hello all..... helpful advice needed

[Jon NC]

My two bits:

My last four new trucks have been Dodge / Ram 1500 4x4 hemi. I am SOLD on the hemi engine. I also have an F150 SuperCrew bought 18 years ago. Good truck.

The hemi: I have always got 18 mpg or better OVERALL gas mileage. Mostly highway miles. And when I need to pull a trailer load (cargo trailer overloaded with band equipment, 14' utility flatbed for general stuff i.e. mowers, UTV, mulch, materials) I have all the power I could want. I have never done any work other than maintenance on any of these trucks and I drive them for 100k to 130k before replacing. Reliability just doesn't get better.

After three quad cabs, my newest Ram is a crew cab. I only bought that because I could not get a new Ram with the classic (not e-Torq) hemi engine. I did not want a new gadget-laden engine and do not regret that decision at all. I worried that I would miss the extra room in the shorter crew cab bed, but actually I haven't, mostly because I have a utility trailer if I need extra room for hauling.

Price - reliability - performance - I don't think you can beat the Ram/hemi. It's not as plush as the others, but dude, it's a truck! And I don't feel the need to pay extra for heated toe cushions or an HDTV in the glove box. It has what I need in a truck.

Enjoy!

Tom

Now I'd say that is an endorsement !!
I don't need plush.....
I avoid new and improved (unproven headaches IMO) gadgets....

Are you a salesman?
You should be....

 

[Jon NC]

I just traded in my 2021 Ram1500 Pentastar. I loved it, but am moving to a 3400 lb slide-in camper. To be honest, I'm not sure about the 6-cylinder in the 1500. I averaged just about 20-22 mpg, driving like an old man - which I am - mostly within a 50 mile radius of my home. In the winter, here in Wisconsin, that average would drop down to about 17.5. It had the "shift point" adjustment button and I tried it both with high rpm (higher shift points) and low. In my case, the lower seemed to give better mileage. I should add, it was an Eco version with the psuedo-hybrid electric drive feature.

I never carried huge loads, it was usually just me and my service dog, and it did do its best mpg on long highway drives. Is this better than the V8? I've no idea since I'm not sure how accurate anyone's claims are. I did all mine the old fashioned way, paper and pencil, over three years.

Like you, I'm not trying to start anything. Just relating my own experience. I have a nagging suspicion that a V8 might have been more economical, but that may just be the result of me reading a bunch of false claims.

Thanx for your response.... At times I do overload my truck, but ONLY if I'm close to home and take it easy till I get home- within 10 miles at MOST, usually less than 5 out in the stix hauling firewood. That's how my 02 has lasted 20 years and 220,000 miles. Just as soon as Im sold on a Hemi, I see a write up on the 6 ---- as soon as Im sold on the 6 - here is a story that draws me to the Hemi

Indecision clouds my vision....like everyone has said - need to test drive them....

 

[Jon NC]

View attachment 571496

That would be nice.....what did you do, drive all downhill from the top of Mt Mitchell?

 

[Cmz2800]

Hi ya ol’ timer lol
So one thing I either overlooked or you forgot to mention: are you in any kind of budget? Any new, crew cab ram will be upwards of $35k (if you work up a good deal [towards the end of the month they offer the best prices]) should be an average for a v6 crew cab lonestar. Don’t get discouraged by seeing a $56k msrp on the truck you like. With incentives and dealer markups it climbs real quick, but if you go on the last week of the month, and you do a bit of homework, you can get like $15k off some of these half ton trucks.

 

[Jon NC]

Hi ya ol’ timer lol
So one thing I either overlooked or you forgot to mention: are you in any kind of budget? Any new, crew cab ram will be upwards of $35k (if you work up a good deal [towards the end of the month they offer the best prices]) should be an average for a v6 crew cab lonestar. Don’t get discouraged by seeing a $56k msrp on the truck you like. With incentives and dealer markups it climbs real quick, but if you go on the last week of the month, and you do a bit of homework, you can get like $15k off some of these half ton trucks.

I experienced that very thing at a Mazda dealership recently - last day of the month......got a really good deal

Since that absorbed a stack of $$, yes, Im on a budget - right now, after sinking $60000 on the Mazda and home repair - its $ 0

But when the time comes , 25, 30 at the most .... depends....if the deal is just too good to pass up -- 35

Old timer ? I work with another nurse that calls me 'young 'un" - even though she is 4 years younger than me

Ive been called worse .....

 

[Cmz2800]

I experienced that very thing at a Mazda dealership recently - last day of the month......got a really good deal

Since that absorbed a stack of $$, yes, Im on a budget - right now, after sinking $60000 on the Mazda and home repair - its $ 0

But when the time comes , 25, 30 at the most .... depends....if the deal is just too good to pass up -- 35

Old timer ? I work with another nurse that calls me 'young 'un" - even though she is 4 years younger than me

Ive been called worse .....

If you’re paying cash your best bet will probably be like a 2020-2022. As a v6 you can probably find something real good in the low 20’s.

 

[Jon NC]

If you’re paying cash your best bet will probably be like a 2020-2022. As a v6 you can probably find something real good in the low 20’s.

Yessir ..... your thoughts on eTorque?

I usually try to hang onto my vehicles as long as they last.....my fear is...... after a while, if ANYTHING goes wrong with that system.......

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ down the tubes .......for minimal benefit, at best

I watched a you tube video that just sung the praises of it....It did a good job of explaining its 6 features.....but that wouldn't pay a repair bill....

Maybe I've just done too we'll for too long without the fancy stuff....

 

[Yardbird]

That would be nice.....what did you do, drive all downhill from the top of Mt Mitchell?

West on 40 from Catawba county up Black Mtn, out 19-23 until I got on 64 west to Cleveland, Tn.

Stopped off in Chattanooga, then went on to Ft Payne, Ala. Rented a house on top of what they call mountains there.

Spent a week there running around to all the parks and things to see there, up and down mountains. In between, went back to Chattanooga to Lookout Mtn and back to Ft Payne.

Came back home the same way as I went out. I reset the trip meter to zero when I left home, so that is that trip there and back and how many hours the truck was running.

I get better mileage on side roads than interstate. Trying to push the tall square truck at 75 or more takes gas. If you run interstate a lot at 75 plus mph, a Hemi will push the truck through the air much better.

I went to Florida and back on I-95 last year, and trying to keep up with traffic pushed the gas mileage down a few mpgs.

I've had this truck all over the mountains. My profile picture is me coming off "The Dragon". I had no problem climbing it, or any other mountain in that area, and there are some big ones. I go to Beech Mtn fairly regular with no problem.

For me, I like the V-6, but different people like/need different things. Drive both and decide. You may like the Hemi much better. I may have gotten one if I didn't have the V-10 truck to do any heavy work.

 

[turkeybird56]

Yessir ..... your thoughts on eTorque?

I usually try to hang onto my vehicles as long as they last.....my fear is...... after a while, if ANYTHING goes wrong with that system.......

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ down the tubes .......for minimal benefit, at best

I watched a you tube video that just sung the praises of it....It did a good job of explaining its 6 features.....but that wouldn't pay a repair bill....

Maybe I've just done too we'll for too long without the fancy stuff....

U find a decent Hemi, non E TQ, jump on it. It will pull hills and valleys more efficiently. I ran through the mountains on I 40 headed east to Charlotte in 2018 when I 1st bought my Hemi (2019, VVT, 5.7L, NO E junkola), and averaged 20-22 mpg. Now, I got heavier tires on the truck and average 20 mpg on a Highway. NOW with Hemi, U gonna suck the gas tank through the floorboard at over 75 mph (mine 70), and will drop to 17-18 mpg or less. But that is the bane of the Hemi. Will run like a scalded critter at higher speeds but U hear that sucking sound, LOL. Reminds me of my 1967 396, LOL.

Biggest thing on Hemi: Good on time MX, not the BS 7500 or 10K they relate, top tier fuel, not Mom and Pop (I run 89 octane also), but 5K oil changes. Good synthetic oil, synth filter and good Air Filter. Rotate tires every 5K too. DO NOT CHEAP out on the MX. Last, try to keep IDLE time down. Just IMHO and my experience.

But your wallet, yer hindsight, research and make a refined decision.

 

[RamDiver]

Will run like a scalded critter at higher speeds but U hear that sucking sound, LOL. Reminds me of my 1967 396, LOL.

LMAO!

Mine feels like a rocket ship during one of the maintenance efforts with a Red Line SI-1 fuel cleaning liftoff.

I call it maintenance to annually dump a jug into the fuel tank and then periodically drive it like I stole it and then change the oil.

I try not to look at the fuel gauge during these activities.

.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I've owned a hemi/6 spd 1500 and rented a pentastar/8 speed 1500 a hand full of times. The 3.6L is adequate, particularly with the 8 speed behind it. Engine braking is lackluster. Fuel economy is better and the hemi asks for 89, though 87 is acceptable. 87 will pull timing earlier though, as proven by live data logging by a user of this site.

It pretty much boils down to if you want more power or want more money left in your pocket. Nothing you are doing mandates a V8 at all. That said, there's something to be said for overkill. I, like you, was hauling bulk mulch last week. With a 2500 it was trivial, my "eco" light was still on, other than the ride being slightly better you'd have no idea 2 yards of mulch were in the back. Not a great justification to daily a 2500, but just saying unless you view vehicles like appliances then just meets-the-minimum-specs isn't always the best call.

 

[Cmz2800]

Yessir ..... your thoughts on eTorque?

I usually try to hang onto my vehicles as long as they last.....my fear is...... after a while, if ANYTHING goes wrong with that system.......

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ down the tubes .......for minimal benefit, at best

I watched a you tube video that just sung the praises of it....It did a good job of explaining its 6 features.....but that wouldn't pay a repair bill....

Maybe I've just done too we'll for too long without the fancy stuff....

Honestly, I really have no clue about anything on etorque. I just read that they will be making the Warlock with the v6 configuration for 2026 in the mid 40’s. So with a good discount you can possibly get a brand new one in the upper 30’s

 

[Jon NC]

That sounds like a decent deal....Thanx!!

 

[Rado]

WELCOME Jon !
FYI I am a Old fart and have a 2015 4x4 SEL Quad Cab with 3:21 gears
6ft bed and V6 Pentastar motor
18/22 MPG about the same as some say their HEMI gets !
Does what I use it for Mainly a Street queen and drive like a old man as I am a old man lol
I have driven a few Hemi's on RAMs from the auto auctions and they are fun and make a nice sound when you hit the gas lol
You will hear some say only a V8 in a truck and a V6 is NG
IMO all depends on what you se the truck for !
Drive what you want and the haters can hate the V6 lol

 

[Jon NC]

WELCOME Jon !
FYI I am a Old fart and have a 2015 4x4 SEL Quad Cab with 3:21 gears
6ft bed and V6 Pentastar motor
18/22 MPG about the same as some say their HEMI gets !
Does what I use it for Mainly a Street queen and drive like a old man as I am a old man lol
I have driven a few Hemi's on RAMs from the auto auctions and they are fun and make a nice sound when you hit the gas lol
You will hear some say only a V8 in a truck and a V6 is NG
IMO all depends on what you se the truck for !
Drive what you want and the haters can hate the V6 lol

Thanx......

They would really hate what I drive

A V6 with only 210 hp

But I've had it for 20 years and I could only hope to find another one that did 1/2 of what its done

 

[Rado]

Nothing wrong with the V6 in a truck depending on use !
I love my Pentastar V6

 

[tbi man]

Hey everyone. Decided to register and ask for your input. I will need to be replacing my old tried and true P'up in the next year or 2.... I am in my late 50's, have worked many construction jobs but have been a nurse for the last 20 years.

I have never owned a Ram/Dodge other than a Chrysler Concord - have never owned Dodge/Ram p'up, but my brother has. He has owned all domestic brands, my Dad is pure Chevy, me ....I plead the 5th. I am not here to bash other brands, and I appreciate conversations that avoid that.

I am here because Ram gives a few options I like. I also like their look, how they drive, etc. I recently had a rental - - 2022 ? with 3.6.

