Waiting another 18 months

[RonD]

I came close to ordering a new 2011, but when I read 2012 will be 750+ foot pounds of torque, with a new 8 speed, my good running 2005 will stay with me for another year plus, with that added power there will I am betting pee fluid included like GM and FMC' and that is fine, it should let Cummins cut back a little on EGR, and that will help with the turbo sooting.

 

[HBarlow]

Where did you read that the 2012 will be rated at 750 ft. lbs. and have an 8 speed automatic?

 

[stick]

Upcoming changes in the Chrysler lineup



Stick

 

[RonD]

Thats it ,That great looking Ram 4th gereration, add another 100 pounds of torque to the Cummins, then install a ZF 8 speed in it, if in fact it's true, and I have a feeling it is, we may at last have as close as you can get the perfect tow vehicle.

 

[HBarlow]

Sounds like the next couple of years of Dodge products may be interesting. I hope those products can be brought to market as planned.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I just hope that they're released before Dec 21st, 2012.

 

[zb39]

You just got my attention!

 

[RonD]

The 2011 MY is out now, I would guess the MY 2012 will be out about a year, or 13 months from now, I also think Dodge will want to try to make a big hit with there next truck and will continue to make real positive improvements, an 8 speed with a Cummins is a dream come true.

 

[BurlesonR]

How do you suppose Dodge will deal with the lower max torque value of the G56 and DM flywheel/clutch they have now? They already de-tune 40 lb-ft. Are they going to de-tune 140 lb-ft?



The 68rfe's only application is to go behind the 6. 7. Do you think Dodge will be ready to pull the plug on it after only 5 years in production with good reliability?



An 8 speed auto and 750 lb-ft of torque would be awesome though...

 

[BrianJ]

I didn't notice in the Allpar article on the 8sp ZF on which application it is being considered. I would venture to guess this would be seen in the 4500 & 5500 segment, perhaps the CC's. I would be surprised if it hit the market for the standard 2500/3500's, could only hope, I guess.

 

[EGroeneveld]

That is awesome. I almost bought a 2010, then couldn't find what I wanted so looked at ordering a 2011. But the dealer was giving crappy numbers on trade in and no brake on a new truck so I backed off. Glad I did, MY 2012 should be a great year.



I have been happy with my 2005 3500 Dually but could use the following:



A real crew cab and long bed (for kids in car seats)

more transmission gears then 4

higher tow ratings

higher gvw ratings (slide in camper)

More power for hauling loads up hills



If Dodge is the leader again in 2012 in power, hauling and towing I'll be buying

 

[BurlesonR]

But the dealer was giving crappy numbers on trade in and no brake on a new truck so I backed off.

The 2011's have a brake controller coming standard now, that's why there's not an option for it. Look under standard features and you'll find it.

 

[jaird]

I noticed in the article that it stated---to be used in commerical trucks.

 

[rrl989]

Whatever "Ram" does, they need to move the HP/TQ up if they are to maintain the marketshare it has. They knew what the other two were doing, I'm surprised the 2011 #'s are still at the original levels.

 

[SNiebaum]

Whatever "Ram" does, they need to move the HP/TQ up if they are to maintain the marketshare it has. They knew what the other two were doing, I'm surprised the 2011 #'s are still at the original levels.

If Dodge thought they could raise power levels, they would've already done it. The fact is, something in the factory driveline does not allow an increase in the power. We already know they derate the engine for manual transmissions; bumping power to 390+/750+ isn't going to do much good if the transmission/clutch can't handle it...

 

[RVTRKN]

8sp trany will have to raise the RPM redline above 3200 or it will just constantly shift. The benifit would be higher rearend ratios only.

 

[rscurtis]

It's going to constantly shift anyway, that's why it has eight speeds. Personally, I don't see the benefit to it, espescially if only in the 3500-5500 series. Is the Aisin 6-speed not sufficient? Is its 180,000 mile warranty not long enough? I could see it finding its way into the pickup, if for nothing more than bragging rights. As far as using it to uprate the 4500-5500HP, I don't see that happening, as both Ford and Ram already de-rate their CC versions, and there is no worry from GM, they are out of that market.

 

[RonD]

The Aisin isn't rated for what there talking about, that being 750 pounds of torque, and as far as 8 speeds shifting all the time, it just might do that, but many cars today have a 7 speed, doesn't appear to be a concern, the simple fact is the 68RFE is a fine transmission for what it is connected to now, but isn't designed for the larger power Cummins

 

[rscurtis]

The point I was making about the Aisin is that if there are no plans to power up the 3500-5500 series, why wouldn't it be sufficient? To be clear, I'm referring to the 3500 as a C&C, not a pickup. If the 600 ft. /lb transmission is OK, why do you need an 800 ft. /lb. transmission? Probable answer- the up-rating of the pickup to keep up with Ford and GMC.

 

[Powder Extreme]

The point I was making about the Aisin is that if there are no plans to power up the 3500-5500 series, why wouldn't it be sufficient? To be clear, I'm referring to the 3500 as a C&C, not a pickup. If the 600 ft. /lb transmission is OK, why do you need an 800 ft. /lb. transmission? Probable answer- the up-rating of the pickup to keep up with Ford and GMC.

Yup, Dodge needs to uprate the HP/TQ #'s to keep up with GM and Ford. Please don't let this turn into another "my Cummins is better and I don't care what the #'s are thread" Cummins builds a good motor, I've never said they don't. I disagree with the direction they chose on the current 6. 7 but that's just me. My point is that the readers of this board are a very small percentage of the Diesel pickup market. Most of the people buying trucks don't know much more about them then the fact it takes funny smelling fuel. (some don't even know that, I could tell countless stories of people putting gasoline in their diesel trucks)...



Anyway, the average truck buyer doesn't know much more than what the commercial tells them, and right now those commercials are showing Ford in the power lead. I'd say most of us agree that a Dodge is 3 times the truck a Ford is, yet Ford sells a whole lot more of them. I'm sure it all comes down to marketing.



If Dodge only targeted the intelligent readers of this board as their sales market, they'd soon go out of business. They have to keep up with Ford and GM



Cheers!