ZF Powerline for 2025 RAM HD Diesel

[NIsaacs]

I didn't buy any extended warranty on my '21 with this in mind. I figured it would come out before my 5 years were up.

Give me a 400/1000 (or more) 2500 with the ZF. If the power stays the same on a 2500 with the ZF, then I am not interested. Pretty sure it will increase thou.

 

[Diesel85]

I didn't buy any extended warranty on my '21 with this in mind. I figured it would come out before my 5 years were up.

Give me a 400/1000 (or more) 2500 with the ZF. If the power stays the same on a 2500 with the ZF, then I am not interested. Pretty sure it will increase thou.

I doubt they will lower numbers. It'd be like Stellantis shooting themselves in the foot dearly.

If they do put in a new transmission and they standardize across the board, I figure the HO will be available in the 2500 to keep up with their competitors.

While I'm impressed with the power my EcoD and even my work 3500 SO Cummins has, I don't want too much more HP. More torque is fine, but 450 HP is the MAX I want in a truck.

Ideally, I'd like to see something like 450 HP at 1250 ft/lbs of pure low end torque.

I just love watching the tach on both my EcoD and Cummins. They like to stay so low RPM and I love it.

 

[User113]

I'm just going to wait for the diesel-electric retrofit that Edison Motors is working on.

 

[Diesel85]

I'm just going to wait for the diesel-electric retrofit that Edison Motors is working on.

I'm fine with it as long as I can run it without batteries.

Would be neat to have the battery tray there as optional if down the road I want to add a pack to it.

I just don't want those massive packs in my house or barn.

Bad enough I've been getting the heebie jeebies where I've been putting most everything that I got lithium ion batteries in a steel can away from combustibles. Like my RC car batteries and what not.

Only thing that I keep out is my laptop, my cell phone, and my iPad. Even those I get quite nervous about. When not in use, they are in the kitchen on a quartz countertop away from as much flammables as possible, close to a fire alarm.

I also got more fire extinguishers per foot than what the NFPA suggests.

 

[petersonj]

I also got more fire extinguishers per foot than what the NFPA suggests.

Assuming that you only have two feet..., how many fire extinguishers do you have?

- John

 

[Diesel85]

Assuming that you only have two feet..., how many fire extinguishers do you have?

- John

I have one in every room of the house and a few extra in the closet and out in the barn and garage. In my trucks I keep at least one. So that adds 3 more and 1 on my tractor. 21 ABC fire extinguishers total, all checked once a year by a local company.

These are the commercial ones that can be checked, hydroed, and refilled.

But I can assure you I could try to unleash all 21 of those suckers on an EV fire and those battery packs will just get more agitated.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"21 ABC fire extinguishers total, all checked once a year by a local company."

I am going to save you a LOT of $$$. All they do is visually inspect the extinguisher to note the gauge is in the green and then take a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer to the bottom with it turned upside down. and then sign and date the tag.

 

[Diesel85]

"21 ABC fire extinguishers total, all checked once a year by a local company."

I am going to save you a LOT of $$$. All they do is visually inspect the extinguisher to note the gauge is in the green and then take a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer to the bottom with it turned upside down. and then sign and date the tag.

I know about that technique.

I was told they check them more thoroughly than that. They used to charge me $5 per extinguisher, but they raised their price to $8 per extinguisher last year. The price keeps going on up.

Maybe I'll just follow what this video describes to the tee and then just bring them to the company every 4-6 years to do a complete check.

Maybe I'm just that paranoid.

 

[SSchang]

Keep in mind that there are several chemistries of lithium batteries, each has unique benefits and drawbacks. For instance, Lithium Iron Phosphate benefits are high thermally stability (need to get to 518F for thermal runaway), have a large number of recharge cycles (2000+ ), and can charge and discharge under high loads. But they can't pack as much energy as other lithium chemistries and can't be charged below about ~25F. I have two of these batteries in my truck camper, they are under my seat in the dinette.

