Help me decide, 3 trucks I need to pick 1 from.

[paulsharvey]

Who, other than hot rodders, buys trucks for horsepower & speed?
I have nothing against racing trucks, its cool.

IMO, todays truck manufacturers are catering to young guys who want 500HP.

The practicality aspect has been thrown overboard for one-upsmanship in 0-60 race times.

Im confused, up above, you're saying how great a 1960s hemi is, and how it makes more or same HP as a 7.3L gas; then you say who buyers HP? The same folks that did 50 years ago. Well, not the Same folks, they are dead, but the same type of people.

People who have a bit of disposable income, and want the HP...

Yeah, I'm guessing in the 1960s, the BB hemis were not 16-20 year olds, it was probably atleast fairly well off, older guys.

 

[arto98607]

It's interesting, I have lived and driven here in the Pacific Northwest since 1976 and have never had a "state inspection", other than emission check every other year, but in our stare even that was discontinued about five years ago!

They said it's no longer justified since current cars and trucks run so clean.

 

[Hay Dude]

Im confused, up above, you're saying how great a 1960s hemi is, and how it makes more or same HP as a 7.3L gas; then you say who buyers HP? The same folks that did 50 years ago. Well, not the Same folks, they are dead, but the same type of people.

I didn’t say a 1960’s hemi was “great”. I simply said a 1960’s hemi made the same power as the Ford “Godzilla” 7.3L. And the Hemi made MORE torque with LESS displacement.
I gave examples of who buys HP. Young guys who want to hot rod. They have taken over the truck world from traditional users of trucks.

People who have a bit of disposable income, and want the HP...

Right, and working people get a crap sandwich.

Yeah, I'm guessing in the 1960s, the BB hemis were not 16-20 year olds, it was probably atleast fairly well off, older guys.

LOL you crack me up.
I have pictures of my parents, grand[parents, aunts, unlcles driving baracudas, chargers, road runners. They were muscle cars, but purchased by common people all over the country.

 

[paulsharvey]

In this day and age, for a cheap, fun, street racing, its hard to beat a 4wd, reg cab, 5.0 F150, with a fairly cheap blower. Will beat about anything in a similar tax bracket. With that, its not so over done that you dont drive it to Walmart for groceries
Heck, some come stock with an E lock diff

 

[Tbone07]

Hogwash, bro.
Why is that? I own a 2020 Ram Cummins and it’s been excellent. If the ZF8 was so amazing, why didn’t the towing specs increase? I think its a good transmission, too. But for Ram to bring in a new transmission, and not increase towing, I know I am no longer considering a new one. I’ll wait for the 7.2L Cummins in ‘27.

You should ask Ram why they didn't increase towing, not me. They're still 2000lbs behind Ford too. Lot of other factors besides trans in max towing numbers.

I've had a 2012 w/ 68RFE, 2016 w/ AISIN, and now I'm in a 2018 w/ manual 6spd. I've driven and towed almost to max capacity w/ the new 2025 and the ZF 8spd is infinitely better. Going through mountains in WV was a breeze in comparison to AISIN or 68 equipped trucks. Also does daily driving better.

 

[Hay Dude]

You should ask Ram why they didn't increase towing, not me. They're still 2000lbs behind Ford too. Lot of other factors besides trans in max towing numbers.

In 2020, when I bought my Ram, Ram was 43,000 GCWR. Ford & GM were only 40,000 max GCWR. I mean that’s like 10% more towing capacity. I don’t know what they are now, but I bought the baddest ass towing machine that would fit in my garage, and it has never let me down.
PM me if you want to see some scale tickets that’ll blow your mind….

I've had a 2012 w/ 68RFE, 2016 w/ AISIN, and now I'm in a 2018 w/ manual 6spd. I've driven and towed almost to max capacity w/ the new 2025 and the ZF 8spd is infinitely better. Going through mountains in WV was a breeze in comparison to AISIN or 68 equipped trucks. Also does daily driving better.

But it’s not rated to tow anymore than a 2020? Silly.
I say when Ram introduces a new a truck and transmission after building the same truck since 2018, you should probably increase tow ratings.
Also, your 2016 w/ Aisin is a good set-up, but 2018 was when Ram upped the power again. You would have liked the 2018-2024’s better than your 2016 (assuming your truck was factory, not bumped up for power) because it has more power and nicer features.

IMO, and the opinions of other notable truck reviewers, its foolish not to increase tow ratings with the new Ram and it’s new 8 speed transmission.

My guess is they will increase when the 7.2L hits, and that’s when I’ll be a buyer.

 

[4570Man]

In 2020, when I bought my Ram, Ram was 43,000 GCWR. Ford & GM were only 40,000 max GCWR. I mean that’s like 10% more towing capacity. I don’t know what they are now, but I bought the baddest ass towing machine that would fit in my garage, and it has never let me down.
PM me if you want to see some scale tickets that’ll blow your mind….



But it’s not rated to tow anymore than a 2020? Silly.
I say when Ram introduces a new a truck and transmission after building the same truck since 2018, you should probably increase tow ratings.
Also, your 2016 w/ Aisin is a good set-up, but 2018 was when Ram upped the power again. You would have liked the 2018-2024’s better than your 2016 (assuming your truck was factory, not bumped up for power) because it has more power and nicer features.

IMO, and the opinions of other notable truck reviewers, its foolish not to increase tow ratings with the new Ram and it’s new 8 speed transmission.

My guess is they will increase when the 7.2L hits, and that’s when I’ll be a buyer.

This is not my rig but I like it. I’ve thought about doing the same thing with my Volvo. The Volvo doesn’t have 4x4 is the only reason I haven’t. Besides that I would rather drive the Volvo over Dads F-550.

 

[Hay Dude]

Why not buy a class 7 or 8 single axle 4x4 ? You could put a 5th wheel on the frame like a road tractor.

 

[4570Man]

Why not buy a class 7 or 8 single axle 4x4 ? You could put a 5th wheel on the frame like a road tractor.

My Volvo is a 2019 truck with 405hp for $12,500. It would probably take 4-5 times that much to get the same thing in 4x4.

 

[Hay Dude]

My Volvo is a 2019 truck with 405hp for $12,500. It would probably take 4-5 times that much to get the same thing in 4x4.

You can get a 4x4 dump truck like mine for 25K. (thats what I paid for mine)
325HP 9.3L and allison automatic
42,000 GVWR & 60,000 GCWR.
Remove the bed and install 5th wheel