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

[JJP71584]

I would just send him a PM, he is usually around.

I PM'd him, hopefully he chimes in... Thanks

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[theviking]

I went from a Ram 2003 1500 5.7 with 3.92 gears to the 2015 2500 6.4 with 4.10's. Mostly upgraded to the HD so I could more comfortably haul a dump trailer, horse trailer and car hauler. In my case didn't really need the 2500 but it does haul much better. Things could get uncomfortable quickly when towing heavier loads with the 1/2 ton. The payload capacity is also MUCH better with the 2500. I eventually added airbags to my 1500 since it would squat with just about any real load in the back. By contrast, I have had a full bed of pavers in the HD and it hardly moves. As mentioned, there is certainly a difference in ride quality but I don't think it's nearly a bad as some others have mentioned. Plus you always have the rear airbag option.

Other advantages of the HD truck:
Brakes are much bigger/better
Looks meaner
Sits higher
Everything is heavy duty, truck is built like a tank
You won't see yourself coming and going every minute of the day
5th wheel and snowplow prep options

Disadvantages of the HD truck:
Weighs as much as a tank, 7200 lbs empty in my case
Mileage isn't great, usually 10-15mpg depending on where and how you're driving
20' long so doesn't fit into parking spots or any tight areas well.
Rides rougher
No 8 speed trans

The 6.4 truck Hemi was built specifically as an HD motor.



I added just about every bolt on I could find at the time with the exception of a CAI since they rarely gain much if anything. Dyno'd 365hp/382tq on a painfully hot day with my oversized KO2's mounted. Diablosport 0-60 runs usually fall in the 6.5-6.7 sec range and the one time I found enough open room for a 1/4 mile run it reported 15.1 at 95.5mph. Favorite powertrain mods were the ARH headers, custom (Hemifever) tune and Edge torque converter. Also really liked the Thurens Fabrication track bar. Obviously there is a potential warranty issue with the mods, and they're usually not cheap.

Most obvious next modification would be gears, probably 4.56's. Was waiting it out due to the impending Whipple kit release but honestly it would be wise anyway with the bigger tires I have mounted and to help reduce stress on the trans. Everyone I've come across who swapped gears love them. Makes sense since the 6.4 Hemi still feels soft down low and the diesel trans ratios don't help anything.

You can see from the video that the initial launch is a little soft but once it gets RPM's the truck accelerates hard (for a big truck).

 

[reek]

I went from a 2014 5.7 QC 1500 express with rear Tuftruck springs to a 2015 6.4 CC 2500 big horn with rear air springs. The only reason for doing that was because I need to haul and tow. My 1500 just couldn't keep up and wasn't safe. If I didn't need to haul and tow as much weight and as often, the 1500 is WAY nicer as a daily driver, more nimble. But the 1500 is limited to light stuff like the occasional fridge/couch, etc. For my needs it defeats the purpose of owning a truck. So for me, from a function stand point, it's either a 2500 or a car. That's why my daily/second vehicle is now Mustang GT. If the 1500 5.7 came with a manual, I would have definitely considered one instead as a daily/second though...

 

[theviking]

Reek, what year Mustang do you own?

 

[TonyMM]

I went from a 2014 5.7 QC 1500 express with rear Tuftruck springs to a 2015 6.4 CC 2500 big horn with rear air springs. The only reason for doing that was because I need to haul and tow. My 1500 just couldn't keep up and wasn't safe. If I didn't need to haul and tow as much weight and as often, the 1500 is WAY nicer as a daily driver, more nimble. But the 1500 is limited to light stuff like the occasional fridge/couch, etc. For my needs it defeats the purpose of owning a truck. So for me, from a function stand point, it's either a 2500 or a car. That's why my daily/second vehicle is now Mustang GT. If the 1500 5.7 came with a manual, I would have definitely considered one instead as a daily/second though...

To the OP: —> instead of a 1500 take a 2500 AND a Mustang!

 

[mohemipar]

As mentioned, there is certainly a difference in ride quality but I don't think it's nearly a bad as some others have mentioned.

Agree. I don't think it's that bad at all. I remember being in family members HD trucks back in the late 80's, early 90s when I was a kid. Jeezus I would be getting air in my seat. This truck is like a Cadillac compared to the old rigs. And yet more capable.

 

[JJP71584]

Thank you all for the responses...especially Viking, that is some helpful info you shared.
Another question for everyone that made the jump to a 2500....outside of towing capability, meaning if you didn't need it for it's towing capability ...would you keep it?
Do you regret it?

 

[DodgeDude99]

I went from a ‘99 1/2 ton to a ‘14 2500 diesel.
I would never buy another gas truck after having a diesel. The ride is better than my 1/2 ton(stock & lifted).
Though my comparison is also 15 yrs apart.
I also loathe IFS trucks which would prevent me from getting a 1/2 ton anything anymore.
Only thing I regret is not getting a 3500 just to get leafs in back. Less to go wrong with leafs than another 4 link and track bar (though I maybe gun shy because of the wonderful track record of the 2nd gens), K.I.S.S.

 

[KSH]

Had a 1500 cc eco diesel with air ride for a few years, spent about 4 months in a 1500 big horn access cab, bought a 2500 Cummins Mega cab a few months ago. The ride in the 2500 with the off road package is awesome. I don't miss my air ride at all. I certainly took a hit in mpg but I'm still averaging 18-20 highway even at 80mph. Honestly the 2500 didn't cost much more than my 1500 eco.

