About to pull trigger on 2024 ram 2500, but ....

[repsolracer22]

Just wanted to reach out to see if there are any real issues with the 6.4 hemi they are using in the Ram 2500s. There are some pretty good deals to be had on them (brand new), but Im hesitant because I have a 2021 Tundra 5.7 with 27k miles and no problems of any kind. This is my second 5.7 tundra and they are just bulletproof. But I did like the idea of bumping up to a bigger Crew Cab with long bed and 2500 setup.

I read a lot about lifter problems and other issues too. Even Ram flat out denying warranty on bone stock trucks. Scary. I dont "need" to buy the truck, so Im happy to hold off if they are a bad idea right now.

I absolutely HATE any kind of start/stop technology, cylinder deactivation, etc etc etc. Never had any of those things and would like to keep it that way. Apparently the 2024s have the MDS and it can't really be deactivated permanently? I don't want to install any kind of aftermarket parts or risk voiding warranty. I know some people just use the "manual shift" option to get it out of the eco mode MDS but that's every single time they start the vehicle. I hate that idea.

But besides the MDS non-sense, is this motor problematic?

 

[rzr6-4]

Bulletproof? No, nothing is. While 'yotas are known for reliability, considering they just had to recall like 200k tundras for bad motors, they certainly aren't perfect either.

Hemis are known for the manifold and lifter issues. Manifold, really not a big deal, just annoying. Lifters, I personally know one person that's had to do them, and he drives a Chevy, lol.

If you like it and the price is right, just do it. The issues are blown way out of proportion, and even then, every brand has some systemic issue(s) especially post 'rona, so you aren't "safe" no matter where you go.

 

[Scottly]

I had three Tundras. All great quality. IMO, as a Ram owner, you are downgrading going to that Ram. Sorry to say that....But I bought the Ram because of the diesel. If I were still doing gas engine trucks, Ram is the last thing on my list..The faithful will hang me for that........

 

[Scottly]

Bulletproof? No, nothing is. While 'yotas are known for reliability, considering they just had to recall like 200k tundras for bad motors, they certainly aren't perfect either.

Nope, they're not perfect...Not when you leave machining swarf in the block That new turbo V6 is giving them fits. The earlier 5.7s didn't have that issue...or really any other issues.

 

[stevenP]

I dont have a gas powered pickup. But compared to your yota, the hemi is going to be a bit more thirsty, isnt it?

 

[repsolracer22]

I dont have a gas powered pickup. But compared to your yota, the hemi is going to be a bit more thirsty, isnt it?

The 5.7 tundra V8 isnt great on gas. Around town, maybe 13-14mpg. 100% highway @ 65mph maybe 18-19 tops. That's not towing of course.

The hemi 6.4 gas I think is about the same. Again, not towing anything and driving easy (which I do).

I was more or less trying to just "reset" with a brand new truck and a fresh 5yr warranty. But Ive read some horror stories online about Ram not covering things under warranty, especially motor related (gas AND diesel) OR just taking 6 months with someone's vehicle and not providing loaner. So I just don't wanna get screwed.

 

[repsolracer22]

Nope, they're not perfect...Not when you leave machining swarf in the block That new turbo V6 is giving them fits. The earlier 5.7s didn't have that issue...or really any other issues.

Yeah that's why Im considering keeping the Toyota. Its the last year (2021) of the naturally aspirated v8. The motor has been around for a long time and it really is super reliable and essentially has no issues to speak of. Transmission included.

 

[repsolracer22]

I had three Tundras. All great quality. IMO, as a Ram owner, you are downgrading going to that Ram. Sorry to say that....But I bought the Ram because of the diesel. If I were still doing gas engine trucks, Ram is the last thing on my list..The faithful will hang me for that........

Tell me more

 

[Scottly]

Tell me more

I'm not gonna make this a Ram bashing thread...I own one, so there is in my mind some positive redeeming value to some of their products. If I owned a Hemi (5.7, 6.4, etc) and I found out it could have lifter issues, I'd refer to the thread on here about lubricants and how to possibly prevent that...Some people in here did a lot of work to provide that information. But.....If I did not own one yet, and I had a good understanding that this issue has plagued MANY of these engines as they age, I wouldn't look for a solution, I just wouldn't buy it. Exhaust manifold warpage...Another reason not to buy it. If the manufacturer actively sought to solve the issue, maybe I'd think about it...But instead, they never really fixed it. Toyota...I remember the early 4.6 V8s (1999-2000) blowing cranks because they had oiling issues. They sent engineers out into the field to examine them and solved that problem pronto. Toyota's current turbo v6 problem? They recalled those to replace the engines....Voluntarily. You see, every brand has it's issues...But I place value in how that brand reacts to the issue. ANd when I purchased my brandy new 2003 1500 sport truck with a 5.7 and it started ticking at 35K, they blew me off and said, "Yea, you have a noise, but we don't know what it is and we're not gonna shotgun parts at it", as I insisted at the time it was a noisy lifter. I sold it and never looked back. Sorry to the loyalists, but no Ram gas engines for me.

