6.4 Inching Closer

[crispyboy]

That is a nice looking truck.

What do you think of the Firestone tires? Do you think they are noisy? I think I can squeeze another year out of the tires on my truck and was wondering about the Firestone Transforce tires. I think I can get a decent deal on a set through work.

 

[TFucili]

That is a nice looking truck.

What do you think of the Firestone tires? Do you think they are noisy? I think I can squeeze another year out of the tires on my truck and was wondering about the Firestone Transforce tires. I think I can get a decent deal on a set through work.

No, I don't find them noisy at all. If I had the money, I would upgrade to Toyo AT2 or BFG ATKO. I had an '04 Chevy that came with Transforce tires, and they were the worst OEM truck tires I ever had. They had no grip whatsoever on a wet surface. It was nearly impossible to ease away from a light without them spinning, never mind if I'd try to jump out into traffic. The tread pattern appears to be different on these, and I am hoping they have changed the compound through the years.

 

[TFucili]

I have a question for y'all about the instrument cluster. I am OCD about being prompt, so I often get where I am going early, and sit in the truck a bit listening to the radio with the key off-power on feature. Unfortunately, the cluster is on at full brightness in this mode, so, other than turning the parking lights on, is there a setting to dim the cluster? I have the cheapo EVIC and 3.0 radio.

 

[TFucili]

A bit of an update. My commute to the shop is only a couple miles, so I hooked onto my box trailer and went for a little break-in tow. Not very far, but it included a run up Yarnell Hill, which is a pretty decent pull. I harbored no illusions going into this that this would pull like my old CTD, and that is readily apparent. It really winds up pulling the hill, but it got the job done just fine. I'll get a better feel if I get the chance to go longer distance, but I am pleased all around with this truck.

 

[Sticks]

Good to hear.

How have you found the mileage to be?

Sorry I missed your earlier post about the nighttime dash lights. Not sure if there is a way to dial it down or not. I may or may not have found one of those settings in the radio.

 

[TFucili]

Good to hear.

How have you found the mileage to be?

Sorry I missed your earlier post about the nighttime dash lights. Not sure if there is a way to dial it down or not. I may or may not have found one of those settings in the radio.

As for mileage, I only have about 300 miles on it so far. I ran through the fuel it came with, and just added a bit to make my tow test. I will top off pretty soon, and initiate my fuel tracking. I still have my logs from my '05 LOL. The EVIC is currently saying 12.7. I will get a better feel for its accuracy as I do my own calc's. For as much short-trip, around town use it has seen 12.7 would not be too bad to me. I anticipate it may loosen up just a bit.

On the dash light deal, it is actually power on and lights off where I get that glaring backlight from the cluster, so I guess that is daytime use, as far as the truck is concerned. If I turn on the parking lights, the cluster dims and is controllable with the dimmer by the headlight switch.

 

[Sticks]

Yeah, I'll be interested to hear if your EVIC is accurate. Mine was 1.5+ MPG generous. I quit tracking it.

 

[crispyboy]

Over the weekend while perusing the net I saw a video by a truck magazine that shows the 6.4 engine Hemi getting slammed by the GM and Ford gassers. The idea of the test was to pull the same amount of weight up I-70 in Colorado and see how they performed against each other. Apparently Chrysler let the computer govern the power of the motor and transmission shifting so it doesn't overheat and overheat the transmission. I think they are just saving on warranty claims as this truck "on paper" should have ran quicker than the other two. How embarrassing for RAM! I had high hopes for this combination but now it seems the 6.4 Hemi will be labeled the proverbial "turd" when pushed to it's outer limits. This would be a good place for the after market to develop an override of this feature.

