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ZF Powerline for 2025 RAM HD Diesel

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Good-bye EcoDiesel, Hello Cummins

  • tboneman25
  • Replies: 4
NIsaacs said:
Or a bad sign, no new transmission?
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Don't jinx it. lol

But it might be. Not sure.

Then again, Stella has been in the news, and not in the good way.

Funny they talk about the revised infotainment system, and the head of software quit a few days ago... https://www.stellpower.com/news-2024/stellantis-head-of-software-has-left/

I'm hoping it holds true, one massively powered Cummins, and a 8 speed ZF transmission.

Probably won't know till October, if it holds true in their past Heavy Duty revealings.
 
Tuesdak said:
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.
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IMG_6073.jpeg
 
At my work we have Ram 1500's and Ford Escapes with the dial. I find it cumbersome when you have to shift quickly when making a quick turn around. It does save some console space. Overall I would rather have a shift lever either on the floor or column.
A family member's 2020 Grand Cherokee has the ZF transmission with a floor shifter. I'm certain there isn't any mechanical linkage. The new Ram truck doesn't need a dial.
 
crispyboy said:
At my work we have Ram 1500's and Ford Escapes with the dial. I find it cumbersome when you have to shift quickly when making a quick turn around. It does save some console space. Overall I would rather have a shift lever either on the floor or column.
A family member's 2020 Grand Cherokee has the ZF transmission with a floor shifter. I'm certain there isn't any mechanical linkage. The new Ram truck doesn't need a dial.
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You are right, a lot of the newer vehicles use a cable to an electronic control module, or just straight up to a linkage to a control module as it self. I could see that integrated into the steering column with no cables. But give it that "feel" that it is with spring resistance.
 
I don't think they'll make two different shifters and dash if it can be done with one. That doesn't makes sense.
There are much more parts involved then just the shiftlever.
 
Ozymandias said:
I don't think they'll make two different shifters and dash if it can be done with one. That doesn't makes sense.
There are much more parts involved then just the shiftlever.
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I agree! I also think the reason they are staying with one transmission and one engine is to simplify production. Less options on the conveyor belt makes building easier and faster.
 
Ozymandias said:
Everybody capable of counting to three can handle that turn knob blindfolded.

Sorry - that's German straight answer.
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Is that one of the three HVAC knobs in your hand or the shifter? It's not a "safe laboratory test" blindfolded: it's taking your eyes off the road. Big Difference! Did someone behind you not understand you are making a u-turn and sneak up on your rear bumper while you are looking at the shift knob?

I don't have to "count". In 99% of the vehicles out there I can SLAM the column shifter from reverse to any forward gear and visually check it's in "drive - 1st" after we are moving and the u-turn is complete. D to Reverse is less forgiving but still can be done by feel.

The rotary knob is "NUMB".

The rental situation, RAM 1500 for a week, that the POS rotary shifter knob idea was put in is worse as I don't drive it every day.

Recall it's Lowest Common Denominator for driving. Changing things up like a shifter adds unneeded confusion. Just because other OEM's are also reimagining it doesn't mean it's a good idea. Cool goes out the window when the real traffic time pressure is added.
 
Tuesdak said:
Is that one of the three HVAC knobs in your hand or the shifter? It's not a "safe laboratory test" blindfolded: it's taking your eyes off the road. Big Difference! Did someone behind you not understand you are making a u-turn and sneak up on your rear bumper while you are looking at the shift knob?

I don't have to "count". In 99% of the vehicles out there I can SLAM the column shifter from reverse to any forward gear and visually check it's in "drive - 1st" after we are moving and the u-turn is complete. D to Reverse is less forgiving but still can be done by feel.

The rotary knob is "NUMB".

The rental situation, RAM 1500 for a week, that the POS rotary shifter knob idea was put in is worse as I don't drive it every day.

Recall it's Lowest Common Denominator for driving. Changing things up like a shifter adds unneeded confusion. Just because other OEM's are also reimagining it doesn't mean it's a good idea. Cool goes out the window when the real traffic time pressure is added.
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Same with International symbols replacing words on controls in mid 1970s. Good? Or earlier communism?

Modern big truck is set just like the training vehicle, a forklift. RH column stalk opposite turn signal/high beam.

Top is Neutral (pull brakes).
Roll it away for Forward
or roll it back for Reverse.

Let’s get rid of “Park” position. Dangerous as it’s used without parking brake.

Forward/Reverse/Neutral only.

Neutral/P-brake for key release and as start lock-out.
Aggravating horn you screw up. Three tries?

Start with foot on service brake and only then can release P-brake after engine start. Need to bring back seatbelt interlock with another harassing horn, right?

Console shifter forward/back wasn’t worth beans without release button to isolate Park/Reverse.

You can certainly miss with 1964-present column shift. Everyone has done it.

You can’t miss with forklift control.
Both hands stay on wheel even if it’s just thumb on RH side.

.
 
Last edited:
That 7.2l Cummins has been a rumor since, gosh, like the late 2000's. I certainly would not buy it for a few years till it proved itself.

Heck, I remember how skeptical people were (including myself) over the 6.7l when it replaced the 5.9l. Especially in the times of the dreaded 6.0l/6.4l Powerstroke. We were all treated with high reliability and simplicity of the 5.9l.

I really hope the ZF is a good transmission.

Personally, I think 2025-2026 will be a good year to buy a RAM HD Cummins, only because folks will have the option of buying a new truck with the ZF (and if rumor holds true, a single HO engine), OR having the option of getting a new old stock leftover 2024 with a 68RFE SO or a AISIN HO with a severe discount.
 
It would be the only reason beyond exceeding my 8y warranty to buy a new one... but seems like those two things will align quite well (I HOPE) since my maxcare expires in DEC of 2028.
 
bcbender said:
It would be the only reason beyond exceeding my 8y warranty to buy a new one... but seems like those two things will align quite well (I HOPE) since my maxcare expires in DEC of 2028.
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I'm ditching my EcoD end of 2026, as my extended warranty ends in January 2027. I was going to keep it till mid-2027, but I'm concerned with something really expensive going on that truck, then a gigantic parts wait. I'd be less concerned with a Cummins truck. In fact, if it's been like the fleet of RAM work trucks we've got at work, I'd not have a care in the world! They've been so reliable.

I just did a lot of work on my EcoD, like new tires, changed all fluids, new snow tires, etc... I want to "use it up" before trading it. Including taking some nice road trips. I'd like to get the truck up close to 90k before trading it just so I can "use it up".

Problem is I love my EcoD, mostly how it drives. For a half tonner, it's got lots of power and man that low end torque is just as addicting as the Cummins work truck.

Only capacity knock to my EcoD is I now know why I like 6+ foot beds. I had to haul some equipment, and I ran out of bed room. Luckily the equipment (electronics) was brand new/clean, so I could put the rest in the back cab area. That and my bicycle (road or the 29er mtn bike) doesn't fit in the bed as nicely as I'd like.

While I'm looking forward to my next truck, I'm still going to have a hard time handing the keys and title over from the EcoD.
 
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FREE!
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Back Issues
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