 

[White six four]

136k on my 6.4 and no problems knock on wood. Had to replace the map sensor $35 oem part and that's it besides basic maintenance.

Just my opinion but if you come on a forum or the internet in general you will likely get talked into buying a vehicle someone else wants/wishes to buy or vice versa. Or you'll never buy a vehicle period. Most people dont come on forums to say how awesome their vehicle is. Usually they have a problem and are looking for a fix.

Buy what you want and you like. No sense in worrying about something that possibly will never happen.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Just wanted to reach out to see if there are any real issues with the 6.4 hemi they are using in the Ram 2500s. There are some pretty good deals to be had on them (brand new), but Im hesitant because I have a 2021 Tundra 5.7 with 27k miles and no problems of any kind. This is my second 5.7 tundra and they are just bulletproof. But I did like the idea of bumping up to a bigger Crew Cab with long bed and 2500 setup.

I read a lot about lifter problems and other issues too. Even Ram flat out denying warranty on bone stock trucks. Scary. I dont "need" to buy the truck, so Im happy to hold off if they are a bad idea right now.

I absolutely HATE any kind of start/stop technology, cylinder deactivation, etc etc etc. Never had any of those things and would like to keep it that way. Apparently the 2024s have the MDS and it can't really be deactivated permanently? I don't want to install any kind of aftermarket parts or risk voiding warranty. I know some people just use the "manual shift" option to get it out of the eco mode MDS but that's every single time they start the vehicle. I hate that idea.

But besides the MDS non-sense, is this motor problematic?

Most of the lifter issues I heard about are with the 5.7 Hemi, not the 6.4. That being said, because you don't want to go the aftermarket route (and I didn't either) the only way to override the MDS is with the ERC shifter every time you start the engine. I have a bone-stock truck. I had one minor issue with the oil pan gasket oozing that originally was diagnosed as a rear main seal. The dealer here fixed it under warranty, and they aren't where I bought the truck.

I also don't like the electrical spaghetti monster of trucks these days, but the govt has the manufacturers by the short hair and they're doing everything they can to up the CAFE standards. That's why there is the 4-cyl MDS mode on the 6.4 Hemi. Something you just have to live with. Luckily, I don't have the Stop/Start BS on mine.

 

[TexHD]

Bought a 2024 Ram 2500 RCLB Tradesman 10 days ago. Love the truck and driving it but at just 400 miles it’s leaking oil on my driveway. It’s dripping off of the transmission case but it’s definitely oil, leaking somewhere above and running down. Wiped it off several times but it comes back. Took it to the dealer and they gave me loaner to drive while they fix it. I’m sure it’s just a bad gasket, pinched or something. I’ll be updating when I find out.

Other than that I don’t care for the MDS cylinder shut off system. From my understanding, heavy duty trucks aren’t included in the government mpg standards so they should have left it off of the HD trucks. I’ve seen where some have tested it off and then on with over time and multiple fills and they saved 0.3 mpg. Big deal for Stellantis fleet wide, not so much for an individual.

I’ll say it’s the best looking truck on the market.

 

[2003F350]

To the OP, I had a '17 2500 Power Wagon, 6.4, 6 speed trans. It was the single most trouble-free vehicle I had owned up to that point, and the only real issue I had was when the MAP went bad and no one could figure it out. I ran Mobil 1 in it from its first oil change until I traded it in and had precisely zero lifter issues (it supposedly doesn't meet Ram's spec, but frankly I never had issues), and I never had the manifold issue that some people have had. I put somewhere around 110, on that truck in 5 years.

It's a good motor, the 8 speed gives it better mileage than I ever got (at best I could get 17 on rural roads). One must remember that most of the time, the 'common issues' a vehicle has is limited to something like less than 10% of all of those vehicles on the road. It's not always the case (Ford 6.0's will blow their IPC sensor at about 105k, GM 700R4's of the early 90's will grenade the reverse sungear at about 120k), but it's pretty typical.

 

[repsolracer22]

Bought a 2024 Ram 2500 RCLB Tradesman 10 days ago. Love the truck and driving it but at just 400 miles it’s leaking oil on my driveway. It’s dripping off of the transmission case but it’s definitely oil, leaking somewhere above and running down. Wiped it off several times but it comes back. Took it to the dealer and they gave me loaner to drive while they fix it. I’m sure it’s just a bad gasket, pinched or something. I’ll be updating when I find out.