Here is a link:
http://www.tfltruck.com/2014/10/2014-ram-2500-hd-6-4l-hemi-and-gear-hold-feature-ike-gauntlet-video/

 

[Bill Stockard]

Over the weekend while perusing the net I saw a video by a truck magazine that shows the 6.4 engine Hemi getting slammed by the GM and Ford gassers. The idea of the test was to pull the same amount of weight up I-70 in Colorado and see how they performed against each other. Apparently Chrysler let the computer govern the power of the motor and transmission shifting so it doesn't overheat and overheat the transmission. I think they are just saving on warranty claims as this truck "on paper" should have ran quicker than the other two. How embarrassing for RAM! I had high hopes for this combination but now it seems the 6.4 Hemi will be labeled the proverbial "turd" when pushed to it's outer limits. This would be a good place for the after market to develop an override of this feature.

Here is a link:
http://www.tfltruck.com/2014/10/2014-ram-2500-hd-6-4l-hemi-and-gear-hold-feature-ike-gauntlet-video/

I saw that too. I think the 6.4L Hemi may be more adversely affected by altitude than the others. Also I don't know the honesty the comparison test... advertising money may have an influence. When I see tests done by organizations supported by advertising money, I have my doubts...

Bill

 

[Sticks]

I-70 is brutal going over Eisenhower - either direction - and they are spot on if you are under 45mph and you need to get in the left lane to pass a semi doing >30 - you're hosed. Especially if you have to drop down to the semi's speed and wait for a 1 mile opening in traffic to jump out without getting a-holed by someone doing 70.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I-70 is brutal going over Eisenhower - either direction - and they are spot on if you are under 45mph and you need to get in the left lane to pass a semi doing >30 - you're hosed.

I've towed over that Eisenhower several times. You are correct. I've had that happen also.

Bill

 

[TFucili]

They may have gone too conservative as far as the "nanny" limiter, but I would bet if you ran all three at the limit like that on a daily basis, the other two would see major failure while the tortoise was still chugging along. Let's face it, if you are going to frequently tow at max GCRW, and at high elevation, a normally aspirated gas motor is the wrong tool for the job, IMHO.

 

[TFucili]

Whose bright idea was it to move the Tow/Haul button from the end of the shifter to the center stack?!

 

[Sticks]

Right next to the Anti Slip button. Fun one to find the first few times while actually driving.

Probably ran out of wires to use in the harness in the steering column, coupled with Ford's shifter button that would stop working and come apart after a year when theirs was selector shifter location.

 

[TFucili]

It's odd how small things get under your skin, like whose idea was it to have the cruise control blot out the dang odometer, or the door detents that don't sufficiently hold the door open as you reach in to get something? No issues(knocking wood)so far, and pretty pleased with overall package, though.

 

[Cooper_D]

How about the moron's that took the headlight dimmer switch off the floor and put it on the turn signal stalk! #@$%!

I can complain about anything

Like the 2 old guys in the balcony on the muppet shows. I loved those guys.

Now if anyone asks what are muppets I'll I'll I'll complain about you too.

What was the original post about

 

[TFucili]

How about the moron's that took the headlight dimmer switch off the floor and put it on the turn signal stalk! #@$%!

I can complain about anything

Like the 2 old guys in the balcony on the muppet shows. I loved those guys.

Now if anyone asks what are muppets I'll I'll I'll complain about you too.

What was the original post about

At the time, I did think it was stupid to move the dimmer, and, while I do like the flash-to-pass feature, I am embarrassed to admit that every now and again my left foot goes fishing for that dimmer switch LOL. We actually had a '72 F-600 that had a foot operated windshield washer with a little bellows on the floor and a "douchebag" on the inner fender. I'll have to admit it kept working after the electric pumps went bad in both '76 F-250s we had.

 

[TFucili]

Drove 20+ miles of gravel road today, and I have to say the coil spring suspension sure works good on stutter bumps, ruts, and washboard surfaces.

 

[TFucili]

First fill up today: 13 mpg. This tank had a bit less around town than my normal routine, so time will tell as I mix in a little local trailering etc. I am not disappointed, and I can feel it starting to loosen up a bit, as well.

 

[TFucili]

On my way to work this AM, basically coasting on a downgrade and I get a chime, and the Traction Control light illuminates. Within a minute it went away. Any ideas?