Like everyone said, if you can afford it, buy what you want.

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[mohemipar]

Thank you all for the responses...especially Viking, that is some helpful info you shared.
Another question for everyone that made the jump to a 2500....outside of towing capability, meaning if you didn't need it for it's towing capability ...would you keep it?
Do you regret it?

I daily drive mine. 90% of the time it’s unloaded, except for typical emergency gear I keep in it every day and the spare tire/wheel. Prob about 250-300 pounds of crap total (including the tire). Every day I look forward to driving this truck. It feels super solid and heavy, very commanding position on the road (I am pretty much eye level with the city bus drivers on stock suspension), you know it can handle almost anything and it has plenty of power. I really liked my 1500 but I don’t miss it at all. You just have to be the type of person who is OK with “more truck” and less SUV feel that you get with the 1500. If squeezing out MPGs and best possible ride quality is the most important to you, stick with 1500. Regardless they are both great vehicles for what they are.


For fuel economy and making huge power you just cannot beat the Cummins TD. Sounds better than the Duramax and PowerStroke as well IMO.

 

[polcat]

To pile on. Went from an 02 Dodge 1500 QC w/4.7 to a 13 Ram 2500 MC w/5.7 to a 16 Ram 2500 CC w/6.7. The reason for the 2500s, was because it's what I wanted. I don't tow anything and occasionally haul stuff. It's my daily driver and I love it. I bought the 16 Ram because the price was too good to pass up for a Cummins. What can I say, I love it. Do what makes you happy!

 

[reek]

Reek, what year Mustang do you own?

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.

 

[reek]

Thank you all for the responses...especially Viking, that is some helpful info you shared.
Another question for everyone that made the jump to a 2500....outside of towing capability, meaning if you didn't need it for it's towing capability ...would you keep it?
Do you regret it?

I love the fact that I know I can haul/tow what I may need with a 2500. Plus the ride is WAY better than any old/newer HD I've ridden in. it is what a true truck should be in the old sense of the word. But times and definitions change. so if my situation was where I really didn't have to worry about towing/hauling, I would switch back to a 1500. You get the bed/room you need for bulky items and you get to drive a "truck" but you need to work less at owning it compared to a HD. the added height of the 2500 makes tight spaces tougher to maneuver, the extra weight as already stated makes maneuvering a bit more, with a 1500 I can fit into my parking garage at work again (my 2500 is too tall so I MUST drive my car to work). Of course, in that scenario, not to offend or sound like I'm making a pejorative statement, a 1500 ends up being a car with a V8 and a large trunk.

 

[Deki]

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 made the jump from a 2016 Laramie 1500 4x4 that was almost paid off to an 18 2500. The only reason I did is because I tow 3 times a month when I go camping and my payload was being exceeded due to my trailer having 900 pounds of tongue weight. Otherwise, I never would have left that 1500 behind. The 2500 rides smooth, but the 1500 rides much better and gets much better gas mileage with the 8 speed (I averaged 18 mixed driving I get about 14 now). If you're towing a 3k pound trailer and your truck is suiting you just fine, why get rid of it? You'll lose equity, and get into a higher payment for another term with a new one. Just my two cents.

 

[JJP71584]

I guess it boils down to this:
1) Do I really NEED a 2500? no.
2) Do I want one? I don't know yet. But the idea of having a more capable truck is always appealing.

I'm just going to drive a few and then we'll see.
I'm curious to see what the 5th gen Sports look like, which we should find out in a few days.
If I don't like them, I'll probably end up in an '18 2500 if I can find a deal.

 

[grizzstang]

Good luck in your truck search!

Life is short get what you want if you can afford it.

Of course pics of the new truck will be mandatory.

 

[mohemipar]

I guess it boils down to this:
1) Do I really NEED a 2500? no.
2) Do I want one? I don't know yet. But the idea of having a more capable truck is always appealing.

I'm just going to drive a few and then we'll see.
I'm curious to see what the 5th gen Sports look like, which we should find out in a few days.
If I don't like them, I'll probably end up in an '18 2500 if I can find a deal.

If you test drive some HD’s and think the ride sucks, don’t forget you could always swap in some Thuren coils. Even just fronts make a big difference. And if payload isn’t a huge need for you then his rear 1 inch coils are an option too. Really transforms the ride of the truck. Obviously funds permitting.


Another thing to consider is the HD trucks in particular open up a lot more as they break in. Seems people generally say around 5-10k and then again around 15-18k miles. Fuel economy also seems to really improve after 20k. Who knows. They really seemed like they wanted to go for longevity with the 6.4 HD engine.

 

[sandawilliams]

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.

You've already got two nags why would you want a third?

 

[reek]

Life is short get what you want if you can afford it.

The older I get, the more sense this statement makes...

 

[GsRAM]

OP - even if I didn' need it for towing or hauling capabilities, I'd keep it! No regrets AT ALL.

I just like it way more than my half tons, no comparison, and my tradesman is pretty bare bones compared to my loaded 15 Silverado 1500. Even with that said, I don't miss the 1500 at all. However everyone is different and could think the opposite of me.

It's really up to you and what you prioritize. But man I just love getting behind the wheel of my 2500. Just as much as I did day one.