Lithium Cobalt Oxide is used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras. They can hold a lot of energy in a small battery. But they have a relatively short number of recharge cycles (500-1000) and have a relatively low thermal stability, so other battery chemistries are taking their place.

Lithium Manganese Oxide is used for battery power tools, medical instruments, and some hybrid vehicles. Benefits are better thermal stability than LCO and can provide higher current than LCO Drawback is primarily short lifespan. Expect 300-700 charge cycles.

The three primary chemistries used in electric cars are Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (Tesla) (Higher energy density, reasonable lifespan, but more expensive and not as safe as other chemistries), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (High energy density, lower cost, and longer lifecycle, but lower voltage than others) and Lithium Titanate (Extremely safe, long lifespan, fast charging, but low energy density so heavier, and very expensive) also used in military and aerospace applications.

 

[Ozymandias]

These fire extinguishers must be a horrible quality if they need to be checked every year.
Even in Switzerland the check is only every five years, mandatory.

 

[Diesel85]

These fire extinguishers must be a horrible quality if they need to be checked every year.
Even in Switzerland the check is only every five years, mandatory.

Just the way it is in the US of A. Once a year for commercial/industrial facilities.

 

[Cummins12V98]

These fire extinguishers must be a horrible quality if they need to be checked every year.
Even in Switzerland the check is only every five years, mandatory.

it’s called maintenance by keeping contents from compaction. I was schooled by Fire Chief a company in NW WA I worked with in Commercial Construction for many years. The guy I worked with came to a job site he was doing annuals on existing clinics. I talked to him at his van and he said you want to know what I do? Gauge down of any evidence of leaking it’s time for a rebuild.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I know about that technique.

I was told they check them more thoroughly than that. They used to charge me $5 per extinguisher, but they raised their price to $8 per extinguisher last year. The price keeps going on up.

Maybe I'll just follow what this video describes to the tee and then just bring them to the company every 4-6 years to do a complete check.

Maybe I'm just that paranoid.

I forgot to mention being sure hose is clear. After watching video I stand by my suggestion. Sign and date is all that is needed. Of course a new company will add a new tag.

 

[Diesel85]

I forgot to mention being sure hose is clear. After watching video I stand by my suggestion. Sign and date is all that is needed. Of course a new company will add a new tag.

@Cummins12V98 thanks for this info. I asked my buddy who is a full time fire fighter and he said it's OK, but does recommend a second send of eyes 5-6 years.

I also found out he uses me as a good example of someone who practices fire safety to good measure to others.

He was telling me he doesn't know how many house fires could've been stopped if the occupant had at least 1 good commercial fire extinguisher within reach. He said there's a lot of folks living in new homes that don't have a single fire extinguisher! Let alone properly working alarms.

I was told it was good to be paranoid, but not let it bother me on a regular basis.

Now how did this thread get swayed to fire extinguishers?! LOL

 

[Cummins12V98]

I keep a 5ABC in my shop, garage attached to house, truck tool box and shed at my 55up shed.

 

[EDankievitch]

Figured this would be a good time to jump in… I’ve got two fleet F350’s with the ZF10 speed transmission. Both are gas trucks. The transmission works but seems to not be set up right as the engine will wind out when trying to merge with traffic. They will drop down 2-3 gears when you encounter a hill.
That said I have the same transmission in my F150 diesel and I absolutely love it. They got the programming right. It’s always in the right gear. The engine never gets close to winding out the truck just accelerates. When towing it will down shift on a hill two gears but if you are towing in hilly areas just lock out 10th or 9th gear and the hunting stops. 8th 9th and 10th are all overdrives. My 2013 Ram / Cummins with the RE68 was good but as we all know the Cummins makes up for poor gear selection with brute force. Just imagine how much better the truck could be with a proper gear selection. I’m hoping that ZF setup with the Cummins is done right like it is in my F150.. then it will be an awesome package.
I should add that I don’t follow Ford’s recommendations for fluid life. I dumped the pan at 40,000 miles and changed the filter. Fluid was clean but the filter was visibly dirty. I did notice better shifting after the change. Maybe just the piece of mind that I had new blood in it. But it seemed better. Fluid wasn’t that expensive about the same price as what +4 from Chrysler cost. Filter was about the same. I’m using genuine Ford filters and fluid for the transmission. I’m sure I could go cheaper but why? New trucks are expensive the price of fluid an filter is insignificant if it helps make it last a mile or two longer.

