6spd v 8spd trans??

[Frank Titus]

I had a '16, & now a '23 Power Wagon (Rebel 2500). I guess the '23 would be a couple hundred pounds lighter without the front diff locker, & winch. Everything else is the same except the transmissions, 6 & 8 speed. Both had 4.10 gears. Really could not tell any difference in fuel mileage. The '16 would not tow anything in 6th without a lot of downshifting. It towed well in tow / haul, no 6th. The 8 speed knows what to do. You d on't really notice any gear changes; the ratios are closer together. I would like to test drive a Cummins with an 8 speed sometime. I've had a couple of Cummins with the automatics. I sure it would have less torque vibration with the 8 speed. However, I like the Hemi better, no vibration, & hundreds of pounds lighter on the front. Drives, & steers more like a 1500. Enjoy the 8 speed!

 

[Gero]

I've driven the older 6spd 2500 and it felt sluggish between 1-2. I can't imagine a ln 8000lb load behind it especially up grades. I've never driven the 8spd in HD but my 1500 has it and it drives so smoothly. My dream truck is a 3500 srw hemi 8spd with the true 5th gen cab. It should have enough payload for a truck camper (no slide).