2011 Ram 2500/3500 High Output pickups announced

[HBarlow]

Looks good. . Just a not that manual trans trucks are rated at 350 hp, not 305.

Do you know what they are doing to make the EB stronger?

Did you read Joe Donnelly's report in TDR magazine issue # 71 about the G-56 based on tear down examinations of failed units at Standard Transmission in Fort Worth? Joe's words were diplomatic but he appears to think the DMF and G-56 are marginal for current hp, torque, and tow ratings.

 

[HBarlow]

I just read Steve's article again, even watched the video, nothing is said about my questions posted above???!!! Where am I missing it???

Nick

Nick,

I searched for the article that stated the new and upgraded towing and gross combined weight ratings are only offered for the Ram 3500 dually and couldn't locate it.

The article I read stated the Ram 3500 dually must be equipped with the MOPAR 68RFE six speed automatic and 4. 10 gears to get the revised ratings but I don't know where I read it and can't find it.

 

[NIsaacs]

Thanks Harvey, I thought I was going blind or crazy!



Nick

 

[AH64ID]

Did I read the same article? I did not see any mention of a stronger exhaust brake or that the tow rating only applied to 3500 DRW trucks. In another thread, mention was made about the 4. 10 gear, I did not see any of that either



Nick

Nick,



I searched for the article that stated the new and upgraded towing and gross combined weight ratings are only offered for the Ram 3500 dually and couldn't locate it.



The article I read stated the Ram 3500 dually must be equipped with the MOPAR 68RFE six speed automatic and 4. 10 gears to get the revised ratings but I don't know where I read it and can't find it.

From 2011 Chicago Auto Show: Ram Increasing Heavy Duty Diesel Power Ratings - PickupTrucks.com News



"Ram HD towing ratings are also headed upward, with an optional Max Tow package that will increase fifth wheel towing to 22,700 pounds on select Ram 3500 one-ton models, up from today's 18,500 pounds rating. The max gross combined weight rating will also rise to as high as 30,000 pounds.



To handle the increased towing, the Max Tow package will add a beefed up rear axle with a new 4. 10 gear ratio, new rear-axle pinion, new helical gears, upgraded bearings and an aluminum differential cover with large cooling fins. There's also a new water-to-oil transmission cooler and new power steering cooler to help manage the higher trailer towing ratings. "



And from Chicago 2011: Ram Heavy Duty Updates Bring Class-Leading Torque, Towing | AutoGuide.com News



"And to help get everything down a hill safely, the truck features a beefed-up exhaust brake which is touted to be the most powerful in the business. "

Did you read Joe Donnelly's report in TDR magazine issue # 71 about the G-56 based on tear down examinations of failed units at Standard Transmission in Fort Worth? Joe's words were diplomatic but he appears to think the DMF and G-56 are marginal for current hp, torque, and tow ratings.

Yeah I recall that. I think most of it falls on the DMF. While there are G56 failures at very high hp/tq, most of them do quite well once equipped with a SMF.

 

[NIsaacs]

Okay, now I understand where the other info was coming from, more articles out there. Thank you for the links AH



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Yeah, thanks for providing the links.

I wonder if Ram really changed the exhaust brake or if that was written by some car journalist in AutoGuide who wouldn't recognize an exhaust brake if it was served with his breakfast cereal? I suspect the journalist didn't know that Dodge already has an integrated exhaust brake feature as part of turbocharger design. Changing the exhaust brake would mean Ram/Cummins has changed the turbo but Steve St. Laurent reported he was told the Cummins engine was not changed.

Ordinary auto journalists don't know as much about Cummins diesel engines and Ram trucks as TDR members do.

 

[dlmetzger]

6.7L HO Engine and Transmission (2011.5 +)

It won't be long before TDR will need to add a new forum to the 4th Gen, "6. 7L HO Engine and Transmission (2011. 5 +)".

 

[rlambert94]

I have a 2010 auto 6. 7. Will I be able to go to the dealer and get a software upgrade to gain the additional torque? I know that I won't get the additional towing due to the hardware upgrades. I just want to know about the torque and software upgrade.

 

[gtoli]

I am glad to see a mention of a new gear set for the rear and an aluminum pumpkin cover. I do thing that the dually has a heat problem with the rear pumpkin. I have had to repaint mine several times. The dealer has said several times that the paint peel was normal. I installed an extra large aluminum cover a while back.

I ahve a 3500 SRW and have the sme problem with the paint on the rear cover.

 

[rscurtis]

My '03 leads a charmed existence, and I've repainted the cover twice. If you ever got the cover hot enough to burn the paint off, the entire differential assembly would be junk. It's probably a function of low quality steel covered by low quality paint from the factory.

