3.21

[Fordman1981]

exactly why is was frustrated and surprised. In our area it is some foolish status symbol to have a fully loaded diesel with a lift and custom rims. When I buy a truck it will be basic in the cab, the only option I need there is crew cab and Bluetooth phone capabilities. But power train wise I will by the stoutest offering of whatever truck I decide on. The decision hasn't even been close to being made, driving the ram was the first stop on a long list. The trucks on my list are: F150 ecoboost max tow max payload Ram 3500 cummins and Aisin Chevy 2500 or 3500 with the duramax Ford F-350 diesel Ford F 250 gas Toyota Tundra with cummins diesel, if it ever is released.

I have a ram 5500 in my fleet with the aisin and 2 ram 2500s with the 68rfe. The aisin is a nice transmission now doubt but their is not a thing wrong with the 68rfe. My trucks tow often to max loads and get worked hard. I have had far better service out of the ram trucks than I have out of ford. I would suggest a ram 2500 or 3500 with the 6.4 and 68rfe. There is so little difference in price between a half ton and a 3/4 or 1 ton it is unlikely I will buy a half ton for myself again.

 

[Fordman1981]

Next year I plan to buy a new pickup, what used to be referred to as a "half ton." I would like to be able to tow a fully-loaded 7,000 lb trailer, which means the truck would need to be rated to tow about 8,000 lbs or more, since the advertised trailer towing load always assumes an empty truck, and my truck aint never empty. I don't really care much about what brand, other than I want to avoid Ford since I don't want the aluminum body. Chevy has such gimmicky pricing. So I have been looking at Dodges (yea, I am aware of the Ram name and all, but they are Dodges as far as I am concerned.) I noticed something; last year (2014) the dealers were all stocking 1500's with 3.55 axles ratios, which I assume was standard. The 2015's, however, all have 3.21's, which really cuts down on the towing capacity. A V6 Dodge with a 3.21 is rated for about 4,700 lbs or so, and if the truck has any kind of load that drops down to mid- to upper 3,000 lb range. I swear I just checked dealer websites for 200 miles around here looking for a 2WD with a 3.55 ( or better yet, a 3.92) final drive ratio and I did not see one (admittedly, I did not look at vehicles priced over $35,000.00) Buying out of dealer stock usually get's one a larger discount, but for the lack of a $50.00 option it is looking like I will have to order.

I would suggest you look at 3/4 ton trucks there is hardly any money difference now between the half, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks. The 3/4 ride better than 1/2 tons did a few years ago and you get much more truck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We have a 2003 Ram 2500 on the farm that is still running strong not a single issue and not one spec of rust. It's spent its whole life in Iowa. It amazes me you have one truck that seems to have been a lemon and you write them off completely. I've had far more issues with many more fords than you did with your one ram.

When did I say I would wright off Dodge? I would buy again if they had what I want. They gave me very good service when I had issues. I had the heater controls replaced, rust after 3 years on the door bottoms, half the steering wheel controls replace, and the radiator cooling fan. But like I said the dealer and Dodge were good to me and took care of it all.

The only ones I've written off is GM.

 

[Fordman1981]

When did I say I would wright off Dodge? I would buy again if they had what I want. They gave me very good service when I had issues. I had the heater controls replaced, rust after 3 years on the door bottoms, half the steering wheel controls replace, and the radiator cooling fan. But like I said the dealer and Dodge were good to me and took care of it all. The only ones I've written off is GM.

Like I said I think you got a lemon it happens with all brands. I've heard you bad mouth your one and only ram many times before. The 2003 we have is not under powered especially for the year. It is on par or better than the offerings ford had that year. The 2003 we have at the farm is worked and worked hard every time it is used and has held up way better than the fords we have had from that era.

 

[breadtrk]

We are bordering on the Brand Bashing thing.


to the OP. Make the dealer order what you want to buy. Pull YOUR trailer with YOUR load on it, then decide. Do that with all the potential candidates you have. If the dealer won't play, spend the 5 bucks in gas and go to his direct competitor.

 

[Fordman1981]

We are bordering on the Brand Bashing thing. to the OP. Make the dealer order what you want to buy. Pull YOUR trailer with YOUR load on it, then decide. Do that with all the potential candidates you have. If the dealer won't play, spend the 5 bucks in gas and go to his direct competitor.

Who is close to brand bashing? Telling your honor experience is not bashing? Calling brands junk and stuff of that nature is.

 

[Monster5601]

I wouldn't own a Dodge without a Aisin Transmission. Had a 2500 that ate transmissions like candy.Chris

2003 2500 Ram. 1st time would not shift into reverse. 2nd time it slipped boiling the tranny fluid out the dipstick tube. Traded it at 68,000 miles on a 2004 F250 with it slipping again. Chris

So 68K miles with two issues (with the possibility of a third issue) equates to "ate transmissions like candy" sounds a bit dramatic.

The Aisin is a medium duty commercial transmission that offers a PTO, a bit more than what most of us need. The 68RFE is equivalent (allpar.com) with the difference in the clutch packs and has evolved nicely over the years, many satisfied users in the RV community. Just because the Aisin cost more ($3K versus $600) doesn't make it a better transmission, it is just a different use transmission. Also note the Aisin requires more frequent service and at a higher cost over the 68RFE.

 

[tcartwri]

It is absolutely worth your time to find an 8 speed truck.

 

[Milo]

I would not consider 3.21 in a truck unless you live somewhere flat like Florida or Kansas and seldom carry or haul anything. With the 6-8 speed transmissions I would go 3.55 or 3.73 gears, 4.10 is too low.

 

[Fordman1981]

I would not consider 3.21 in a truck unless you live somewhere flat like Florida or Kansas and seldom carry or haul anything. With the 6-8 speed transmissions I would go 3.55 or 3.73 gears, 4.10 is too low.

With the 8 speed if you don't tow a lot the 3.21 would be fine. I would not choose it but I'm sure the engineers at ram have done their job and it works fine for the trucks with the payload associated with those gears.