5.7 vs 6.4

[Redthies]

I’m shopping for a new PW. I have a 2013 in my sights with a fairly fresh (60,000 mile) Ram 5.7 long block in it, as well as a 2014 with a 140,000 mile 6.4 in it. The 2014 is a bit cheaper, but needs a rear locker actuator and tires which make it a wash vs the ‘13 which has far more payload. Is the 6.4 really any better than a late 5.7?

 

[rzr6-4]

My number 1 complaint with every vehicle I own is that I wish they had more horsepower, and it's cheaper and easier to buy factory HP than trying to do it on your own later. And you intend to work it a lot, larger motors tend to be more reliable.

My brother uses a PW for work everyday and he put air bags on it for the payload concerns. Runs day to day at 5 psi and goes up to 60 I think for towing. Is that the correct way to get the payload you need, no, but it works.

Without any pics of the trucks, or knowing what they are asking for either one it's hard for anyone here to take a hard stance on it, but I personally would be willing to overlook a couple small things to get the 6.4, all else being equal.

 

[Redthies]

My use case: daily driver, bird dog hauler, occasional tow rig (6,000 lbs or less) possibly getting a slide in camper (don’t start in on the payload and how I should get a 3500. I own a company that builds custom rvs, and am a “product evaluator” for Torklift. I know campers, and truck capacities). 95% of the time the truck will be running around the local woods and doing light hauling duties. 385 hp vs 410 isn’t make or break for me, but I AM old enough to know “there’s no replacement for displacement”

The ‘13 has had almost everything done. New Mopar crate engine with 60k, (240k on the chassis) ALL front end components, winch rebuilt with new synthetic, locker bypass, all fluids fresh everything works. Has Firestone bags. Has a Snugtop. Senior owned. Some small dents and bush pinstripping. It’s turn key, but I would ditch the Nittos on 20s for Toyos on factory 17s. $9,900 and it’s black.

The ‘14 has 165k on the 6.4, shocks and brake pads done. Hail damage (minor?) on every panel. Lockers don’t work as he claims the rear actuator needs to be replaced. Needs tires and I would have to do air bags. I could probably get it for $8,500 but it’s patriot blue and has the vomit decals.

View attachment 574487View attachment 574488

 

[Bmags]

I'd probably pass on both unless you needed one right now. As a comment though, I think the blue truck is the better deal overall with the 6.4 and less miles on the tranny, etc. I have a 5.7 in my Ram, and if it blows I'll swap for a 6.4. Sure wish that blue one wasn't blue...

Shame the black one has a 5.7. Gramps should have sprung for the 392 and been hauling around the cuties from the old folks home.

 

[Redthies]

Why would you pass on both? Mileage? There are a few around with slightly lower miles but at double the cost. And I need a truck sooner than later, so I’m slightly hamstrung. There is an ‘05 with a replaced motor in it but my wife wants a 4th gen.

I do have a 2025 Land Cruiser so if I need to wrench on the truck it’s not world ending…

 

[Bmags]

Just the 240k miles is a bit high for my liking on the black one, and the blue is... well I don't like the blue at all haha. Again, just my preference.

If you're in need of a truck, I think the blue is the better deal, but the upgrades and everything on the black one make it a very nice truck. Its a tough call

 

[Docwagon1776]

If those were the only two trucks in existence, I guess I'd go for the 5.7 and budget for a transmission.

I never trust anyone who says "it's a simple fix" on something they are selling.

 

[HEMIMANN]

6.4 is a truck engine.

5.7 is a car engine in a truck.

Now ask am I a grocery-getter, or a truck user.

 

[mtnrider]

No way I'd get a 5.7 in a 2500 (owned a PW), in fact I probably wouldn't even do a 6.4 unless it had the 8 speed. Also if you plan to daily drive, plan on stoping at every gas station along the way, I'm sure you are not concerned about mpg but constantly having to stop and fill up gets old quick, the range is terrible.

