V6 or V8?

Different Drummer · Apr 4, 2023

I think you really have to make an unemotional and honest assessment of what your needs are. I ordered my truck to perform as a comfortable long days on the road touring vehicle that I can allow the Commodore to load whatever she wants aboard.
It has been just about 100% perfect performing the role I ask of it.
HOWEVER, most owners on the forum would not even consider a 2 wheel drive V-6 powered truck. I get it. I mean, I really do get it.
I don't get the mileage that Doug Ram gets with the diesel but I have seen numerous times with over 700 miles between fuel stops going cross country. I also appreciate that when comparing initial purchase price, maintenance cost plus the difference in fuel price the V-6 works great for me.
Travel safe

2016outdoorsman · Apr 4, 2023

ramffml said:
Those rankings don't look at the truck through the years, I believe they're "initial quality" type of rankings only. We all know these trucks have issues. What I've personally experienced on mine:
- leaking rear window
- clunking upon startup (doesn't clunk if you don't hold the brakes, but shouldn't clunk anyway)
- clunking when getting on the gas with a rolling start
- clunking when shifting from reverse to drive (these 3 clunks could all be the same issue, dunno)
- small creaks in the dash when going over bumps, noticable when its cold outside but hot sun heats the dash up much quicker than ambiant temp
- small creak right by my left ear in the headliner (could have started when they fixed my rear window and messed with the headliner)
- rear brakes moaning in reverse ("fixed" under warranty but still there slightly)
- front brakes creak and screech; attempted fix 3 times by dealer, does get fixed but comes back after 5 to 10k each time
- front center console lid latch has never worked right, latch sticks, probably never lubed correctly from factory
- door alignment issues; front right closes amazing, the others kind of bounce back a bit, back left door the bottom corner is clearly not "in" the door jamb as much as it should be

Things I haven't had happen yet but quite likely to happen based on statistics:
- busted manifolds
- leaking rear tail light, separate issue from leaking rear window
- hemi tick; hoping I don't get this due to my choice of oil, filter, and oci

Need I go on?

I do like my truck. That's not the point. However it is no shining beacon of quality that's for sure.

I've had mine for 7 years and 70k miles, and have never had a problem. You must have bad luck. Lol

KWal · Apr 4, 2023

I've owned three Rams over the years. 2005 Quad cab SLT with a V8, a 2006 RCSB with a V6, and a 2022 Laramie with a Hemi.

The 05 had a number of minor issues, leaky taillights, water pump failures, warped brakes rotors, but was fun to drive. The 06 is bulletproof. Runs like a banshee, great on gas, and no problems.
The Hemi is just plain fun to drive and puts a smile on my face every time.

We rented a 22 crew cab with a V6 last Summer before buying our new truck. It was comfortable and decent on gas, but struggled in the hills with finding gears.

When it came time to buy new, the 05 went in trade. The 06 is a keeper.

Dusty · Apr 5, 2023

Doug Ram said:
"Yeah, I would agree that predicted reliability is usually useless for a new model. And no, 10 months is not enough time to correct most new model year issues because the corrections have to surface, parts and procedures redesigned, ordered and installed."

The main factor is missing in this discussion.

Consumers' "prediction" is based on past reliability performance. Reliability history performance is the important equation. One needs to compare year-for-year against the competition.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 86841 miles.

Jim BB · Apr 5, 2023

there are 4 RAM trucks in my family 2 with V6 in them and 2 with V8'5.7 Hemi's in them the 2 V6 are no better on fuel than the Hemi's are so as far as fuel mileage goes not much difference but better get up and go in the V8 Hemi we average in city about 16 liters per 100 Km and 10 liters per 100 Km none of the trucks are beaten on all daily drivers mine has a Hemi 5.7 in it and we love it !!! But It is all up to the individual and what you are looking for in a truck ! when we went to buy our truck my wife said she wanted a smaller truck we drove some smaller trucks and some 1500's as well with V6 in them and she was ya ok we drove the one we have now with the 5.7 Hemi in it by time she was done with test drive she had a smile on her face and said I think we found our truck !!! So you have to make your own decision on what you want and needs are !!!! Good luck

Dusty · Apr 5, 2023

indept said:
Just the point that before FCA Ram was going to get a v6 Cummins but FCA decided to use a spaghetti diesel, hence the 3L eco. Thought you may have believed they did use the Cummins.

Just for edification, the Ram EcoDiesel started life as a VM Motori design, purchased by Detroit Diesel who invested $140 million into a redesign (VM-2). Detroit sold the VM-2 design to Daimler. Some years later Daimler sold VM to Penske and GM, who sold half to Fiat, then the other to half to Fiat later.

Not sure how much spaghettis is left in the VM-2, but it appears to have at least an American sauce.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 86841 miles.

Dusty · Apr 5, 2023

ramffml said:
Those rankings don't look at the truck through the years, I believe they're "initial quality" type of rankings only. We all know these trucks have issues. What I've personally experienced on mine:
- leaking rear window
- clunking upon startup (doesn't clunk if you don't hold the brakes, but shouldn't clunk anyway)
- clunking when getting on the gas with a rolling start
- clunking when shifting from reverse to drive (these 3 clunks could all be the same issue, dunno)
- small creaks in the dash when going over bumps, noticable when its cold outside but hot sun heats the dash up much quicker than ambiant temp
- small creak right by my left ear in the headliner (could have started when they fixed my rear window and messed with the headliner)
- rear brakes moaning in reverse ("fixed" under warranty but still there slightly)
- front brakes creak and screech; attempted fix 3 times by dealer, does get fixed but comes back after 5 to 10k each time
- front center console lid latch has never worked right, latch sticks, probably never lubed correctly from factory
- door alignment issues; front right closes amazing, the others kind of bounce back a bit, back left door the bottom corner is clearly not "in" the door jamb as much as it should be

Things I haven't had happen yet but quite likely to happen based on statistics:
- busted manifolds
- leaking rear tail light, separate issue from leaking rear window
- hemi tick; hoping I don't get this due to my choice of oil, filter, and oci

Need I go on?

