2019 Ram 2500?

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Gasser54

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So we're wanting to get a Ram 2500 6.4.

Would owners say it's worth it to spend the extra and get a 2019 for the 8 speed vs a 2-3 year old one with the 6 speed?

The Tradesman trim has all the options I would want and it looks like with 4x4 crew cab they are selling for $37-38 new? Seems like a great price. I'm in Florida so if anyone has gotten different numbers please share.

Our primary use will be towing a travel trailer and a lightweight boat.

Also, is the middle rear seat an issue for people? I have 3 little ones to sit in the back and the short seat looks problematic.

Sorry for the long post and thanks!
 

star_deceiver

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The 8 speed is night and day a better trans than the 6. That being said, paying half as much on a vehicle a few years older can swing the deal as well!
 

Punishher7

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The 8 speed is night and day a better trans than the 6. That being said, paying half as much on a vehicle a few years older can swing the deal as well!

Night and day? Really???

No matter how much better the tranny MAY be, is it really worth living with the busted facelift FCA gave it?

From what I see the MPG isn’t really all that much better either.




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Gasser54

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Thanks, i haven't really been able to find highway mpg with the 8 speed. I'm seeing 17ish with the 6 speed which isn't terrible as my F150 gets 18-19.
 

mtnrider

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As someone who has 3 little ones also I would seriously consider the mega cab. That little bit of extra room makes life with little ones and car seats so much better. Also the behind and under seat storage (without lifting the seat is awesome for storing kids backpacks, blankets, toys, what ever they may need for a trip.

I'm personally not a fan of the gas HD trucks (yes I have owned them) but if I had to get one I would go with the 8 speed for sure. Will give you little extra advantage with that closer gear ratio and more gears.


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14hemiexpress

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I have a 19 8spd mega cab I love it. I have had all 3 cab configurations. Quad, crew and mega cab as well as 2 kids. The mega cab will only stand out if your running 3 car seats other wise the crew cab is plenty of room just my opnion. I really like the 8spd its smooth transmission very low first gear it really drives nice I dont tow very often I am just a fan of the HD truck but it's never left me wanting more and I have had several 1500 hemis.(also my dad has a 17 2500 6.4l he pulls a 8k toy hauler with and does great) I think the 19s are great. The best advice I can give is drive them back to back. Get in a 17 2500 6.4l and then drive a 19 6.4l and see what happens. I did that with the cummins vs the 6.4l and the Cummins drove awesome just budget allowed a tradesman cummins or a big born 6.4l and I took the options, it just gives a great perspective to drive them back to back.
 

star_deceiver

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Night and day? Really???

No matter how much better the tranny MAY be, is it really worth living with the busted facelift FCA gave it?

From what I see the MPG isn’t really all that much better either.

I’ve hated pretty much every automatic transmission from hatchback, truck, to sports car that I’ve ever driven regardless of manufacture or brand.... except for the ZF. It works and it’s good!

Appearance is a far 6th or 7th down the list of important truck shopping requirements.

It’s a v8 n/a gas engine and I’m getting the same non-towing mileage as my previous diesel... can’t complain too much.
 

mtnrider

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It’s a v8 n/a gas engine and I’m getting the same non-towing mileage as my previous diesel... can’t complain too much.

Is your new gas truck a duelly as well? If not, that's kind of a misleading comparison of mpg.


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Punishher7

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I’ve hated pretty much every automatic transmission from hatchback, truck, to sports car that I’ve ever driven regardless of manufacture or brand.... except for the ZF. It works and it’s good!

Appearance is a far 6th or 7th down the list of important truck shopping requirements.

It’s a v8 n/a gas engine and I’m getting the same non-towing mileage as my previous diesel... can’t complain too much.

I’m not bashing the 8spd. I had the ZF in my 2014 1500 and it was great. I will argue though those who say it’s night and day better than the 2500 6spd. Prior to buying a commuter car recently I daily drove my 18 PW for two years and 22K and the trans has been great.

