Ram Tradesman?

[hattaresguy]

I confess I don't know much about Dodge trucks but they are starting to appeal to me over a 14/15 Silverado for a couple of reasons.

1. Price, it seems I can get a reg cab 4x4 V8 Dodge for about $2k-$3k less than a comparable Chevy.
2. They have more room behind the rear seats in the regular cab. With my 05 Chevy I can store a tool box, prints, and a DeWalt drill case back their. With the new ones not so much.
3. You can get vinyl seats and a rubber floor. With Chevy vinyl seems to be order only I have not seen any on dealers lots of websites with it.
4. The Ram trucks don't have the ugly black hole front end of plastic. The problem with Chevy is if I up option to a normal front end I cannot get the vinyl seats.

A couple of questions:
What real world mileage would the Hemi get? The plus side of the Chevy is their power train is a generation newer so with AFM the 5.3 does do pretty well MPG wise.

How much is carrying capacity really compromised with the coil springs and it seems 5 bolt wheels? With the Chevy I can carry an honest ton.

Ford is out right now because I don't like the current ones and the 15's will be pricy and hard to get until next year. Toyota is out as well because regular cab Tundras don't exist and when they do are priced as if they have a Lexus badge on them.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The "Ram" is the best looking pickup out there IMO ... for what it's worth.

5 vs 6 lug makes no difference in capacity.

 

[NHGUY]

GMs have had lots of teething problems so far,RAM is taking advantage of it...highest fuel mileage in a diesel/highest gasoline fuel mileage/RAM box/coil springs/air suspension....you name it.Face it,RAM and Chrysler right now are so far ahead of both Ford and GM its not even funny.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Fanboy opinions won't mean much at high miles if you keep the truck long term like we do.

I would agree, though, that the Ram is an excellent deal right now, and the Hemi can easily exceed its EPA numbers with a light foot. The newest versions will now have the ubiquitous ZF 8 speed trans so they get great economy AND tow well.

GM's early AFM issues are long gone for years now, but IMO it's Ford that has some catching up to do... with warranties. 60K miles doesn't cut it anymore.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Do the ZF 8 speeds have a good range or is it 8 super close ratios?

Seems like an 8 speed could have a really nice set of granny gears to help with a small, high revving engine.

 

[Clevy]

The hemi's I maintain can achieve 24mpg with the 5 speed and mds on the highway. I don't track city miles.
I'm also truck shopping and dodge is certainly appealing.

 

[SatinSilver]

Have you test driven one yet? I'd probably go for it. The value is hard to beat and I like the look.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Do the ZF 8 speeds have a good range or is it 8 super close ratios?

Seems like an 8 speed could have a really nice set of granny gears to help with a small, high revving engine.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

Quote:
One of its main aims is to improve vehicle fuel economy, and it can achieve an 11% saving compared to ZF-6 speed transmission and 14% versus modern 5-speed transmissions. Due to changes in internal design, shift times have reduced to 200 milliseconds, along with the ability to shift in a non-sequential manner - going from 8th to 2nd in extreme situations. In the 8HP70 version, it has a torque handling limit of 700 newton metres (516 lbf·ft), and weighs 90 kilograms (198 lb).


Gear ratios:
4.696/3.13/2.104/1.667/1.285/1/0.839/0.667/R3.30

I dare say that first gear plus a torque convertor is close to "granny" gear-like. Don't forget, the Pentastar has like 250ft-lb at 2,000rpm, which it basically holds all the way out to nearly 6,000rpm.

IIRC you can 3.21:1 or 3.55:1 rear ratios (was poking around last night, saw those listed). 3.92:1, not sure if available, not absolutely sure they are required. With such a ride gear ratio range the truck is horsepower limited while towing big loads--and probably just doesn't need deep gearing for anything else, what with that 8 speed transmission.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Will be interesting to see if Chrysler can get their quality out of the gutter.

Using a ZF transmission is a very good thing - their in-house transmissions were pretty sub par. Once they get the head issues sorted out on the Pentastar it should be a good package.

I don't care for all of the extra electronics in the truck or a coil spring rear suspension.

I'm sure by the time I buy a truck, if it is a "ram" 1500, I will have the means to install a proper truck rear suspension.

 

[The Critic]

I drove a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel on Sat.

Obviously it is not the powertrain you are looking for, but the rest of the vehicle is pretty similar.

