Poor drivability; 2011 Manual with 3.42 Gears

[schmalda]

Very disappointed with drivability on 2011 diesel w/manual trans.

Pulls 8k trailer over mountains with ease at 75mph but try to accelerate empty or loaded and it is absolutely pitiful. Lived with it for 8k miles with no improvement.



Took to dealer.

Went on test drive w/Lead diesel mechanic... ... his words: "this thing is a dog"... ... . "this thing does not accelerate". My sentiments exactly. Mechanic did a full diagnostic; everything in spec. Mechanic called STAR (Dodge tech support for Technicians); STAR said this is normal performance for a manual truck w/3. 42 Gears.



I found this interesting because I ordered 3. 73 Gears. Dealer verified order; it was correct, 3. 73 Gears were ordered. Dodge at first said they built the truck with the wrong gears, now they say you can't get a 2011 manual diesel truck w/anything but 3. 42 gears... ... Never mind it's an option in their printed catalogue, Web Site and Dealer Build software. My Dealer has been helpful and is working to make the gearing issue right.



I have lots of questions but I'd like to put one simple question to the TDR Community:

???Does anyone know of a 2011 Manual Transmission Diesel that doesn't have 3. 42 Gears???



Thanks in advance for your response.....

 

[AH64ID]

If you ordered it with 3. 73's then I would see if they can fix it.

Of the 4 friends I have with 10-12 manual's 3 of them have 3. 73's and the other 3. 42's (thou he wished he took his own advice and waited for a 3. 73 truck to hit the lot).

It amazes me they even offer 3. 42's, they are only good for non towing trucks.

 

[HBarlow]

Try using the Dodge Ram website's build your own function to determine if 3. 73 gears are offered as an option.

I haven't looked at in a couple of years but Ram normally tries to keep that website up to date and accurate.

 

[AH64ID]

Home | Dodge Body Builder's Guide is what I think Harvey is referring to. 3. 73's are on there.

 

[MConyers]

???Does anyone know of a 2011 Manual Transmission Diesel that doesn’t have 3. 42 Gears???

I ordered my 2011 with 3. 73s, and the window sticker shows 3. 73 as the rear axle ratio as well. Seems to accelerate just fine.

 

[schmalda]

MConyers,

Your truck is a manual?

Thanks.....

 

[MConyers]

Yes sir, three pedals and a stick.

 

[NIsaacs]

I found this interesting because I ordered 3. 73 Gears. Dealer verified order; it was correct, 3. 73 Gears were ordered. Dodge at first said they built the truck with the wrong gears, now they say you can’t get a 2011 manual diesel truck w/anything but 3. 42 gears... ... Never mind it’s an option in their printed catalogue, Web Site and Dealer Build software. QUOTE]



The OP knows about the build site. He seems to be getting some misinformation from Dodge.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

I think the op is actually talking to a salesman or sales manager in the dealership that sold him the truck.

It has been my experience as a new car/truck consumer and as a car/truck salesman and F&I manager that the most experienced salesman and all sales managers are routine and comfortable liars. Many of them are not very good at lying and not very convincing, but it is the standard way they deal with challenges and problems.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes, the sale is the bottom line. Very few salesman are informed about the product, just sell it!



We also don't have any info on the truck, what is it exactly? Is this the OP's first heavy duty diesel? Is he used to light weight pickups with gas motors and decent acceleration?



If the truck in question is sick with 3. 42's it will be sick with 3. 73's. He says it tows fine, just slow to accelerate loaded or empty. I considered all three of my Cummins powered trucks "sick" when they were stock. A few mods and night and day difference. I do understand the OP's truck is new and under warranty so mods are not an option.



Nick

 

[schmalda]

The good news in my case is the Dealer is on my side.



They entered the order correctly into Chryslers Build Software and have documentation of this to prove. The Dealer owner has been corresponding at the highest levels in the Chrysler Warranty organization but they will not correct the ratio because it is no longer an option in 2012. My Dealer has 'leaned forward' and responded that they will make it right and foot the cost to make the truck right (great customer service) but now Chrysler Warranty says if the Dealer does this my Driveline Warranty is VOID!



I am quickly running out of options... ... I'm working to assemble some data that I can provide to the Dealer that proves they did build diesels w/Gears other than 3. 42 I may beable to win this. Yesterday the Dealer verified my ECM can be programed w/3. 73 Gears.

 

[schmalda]

NIsaacs



The truck at issue is a 2011 2500, diesel, manual, 4x4, Crew, Longbed; it currently has 8k miles..... half of them pulling.



My previous truck was a '97 2500 V10 that I ordered from the same dealer in '96. I put 170k on the truck, half of them pulling. I've driven many diesel pickups but have never owned.



As I said below I took the vehicle to the Dealer, went on test drive w/Lead diesel mechanic... ... his words: "this thing is a dog"... ... . "this thing does not accelerate". He also noted to me during the drive that a 2011 Chassis Cab diesel he had in the shop would have "blown the doors of my truck".



I also agree with your point that the truck will be "sick" with 3. 73 gears. I had a long "discussion" with the Service Manager on this point. but as I said below because the Lead diesel Mechanic could not find anything wrong w/motor (everything in spec) the Mechanic called STAR. STAR said this is normal performance for a manual truck w/3. 42 Gears... ... . so here I am..... first I need to fix the Gear problem then I can go back to my original complaint, poor driveability.

 

[n7gxz]

I ordered my 2011 with 3. 73 gears. I had the option of 3. 42, 3. 73, & 4. 10.



Kevin

 

[schmalda]

n7gxz



Is your truck a manual?

 

[fox]

I would find a truck equipped just like yours and have the group of them drive each with and without loads.

 

[RustyJC]

I had the option of 3. 42, 3. 73, & 4. 10.

Sounds like the 68RFE automatic. 4. 10s aren't available with the G56, right?



Rusty

 

[schmalda]

fox



I've been keeping my eyes peeled... ... here on the east coast when people look inside my truck they point to the stick and say "What's that thing for?"



I've seen only a few '11's around here all the ones I've checked have autos

 

[AH64ID]

I have a friend who is in the middle of the order process, his first truck was ordered with 3. 73's and arrived with 3. 42's, but he didn't take delivery of it. The second truck is on the rail car headed north.

Page 8 shows your truck with 3. 73's http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2011/docs/ram/rammlup2500.pdf

Page 9 shows it's still an option for 2012, you dealer is full of crap! http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2012/docs/ram/rammlup2500.pdf

 

[schmalda]

Thanks AH64ID



I just checked the Ram site and I do see the it availible in '12... ... I'll forward to the Dealer!



Thanks

 

[KLauber]

My 2008 with 6 spd and 3. 42 works just fine towing or empty. If you want a hot rod, make it a hot rod.