Also a guy here recently gave honest mpg with his 8spd on a long trip and it was not much better, if at all, than my 6spd does in the same conditions. 14-16’s depending on the leg.

Looks certainly are subjective, and my comment was mostly tongue in cheek, although I do prefer the 4th gen HDs front end.


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star_deceiver

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Is your new gas truck a duelly as well? If not, that's kind of a misleading comparison of mpg.

CCSB vs RCLB, gas vs diesel, auto vs manual, 3.73 vs 3.42... Both the gas and previous diesel got 14-16 mpg religiously while commuting empty on the same route. That’s the comparison. 3500’ above seal level, constant winds, constant rolling hills.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/ram/3500/2019/stardeceiver/919651

http://www.fuelly.com/car/ram/3500/2016/stardeceiver/424419


I’m not bashing the 8spd. I had the ZF in my 2014 1500 and it was great. I will argue though those who say it’s night and day better than the 2500 6spd. Prior to buying a commuter car recently I daily drove my 18 PW for two years and 22K and the trans has been great.

Also a guy here recently gave honest mpg with his 8spd on a long trip and it was not much better, if at all, than my 6spd does in the same conditions. 14-16’s depending on the leg.

Looks certainly are subjective, and my comment was mostly tongue in cheek, although I do prefer the 4th gen HDs front end.

I’m the guy who bought nothing but manuals and loathed every time I had to drive an auto. They shifted slow, wrong, at wrong times, always too high a gear, never enough downshift, downshift lag, blah blah blah. I really like this trans.

I am happy that I bought mine without chrome!

I’ve got a towing review somewhere on this forum. Similar results.

7D75B967-97A7-4706-B1ED-5550165253D2.jpeg
 

snowmiser68

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So we're wanting to get a Ram 2500 6.4.

Would owners say it's worth it to spend the extra and get a 2019 for the 8 speed vs a 2-3 year old one with the 6 speed?

The Tradesman trim has all the options I would want and it looks like with 4x4 crew cab they are selling for $37-38 new? Seems like a great price. I'm in Florida so if anyone has gotten different numbers please share.

Our primary use will be towing a travel trailer and a lightweight boat.

Also, is the middle rear seat an issue for people? I have 3 little ones to sit in the back and the short seat looks problematic.

Sorry for the long post and thanks!

I have a few posts on this forum about my thoughts on my 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 and my trailering experiences.

My highway mpg has been as high as 20+ (flat highway, 70 mph, watching the gas pedal and babying it when needed), but generally runs about 17 mpg. I'm a long-time Ford guy, having moved from a 2001 F250 7.3 Powerstroke that I owned for 14 years (2nd owner). This is my first Ram and I'm really loving the truck. My three kids are high school-college age. so I can't speak to that shortened middle rear seat, but the seats are comfy and I've been very happy with my Tradesman trim level.

I had the same issue you did - 2018 Ram and save 3-4k dollars or 2019 Ram with new transmission. I drove the 6 speed and liked the 8 speed much better. If you watch videos on Youtube and read forums about that 66rfe transmission. The biggest complaint is an awkward lurch from lower to higher gears when towing. I've towed with the 8 speed and it's very smooth. I don't mind buying the previous year model, but not after they make design changes that benefit the vehicle. I personally like the new grilles and love the new transmission. I'm not really loving the shift knob versus the lever, but I'm actually getting used to it. It's been pretty seamless. It tows very comparably to my old 7.3 diesel, which is one of the best engines Ford made. I've never wanted for more power going into the mountains - and these are real mountains in Montana and Idaho. I don't tow over 10k pounds, so if you were towing more weight, I would recommend a diesel, but I think you'll be happy with the Hemi, as you tow what I do.
 

Motoman501

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I can't speak about the 6.4 with the 6 speed transmission but I absolutely hated the 68rfe in my 2015 Cummins.

