Ram 2500 Gas, 6.4 or 5.7?

[wyosteve]

A good friend who has previously owned 2 Cummins is in the market for a new truck and has a few questions which I thought the TDR collective brain trust might help with. His needs are such that he no longer needs/wants a diesel, but will go with a 2500 gas with either the 6.4 Hemi or the 5.7. He will be towing 10k max about a half dozen times per year, otherwise will be a grocery getter.
His questions:
1: Real world fuel mileage towing and empty (empty speed usually not greater than 65/70)
2: Which axle ration would you suggest
3: Any common/typical mechanical issues

Appreciate insight from any of you who have had or currently own one of the above. Thanks much.

 

[BarryG]

Here is a thread a while back from Sticks who was documenting the 6.4 might be of some value
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/246988-2014-Ram-3500-SRW-6-4-HEMI-saga

 

[TFucili]

1. Empty: Mixed(mostly town)12-13, I don't do much highway, but 16 or so is probably about it. Towing:I have done very little(no time to play)but from the little I have done I am expecting 8-10.
2. I would strongly suggest 4.10 gears. The six speed trans is a poor match to the gas motor. If they offered 4.30 gears I would have gotten them.
3. Early on they had a wrist pin issue with the 6.4, but that was resolved.

I see no reason to get the 5.7 over the 6.4. I am pleased with my 6.4, but be forewarned, after towing with a diesel the first few pulls are going to be disappointing. There is a lot of action in the engine room on any sort of hill. Stuff that would just pull a bit more boost in OD with a CTD will have it downshifting and roaring along.

 

[Ram4Sam]

A good friend who has previously owned 2 Cummins is in the market for a new truck and has a few questions which I thought the TDR collective brain trust might help with. His needs are such that he no longer needs/wants a diesel, but will go with a 2500 gas with either the 6.4 Hemi or the 5.7. He will be towing 10k max about a half dozen times per year, otherwise will be a grocery getter.
His questions:
1: Real world fuel mileage towing and empty (empty speed usually not greater than 65/70)
2: Which axle ration would you suggest
3: Any common/typical mechanical issues

Appreciate insight from any of you who have had or currently own one of the above. Thanks much.

Go over to site B...the cummins forum, there is a sub forum in the 4th gen truck section for the 6.4 gas trucks. It's pretty active and has lots of information.

Sam

 

[schmeg]

A close friend of mine purchased a '16 2500 6.4 last winter. He pulls a 12000 pound 5'er with it. Went from Maine to Florida with it. By the time he got back he was pretty frustrated with it. Lots of downshifting in the hills while on the interstate highways through Virginia and Tenn. It just doesn't have the torque of the Cummins and its a heavy truck to begin with. The motor itself is a good motor.

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks guys, that helps. I'll relay the info to him.

 

[kthaxton]

While I agree there is no comparison between a Hemi and a Cummins.....why are so many people bothered with a transmission having to downshift when towing on grades? Do they not expect this? I mean really, this how it always was with light duty trucks until just the last 20-something years. I guess if someone was raised towing with modern Diesel I could see their disappointment when going to a gas engine....but otherwise I am somewhat baffled.

 

[schmeg]

While I agree there is no comparison between a Hemi and a Cummins.....why are so many people bothered with a transmission having to downshift when towing on grades? Do they not expect this? I mean really, this how it always was with light duty trucks until just the last 20-something years. I guess if someone was raised towing with modern Diesel I could see their disappointment when going to a gas engine....but otherwise I am somewhat baffled.

I am not bothered with a transmission downshifting, I've had to deal with it for the last 3 truck purchases prior to going diesel. I just don't like taching 4000-4500 RPM with an engine roaring for hours on end when I want to pull a load. Sure the gassers will do the job, but the price of admission of a Cummins makes it worth it for me. For short hauls it may be a non issue, but on long hauls, I just don't see the logic in spending 55-65K for a loaded out gasser, when for even money or less, you can pick up a nicely equipped Tradesman CTD 2500 or 3500 and be a whole lot more comfortable towing. If your not working the truck, then a half ton is a logical choice. To me, a gasser HD truck just doesn't make a lot of sense. The truck was built to work. A CTD will work much more efficiently than a 6.4. This only my opinion.

 

[GrantP]

While I agree there is no comparison between a Hemi and a Cummins.....why are so many people bothered with a transmission having to downshift when towing on grades? Do they not expect this? I mean really, this how it always was with light duty trucks until just the last 20-something years. I guess if someone was raised towing with modern Diesel I could see their disappointment when going to a gas engine....but otherwise I am somewhat baffled.

I just rented a 2016 1500 with the hemi and ZF 8 speed last week to make a run from Spokane to Kalispell and back. At first I was annoyed with all of the shifting but it's only because I wasn't used to it. The hemi doesn't have the torque of the cummins and the transmission has twice as many gears as mine...it was just doing it's job and doing it well. It's just different than our Cummins trucks, it has 8 speeds and used them all. No complaints outside of the gas mileage.

 

[schmeg]

I just rented a 2016 1500 with the hemi and ZF 8 speed last week to make a run from Spokane to Kalispell and back. At first I was annoyed with all of the shifting but it's only because I wasn't used to it. The hemi doesn't have the torque of the cummins and the transmission has twice as many gears as mine...it was just doing it's job and doing it well. It's just different than our Cummins trucks, it has 8 speeds and used them all. No complaints outside of the gas mileage.

May I assume you were not hauling or towing anything with the Hemi? Also, you are comparing a 5800 pound truck to an 8000 pound truck. I also have spend quality time in a 1500 Hemi unloaded going cross country in a hunting partners truck. It performed quite admirably. Also, there is not much comparison to the 8 speed ZF. It is one of the best decisions FCA has made for the 1500. The truck shifts seamlessly. In a big truck with a 68RFE, its just not the same case. I would highly recommend anyone that is considering a gasser 2500 to load up the truck and try it before you buy. You cannot compare a 1500 with a 2500 with 2 different transmissions.

 

[GrantP]

I wasn't trying to make any comparison between the 1500 or 2500, I was commenting on the need for a relatively low torque gas engine's need to downshift frequently vs Cummins powered trucks. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a different driving experience that takes some getting used to.

 

[jgillott]

Just food for thought. I have a detailed discussion here in the other vehicle section concerning high oil consumption in my Ram 1500 that started around 80-85K. Now I understand that the 4.7/5.7 platform is not 100% similar to the newer 6.4, but it is enough to cause concern for anyone considering one of these trucks long term.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I love my 6.4........no check engine lights for P20EE!!!!! I've towed some heavy boats, some around 12k and I simply lock into whatever gear I want for Thompson pass or Turn Again pass or Atigun pass and she climbs like a thirsty big gas engine does. The only time the truck didn't satisfy me is when I had 4 yards of alluvial b chip in a big dump bed trailer......it was working hard and first gear was all she'd do.