 

[Diesel85]

Figured this would be a good time to jump in… I’ve got two fleet F350’s with the ZF10 speed transmission. Both are gas trucks. The transmission works but seems to not be set up right as the engine will wind out when trying to merge with traffic. They will drop down 2-3 gears when you encounter a hill.
That said I have the same transmission in my F150 diesel and I absolutely love it. They got the programming right. It’s always in the right gear. The engine never gets close to winding out the truck just accelerates. When towing it will down shift on a hill two gears but if you are towing in hilly areas just lock out 10th or 9th gear and the hunting stops. 8th 9th and 10th are all overdrives. My 2013 Ram / Cummins with the RE68 was good but as we all know the Cummins makes up for poor gear selection with brute force. Just imagine how much better the truck could be with a proper gear selection. I’m hoping that ZF setup with the Cummins is done right like it is in my F150.. then it will be an awesome package.
I should add that I don’t follow Ford’s recommendations for fluid life. I dumped the pan at 40,000 miles and changed the filter. Fluid was clean but the filter was visibly dirty. I did notice better shifting after the change. Maybe just the piece of mind that I had new blood in it. But it seemed better. Fluid wasn’t that expensive about the same price as what +4 from Chrysler cost. Filter was about the same. I’m using genuine Ford filters and fluid for the transmission. I’m sure I could go cheaper but why? New trucks are expensive the price of fluid an filter is insignificant if it helps make it last a mile or two longer.

I had that experience with a rental stake rack truck a few weeks ago for work. All of our fleet trucks/vehicles are diesel. We have all brands -- Ford/RAM/GM. So I rarely get to put any seat time in a large commercial grade gasser.

With the experience I had in a 2023 F-350 stake rack with the big engine, both loaded with 3K# on the bed and unloaded. That truck was the worst shifting truck I've ever driven. The truck couldn't just stay in a gear. I found unloaded it was 9-10 and with the load it was 7-8-9-10. All over the place. Yes, the engine wound up like a race car. Also the MPG was horrific compared to our diesels.

No way would I ever own a half ton or commercial truck without a diesel again. It's just not worth it in the long run.

Also, the RAM has the BEST engine brake.

 

[EDankievitch]

I agree I really miss the engine brake my RAM had. I’m told Green diesel has a CARB approved program to turn on the engine brake on my F150, but I’m still under warranty so it will have to wait.

 

[Diesel85]

I agree I really miss the engine brake my RAM had. I’m told Green diesel has a CARB approved program to turn on the engine brake on my F150, but I’m still under warranty so it will have to wait.

GDE has the Exhaust Brake option for my EcoD too. But I'm still under warranty for a long time too.

I refuse to delete any modern diesel. As far as I'll go is to tune it for a little better function. But my 2020 bone stock Gen 3 EcoD is a phenomenal truck.

As they run and smell so good with the after treatment devices in place. (At least I like that smell -- except regeneration!) haha

 

[AH64ID]

Figured this would be a good time to jump in… I’ve got two fleet F350’s with the ZF10 speed transmission. Both are gas trucks. The transmission works but seems to not be set up right as the engine will wind out when trying to merge with traffic. They will drop down 2-3 gears when you encounter a hill.
That said I have the same transmission in my F150 diesel and I absolutely love it.

The transmissions you're talking about are not ZF, nor are they the same.

Your F150 uses a 10R80, it's a joint venture transmission between Ford and GM. This transmission is not available in the F-250/350.

The F350's have either a 10R100 or 10R140, depending on the engine. The 10R100 comes behind the new 6.8 V8 and is and updated/upgraded 10R80; while the 10R140 is a 100% Ford with the 10R80 as a "guide".