I know you don't want to hear it but but ignoring the reality of the situation isn't going to make it go away. A slide in is a Bad idea in a 2500 and an even worse idea in a PW. That high center of gravity is going to cause way too much body roll with the PW's soft suspension. This is coming from a former PW owner so not making this up.

.

 

[62Blazer]

Tough choice. Both trucks have red flags.

For the '13 the simple fact it has 240k miles on it worries me. I would be amazed if it was the original tranny. If so I would plan on having it rebuilt soon along with anything else on the truck that hasn't been replaced. However it sounds like it was better taken care of.

The '14 isn't exactly low mileage. It bothers me there are known mechanical issues...if they know what it is and a simple fix, why haven't they fixed it? Having a vehicle with no issues makes it worth more and sell faster

 

[Docwagon1776]

No way I'd get a 5.7 in a 2500 (owned a PW), in fact I probably wouldn't even do a 6.4 unless it had the 8 speed.

While I agree, I don't think someone looking at a $10k purchase is going to find a 6.4/8A.

 

[ramffml]

6.4 is a truck engine.

5.7 is a car engine in a truck.

Now ask am I a grocery-getter, or a truck user.

As far as I know, the 5.7 is not much different than the 6.4 other than the 6.4 having piston oil jets? They're basically the same engine.

I wouldn't label a NA iron block v8 as a car engine, but guess we're just getting academic at this point.

The 5.7 has seen a lot of use and abuse in the 2500 for around a decade, I wouldn't worry about that aspect for a power wagon that isn't going to be doing max tow all day every day.

In this specific comparison, the 5.7 is much newer and would be the better buy from a longevity perspective (only 60k vs 165k). The rest of the truck, probably not.

I'd also pass on both these trucks.

 

[HEMIMANN]

As far as I know, the 5.7 is not much different than the 6.4 other than the 6.4 having piston oil jets? They're basically the same engine.

I wouldn't label a NA iron block v8 as a car engine, but guess we're just getting academic at this point.

The 5.7 has seen a lot of use and abuse in the 2500 for around a decade, I wouldn't worry about that aspect for a power wagon that isn't going to be doing max tow all day every day.

In this specific comparison, the 5.7 is much newer and would be the better buy from a longevity perspective (only 60k vs 165k). The rest of the truck, probably not.

I'd also pass on both these trucks.

No, they're not. 6.4 has forged steel crank, sodium filled exhaust valves, EGR (as I found out when trying to source replacement exhaust manifolds) to reduce in cylinder temps to increase durability, and of course more displacement. I think the torque curve tuning is different too - faster torque rise for towing heavy loads.

If you're interested in every detail, ask Rick. lol
Or google.

 

[crash68]

If you're interested in every detail, ask Rick. lol
Or google.

When it comes to the Hemi, what's the difference?
Rick has probably taught Google most of what it knows about the Hemi!

 

[DILLIGAF]

They put the 5.7 in the 1500 it's because it's a grocery getter

 

[HEMIMANN]

Because it's A HEMI !!!!

Remember all those dumb redneck commercials @ launch of Hemi Gen 3 in Ram Trucks in early 2000's? Ram towing a NASCAR Gen 2 Hemi race car?

HEMI ! HEMI ! HEMI ! lol

Never mind Hemi was conceived SPECIFICALLY FOR HIGH RPM NASCAR RACING WITH NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH TRUCK APPLICATION EXCEPT MARKETING.

Never mind. I feel better.

 

[Grams]

That ‘13 with the front suspension recently re-done is worth $2500 more than one without.

 

[Docwagon1776]

They put the 5.7 in the 1500 it's because it's a grocery getter

What if I go to Costco and my groceries are really heavy?

 

[HEMIMANN]

What if I go to Costco and my groceries are really heavy?

Bed full of batteries!

 

[Docwagon1776]

Bed full of batteries!

...and one rotisserie chicken.