Going from a 5.7 1500 to a 6.4/6.7 2500.

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theviking

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2017, performance pack with 6 speed manual. Cars with a naturally aspirated V8 and a stick are so rare, it was one of my only choices. Plus I also have a 65 el camino so the risk of being tacky was already taken care of. and my mid life crisis lead me to one of three options:

1. buy a AEV front bumper and Winch set up
2. buy a new Mustang GT and a Corsa exhaust
3. find a early 20's girl friend and not tell the wife.

Mustang won the risk/benefit's ratio.

Very nice collection!
 

CMV157

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I went from a 5.7 1/2 to a 6.7 3/4 now to a 6.4 3/4. I'll never go back to a 1/2 for reasons others have already stated. Towing ability, brakes, payload, my ego, etc... I did say I'd never have another non-diesel too but am back tracking on that. I don't tow enough weight often enough to justify it so I think the 6.4 is the ticket for me. Lifelong Cummins fan though for sure.
 

JimE

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I'm on my 2nd 1500 and while I'm very happy with my current truck, I've been considering making the jump to a 2500 for my next vehicle.
Has anyone made the jump ...are you glad you did or do you wish you stayed in a 1500?
I rarely tow anything, I have a utility trailer that will haul 3K lbs or so.
I do like to spend some time off road/hunting and I have a 30 min highway commute to work everyday.


Looked very seriously at this same issue. Had a 2012 5.7 Hemi 2500 with 6 speed auto, wound up with a 2017 with 5.7 Hemi 1500 with 8 speed auto, which I'm not crazy about and I absolutely hate the stinking dial transmission control on the dash, found on both 1500's and 2500'S. Though the 2500 was somewhat heavier than the 1500, I do not see any material change in fuel consumption. If anything the old 2500 may have had a slight advantage though having a more tow friendly gear set. Gearing for the nature of the predominate use is everything! Also if you intend to be towing over 3,000 lbs, including the weight of the trailer, you need a trailer brake controller, which is an after purchase add-on. Whether a 6.4L verses 5.7L is any real advantage for occasional towing may well be questionable. In years past I made many a long trip towing over 6,000 lbs with a Ford F150 having a 5.0L engine having low HP and marginal torque for the job, and it did just fine over the Siera Nevada, Rockies, and Smokey Mountains. Wouldn't have won any races, but sure passed up many an 18 wheeler that struggled with the same terrain. Point being a 5.7L Hemi will get the job done.

Regardless of whether you choose a 1500 or 2500 you want a limited slip differential and tow hooks.

While the ride is a bit better with a 1500 much of that has to do with the tires. A 2500 will have much better tires that actually make the truck handle better. Basically car tires on a pickup truck just flat suck, and that is what you get on a 1500. Bottom line is I would recommend you get the 2500 with a 5.7L and at least the 6.5' bed.
 
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Sooners89

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I went from a 5.7 1/2 to a 6.7 3/4 now to a 6.4 3/4. I'll never go back to a 1/2 for reasons others have already stated. Towing ability, brakes, payload, my ego, etc... I did say I'd never have another non-diesel too but am back tracking on that. I don't tow enough weight often enough to justify it so I think the 6.4 is the ticket for me. Lifelong Cummins fan though for sure.
"My ego"



At least you're honest.
 

sturgis0031

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If You do the 2500 go Cummins I went gas hated it just ate the gas up then I went ******, I miss My Cummins , You cant beat them,
 

