ZF Powerline for 2025 RAM HD Diesel

[Diesel85]

Another interesting talk video:

 

[slowmover]

Another interesting talk video:

Not gonna watch “press releases”.

Show us the difference in steady-state MPG (at 60-MPH on cruise to remove aero resistance). There are no relevant “tests” without fuel burn data while under a load.

There also aren’t locations in the US where driving a little distance to test terrain can’t be made as altitude difference is a calculation. Humidity & ambient temp is the only difficulty past traffic volume which means a test starting at 2300 and finishing before 0800 while rural.

Charlotte to Atlanta is difficult. But from either of those cities are Interstate routes where conditions are better.

Same is true for Detroit, NYC, Chicago and Los Angeles.

A mix of Interstate and US Highway for steady-state with some minor grades; and then Stop/Go thru-the-gears accel/decel events (dead-minimal brake use).

IOW, it ain’t “discussion”, it’s advertising.

The trans has commercial applications, so where’s the beef? The engineer's data the fleets want to see.

Then your casual side-by-side “test” as above; 6 vs 8 simultaneously.

What do y’all think? 26k GCW? That’d satisfy me as to potential with a GN load lower than cab height given trying for applicability cross-continent with conditions noted. (As it’s the percentage difference which matters).

The maroons doing “discussion” and “testing” are insultingly bad, overall. Any vehicle, (etc.) The Ike Drooler “Test”.

The VVT 6.7L CTD doesn’t need more than six speeds to be efficient under a load. It’s the emissions programming which does.

Where’s the money in my pocket to offset an even higher CPM Ownership Cost (by way of reduced Operating Cost)?


Engineer Data example


6 vs 8 example of data derived display


“Well, I’ll never have to earn a living with a pickup I own”.

Proverbs 19:21

You’re reading this and believe “coincidence” of that fact doesn’t exist? SHTF ain’t just a debate proposition. Buy, sell, trade at distance to keep family afloat with needed goods is serious stuff.

Make the wrong equipment choices . . and just getting home becomes the trial. Which didn’t mean a broken truck. Expense vs Profit is all kinds of factors.

Be as good as this commercial hauler who understands profit vs expense down to how much change from the last dime. THAT is the goal with major equipment changes.

(Pic cracks me up as it’s perfect).

.

 

[Diesel85]

Well, my other eyebrow raising question is that Stellantis is raising the HP and Torque numbers of the Cummins, but not upgrading the frame.

From the video above (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong!), the cab, frame, and other components hasn't been upgraded since like 2010. How do they expect to use this new powertrain in an old frame and try to compete with Ford and GM?

It's like me adding some extra parts to my 1500 diesel (say airbags and stiffer springs) and towing what a 2500 can tow. It just doesn't work like that, unless I want to cause an accident and get sued of something tragic were to happen with an overloaded 1500 half ton truck.

I agree about the cost of ownership, especially for businesses that use these trucks. In fact, my boss who is looking at ordering 4 new 2024 3500 trucks wants to keep the same platform as what we got now, but with no miles on the odometer, only because he knows what to expect from the current Cummins and 68RFE or AISIN.

Hopefully I'm not making a mistake waiting till 2027 on my next purchase.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am fairly sure the frame and other components were updated in 2019???

"Hopefully I'm not making a mistake waiting till 2027 on my next purchase." I think the trans is a good unit and will fare well! Is it needed??? For sales and marketing sure it is.

 

[Diesel85]

I am fairly sure the frame and other components were updated in 2019???

"Hopefully I'm not making a mistake waiting till 2027 on my next purchase." I think the trans is a good unit and will fare well! Is it needed??? For sales and marketing sure it is.

I just took a browse on Rockauto, and I noticed a lot of the frame components and suspension are 2013 through 2024.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just remember RAM Engineer making a big deal out of the improvements for the 19 HD’s.

 

[SSchang]

 

[Diesel85]

View attachment 141057

@SSchang Thanks for clearing this up!

Just really interesting that they are using the same suspension parts, brakes, etc from 2013 till current.

 

[AH64ID]

View attachment 141057

The load handling of the 19+ frame is definitely improved over the 13-18 frame.

 

[brillmtb1]

Ok this is why I am waiting for the 8 speed in the 5500 and making my idea truck camper set up

 

[mxz0588]

I'm curious if the column shifter will still be available in the HD rams with this transmission. I hated the dial shifter on my Eco diesel. For me on my 24' 3500 its a great option to be able to open the door to see when lining up with a trailer as well as plowing snow. My eco would automatically slam you into park if the door is opened.

 

[Ozymandias]

It will more then likely be gone as this Trans doesn't have a mechanical input anymore.
And therefore it would cost more money to have two different types of shifter for basically the same transmission, don't think so.
I guess it will have the option to shift it at the wheel in a manual mode.

 

[Diesel85]

I'm guessing it will look something like this... I would love it if it did.

After driving my EcoD for so long and going back to a 3500 column shifter, I still prefer the column shifter in a truck.

 

[Tuesdak]

I still prefer the column shifter in a truck.

Do a 3 Point U-Turn and the light has changed adding time pressure on oncoming traffic. The column shifter you can do D_R_D by "feel". No so much with the rotary knob other RAM's are cursed with that take your eyes off the road do do D_R_D.

 

[Diesel85]

Do a 3 Point U-Turn and the light has changed adding time pressure on oncoming traffic. The column shifter you can do D_R_D by "feel". No so much with the rotary knob other RAM's are cursed with that take your eyes off the road do do D_R_D.

How about with plowing? Column shift is easy going back and forth.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Do a 3 Point U-Turn and the light has changed adding time pressure on oncoming traffic. The column shifter you can do D_R_D by "feel". No so much with the rotary knob other RAM's are cursed with that take your eyes off the road do do D_R_D.

I've only driven one vehicle with the rotary shifter (Chrysler Pacifica) but I was not a fan. Same with a recent Mercedes rental which had a column stalk, but it was a center-return thing with up for R, down for D, slight move either direction for N, and press a button in at the end for P. Many curses were hurled at it.

 

[AH64ID]

Do a 3 Point U-Turn and the light has changed adding time pressure on oncoming traffic. The column shifter you can do D_R_D by "feel". No so much with the rotary knob other RAM's are cursed with that take your eyes off the road do do D_R_D.

While I am not a fan of the rotary shifter feel is feel. It’s two detents from D to R and that’s the same column, console, or rotary shifter.

 

[Regcabguy]

Do a 3 Point U-Turn and the light has changed adding time pressure on oncoming traffic. The column shifter you can do D_R_D by "feel". No so much with the rotary knob other RAM's are cursed with that take your eyes off the road do do D_R_D.

I prefer the column mounted lever. We've rented cars traveling and even the floor shift gets me sometimes.

 

[Diesel85]

Freshly posted 3 hours ago:
https://moparinsiders.com/caught-2025-ram-2500-big-horn-regular-cab-4x4/

Truck definitely has the Cummins in it (even though no badge) just by the size of the exhaust pipe and the lack of the bag muffler before it.

Looks like it is going to keep the column shifter! YAY!

 

[NIsaacs]

Looks like it is going to keep the column shifter! YAY!

Or a bad sign, no new transmission?