Gas Engine 2018’s

[PToombs]

Hey all, looking to upgrade from my ‘97 2500 to a ‘17 or ‘18 2500. Because I only drive about 10 miles to work I’m thinking of getting a gas engine so I don’t have to worry about regen issues, plus gas is 30-40 cents cheaper in my area. And a gas truck is $4k cheaper than a diesel.
So my question is which is the better gas engine, the 5.7 or the 6.4? Most of the time the truck is empty, but I haul firewood, sometimes my gooseneck with 12-15k on it, and my girlfriend wants to get a camper. I’m not sure the 5.7 is enough engine to haul my trailer or a camper an hour or 2 away.
Any input is appreciated!

 

[TFucili]

I had a '15 6.4 2500. There is not a huge difference in output between the 5.7 and 6.4. The 6.4 is built for HD use and duty cycle, to oversimplify. If at all possible, I'd go new so you get the 8 spd with the 6.4. The 66RFE trans is a very poor match for the gasser, and is a handicap, especially for pulling.

 

[dieselshadow]

I owned a '17 6.4 2500. Awesome truck, decent mileage empty. However, watch out for the tow ratings. They fall very short IMHO. Heck some 1/2 tons can out-tow some of the 2500s if you check the ratings. A GN trailer weighing 12k is pushing a 2500 to the max in a lot of cases.

All I'm saying is do some research and KNOW prior to your purchase. I ignored some of this and didn't fully research it. That caused me to have to repurchase another truck once I came to the realization that my 2500 wasn't going to do what I wanted comfortably.

 

[jgillott]

I had a '15 6.4 2500. There is not a huge difference in output between the 5.7 and 6.4. The 6.4 is built for HD use and duty cycle, to oversimplify. If at all possible, I'd go new so you get the 8 spd with the 6.4. The 66RFE trans is a very poor match for the gasser, and is a handicap, especially for pulling.

A friend of mine in GA traded is 2015 6.4 for a 2019 6.4 with the new 8-speed. He said that it is night and day difference in performance from the 66RFE.

 

[AHutson]

I haven't owned either, but did rent a 1500 with the 5.7 in it for a long road trip. It ran excellent and did hit 22 MPG on the interstates between Grand Junction, CO and Cheyenne, WY running at the speed limits. Really liked it for a gasser. That 8 speed is a sweet transmission. Haven't driven a 6.4 with 66rfe so can't say on them. With the weights it seems you will be running, might be worth looking into a 3500 SRW, but I tend to be one for overkill on things.

 

[Wayne M.]

The 8HP70 trans in my 5.7 Durango is fantastic. Shifts like a HD truck Allison. 5 years and about 55k miles of tough NYC driving and it’s been great. If you can get that trans with a 6.4 and a 2500 chassis? I’d go with that

 

[Steves191145]

Ran a couple loads or round bales to help out a neighboring farmer in a 17 2500 with the 6.4. Felt anemic to me being use to a diesel hauling the same load (around 11k) and the mpgs towing that much was like 6mpg. If you dont tow but a couple times a year and frequently take short trips its probably fine for that purpose.

 

[Timd32]

'18 2500 6.4

Camper no problem, firewood no problem.

GN +15k on it, it's at the higher end for sure. It would be pushing my personal set up.

My truck is right about 8k full tank, 2 people, empty, but have a Tommy Gate on the back.

I would say don't let the regen stuff scare you away, just figure out a way to run it well a few times. Sometimes folks don't run the DEF topped off if you won't use it that much.

Cost wise you might not see a payback on the diesel, but residual value is usually not used in alot of that math, IMO my 6.4 vs a CTD resale I'm losing that 4k pretty quickly.

I got mine with some good options 4.10s, LS rears, SnoCommand package, work Vinyl, have the lift gate, so it's exactly what I needed, no regrets on my buy at all.

7x14 Enclosed, pulls it very nice.

34' Camper, no issues at all.

Hay Wagons, we usually get 150-175 bales per wagon (avg 40lb per bale)

 

[PToombs]

Guys, thanks for all the info! I went and bought a truck today, and am staying in the diesel family! I think I got a good deal on this '17 CTD with a year old plow.

 

[PToombs]

Ok, it's been years since I posted pics on here, and recently changed to Google Chrome so I'm still figuring that out, what did I do wrong? lol

 

[jgillott]

Under the reply box, click on upload a file. Choose your photo from your computer or your google drive, and it should upload.

 

[Ozymandias]

At the 2500 and up;
6.4 Cylinder deactivation Enabled
5.7 Cylinder deactivation Disabled

Safes quiet some Fuel.
Dont pass on this Feature.

The 1500 5.7 has it also Enabled but not the HDs.

 

[PToombs]

jg, did that, picked the file, and got a pop up with 4 choices, small head and shoulders like in my previous post, large head and shoulders, a box with Yahoo in color and one with Yahoo faded. Picked the small h&s.

 

[PToombs]

That didn't work.

 

[jgillott]

jg, did that, picked the file, and got a pop up with 4 choices, small head and shoulders like in my previous post, large head and shoulders, a box with Yahoo in color and one with Yahoo faded. Picked the small h&s.

I've never come across the screen you mentioned. No idea what is going on for you.

 

[TFucili]

At the 2500 and up;
6.4 Cylinder deactivation Enabled
5.7 Cylinder deactivation Disabled

Safes quiet some Fuel.
Dont pass on this Feature.

The 1500 5.7 has it also Enabled but not the HDs.

On lighter vehicles perhaps, but even with 4.10 gears, my 2500 6.4 could literally, hardly pull itself on flat ground with MDS on. It is a worthless gimmick on a 7K+ lbs HD truck, and is very annoying, as well. The truck would shudder every time it activated, and it would cause odd shift behavior. If I could have permanently disabled it without a tuner I would have. I ran back to back tanks with it active, and with it disabled via the shift buttons. Zero difference in MPG. Maybe with the eight speed it would be less annoying.

 

[Wayne M.]

I knee jerk hit that eco button on my ‘14 if I’m not going in the highway. I hate everything about MDS below 45 mph and any kind of stop n go traffic.

 

[Ozymandias]

Hm, i hardly can feel it on my '12 Durango and it safes me quite a lot of fuel.
I never shut it of, it is so totally seemless in its acting.

Sure here i the US thats not soo important but in Switzerland every quart of fuel that safed counts. Remember 6$ p.G.

 

[WyattBower]

I have a 2011 CTD/G56 that is fantastic but for my company truck I went from a 2016 2500 CCSB CTD/auto to a 2018 CCSB 6.4. I went with the off road package which gives you 4.10 gears. The Hemi is great and it pulls 14k no problem. That being said the transmission is terrible. I have 25,000 miles on it since January and I am hoping to pick it up from the shop today, last week they said it was the solenoid pack, then I didn't hear from them for a few days. I kick myself for buying in January and not waiting for the 2019s but it was a darn good deal.
For me, my fuel is paid for, and the Hemi with 16 mpg highway vs my 2016 Diesel with 20 mpg. The $.30 more per gallon doesn't really sell it for me. Maintenance costs are incredibly higher given the 6.4 can go 7500 miles on an oil change and doesn't take two fuel filters. I buy bulk products, so my oil change is about $20 for full synthetic.
I drive a lot in New Jersey and it can be hard to find diesel let alone DEF. Around New York City diesel is much higher.
Overall I don't regret the 6.4 until I tow back to back with my 2011.