Other than that I don’t care for the MDS cylinder shut off system. From my understanding, heavy duty trucks aren’t included in the government mpg standards so they should have left it off of the HD trucks. I’ve seen where some have tested it off and then on with over time and multiple fills and they saved 0.3 mpg. Big deal for Stellantis fleet wide, not so much for an individual.

I’ll say it’s the best looking truck on the market.

View attachment 551846

View attachment 551842View attachment 551843

DAAAMMMNN!

 

[Riccochet]

Just over 44K miles on my 2020 2500 6.4, zero issues with it so far. She's thirsty if you drive it like you stole, like anything will be. As others mentioned I get around 13-14 in city and about 18-19 highway. Towing I get 9-10 towing my RV and maybe 12-13 towing my bass boat.

Keep up with the maintenance, oil change every 5k. I disable MDS every time I drive it. And don't let it idle for extended periods. You should be fine.

 

[NevadaNick]

55k on my 2022 with 0 issues, at my last job had a 2018 and when i left it was close to 180k and 0 issues.

 

[Docwagon1776]

In no particular order:

1) MDS isn't a big deal. You may feel a little rumbling at certain speeds but otherwise it's pretty invisible.
2) No stop/start on 2500s
3) The 6.4L is fine.
4) You'll have to *really* baby it to get 18-19 highway consistently. It's possible if it's very flat, summer gas, no headwind, and no fat chicks. 15-17 is more likely, though.

Personally, I don't get the logic behind buying a new vehicle for the warranty. Acquisition costs are nearly always more than just fixing what you have when it breaks. Purchase price, sales tax, registration fees, etc. If you want a new truck just to have a new truck or for some new functionality, great, but to stay in warranty? Keep your known good vehicle. *Any* new purchase is a crap shoot these days.

 

[Ratman6161]

Just wanted to reach out to see if there are any real issues with the 6.4 hemi they are using in the Ram 2500s. There are some pretty good deals to be had on them (brand new), but Im hesitant because I have a 2021 Tundra 5.7 with 27k miles and no problems of any kind. This is my second 5.7 tundra and they are just bulletproof. But I did like the idea of bumping up to a bigger Crew Cab with long bed and 2500 setup.

I read a lot about lifter problems and other issues too. Even Ram flat out denying warranty on bone stock trucks. Scary. I dont "need" to buy the truck, so Im happy to hold off if they are a bad idea right now.

I absolutely HATE any kind of start/stop technology, cylinder deactivation, etc etc etc. Never had any of those things and would like to keep it that way. Apparently the 2024s have the MDS and it can't really be deactivated permanently? I don't want to install any kind of aftermarket parts or risk voiding warranty. I know some people just use the "manual shift" option to get it out of the eco mode MDS but that's every single time they start the vehicle. I hate that idea.

But besides the MDS non-sense, is this motor problematic?

So...what are you towing? I have owned : Nissan Frontier AND GMC Canyon Midsize, GMC Sierra 1500 and now 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4. Your Tundra is a 1/2 ton, i.e. 1500. As far as ease of use in daily driving, getting into the garage or parking spaces etc, as my trucks got bigger, the ease of daily use got worse. The mid sized were easiest to live with. My 2500 much less so and I've got the short bed, not long like you are talking about. The ride quality is also very noticeably worse than the mid size or half ton. I put up with these down sides because I tow a travel trailer where i need the much larger payload (my Sierra 1500 was 1650# vs my Ram 2500 at 2939 pounds). About 75% of all the miles on my truck have been towing that trailer so this is a very worthwhile tradeoff for me. That's why I ask, what are you towing? I wouldn't want this truck for mostly. On towing duty or towing lighter trailers that don't require it.

You talk about start-stop and MDS in the same breath. They are not the same thing. The 2500 with 6.4 dos not have start-stop. it does have MDS which is Ram's name for cylindar deactivation i.e. will run in 4 cylinder mode under some circumstances. This can be turned off by either putting it in tow/haul mode or pressing the - button for the shift limiter function, then clicking it up to 8 if needed. Since I'm towing and in tow/haul 75% of the time, I don't see MDS much. When I do have it come on, I would never know if I didn't see the little green light on the dash. If it bothers you I'd suggest a piece of black tape to cover the light

I love my Ram, but if you don't have a job that requires a 2500 I'd reccomend sticking with the Tundra (or a different 1500).

 

[crazy jerry]

nearly every lifter thread i see is about the 5.7

 

[Scottly]

4) You'll have to *really* baby it to get 18-19 highway consistently. It's possible if it's very flat, summer gas, no headwind, and no fat chicks. 15-17 is more likely, though.

You solved my problem, Doc. I live in Florida which is flat, and it's always summer here. My mileage sucks....So Imma get rid of that broad today. I knew it looked like she was gaining weight...