2008 a mystery

[RDBuck]

I tried out a used 2008 with 111000 miles. 3500, single wheel, 4wd, 4:10, auto with everything- Moonroof, heated leather, 5th wheel, air bags, 4 doors, long bed etc. . Asking 26999. Was used to haul horse trailers from Ca. to Wyoming. OK my stupid questions. I have an 02 with an Edge chip set on #2, auto, 4wd, short bed, big tires, no other mods. The 08 felt a tad slower getting on the freeway. Quiet and had power but not much different. The auto only had D for forward selection. No 2 or L like my truck. Salesman had no clue. How do I plow snow in D only? Will I suffer with the 4:10 on highway empty? How big a tire will I need to bring the 4:10 down to a 3:78? I was not that impressed but I wanted to be.

 

[KLauber]

PM Harvey Barlow (HBarlow) for the Snowplow mode for the auto transmissions. He posted a thread about it. You'll suffer if you want to go really fast 75+ empty, but its a heavy truck now what are you expecting. Sounds like a nice find. Will they extend the warranty?

 

[Cosmo]

You'll suffer on fuel with the 6. 7 regardless, unless you uncork the exhaust.

The shifter lever has buttons on them, that's your ERS - Electronic Range Select. It limits your upper gear - set it to 2 and you'll have 1 and 2, set it for 4 and you'll have 1,2,3, and 4, etc.

I just sold my 08 2500 short bed quad cab 4x4 for $27k, only had 67k miles on it. You should be able to get them down a bit on price with 111k+ on it. And yes, I had leather heated seats, moonroof, power rear slider, and a SunCoast filled 68rfe.

 

[HBarlow]

I recently posted a Cummins newsletter with information regarding the snowplow mode. Search for "snow plowmode" and you should find it.

That truck with 4. 10 gears is actually geared ideally for snow plowing and for high speed highway use. The new MOPAR six speed automatic has a second overdrive with a ratio of about . 68 so final drive ratio in top gear is about 2. 8.

There is no need to manually shift the transmission, it will select and retain the correct gear based on load and road speed but there should be a small toggle switch on the shifter that will allow the driver to toggle down or up from 6th gear to 1st and anywhere between.

The new trucks are heavier, quieter, and smoother. Their acceleration capability may not be apparent but they aren't as slow as you might think.

 

[Jim W]

There is no need to manually shift the transmission, it will select and retain the correct gear based on load and road speed but there should be a small toggle switch on the shifter that will allow the driver to toggle down or up from 6th gear to 1st and anywhere between.

Harvey,

I will disagree with you on this point. When I drive my 08 in town, I will lock out 5th and 6th gear. The transmission is allowed to shift between first to 4th gear then. I do not like to drive around in town with the engine turning 1100 to 1200 RPM's if the transmission is in 5th or 6th gear. To me this is lugging the engine way too much.

My set-up on the truck is; LT265/70R17/E tires with 3:73 gears and the 6 spd auto. In 4th gear at 30 to 35 MPH the engine RPM's are around 1500. At 45MPH the engine RPM is close to 2,000, this is where I will shift to 5ft gear. When I am doing 65 MPH in 6th gear the engine RPM's will be 1650 or so.



Jim W.

 

[HBarlow]

Jim,

I don't disagree with what you wrote but, your truck has 3. 73 gears whereas the truck the OP is considering has 4. 10 gears so the need to manually downshift around town is lessened.

The op's question was about being able to plow snow in D mode. At low speeds with a load his transmission should remain in 1st or no higher than 2nd without driver input. I suppose if he is plowing roads at 25 or 30 mph he might want to manually toggle to a lower gear but I would assume a Ram snowplow is more often used for driveways and parking lots. I don't see much snow plowing here in TX so don't know much about private snow plowing. I think city, county, and state maintenance crews normally plow roads.

I should qualify my statements with the fact that my truck has an Aisin auto six speed not the MOPAR so it could be programmed differently than I am accustomed to.

 

[Bater]

RDBuck, I have pretty much the same truck as what you looked at, but with 3. 73 rear (and no moonroof).



I am the guy that cars behind me at a stop light can't wait to get around, as I am definitely slow off the blocks. Yes, the truck will go if you put your foot in it, but it doesn't seem natural to do so. Temper my advice though, since according to my family "I drive like an old man".



BTW, I recall something about a quad cab long bed not being factory available in a plow package. Has to do with weight distribution, etc. Just a factor to consider if adding a secondary market plow. (The other problem with the quad cab long bed, is that it takes an acre to turn around. Probably tough to plow a little parking lot with one. )



Andy

 

[Hoefler]

If you run with the tow/haul engaged, your city driving will be better. I drive 100% of the time with tow/haul and exhaust brake on, towing or not.

 

[RDBuck]

I've got alot to learn about 3rd gens. ! How does being in the "tow" [did not know there was such a mode] give better mileage around town? What mpg are we talking about? I want to make the leap from my 02 but I'm doubtful it is going forward except in years.

 

[AH64ID]

The EGR/DPF system makes the bottom end a little less peppy than a modified 24V, that and the additional torque management.

