Benefit of 8 speed?

[Buttyman]

I see people considering trading up for a 5th generation truck because of the 8 speed. What is the advantage of the 8 speed? I like my 2018 and don't really have any complaints about the transmission.

 

[Sandevino]

The ratios for both transmissions are below.

Aligning the ratios shows the 8-speed has better gearing down low for towing and hauling and nearly equal direct and over-drive ratios.

Both trucks are comparably equipped aside from the transmissions
6.4L Hemi / 3.73 axle ratio / 33" tires / 4x4

The attached transmission mappings are based on the ratios above and theoretical max speeds - clearly no RAM will ever see north of 160mph, but I digress...

 

[olyelr]

I see people considering trading up for a 5th generation truck because of the 8 speed. What is the advantage of the 8 speed? I like my 2018 and don't really have any complaints about the transmission.

My guess is you haven't driven an 8 speed...and if you like your truck and dont mind the trans, then dont drive one!

 

[62Blazer]

I drove several of the new 8-speeds before settling on buying a used 2016 with the 6-speed. The 8-speed is nice transmission and I thought there was a noticeable increase in acceleration and seat of the pants performance with the 8-speed, and probably would be more noticeable when towing. On the 8-speed 1st gear is a lot lower giving you more torque at take off, and then the closer spacing of the gears allows the engine to stay in it's powerband better between shifts....the engine doesn't have to try to rev back up in between each shift and keeps it in the sweet spot more. With that said I chose a super clean 2016 with 26k miles on it because it was $20,000 cheaper out the door........do I think the 8-speed is better than the 6-speed....definitely yes. Do I think it was $20,000 better....definitely no (IMHO).

 

[Sandevino]

$20k will buy a lot of fuel and beer. Given the same option, I would have gone the way you did.

 

[Travelin Ram]

I shopped the HD Rams every couple of years, and always came away from the six speed test drives underwhelmed. SOTP dyno did not feel like the published numbers.
Test drove an 8 speed last winter, and here I am.

Five months into it I’m still happy with the performance. She’s a big girl, but she can dance!

 

[Mace Peveler]

$20k will buy a lot of fuel and beer. Given the same option, I would have gone the way you did.

*fuel, beer and bullets

 

[Sandevino]

*fuel, beer and bullets

Hahaha... I’ve got more than enough bullets.

 

[Trailmaker]

I see people considering trading up for a 5th generation truck because of the 8 speed. What is the advantage of the 8 speed? I like my 2018 and don't really have any complaints about the transmission.

4 wheel burn outs!!!

low grunt little to no issues with msds vibrations

they run the bigger tires earlier.

great combo with the 4.10s

 

[powerwagondoncare]

Not sure, had my '19 wagon in the shop because it would shift when flooring it at 75. Stayed at 3200 rpm and slowed down, not cool on the freeway. They reflashed it, and it smoother but I don't think this is the end of the problem

 

[Breaker Alex]

Not sure, had my '19 wagon in the shop because it would shift when flooring it at 75. Stayed at 3200 rpm and slowed down, not cool on the freeway. They reflashed it, and it smoother but I don't think this is the end of the problem

Same thing happened to me.
Turns out it was the "Tow/Haul" fonction.
Edit: Happened with the PowerWagon.

It make it seems like the engine is dying out.

"Tow/Haul" is not good in snow.
It cuts any wild driving like going up a snowy hill with a trailer, spinning tires.
( Happened with a 2017 1500 outdoorsman with 8 speeds)

And both these times, the abs fuse was removed.

Keep us posted!

 

[fast ed]

I thought all 1500 in 2018 has a 8 speed. Mine does

 

[turkeybird56]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Looks like he has the 6.4 motor, possible 2500. I did hear the 2500's R now coming with the 8 speed. Better shifting and performance, but a PITA come service time (8 speed).

 

[Breaker Alex]

I thought all 1500 in 2018 has a 8 speed. Mine does

This tread is about PowerWagons.

They only started to have a 8 speed in 2500/3500 with the 6.4 Hemi in 2019
Aka gen 5

In the HD serie, that 8 speed made quite a improvement over to the former 6 speed

So we're a bunch of guys who try to coax other guys to spend more money.

 

[Sandevino]

So we're a bunch of guys who try to coax other guys to spend more money.

We're guys. It's one of the bylaws of club membership.

 

[Eazyrider711]

The ratios for both transmissions are below.

Aligning the ratios shows the 8-speed has better gearing down low for towing and hauling and nearly equal direct and over-drive ratios.

Both trucks are comparably equipped aside from the transmissions
6.4L Hemi / 3.73 axle ratio / 33" tires / 4x4

The attached transmission mappings are based on the ratios above and theoretical max speeds - clearly no RAM will ever see north of 160mph, but I digress...

Great info here, thank you. I thought the new ones came with 4:10 diff standard. That may adjust some of your results, but I think the general conclusion remains the same.

 

[62Blazer]

I shopped the HD Rams every couple of years, and always came away from the six speed test drives underwhelmed. SOTP dyno did not feel like the published numbers.
Test drove an 8 speed last winter, and here I am.

Five months into it I’m still happy with the performance. She’s a big girl, but she can dance!

I agree that the SOTP performance on many new cars does not the power numbers on paper when you compare them to older cars. It's the torque management, electronic throttle control, and ECM tuning overall. That's why items like the pedal commander are so popular and seem to make a difference....it doesn't actual increase the overall power it just takes away the delay and the ECM deciding if it will really give you full throttle/power.

 

[dexter]

The ratios for both transmissions are below.

Aligning the ratios shows the 8-speed has better gearing down low for towing and hauling and nearly equal direct and over-drive ratios.

Both trucks are comparably equipped aside from the transmissions
6.4L Hemi / 3.73 axle ratio / 33" tires / 4x4

The attached transmission mappings are based on the ratios above and theoretical max speeds - clearly no RAM will ever see north of 160mph, but I digress...

Excellent information.

I have the 6 speed and tow a TT often & in the mountains.

I think people like the 8 speed better because it feels better taking off from a full stop.

I wouldn't trade/buy new just for the extra 2 gears.

If someone wants to get that feeling and have 3.23 gears they can go to 4.10 instead of a new truck.

 

[Sandevino]

Great info here, thank you. I thought the new ones came with 4:10 diff standard. That may adjust some of your results, but I think the general conclusion remains the same.

Thanks...! I ordered mine with 3.73's

 

[olyelr]

Excellent information.

I have the 6 speed and tow a TT often & in the mountains.

I think people like the 8 speed better because it feels better taking off from a full stop.

I wouldn't trade/buy new just for the extra 2 gears.

If someone wants to get that feeling and have 3.23 gears they can go to 4.10 instead of a new truck.

My power wagon has 4.10 gears. It sucks. Regearing would certainly be helpfull...but it will never mimic an 8 speed trans.