I have also test-driven the 2014 Silverado.

The ride/handling of the Ram 1500 is night/day compared to the Silverado. The Ram rides and drives like a large sedan -- it does not feel anything like a truck. The controls are ergonomic and the driving position are great. The instrument cluster is also really neat. The Chevy is a bit quieter on the highway though.

I can't speak for the payload matters...

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
The ride/handling of the Ram 1500 is night/day compared to the Silverado. The Ram rides and drives like a large sedan -- it does not feel anything like a truck.


I look forward to trying one. Due to the coil-sprung rear suspension, it's the only option that appeals to me (if I were looking at full-size trucks).

 

[hattaresguy]

I'll have to drive one, I really don't care about how it drives I buy a truck because its a truck.

What really gets me with the Ram is its weight and lack of carrying capacity. Its about 400ish pounds more than the Silverado and can carry about 500 pounds less.

Ram is a generation behind Ford and GM in truck design so until they come out with an all new truck they will be heavy. The numbers are also not out for the 15 Silverado yet and the rumer mills are buzzing with GM trying to shave weight to keep up with Ford.

When I have time I'll have to go look at them.

 

[dave1251]

Wrong. Ram is a generation behind GM that is all. Ford and Ram had redesigns trucks that both debuted in 2009. The new F150 will not be available for a while.

 

[dustyroads]

I believe the current f150 is heavier than chevy and dodge. I think the new fords with aluminum will just be more like the current silverado in weight (?)

Please correct if I'm wrong...but I thought the ford's were needing a "diet".

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Wrong. Ram is a generation behind GM that is all. Ford and Ram had redesigns trucks that both debuted in 2009. The new F150 will not be available for a while.


No I'm correct the 2015 F150 which is available next month, is all new. I am only shopping new and will most likely order a truck so 2015's are what I'm looking at. For MY 2015 Ram is a generation behind with a more modern drive train.

Before you tell someone they are wrong do your homework.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: dave1251
Wrong. Ram is a generation behind GM that is all. Ford and Ram had redesigns trucks that both debuted in 2009. The new F150 will not be available for a while.


No I'm correct the 2015 F150 which is available next month, is all new. I am only shopping new and will most likely order a truck so 2015's are what I'm looking at. For MY 2015 Ram is a generation behind with a more modern drive train.

Before you tell someone they are wrong do your homework.


Next month is not current it is the future, although I doubt the 2015 F150 will be available next month. But I understand it must be hard for a GM employee right now.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: dustyroads
I believe the current f150 is heavier than chevy and dodge. I think the new fords with aluminum will just be more like the current silverado in weight (?)

Please correct if I'm wrong...but I thought the ford's were needing a "diet".


Correct. Similarly optioned Fords weigh several hundred pounds more than a GM truck. Ford needs a diet.

They also are lacking in the warranty department.

The 8 speed/Hemi combo is a killer deal, and will get great mileage too.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I would get a Hemi 6 speed. It's $1000 or so cheaper than any Pentastar configuration.

The cheapest Dodge... er "RAM" truck you can buy is a Hemi 6 speed.

The biggest ding against the Fords are the price, IMO. You can get a 6 Speed Hemi 4x4 for mid $20s. You can get a 3.7 V6 F150 4x4 for low $30s.

It's no secret that Chrysler products aren't my favorite and I'm not a fan of the coil sprung rear suspension, but nearly $10K cheaper talks.

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
It's no secret that Chrysler products aren't my favorite and I'm not a fan of the coil sprung rear suspension, but nearly $10K cheaper talks.


And that's before rebates, incentives, and dealers who need to make a sale.

BC.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I would get a Hemi 6 speed. It's $1000 or so cheaper than any Pentastar configuration.

The cheapest Dodge... er "RAM" truck you can buy is a Hemi 6 speed.

The biggest ding against the Fords are the price, IMO. You can get a 6 Speed Hemi 4x4 for mid $20s. You can get a 3.7 V6 F150 4x4 for low $30s.

It's no secret that Chrysler products aren't my favorite and I'm not a fan of the coil sprung rear suspension, but nearly $10K cheaper talks.


Pretty much they undercut Chevy as well, money talks if I can save $3k and get a good truck why not save the money!

I'll probably get the 6spd if the 8 is a lot more. The only reason I want the V8 is for fun, I don't need it.