2012 Max Tow

[RustyJC]

OK, Harvey, as usual, have it your way.



Rusty

 

[Slow Six]

Got the call, my new truck showed up. I went and had a quick look. I was surprised to see a finned aluminum rear diff cover. It must be part of the Max Tow package. The integrated brake controller for the 2012 has the settings for different trailers through the EVIC system. I will be getting my Mobile Suites from the dealer hopefully next week and I will get a chance to see how this controller works. I have used the Max Brake all ready so I can do a real world comparison and I will report my findings.

 

[HBarlow]

Congratulations. Post some pics when you can.

 

[DGamelin]

Slow Six

I have tried to buy that new diff cover. The dealer said it was to new for a part number. When you go pick it up ask the dealer for a part number for the diff cover, with your vin he should be able give you one. I sure would appreciate it. I wish my truck had 4. 10s.



I haven't even seen your truck yet and I like it.



________________________

93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 290k

04. 5 3500 4wd cc dully 373 6speed 136k

 

[NIsaacs]

Have you checked on after market one's? Geno's has two models of them.



Nick

 

[DGamelin]

Yes I have. I haven't seen anything that I'm impressed with. The metal that the Dodge one uses is designed to be a much better heat sync and the engineers say that because of the shape of the fins that are on it they are suppose to help the air flow through the fins. This cover is impressive, it doesn't just hold more oil.





__________________________

93 250 2WD XC 354 Auto 290k

04. 5 3500 4WD CC Dully 373 6-speed 136k

 

[HBarlow]

That's a very nice looking product.

It won't be long before some happy new 800 MaxTow owner parks his truck in a dark parking lot and returns a few hours later. He'll drive away but after only a mile or two his rear end will begin grinding itself to bits and bring his new truck to a stop. On inspection he'll find he's missing his rear differential cover and has just destroyed his differential running it without fluid.

If I had one I think I'd spray it flat black. Do the new MaxTow trucks have any sort of identifying badges?

 

[Slow Six]

I have only had a quick look at mine at the dealership. I did not see any Max Tow badging. The diff cover really caught my eye though. It may be worth looking into a tamper proof bolt.

 

[DGamelin]

I agree I bet those covers will disappear and what a headache that will be. The only badge I seen in articles was that diff cover.

 

[RonD]

I have only had a quick look at mine at the dealership. I did not see any Max Tow badging. The diff cover really caught my eye though. It may be worth looking into a tamper proof bolt.

The Max Tow is a package, there is no special Badging

 

[RonD]

That's a very nice looking product.



It won't be long before some happy new 800 MaxTow owner parks his truck in a dark parking lot and returns a few hours later. He'll drive away but after only a mile or two his rear end will begin grinding itself to bits and bring his new truck to a stop. On inspection he'll find he's missing his rear differential cover and has just destroyed his differential running it without fluid.



If I had one I think I'd spray it flat black. Do the new MaxTow trucks have any sort of identifying badges?

I don't think the cover is interchangeable with the older differentials, the Max uses a new rear end built by ZF, as per what my understanding is.

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't think the cover is interchangeable with the older differentials, the Max uses a new rear end built by ZF, as per what my understanding is.

Thats brand new news, I wasn't aware of that. Can someone with a new Max Tow please advise?



Nick

 

[DGamelin]

This is what I have learned so far.



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.



This part may be for cab & chassis only. The Max Tow package includes a new transfer case gear set and chain and sprocket upgrades, recalibrated transmission software and an enhanced collection of thermal management devices.



A mechanic at a Dodge dealership says it will fit. I read this on another fourm, I haven't seen this for myself.



Maybe when Slow Six goes to pick up his NEW truck he could take a tape measure with him and let us know what he thinks.

 

[DAWG-1]

The Max Tow has the same 11. 5 AAM rear axle cover bolt pattern as non Max Tow trucks. The cover will work, I would put one on. Sam

 

[CUMMINZ]

I drove my first max tow today. Rode good and had decent power. I spoke to my diesel buddy at the dealer and he witnessed first hand at the training center an 8 speed auto for the upcoming new trucks. He said they looked bullet proof. You guys expecting to by a 6 speed new truck "Don't do it"



:-laf

 

[MChrist]

I drove my first max tow today. Rode good and had decent power. I spoke to my diesel buddy at the dealer and he witnessed first hand at the training center an 8 speed auto for the upcoming new trucks. He said they looked bullet proof. You guys expecting to by a 6 speed new truck "Don't do it"



:-laf

Maybe then our Dodges will fare better in the magazine tests... I'm tired of seeing Chevy and even Ford destroy our trucks in ALL of their towing and performance tests!! #@$%!

 

[HBarlow]

That's a terrible rumor to spread. If people actually believe nonsense like that it could seriously hurt Ram's sales during a very difficult period in a very bad economy.

"My diesel buddy at the dealer" says. I would laugh at some dealership flunky who told me a stupid story like that.

If Chrysler/Dodge/Ram were actually developing an eight speed transmission for use in our Ram trucks some clown in the service department of a backwoods dealership would not be the first guy to know. More reliable and verifiable sources would already be buzzing with that news.

I think the new Chrysler 300C V8 has an eight speed automatic. Perhaps he saw that.

 

[RustyJC]

Right now only the Pentastar V-6 cars are equipped with the 8-speed automatic. The V-8s still get the 5-speed with an 8-speed on the way - that's probably what he saw as it will most likely wind up behind the V-8s (including the Hemi) in the Rams replacing the 645RFE. I haven't heard anything at all regarding one that could be fitted behind the Cummins that would replace the current 68RFE.



Rusty

 

[MChrist]

It will be in "select Ram trucks". I'm guessing since it's not strong enough for the Cummins, it will be for the hemi. There are a few versions of the 8 speed, with different torque maxes. Highest torque rating I saw was around 500 lb/ft, so maybe the 1500 hemi?

 

[CUMMINZ]

You all can say what you like. The man said he personally saw a prototype of an 8 speed for the cumminz to soon be produced. I have no reason not to believe him. If he said he saw it - I say it is not a rumor. Either way no skin off my back.