New Dodge 1500 looks good

MESSMAKER · Oct 25, 2012

Just got the new Car and Driver. They gave it a quick review. It looks pretty good. 305hp v6,8 speed trany,air adjustable ride, new interior and 18mpg city and 25mpg hwy. This all at about the same prices a last year. It looks like a very good combination. I am interested to see a real world review.

Diamondpilot · Oct 25, 2012

MESSMAKER said:
Just got the new Car and Driver. They gave it a quick review. It looks pretty good. 305hp v6,8 speed trany,air adjustable ride, new interior and 18mpg city and 25mpg hwy. This all at about the same prices a last year. It looks like a very good combination. I am interested to see a real world review.

I seen this also. Its the 8 speed tranny that is the real story. I had a 4.6L Ford 2 wheels drive back in the early 90s as a work truck. It was a regular cab long bed and it got about 20 mpg average with that V8 and 4 speed tranny with a 3.55 rear end. I am sure it could have done the same with a better tranny and something like a 3.31 gear.

What I still can not understand why they have not put a split rear end in a pickup truck? Its could be all controlled by the tranny and be fully automatic. Put that with a 8 speed tranny and gears like a 2.75 on the high end and a 4.10 on the low end.

Chris

dodge man · Oct 25, 2012

With an 8 speed tranny, you don't need a split rear end.

bdeboer · Oct 25, 2012

When is the 8 speed coming out?, 2013 trucks locally are still 6 speed.

http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=1C6RR7NT7DS511084

davkir · Oct 25, 2012

Seems like I read that the 8 speed was only with the V-6 initially.

bdeboer · Oct 26, 2012

Ram Trucks website is still building 2012 models, however I did read somewhere else the 8 speed would be optional for the hemi.

nirion · Oct 26, 2012

I read that the 8 speed won't be available on the Hemi until calendar year 2013, not sure if that means 1/1 or just sometime next year. If they had a crew cab with a bigger bed, that would be a nice choice in a 1/2 ton.

sld · Oct 26, 2012

dodge man said:
With an 8 speed tranny, you don't need a split rear end.

That is what I think too. Heck, with a 6 speed auto you are getting the best of both worlds. Low gears off the line and low rpms on the highway.

With the wide power band of a gas engine you shouldn't need as many gears.

jejeosborne · Oct 28, 2012

Here is a link the hemi version and 0-60 times. I expected it to be quicker with the 8-speed. Waiting on mpg data with the hemi. Why they compare either of these trucks to the 5.3 liter and not the 6 or 6.2 liter Chevy is not really fair. Also, this driver doesn't know how to launch a turbo charged automatic.

http://www.tflcar.com/2012/08/2013-...-chevy-silverado-0-60-mph-mashup-test-review/

Diamondpilot · Oct 28, 2012

jejeosborne said:
Here is a link the hemi version and 0-60 times. I expected it to be quicker with the 8-speed. Waiting on mpg data with the hemi. Why they compare either of these trucks to the 5.3 liter and not the 6 or 6.2 liter Chevy is not really fair. Also, this driver doesn't know how to launch a turbo charged automatic.

2013 Ram 1500 vs Ford F-150 vs Chevy Silverado 0-60 MPH Mashup Test & ReviewThe Fast Lane Car

Maybe I missed something but I did not see any 0 to 60 times for the GM? Like you said the 5.3L is just out classed compared to the others. The only fair test would have been the 6.2L GM.

Chris