I do like my truck. That's not the point. However it is no shining beacon of quality that's for sure.

Ten defects pretty much describes my nephew's truck, except his is a '22 Silverado.

One good thing: he won't have to wait for an engine tick. He's already had all the lifters on one side of the engine replaced along with a new camshaft.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 86841 miles.

ramffml · Apr 5, 2023

Dusty said:
Ten defects pretty much describes my nephew's truck, except his is a '22 Silverado.

One good thing: he won't have to wait for an engine tick. He's already had all the lifters on one side of the engine replaced along with a new camshaft.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 86841 miles.

Exactly. It's all the same stuff these days so lets not pretend one brand is better than the next when it comes to quality and reliability.

crash68 · Apr 5, 2023

Dusty said:
Just for edification, the Ram EcoDiesel started life as a VM Motori design, purchased by Detroit Diesel who invested $140 million into a redesign (VM-2). Detroit sold the VM-2 design to Daimler. Some years later Daimler sold VM to Penske and GM, who sold half to Fiat, then the other to half to Fiat later.

The origin of the EcoDiesel was the RA 629 DOHC developed for GM to use in overseas Cadillac and possibly Sabbs.
It was revamped for the north American market L630 DOHC and European market A630. The engines used in the DS body Ram trucks are considered Gen2 engines, the DT body Ram and +'20 Jeeps use the Gen3 engine. The first generation motor was never put in production vehicles.

Dusty · Apr 5, 2023

ramffml said:
Exactly. It's all the same stuff these days so lets not pretend one brand is better than the next when it comes to quality and reliability.

Well, actually, looking at JD Power 3-year reliability survey there could be.

Specifically with respect to light duty pick ups, unfortunately, attaining the most reliable in category has been fleeting for all the manufacturers. Of the five full-size pickups, a manufacturer usually doesn't hold the number one spot of very long.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 86841 miles.

indept · Apr 5, 2023

ramffml said:
Exactly. It's all the same stuff these days so lets not pretend one brand is better than the next when it comes to quality and reliability.

Don't let the Ford fan boys hear that.

Jim welsh · Apr 6, 2023

I have a 2019 ram 1500 with the 6 cylinder and I tow a 20 ft camper it has good power good gas mileage . I drive a lot of highway with stuff in the back with a tonnue cover and get 23 1/2 mpg

ramffml · Apr 6, 2023

Jim welsh said:
I have a 2019 ram 1500 with the 6 cylinder and I tow a 20 ft camper it has good power good gas mileage . I drive a lot of highway with stuff in the back with a tonnue cover and get 23 1/2 mpg

Questions:
- do you have 3.21 or 3.55?
- what gear do you run in for normal flat towing at about 65 mph?
- what are your rpms?
- how heavy is the trailer (approx, nearest 1000 pounds)

Just very curious how it compares to my truck.

BuschLatte420 · Apr 9, 2023

V8 for me! I had no choice anyways since I got the crew cab standard box tradesman.

FLFBSManiac · Apr 9, 2023

Is the standard box 8’?

Dean2 · Apr 9, 2023

FLFBSManiac said:
Is the standard box 8’?

There is no 8' box on 1500s, except if you get just a regular cab. The standard cab on a 1500 crew cab is the 6' 4" box. Only way to get a crew cab and 8' box is to go up to 2500 or 3500.

FLFBSManiac · Apr 9, 2023

I see. I’ve been out of the game so long I’ve not paid attention. Thanks.

FLFBSManiac · Apr 11, 2023

Well, thanks everyone - I bought a 2015 Big Horn crew with a V6. High 90’s in miles so I’ll be doing the 100,000 mile service right off the bat.
It has the power folding mirrors and the 8.4 “ radio (I think) heated seats and steering wheel. It’s far from perfect but it checked a lot boxes for me. I’ll have some fun making it mine. Thanks for all of the input.

Jim welsh · Apr 14, 2023

I have 355 gears truck is in towing mode trailer is 4000lbs runs great at 65

Jeepwalker · Apr 14, 2023

....Well, thanks everyone - I bought a 2015 Big Horn crew with a V6. High 90’s in miles so I’ll be doing the 100,000 mile service right off the bat.

Cool! Sounds like you got most of what you wanted. Good for you. Here are a few maintenance suggstions:

1) Go to the Ram service dept with your truck and title, and ask them to look up all the maintenance and repairs that have been done. See if there are any outstanding items. Do they have a record of fluids being changed? It might be, the PO had the fluids serviced 10k ago ...and you don't need to do everything.

2) If there are no records, Exchange all the fluids. Including the oft-overlooked brake fluid. Use the 'right' coolant.

3) Drive belt

4) Plugs - Inspect/replace as necessary

5) PCV valve. Make sure hose is good.

V6 or V8?

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