rdefayette

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Granted the 2500/3500 is going to ride "rougher" than the 1500. But as stated before it's all "subjective". The 1500 are engineered more for "ride comfort" whereas the 2500/3500 is engineered to be a TRUCK. For all intents and purposes the ONLY difference between a 2500 and a 3500 is the spring rates. I've had a 3500/dually 4x4 Cummins QCLB, a 3500 RCLB Cummins 4x4 and currently a 2500/4x4/Cummins/QCLB. I'd never go back to a 1500. It's easier to ride around in an "underloaded" 2500/3500 than it is to ride around in an "overloaded" 1500. The Cummins hands down beats the "gassers" when it comes to MPG. All of mine have netted a (hand calculated, forget the lie-o-meter) 19-21 mpg day, day out. Bigger brakes, better/heavy duty tires SOLID (4x4's)axlevs. (ride comfort) Independent Front Suspension. The 2500/3500 are designed as trucks,to work like trucks. I drive mine everyday. If you want "subjective" when it comes to "ride comfort" find a late '70's 2500/3500 to take a test ride in. When they were rated at 2500/3500 that was the weight you had to have in the bed BEFORE the springs even started to move. The newer models ride like a being on a cloud. IF you buy new don't forget they do have rear air suspension in these newer 2500/3500's. BIG difference! Look at someones 1-2 year old trade in. Let them take the beating on depreciation! MIght not get exactly what you want BUT you can get a lot more truck for a lot LESS money. Cummins anyone? They aren't even "broken in" 'til you hit 100k miles. JMO
 

5 speed

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I owned a 2015 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi for two years and 45,000 miles. We towed a 10,000 pound 5th wheel and it did a good job...not great, but good. Unloaded the 2500 got 16 mpg hiway and 12-14 in town. Power was set up different than a 1500, as it is often used for towing. It certainly is not faster off the line than a 1500 hemi, but it's designed to build torque for work, and it does a good job of that. The six speed tranny was very adequate for all around driving and towing. I would recommend it if someone was looking for a heavy duty truck.

While it did ride better that my previous f250 due to the coil springs, I absolutely HATED the ride. It is rough even on smooth roads, and jars you around on bad roads. Little ripples (tar strips) in the road constantly jars your spine. I made a left turn onto a bumpy road one day and my wife's head hit the passenger door window....boy, was she pissed. I could hardly ever drink coffee and drive it on anything but a super smooth hiway.

We permanently parked our 5th wheel in a private campground last June. By July 1st, I owned a 2017 Ram 1500. I couldn't wait to get ride of that battle wagon as a daily driver. For a daily driver the 2500 was terrible in my opinion. Others will disagree, but we couldn't believe the ride quality difference between the two trucks. When pulling the 5th wheel, it was really a nice truck to drive, but unloaded it was awful, as is any HD truck.

I could never recommend a 2500 to anyone as a daily driver. However, if you have a true need for a heavy duty truck, I would certainly recommend the Ram 2500 over the F250 or GM 2500.
I had a 1500 crew cab which I loved (09) but hated the short little usless bed. I bought a used 16 2500 crew for the 6”4 bed and because it was cheap in comparison with 18k on the Odo. As you have read gas mileage is dismal- avg 14.3 and best of 16ish on the hwy doing cruise at 80mph compared with 16mpg and 18mpg in the 1500. Both 5.7L. 1500 rode like a dream and was a rocket. 2500 sluggish and rides like a brick. It drives like a big truck too in comparison.
I will replace it with a 1500 crew 6 4 bed unless my towing needs change between now and then
 

harryk

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I tow a RV that weighs about 7K and love my new to me 2017 2500. Had a 1500 with 5.7 and went for the Cummings this time. The big difference is how much better the 2500 does not sway when big trucks pass...have yet to tow in the mountains but am looking forward to not having to be in the slow lane with the big trucks going up the mountain in 2nd gear at 40 MPH
 

Ramit355

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I have a 1500 Laramie it has a great ride, handles snow great and gravel areas pulling an 8000Lb camper a few times a year pulling others such as the 22 Ft pontoon boat , Double axle flat bed trailer with the gator loaded on it. Have gave thought to the 2500 just love the 4 corner suspension on the 1500 and would most certainly have to have it on a 2500.

As for going fast and fun....I just bought a 6.4 Scat Pack Charger! WOW!!! Its very powerful and very fast. Fun as hell to drive!! That 6.4 hemi will flat get up and go!! Had two Diesel trucks one a Silverado 2500 and Ford 350 to mess with the Scat already...lol....too too funny!
 

