Back in 1989, Dodge and Cummins created a partnership that has gone on to become not only highly beneficial for both companies, but a thing of legend as well. The Cummins inline six-cylinder diesel engine is highly sought after for its incredible torque and iconic reliability. While the other heavy-duty pickup manufacturers have bounced between engine manufactures and made massive design changes, RAM and Cummins have remained steadfast.

2025 Ram TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission

However, it’s no secret that the transmissions that Dodge (and now RAM) have opted to install behind the Cummins engine have been, until now, suspect at best. Search any internet forum or Facebook group and you’ll find countless tales of failed 47RE, 48RE, and 68RFE automatic transmissions. The company’s 68RFE has been used most prolifically, found behind every standard-output 6.7-liter Cummins engine from 2007.5 until 2024. And, while the Aisin AS69RC transmission that RAM used behind the high-output Cummins was more reliable, its driving characteristics have left a lot to be desired.

Because of these transmission woes, a collective sigh of relief was uttered from RAM and Cummins fans worldwide when the company finally announced that it would finally be changing to an eight-speed gearbox from ZF for the 2025 model year. RAM’s new automatic transmission for 2025 is the ZF TorqueFlite HD 8AP1075. It’s a variant of the company’s storied PowerLine gearbox, which is claimed to be the only torque converter-equipped eight-speed automatic transmission engineered specifically for commercial vehicles.

This transmission features adaptive electronic control with either automatic or Electronic Range Select (ERS) manual control. Internally, the transmission utilizes a five clutch-pack design with only two open clutches in any gear. The torque converter features a turbine torsional damper for low lock-up speeds in any of its eight ratios.

ZF claims the transmission will provide not only smooth and responsive gear changes, with the ability to skip gears, but also improved fuel economy and acceleration. The unit’s wide gear range offers increased torque at launch with a higher top gear for improved fuel economy. The gear ranges are perfectly stepped and matched with intelligent software and an integrated TCM.

ZF has designed the PowerLine transmission with minimal moving parts and has packaged all the peripheral components inside the transmission case to minimize excessive external wires and cables. The transmission comes equipped with numerous safety features as well, including Autopark, which automatically ensure that the park lock is engaged even if the driver forgets. Hill hold is also available. And the electronic shift-by-wire system has allowed RAM to install a new electronic column shifter in its trucks.

From a packaging standpoint, the ZF PowerLine is also quite compact by commercial truck standards. The transmission weighs just 328 pounds dry (375 pounds installed) and is just 29.7 inches in length. The transmission also offers power take off (PTO) ability from both the left and right side.

For anyone concerned about potential reliability, ZF claims that the PowerLine transmission is based on the company’s proven eight-speed design and that it has released more than 20 million transmissions into the global market.

TorqueFlite HD 8AP1075