shift for engine braking

    • 68RFE shift quality:

  • Faster shifts (more aggressive)
  • OK tow mode
  • Sometimes shifts harshly when hot
  • Manual mode less refined

    • Aftermarket support

    Allison:

  • Massive aftermarket (SunCoast, BD, ATS, Goerend, RPM, etc.)
  • HD parts widely available
  • Stage 1-5 rebuild kits
  • Race-ready options abundant

    • 68RFE:

  • Growing aftermarket but smaller
  • BD, SunCoast, Mag-Hytec main suppliers
  • HD parts available but limited stages
  • Less race-ready options

    • HP build cost-effectiveness

    500 HP target:

  • Allison: $3,000 HD rebuild (Stage 2)
  • 68RFE: $2,500 HD rebuild
  • Winner: 68RFE (cheaper)

    • 700 HP target:

  • Allison: $5,000 HD rebuild (Stage 3)
  • 68RFE: $4,500 HD rebuild
  • Winner: 68RFE (slightly cheaper)

    • 900 HP target:

  • Allison: $7,000 HD rebuild (Stage 4)
  • 68RFE: $6,000 HD rebuild + frequent service
  • Winner: Allison (more reliable at this level)

    • 1,100+ HP target:

  • Allison: $9,000+ HD rebuild (Stage 5)
  • 68RFE: not recommended (failure too frequent)
  • Winner: Allison (only option practical)

    • Reliability over time

    Stock Allison (no tune):

  • 250k-400k miles typical
  • Service-dependent

    • Stock 68RFE (no tune):

  • 180k-300k miles typical
  • More prone to TCC failure

    • Tuned Allison (600-800 HP):

  • HD rebuild lasts 150k-250k miles

    • Tuned 68RFE (600-800 HP):

  • HD rebuild lasts 80k-150k miles
  • TCC clutch wears faster

    • Truck selection implications

    Choose GM/Allison if:

  • Building 800+ HP truck
  • Want longest reliability under HD use
  • Plan to keep truck 10+ years
  • Have budget for higher service cost
  • Heavy 5th-wheel tow regularly

    • Choose Ram/68RFE if:

  • Building under 700 HP
  • Lower service budget
  • 5-7 year ownership horizon
  • Moderate tow use
  • Want lower upfront purchase price

    • Service interval comparison

    Allison (tuned, towing):

  • 30k miles fluid + filter
  • 60k miles full service (both filters)
  • Annual cost: $400

    • 68RFE (tuned, towing):

  • 30k miles fluid + filter
  • Annual cost: $100

    • Resale impact

    Allison truck:

  • Higher resale
  • HD buyer preference
  • Premium per HP

    • 68RFE truck:

  • Standard resale
  • Lower HP-buyer preference

    • Final recommendation

    If buying truck for first time:

  • Daily + light tow: either works
  • Heavy tow / commercial: Allison-equipped truck
  • Tuning enthusiast: Allison for headroom

    • If already own one:

  • Keep what you have
  • Build to maximize that platforms strength
  • Allison: stage rebuilds up to HD
  • 68RFE: limit HP to 700, build to that level

    • Need Allison 1000 or 68RFE rebuild parts, HD converters, or HD upgrades? Shop Allison catalog or 68RFE catalog. Master kits, HD upgrades, complete rebuild bundles. Free shipping over $70.

    Related: