Bought a 2018 2500 Hemi

[Tanman_2006]

Got tired of diesels and no local dealers had a chevy 6.0. I have had a duramax since 2010, 5 in all. The next town over had one 6.4 Hemi equipped 2500 on the lot. So now I own my first Dodge/Ram truck.



2018 2500 Tradesman 6.4 Hemi offroad 4x4. The 2 things that I wasnt crazy about are the 3.73's and the chrome clad wheels.



My old truck 2013 Chevy cab and chassis dually. By the time I traded it in at 180k miles it had more time and money under the hood than I got for trade value lol ouch that hurt.

I will try to ask questions about the mods to get this truck exactly how I want it on this thread.

 

[mtnrider]

So what are your plans for the hemi? I hope it's not towing that gooseneck full of bale's around? Lol.
Never been a fan of the Chevy diesel, cummins is the only way to go for that.

.

 

[Hd74ica]

Welcome and good looking Ram. Lots of snow, where are you located ?

 

[MADDOG]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to RamForum.

 

[McBroom]

Welcome Aboard from Denison Texas
We’re glad you joined us in both a Ram and Ram Forum. I recommend that you look at Matt @moesperformance and Nick @gotexhaust
They’re both preferred vendor here and super cool guys.
Their customer service is superb to say the least.
I know both of them personally and they sell what they use. So if it’s junk then it’s not on their interwebs.


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

 

[hotkarl]

Looks like you got the off-road package, so even though its got 3.73's, you do get the lsd with that package so that's a plus. I just bought a similar truck. Picking it up mid week. Hopefully we'll both have good luck with them!

 

[Tanman_2006]

So what are your plans for the hemi? I hope it's not towing that gooseneck full of bale's around? Lol.
Never been a fan of the Chevy diesel, cummins is the only way to go for that.

.

My dads '15 cummins is in the shop all the time and gets 8mpg without a trailer. My duramax got 8mpg grossing over 30k. Never really had a problem with the engine itself, but I can't leave well enough alone. It could move good for a truck that weighed 12k.

I have been hauling hay with my 454 and 6.5. I don't have a ball in the Ram yet but it will be hauling horses and show cattle mostly.

Welcome and good looking Ram. Lots of snow, where are you located ?

No, that was the first good snow since 2013.

 

[hotkarl]

My dads '15 cummins is in the shop all the time and gets 8mpg without a trailer. My duramax got 8mpg grossing over 30k. Never really had a problem with the engine itself, but I can't leave well enough alone. It could move good for a truck that weighed 12k.

I have been hauling hay with my 454 and 6.5. I don't have a ball in the Ram yet but it will be hauling horses and show cattle mostly.



No, that was the first good snow since 2013.

Good snow? Is there such a thing?
LOL. I guess if you like skiing and have a plow business.

 

[Tanman_2006]

Looks like you got the off-road package, so even though its got 3.73's, you do get the lsd with that package so that's a plus. I just bought a similar truck. Picking it up mid week. Hopefully we'll both have good luck with them!

I'd really like to get 4.56's but with my 5yr 100k I want to keep that intact. I drive the truck in 5th because it is always hunts for gears. So far that raised my mpg by 1mpg.

 

[Tanman_2006]

Good snow? Is there such a thing?
LOL. I guess if you like skiing and have a plow business.

We like a heavy snow occasionally. Its great for wheat and spring grasses. It was 8" and it all melted in 24hrs.

 

[hotkarl]

I think you'll be fine. I hear stories about crazy towing and pulling with the 3.73's with no major problems.
There's plenty of debates and war stories on the web regarding the 6.4 and the 3.73 vs 4.10.

 

[ggrimm01]

Glad you have joined the site. I have the same truck and really enjoy it. If you decide to put a gooseneck ball in I installed a B&W in mine. It took about 3 to 4 hours in an afternoon. Pulls great.

 

[Tanman_2006]

I know it will tow. My dad has a '12 5.7 hemi 2500 has done decent but they hunt gears alot unloaded.

The salesman tried telling me that 3.73 was better for towing, I showed him the tow rating with 4.10's that was 3k higher and he stopped arguing. I'm not saying the 3.73's can't do the job and I've never been stopped and had my tow rating checked, I just want the best set up for a work truck as I can get. I figured worst case scenario I would just lock it in 4th gear with a trailer.

 

[Tanman_2006]

Glad you have joined the site. I have the same truck and really enjoy it. If you decide to put a gooseneck ball in I installed a B&W in mine. It took about 3 to 4 hours in an afternoon. Pulls great.

That is what I plan to do. The local accessory shop stopped doing bed liners. Once I get a shop to spray it I will cut the hole and install the ball.

 

[Bubba5154]

That is what I plan to do. The local accessory shop stopped doing bed liners. Once I get a shop to spray it I will cut the hole and install the ball.

I got the Big Horn setup so mine came with spray in bed liner and pre-cut holes. Would it be better to cut the holes then have the bed liner sprayed? Once you cut the holes the metal would be bare unless you intend on throwing on some type of paint/sealant. Just wondering...

 

[mboymopar]

Congratulations on your 6.4, welcome to the site.

 

[68PowerWagon]

I know it will tow. My dad has a '12 5.7 hemi 2500 has done decent but they hunt gears alot unloaded.

The salesman tried telling me that 3.73 was better for towing, I showed him the tow rating with 4.10's that was 3k higher and he stopped arguing. I'm not saying the 3.73's can't do the job and I've never been stopped and had my tow rating checked, I just want the best set up for a work truck as I can get. I figured worst case scenario I would just lock it in 4th gear with a trailer.

Most salesman have no clue. I don't think I have ever bought a new vehicle where I didn't know more about the vehicle than the salesman. With that being said, yes you can do some real towing with just the 3.73's. There is a guy on here that runs Hot Shot Loads with his 6.4/3.73's & does just fine. He has a 2016 with well over 200,000 on it with no actual major repairs. It will be interesting to see how the new 8 speed tranny does with the available gears. The 4.10's or 4.55's still might be the better match.

 

[Ratket]

You can have a dealer do a gear swap and keep that warranty intact. It’s just costs a ton. There is a guy on here that did 4:30,4:44,or 4:88, via dealer I can’t remember. But it ran him like 4-6k?
There a ton of gear swap threads on here, hands down best bang for the buck. Welcome to the Fam, keep us posted.

 

[Tanman_2006]

I got the Big Horn setup so mine came with spray in bed liner and pre-cut holes. Would it be better to cut the holes then have the bed liner sprayed? Once you cut the holes the metal would be bare unless you intend on throwing on some type of paint/sealant. Just wondering...

My thoughts are install the hitch myself, grind the rough edges, quick shot of rattle can primer, then take it in for a liner.

 

[Tanman_2006]

Most salesman have no clue. I don't think I have ever bought a new vehicle where I didn't know more about the vehicle than the salesman. With that being said, yes you can do some real towing with just the 3.73's. There is a guy on here that runs Hot Shot Loads with his 6.4/3.73's & does just fine. He has a 2016 with well over 200,000 on it with no actual major repairs. It will be interesting to see how the new 8 speed tranny does with the available gears. The 4.10's or 4.55's still might be the better match.

I used to run hot shot loads. No thanks! Lol

4.10s would allow the trans to hold 5th towing and 4.56's should catch 6th towing on stock tires. Thats just in theory.

I am definitely going to try the 3.73s for awhile.