A simple emissions delete would make a world of difference, even on stock power with deletes.

 

[HBarlow]

The "tow/haul" mode began with the later 48REs in the Gen III trucks. Tow haul mode tightens up the torque converter, makes shifts firmer, hold each gear to a higher speed before upshifting, and on 48REs and my Aisin locks out OD. In my Aisin it locks out second OD but allows first OD/fifth gear.

Tow/haul mode downshifts in conjunction with the exhaust brake being activated when the accelerator is lifted. 48REs downshift to 3rd. My Aisin downshifts to fourth then third with the exhaust brake activated.

I believe the MOPAR six speed automatic does use sixth gear in Tow/Haul mode and when the accelerator is lifted it will downshift to fifth, then fourth, then third as the truck slows.

The late Gen IIIs are much improved over the Gen II trucks as far as comfort and conveniences.

 

[Hoefler]

The "tow/haul" mode began with the later 48REs in the Gen III trucks. Tow haul mode tightens up the torque converter, makes shifts firmer, hold each gear to a higher speed before upshifting, and on 48REs and my Aisin locks out OD. In my Aisin it locks out second OD but allows first OD/fifth gear.



Tow/haul mode downshifts in conjunction with the exhaust brake being activated when the accelerator is lifted. 48REs downshift to 3rd. My Aisin downshifts to fourth then third with the exhaust brake activated.



I believe the MOPAR six speed automatic does use sixth gear in Tow/Haul mode and when the accelerator is lifted it will downshift to fifth, then fourth, then third as the truck slows.



The late Gen IIIs are much improved over the Gen II trucks as far as comfort and conveniences.

As Harvey has said above, I would like to add one more thing, when in tow/haul mode, it will limit the transmission from shifting to a higher gear if the road speed is low. At 40 mph, it will not go above 5th gear if I am not towing. And rarely goes into 5th if I am towing. Also makes the exhaust brake more effective as well.

 

[AHarris]

heavy towing

When I pull my 30' camper, I use Tow/Haul and I lock out 6th. The camper is about 9000# loaded. Probably not necessary, but I think it's much easier on the transmission not to be towing this kind of weight in double-overdrive.

 

[RDBuck]

After test driving the 08 two more times, with new knowledge from your posts, I still am not convinced that it offers much more in performance. Basically I am concerned about decreased MPG. My 02 seems quicker, cruises at all speeds easily and smoothly and has given me an honest year/round average of 15-16mpg. Granted the 08 offers more amenities and creature comforts, more hp and torque by the charts - even tho I don't feel it. I guess I'm just upset that each move up in years since my first 91 has netted a loss in economy.
Diesel pickups are becoming difficult to justify unless you take the risk of modifications.

 

[HBarlow]

I don't think anyone has claimed much greater performance from the ISB6. 7 trucks. They are heavier and have more restrictive emissions crap.

The 6. 7s produce more torque and hp than stock Gen II trucks but the driver doesn't perceive a sensation of faster acceleration because the trucks are quieter, smoother, and power is delivered through a smooth shifting six speed automatic.

The new trucks are much more comfortable and offer many features the earlier ones do not but blazing acceleration or fantastic fuel economy are not claimed.

 

[RDBuck]

I'm not after blazing acceleration or fantastic mpg. With fuel prices being what they are I cannot justify spending money to go backwards. I've had diesels of one kind or another- commercial boats, big rigs,2 strokes etc. . Usually economy improved with each new purchase until the last 15 years or so- particularly in over-the-road vehicles. As an aside I notice all the UPS delivery trucks in my area are now gas.

 

[AH64ID]

I know flat out performance isn't your goal but here is an example of why it feels slower.

Just based on weight and hp the 02 should run a 16. 6 1/4 mile, and the 08 a 17. 1.

The 02 has probably 25 less crank hp and 40 ft/lbs more torque (based on Edge info) and is at least 1,000 lbs lighter. Add that to a choked off motor and you will feel it.

The emissions and weight are why the mileage is lower, delete the emissions and mileage will be much better. The 6. 7 is a more efficient motor, once deleted, but now your battling the weight.

 

[NIsaacs]

I have noticed on several different threads, comparing power in late model 3rd gens or 4th gens that weight is a big factor v/s 2nd gen. How?? My '01 is 7300 lbs with me, small tool box, 2 spare's, chains and binders. What do the newer trucks weigh and where is it at?



Nick

 

[AH64ID]

My truck is 8,000 without me and my toolbox with the standard goodies, about 200-300lbs.

Last month the family and I went for a drive, maybe 400 lbs in the bed and the 5 of us. We tipped the scales at 9,040.

 

[NIsaacs]

My truck is 8,000 without me and my toolbox with the standard goodies, about 200-300lbs.



Last month the family and I went for a drive, maybe 400 lbs in the bed and the 5 of us. We tipped the scales at 9,040.

You got rocks in your pockets?:-laf



I assume the 6. 7 and the 4 full doors on the 08 are somewhat heavier then my truck but I was only thinking 300/400 pounds or so, not 1000 lbs. My Ford in my sig is only 8500 with 90 gal of fuel and tool boxes full of junk.



Nick