CuylerTech

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Gonna chime in with my 2c, Had a 13 1500 Quad Hemi w/ 5100s and 35s, Traded it in on a SRT Charger, Traded that in on the 15 3500 Mega Cab Dually Cummins. Stock the 3500 didnt ride as good as the 1500 did. Put 5K miles on it within the first month of owning it and last week put Thuren Front Coils, Fox Shocks, King Steering Stabilizer and Carli rear leafs. Ride is BETTER then my 1500 ever was. Soft on small bumps/expansion joints, and hard when it needs to be.
 

tsielski

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Nice car! (Hellcat Challenger Widebody) Looking at those hard, but fell in love with the Plum Crazy color a few years ago which is no longer offered.
 

CuylerTech

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Nice car! (Hellcat Challenger Widebody) Looking at those hard, but fell in love with the Plum Crazy color a few years ago which is no longer offered.

You could order one, it was just delayed till late manufacturing.
 

Slick61

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around 2012, I bought a 2k Super Duty supercab shortbed V10 4x4... because I missed having a truck, and because I wanted something to tow the Cobra if I needed to. I discovered how much I missed having a truck. After 4 years, there was enough deferred maintenance on the truck to where I wanted to replace it, even though I had sold the Cobra. I bought a '16 Ram 2500 ccsb 6.4L 4x4. Did I need it? No. Did I want it? Yes. A 1/2 ton would've been more than appropriate, but I knew I could get a better deal on a 3/4 than a 1/2 ton. Yea, the mileage isn't the greatest... I get about 10-12 around town & 16-19 on the highway, but I can live with that. It is the quietest vehicle I own... beats out my Mercury Grand Marquis... (the Z06 is another story). My Ram has the 4.10s in back, so it is very quick. It is also supremely comfortable... all my other vehicles aggravate the hell out of my sciatica. I don't regret my decision a bit... tho there ARE things I wish they'd change:

1: I think the brake pedal is too far off the floor (vertically).
2: noisiest engine I've owned... I put a mufflex on to try & drown out the engine clatter... unsuccessfully.
3: shift programming could be better.
 

gasjr4wd

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To the OP:
Check out some of the guys with the Diesel 2500's... they get better MPG than the gas 2500's.
Much better. There are many guys that get 20... and until you drive a diesel... I'll never go back to gas.
 

Big

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I've had both a 1500 and 2500. The interiors are similar for equivalent models. The 1500 is a versatile light-duty truck at home both commuting, hauling the family and doing moderate truck things. The 2500 is a heavy-duty truck with much more substantial underpinnings and heft meant for big loads, and it drives like it--in fact the ride is crap without a load and it is nowhere near as economical as a 1500. Get the 2500 only if you need it. If the 1500 is a better fit and you're buying new you may want to wait for a 2019 MY because it has some nice load, efficiency and engine advancements.
 

zogg

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BUT...have you seen the pics of the 2019 Rams???????????????????????????????? UGH
 

Don Hileman

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I'm on my 2nd 1500 and while I'm very happy with my current truck, I've been considering making the jump to a 2500 for my next vehicle.
Has anyone made the jump ...are you glad you did or do you wish you stayed in a 1500?
I rarely tow anything, I have a utility trailer that will haul 3K lbs or so.
I do like to spend some time off road/hunting and I have a 30 min highway commute to work everyday.
I have a Ram 1500 LongHorn and it is 4 wheel drive with the tow kit! I can and do pull a Travel Trailer, 33Ft. and around 10,000 lbs! It dose a great job! If I go any larger on my towing then I'll go for the @500! The Big Horn is loaded with everything Ram has to offer! No more then what your doing stay with the 1500 and save your money!
 

Orlando Bob

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I drive a 1500 Quad 5.7 with 3.92's and I love it as a commuter car, I drive 28,000 miles per year mostly to work. I have driven the 2500 with the diesel and with the 6.4 and I think if you are a long term keeper diesel is the way to go. You really feel like your driving a 7200 pound truck and save on fuel. The towing is a little higher, about 18k vs 14k and you still have coiled springs in the rear.

As for bang for your buck the 1500 does do all you said that you need and there is a new body out on that this year... 2500 may be next year, IDK.

That said I am in love with the power wagon and that's my next truck when I retire and don't care about gas. You can't go wrong any way you choose friend.
 
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JJP71584

JJP71584

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Yeah, the 2019's do look great, also I'm a techy guy so that new interior with the huge touchscreen has me drooling!

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theviking

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HD redesign was pushed back to 2021.
 

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