I was surprised and impressed.

To start with, I am leaning towards a full crew cab, (NOT quad) 4x4 with the Pentastar.

The truck I chose will end up with will get mostly highway miles, hardly ever towing anything, but will be used for loading/hauling firewood - our primary source of heat.
In the past, a 3/4 or 1 ton with 8 foot bed would be appropriate, but now that Im next door to 60 years old, it's not so mandatory. Timbrens may come in useful or some aftermarket coils for the back to lessen the sag when fully loaded.

Not looking at new, but one that's used, 2020 or newer.
3.6 quad - not crew- the rental I had - we used it to haul a FULL load of bulk mulch----while it didn't effortlessly fly down the highway - the pentastar was the little engine that could. It did what I wanted. I never go any more than 15 miles with any load..... firewood? I live in the middle of WNC - forests in every direction - we got smashed by Helene - I have a LOT of free firewood within a mile of my front door.

So what am I asking?
While I don't N E E D a Hemi - can you give me valid reason for it? (NO OFFENSE - not here to bash!!) Sure the extra power - but what is REAL WORLD MPG ?) Hemi tick? How can this be prevented ? I do maintain all my vehicles FAITHFULLY - oil changes are NEVER neglected
95% of the time it will be highway miles with no load - - -

Plus many other questions I will think off after signing off - - -
I am not an auto mechanic, but have been around farm equipment growing up and construction equipment for a decade. I know a lot about a little and a little about a lot - and specifically Ram trucks - I know very little.

What would you recommend ? I wish I could get a longer bed, but I do need a back seat for people over 4 foot tall....so I need the full crew cab.

As far as power - I am replacing a 210 hp /240 torque 4x4 that Ive had for 20 years now (not a Ram)..... It's done all I need, and PLEASE give me a nickel for every time it hauled a load of firewood - LOTS of nickels - and towing - and pulling out tree trunks (4 wheel low).

I have a lotta honey do to do today, Ive gotta go - but will check back later to see any advice is shared.

Thanks all in advance - appreciate any and all constructive comments

Great post. Now I don't haul or tow but after owning a hemi Now having the pentastar go for the hemi. I live in upstate New York all hills you will not see much better mpg but with what you're asking the truck to do both will get it done but you will be happier with the hemi. Both my trucks have 3.21 gears my current pentastar has e torque no problem so far fingers crossed. I am just south of 60 as well. Either way good luck i really enjoy these trucks.

 

[turkeybird56]

Thanx......

They would really hate what I drive

A V6 with only 210 hp

But I've had it for 20 years and I could only hope to find another one that did 1/2 of what its done

If I could go back, and get my extended cab 1999 Ford F150, with the straight 6, 4 speed, nothing fancy that would work, but alas, got a slightly trimmed Hemi.
IF Ford would put out a base truck based on that grand ole 6-300 motor and offer a standard/auto and a modest amount of features and keep price relevant, they would make a killing, IMHO.

 

[turkeybird56]

Great post. Now I don't haul or tow but after owning a hemi Now having the pentastar go for the hemi. I live in upstate New York all hills you will not see much better mpg but with what you're asking the truck to do both will get it done but you will be happier with the hemi. Both my trucks have 3.21 gears my current pentastar has e torque no problem so far fingers crossed. I am just south of 60 as well. Either way good luck i really enjoy these trucks.

Pentastar vs Hemi. Hemi all day long, but that is just my preference. I do not worry about MPG, U buy a 6,000 lb truck with a Hemi motor, why are you concerned with MPG? Guess PPL could go out, and get a 6 cylinder truck and put Prius decals on them, lol. My inane sense of humor.

IMHO: RAM still missing the boat. If they were to totally go back to Hemi, remove E Junkola and do a lil change to improve oiling and ditch MDS, they would neva be able to keep those trucks in stock. Just my skerry thoughts.

 

[John Schmidt]

THANK YOU !!!

You use Red Line AND Lubegard - together?? I was under the impression that the moly level in Red Line is more than sufficient. I do however, use Lubegrad on my older vehicles along with Penzoil Ultra Platinum.
Thanks.
John