From my research it seems the 8 speed might not get much better mileage but it eliminated the gaps between gears people often complained about, especially when towing.

I love the 8 speed in my 2019 2500. The shifts are very smooth and it always seems to be in the right gear. I also tow a 8000lb travel trailer it does a great job.

I only have about 2600 miles on the truck but I get around 12-13 in town and 16-17 highway. These numbers are pretty close to what my Cummins got.

As far as the rear seat goes, I occasionally put a 15, 13, and a ten year old back there and it seems to work for them.
 
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olyelr

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IMO, get the ‘19 with the 8 speed for sure. I cant stand this god forsaken 6 speed. The gearing and tuning is insanely wrong in my opinion.

If you have to get three car seats in the back, you best check to make sure one will fit in the middle....
 
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Thanks, i haven't really been able to find highway mpg with the 8 speed. I'm seeing 17ish with the 6 speed which isn't terrible as my F150 gets 18-19.
I wouldn't expect 17mpg on a 2500. Whoever is claiming that is driving very gently and slow highway speed. Most get 14-15.5 realistically. The 6 speed is a good transmission. Obviously, newer 8 speed is more current tech and better, but doesn't mean the old is bad. I would would have complete confidence in either. Buy what your budget allows without being financially strapped. You will be happy with either generation. I own both generations. Both are nice. Personally, I like the appearance of 4th gen a lot more. I think it will be remembered as one of the best looking trucks of all time.
 

Ratket

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You would be supervised at how many people with 4th gen gas HD trucks re geared to accommodate towing. I had a 14 6.4 mega 2500, I was close to re gearing as the gear spacing drove me nuts, but ended up trading the truck. When I go hd again it will be a 8speed truck. It’s not so much the mileage but the overall drivability of the truck. The 6 speed will will jump way up in gears at low speeds and lug around town “ yes you can use tow haul and the gear selector to combat this”. I’m not one to leave tires stock so 35”s or 37”s are in the forecast, and with that the stock 3:73”s left me wanting more.. best to go drive them both back to back.
All of this is my personal opinion. Best of luck. Keep us posted.
 

Gero

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The 6.4 with the old 6spd struggled up high grades when tfltruck tested it (2014 ram2500) despite having 4.1gears. I'm even willing to bet a 1500 5.7hemi 3.92 wouldve towed better up the ike.

We'll see in another month or two as tfltruck will run the new 6.4 with the 8spd. I'm hoping they get a truck with the right gears.
 

dbctmc

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Drove my 2019 2500 cc 4x4 tradesman 6.4 hemi on a vacation trip from Virginia to Maine. Averaged 18.9 mpg for the entire trip, including the days driving around Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. On an all interstate highway tank, I got an even 20mpg. I consistently drive 4-5 mph over posted speed limit. I also always use gear limit mode to turn off MDS. Really like the 6.4/8-spd combo. Seems like it is always in the right gear. On a towing trip here in the mountains of SW Virginia, I got around 10 mpg towing 8500 pound TT.
 

tpk0999

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I went from a 2016 2500 outdoorsman with the 6.4 / 3.73 to a 2019 power wagon 6.4 / 4.10 . I can tell you that this truck has and is worth every penny spent. The 8 SPD is worth forking over that extra bit, its what the 6.4 needed on day 1. Not to mention the technology wrapped up in these things.

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olyelr

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I went from a 2016 2500 outdoorsman with the 6.4 / 3.73 to a 2019 power wagon 6.4 / 4.10 . I can tell you that this truck has and is worth every penny spent. The 8 SPD is worth forking over that extra bit, its what the 6.4 needed on day 1. Not to mention the technology wrapped up in these things.

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Yea the gear difference between the two would be hardly noticeable... however the difference between the 6 speed to the 8 speed is where its at... its like a whole different truck because of it.
 

Power247

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I just drove a new 6.4L Longhorn while my truck was being serviced and man that thing was nice. I was really impressed with the power off the line and mid-band acceleration.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310
 

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