It's official-the 6.4L is getting an 8-speed

[TXCOMT]

6.4/8SPD combo is awesome news. My next truck will be an HD Ram, around 2023 or so. We'll see where I am at at that point, pretty much set on a cummins however if the new 6.4 proves worthy then that may be what i grab. I love the ZF 8SPD in my 1500, I'm sure it'll add a whole lot of wake up to the current 6.4. I am extremely curious as to what the 8SPD will do to the 6.4 as far as MPG is concerned.

Hah! I've been thinking the exact thing since this combo was announced...when my Reb is 10 years old or has 250K miles, the plan is to upgrade to a 6.4/8-speed rig. I should be working a lot closer to home by then, so mileage won't be as big a concern, but I sure would like to see it go up...man, those HDs are thirsty!

TXCOMT

 

[hotkarl]

Lol. It's funny how the 6 speed gets snubbed now, like it's an ancient barbaric relic. I remember just a few short years ago the enthusiasm and excitement for the 6 speed. Everybody all like "don't bother buying now wait a few months for the 6 speed it's gonna be so bad ass!". Ha ha!

 

[Ratket]

That’s technology in a nut shell.

 

[McBroom]

A tradesman single cab pw would be SWEEEET.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

 

[TXCOMT]

Lol. It's funny how the 6 speed gets snubbed now, like it's an ancient barbaric relic. I remember just a few short years ago the enthusiasm and excitement for the 6 speed. Everybody all like "don't bother buying now wait a few months for the 6 speed it's gonna be so bad ass!". Ha ha!

I'm sure, but wasn't it known back then the 6-speed was really just the 5-speed with an extra overdrive gear or am I getting my trannies completely mixed up?

TXCOMT

 

[John Jensen]

Here we go - the 2019 3500 available with the new 1000lb torque Cummins

https://www.autonews.com/detroit-auto-show/power-move-ram-hits-1000-lb-ft-torque

 

[NewBlackDak]

Lol. It's funny how the 6 speed gets snubbed now, like it's an ancient barbaric relic. I remember just a few short years ago the enthusiasm and excitement for the 6 speed. Everybody all like "don't bother buying now wait a few months for the 6 speed it's gonna be so bad ass!". Ha ha!

It’s not the number of gears. It’s the horrible gearing they’re chose for it.


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[RoadRamblerNJ]

Here we go - the 2019 3500 available with the new 1000lb torque Cummins

https://www.autonews.com/detroit-auto-show/power-move-ram-hits-1000-lb-ft-torque

Link isn't working. Not an omen I hope, lol.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Lol. It's funny how the 6 speed gets snubbed now, like it's an ancient barbaric relic. I remember just a few short years ago the enthusiasm and excitement for the 6 speed. Everybody all like "don't bother buying now wait a few months for the 6 speed it's gonna be so bad ass!". Ha ha!

Makes ya wonder how us old folks got by with just a 3 speed automatic?!?

 

[hotkarl]

Makes ya wonder how us old folks got by with just a 3 speed automatic?!?

I remember when the 4 speeds came out it was such a big deal. Calling that 4th gear "overdrive" was like wow super high tech car of the future.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Three speed automatic? Youngster.

My 1st car had a Two Speed Powerglide.

Yup, Low & High. Low was good up to about 53 mph and High took you from there up to your top speed.

Top end was determined by your engine, rear axle ratio, condition of your F-78/14 bias ply tires and your nerve. [emoji15][emoji88][emoji88][emoji88]

 

[Rambojoe]

I didn't read all the posts here but I ran away from the 1500 because of the 8 speed, damn thing shifted too much and gets lost hunting. The rotary dial is crap as well. Long live the 6 speed and shifter handle on the column!

 

[hotkarl]

I have 8 speeds in my Jeeps and I just picked up my truck tonight with the 6 speed and I don't really notice anything dramatic between them.
I drove the crap out of it for about an hour and don't have any complaints about the 6 speed. One thing though, the main reason I bought a 2018 leftover is because I just absolutely positively did not want that dial shifter.

 

[savaytse66]

I'm wondering how the 8 speed on the 6.4 will compare to the 8 speed paired with the 6.2 in my current Sierra 1500. The poor shifting on my current transmission is the primary reason I am looking to get away from GM. It clunks HARD when coming to stop, and general shift points tend to be bad. I don't know if it';s a result of it being an 8 speed in general, or if it's just GM's implementation of it.

I am really looking forward to testing a 2500 Mega, 6.4 though.

 

[SouthTexan]

I'm wondering how the 8 speed on the 6.4 will compare to the 8 speed paired with the 6.2 in my current Sierra 1500. The poor shifting on my current transmission is the primary reason I am looking to get away from GM. It clunks HARD when coming to stop, and general shift points tend to be bad. I don't know if it';s a result of it being an 8 speed in general, or if it's just GM's implementation of it.

I am really looking forward to testing a 2500 Mega, 6.4 though.

It is just GM's implementation of it that was bad. The GM designed 8L90 is a horrible trans that is known for jerking and shudder. The ZF designed 8HP is a considerably better trans in my experiences. I have driven both in a truck and also have a smaller version of the 8hp in my BMW. In fact I have driven the 8HP in various types of vehicles (BMW, Ram, Jeep, Audi, etc..) and it has been flawless in every one of them.

 

[OMW2SKI]

I love the 8-speed in my 1500 AND the dial shifter. I've been eyeballing 2500's with the 6.4. However, I most definitely want to wait until the 6.4 is available with the 8-speed. Interesting to hear others' disdain for the 8-speed and dial shifter. My experience has been nothing but positive. It seems to shift perfectly and never hunts for gears.

 

[DarthMegaHD]

If the dial shifter is so great that it needs to be in HDs, why did the Durango go away from it??

 

[NewBlackDak]

I love the 8-speed in my 1500 AND the dial shifter. I've been eyeballing 2500's with the 6.4. However, I most definitely want to wait until the 6.4 is available with the 8-speed. Interesting to hear others' disdain for the 8-speed and dial shifter. My experience has been nothing but positive. It seems to shift perfectly and never hunts for gears.

There are too many dials in the dash already. My wife grabs the fan control every time she wants to turn up the volume. Scares me to have a dial for the transmission.


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[olyelr]

I have a half ton with the 8speed and dial shifter as well as a 3/4 ton with the lever. The 8 speed is way better for drivability. The dial shifter dosnt bother me either, I kind of like it.

I do, however, think it should be relocated from up on the dash next to the radio. Say, maybe down in the center council or something.

 

[jaflowers]

If the dial shifter is so great that it needs to be in HDs, why did the Durango go away from it??

When did they run from it. My wifes 2014 has it and it works great. Just curious. Thanks