Considering a new truck

[LOFSFIRE]

It really depends on what you want out of the truck. A 2500 would do much better for towing and in all honesty the difference in fuel economy isn't drastic. When it comes to the 6.4L Hemi it does have drawbacks. It doesnt handle boost well if you think you're going to want to super charge or turbo charge it later, if you do alot of idling it doesnt like it (I recommend upgrading the oil pump to the Hellcat pump to fix this issue). When it comes to the e-Torque is its an expensive option with little gains (slight improvement in fuel economy and slight improvement in power). As for Diesel, it really depends on how long you want to keep the truck. Diesel's do have higher cost for maintenance but on the flip side they last longer. My 2004 Ram 3500 is over 403,000 Miles (650,000 Km) and still runs like new. While yes this is a different motor than a modern Diesel (5.9L as opposed to a 6.7L). The fuel economy isnt too bad either I get roughly 20 MPG without towing and a mild tune, from what one of my friends says with his 2016 Ram 3500 with the 6.7 his fuel economy is a bit better than mine but his is deleted and tuned as well. Personally im not a fan of the Ford trucks but again that's personal opinion. I guess what I'm trying to say with all this is go with what makes you and your wallet happy but just dont go Ford (kidding)

No plans to do big mods to the truck. So the 6.4 would work for me. I have read that about the oil pumps...

As far as Diesel, If it were pre DEF I would already have the truck... To many issues thanks to the government.

 

[Tulecreeper]

It really depends on what you want out of the truck. A 2500 would do much better for towing and in all honesty the difference in fuel economy isn't drastic. When it comes to the 6.4L Hemi it does have drawbacks. It doesnt handle boost well if you think you're going to want to super charge or turbo charge it later, if you do alot of idling it doesnt like it (I recommend upgrading the oil pump to the Hellcat pump to fix this issue). When it comes to the e-Torque is its an expensive option with little gains (slight improvement in fuel economy and slight improvement in power). As for Diesel, it really depends on how long you want to keep the truck. Diesel's do have higher cost for maintenance but on the flip side they last longer. My 2004 Ram 3500 is over 403,000 Miles (650,000 Km) and still runs like new. While yes this is a different motor than a modern Diesel (5.9L as opposed to a 6.7L). The fuel economy isnt too bad either I get roughly 20 MPG without towing and a mild tune, from what one of my friends says with his 2016 Ram 3500 with the 6.7 his fuel economy is a bit better than mine but his is deleted and tuned as well. When it comes to sitting alot, my truck for the most part sits during the summer months as I want to drive my car while I can. I do start it once a week and let it high idle for about 25 min just to keep the fluids moving and it hasn't had a problem with it yet. It was a work truck all it's life in the Oilfields until I left 2 years ago and went into commercial construction. Personally im not a fan of the Ford trucks but again that's personal opinion. I guess what I'm trying to say with all this is go with what makes you and your wallet happy but just dont go Ford (kidding)

These modern diesel engines need to be used to get the longest life out of them. My 6.4 is my daily driver, but since there is nowhere I need to go daily there have been times it has just sat for most of a week without moving. I put an average of about 350 miles a month on it. And you have to get the diesels up to highway speed on a regular basis for at least 15 - 20 minutes for that particulate thing to do it's business. I toyed with the idea of the 6.7 when I bought this one last year, but with the driving requirements it has I would have killed it by now. Plus it would have knocked almost 1000 pounds of my cargo capacity and that and the towing capacity are what I bought it for.

 

[heavymetalmopar]

No plans to do big mods to the truck. So the 6.4 would work for me. I have read that about the oil pumps...

As far as Diesel, If it were pre DEF I would already have the truck... To many issues thanks to the government.

My 6.4L Challenger will be getting the Hellcat oil pump in the next few weeks because of that issue. Yea the government ruins everything.

 

[heavymetalmopar]

These modern diesel engines need to be used to get the longest life out of them. My 6.4 is my daily driver, but since there is nowhere I need to go daily there have been times it has just sat for most of a week without moving. I put an average of about 350 miles a month on it. And you have to get the diesels up to highway speed on a regular basis for at least 15 - 20 minutes for that particulate thing to do it's business. I toyed with the idea of the 6.7 when I bought this one last year, but with the driving requirements it has I would have killed it by now. Plus it would have knocked almost 1000 pounds of my cargo capacity and that and the towing capacity are what I bought it for.

Very true when it comes to the DPF/DEF systems and needing to run them up to highways speeds for them to do their burn. Only reason I get away with it is because my truck is pre-emissions. My 5.9L doesnt have these systems to worry about. I'm not knocking the 6.4L it may have an oiling issue (all the Gen 3 Hemi's do) but it is a good motor provided you dont idle much. Vancouver traffic sucks so I'm defintely upgrading my oil pump

 

[Tulecreeper]

Very true when it comes to the DPF/DEF systems and needing to run them up to highways speeds for them to do their burn. Only reason I get away with it is because my truck is pre-emissions. My 5.9L doesnt have these systems to worry about. I'm not knocking the 6.4L it may have an oiling issue (all the Gen 3 Hemi's do) but it is a good motor provided you dont idle much. Vancouver traffic sucks so I'm defintely upgrading my oil pump

I've had mine sitting idling for an hour or so with the A/C on several times, waiting for the wife at the doctor or in the store when it was 100 F. outside. Haven't had any issues.

 

[ppine]

A fancy 1/2 ton costs almost the same as a 2500 diesel. I drove an F-350 diesel as a daily driver for 20 years. Now I have a Ram 2500 diesel. I love these trucks. They do everything well. They get good mileage. They are quiet and easy to drive. Do what you want, but I can't see the attraction of a 1/2 ton truck.