 

[HBarlow]

Mine had a Mag Hytec cover installed as soon as it got home from the dealer. The "paint" has never blistered.

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah, thanks for providing the links.



I wonder if Ram really changed the exhaust brake or if that was written by some car journalist in AutoGuide who wouldn't recognize an exhaust brake if it was served with his breakfast cereal? I suspect the journalist didn't know that Dodge already has an integrated exhaust brake feature as part of turbocharger design. Changing the exhaust brake would mean Ram/Cummins has changed the turbo but Steve St. Laurent reported he was told the Cummins engine was not changed.



Ordinary auto journalists don't know as much about Cummins diesel engines and Ram trucks as TDR members do.

I agree. The more I read that's what I am thinking. Like the one journalist that said even thou the rated hp stays at 350, its really 390 becuase of the 40+ extra hp made with the 150 ft/lb tq increase. . Not realizing the 40 hp gain was at 1500 rpms, and went from 185hp to 228hp at 1500 rpms, and that's the over 40hp gain Dodge is referring to.

I have a 2010 auto 6. 7. Will I be able to go to the dealer and get a software upgrade to gain the additional torque? I know that I won't get the additional towing due to the hardware upgrades. I just want to know about the torque and software upgrade.

No, it also takes a harmonic balancer and a new tq converter.

 

[rlambert94]

So, I wonder if the dealership will offer people like myself the option to get the new harmonic balancer and tq converter along with a re-flash. Hmmm.

 

[HBarlow]

So, I wonder if the dealership will offer people like myself the option to get the new harmonic balancer and tq converter along with a re-flash. Hmmm.

I doubt it. Ram is not in the business of offering uprates and other modifications to existing products.

Ram and one of their dealers would probably be very happy to trade your truck for a new '11. 5 with 800 ft. lbs. of torque.

Years ago Cummins offered a software uprate but life was a lot simpler then. Emissions issues were of little concern and no hard parts such as harmonic balancers and torque converters were required.

 

[AH64ID]

So, I wonder if the dealership will offer people like myself the option to get the new harmonic balancer and tq converter along with a re-flash. Hmmm.

There isn't a dealership that wouldn't offer you the option. . Problem is the only option is to trade your truck on a HO.



You could buy the balancer and converter (I guarantee overpriced relative to aftermarket and effectivness) and they probably couldn't re-tune your truck if they wanted to.



H&S makes a great product that will most likely out preform the stock tuning on the low setting.

 

[rlambert94]

I had a Smarty on my 06, but they haven't come out with anything for the 2010's. I have looked at H&S, but am worried about running it with my truck being in stock form. transmission?

 

[AH64ID]

I had a Smarty on my 06, but they haven't come out with anything for the 2010's. I have looked at H&S, but am worried about running it with my truck being in stock form. transmission?

Smarties are now compatible with '10's.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Most of us are HP junkies and the more the better. I would order a new 2500 today if I could get the HO with a manual trans. It seems most feel the current stick is OK to marginal at current HP ratings and that doesn't sound very good to me. So, I suppose that's why no manual trans yet for the HO option. Any thoughts, ideas, or rumors about a redesigned manual trans which can handle the higher torque and Hp?

 

[bheiting]

Nicely done Steve. Thanks.

Anyone know if the beefed up u-joints are compatible with my '07 2500?

 

[topcat]

Mr. Diaz from Ram stated that 2500/3500 will have the selected option Hi-Output. Now the question is will Ram take advantage of this and be class leading in 3/4 SRW bed/tow load ratings,as well,we will see. It would make no sense to not increase bed/tow ratings. Just look at the avaiable torque at your command,and not included is your hard earn money. I mean after all I just can not pull the trigger on a 3/4 ton when all it can pull in a 3/4 ton,SRW,4x4,3:73 longbed is only 12,650 and shortbeds 12,700lbs. Another problem also lies with the fact that the GCWR is 9600lbs allowing only 2410 in bed payload. This is a problem when most cab- over's campers are fast approaching 3000lbs + with slide-out options now. Also do not forget I also tow Artic-Cats ATV's behind as well. For me to sign on the dotted line for that kind of money require's some more "Wow" factor in 3/4 ton and I mean class leading from Mr. Diaz. It's a nice start and now hope the tread continue's in 3/4 ton SRW as well. I say kick them while they are down like he said it's a knife fight every day for sales. And also not in a 4:10 ratio a 3:73 would do nicely around town for fuel mileage for what it is worth,when not on vacation.