Hopefully not to stupid of quedtions...

[KevTN]

ok..First of all I am not all that mechanically savy. I have changed exhaust and modified some of my motorcycles and such but when it come to gear ratios and the like no can do...

I test drove a Ram 1500 yesterday. I really liked it but I am needing better gas milage. I have to have a crew cab. The reason for better gas milage is my daughter plays travel softball...(hint hint). I was researching some more drive train options and saw (by memory) 3:2:1 gear ratio that is suppose to give better gas milage. I will not be pulling anything with the truck of real wt. Also I saw an 8 gear tranny.

Is it feasible is get a crew cab up to 24hwy or higher? Yes Ford has the Ecoboost but my step sons has been nothing but a nightmare and I refuse to buy another one.

Thanks for you help....

 

[*tim*]

The v6's with the eight speeds are supposed to get 25 highway

 

[Trupiano]

Hoonestly, they advertise 25 mpg's, but they'll probably only see avg 22-23. If your wanting more mpg's out of a ram, your pretty much limited to buying a diesel. They're suppose to be coming out with a 1500 inline 4 diesel in the next couple years which would probably net some pretty great mileage. Otherwise, check out a 2500. All the towing capacity you could want, crew cab/mega cab option, and plenty of mpg's.

 

[Chewy]

The V6 has a 3.21 to one axle ratio. I don't think you'll truly see 25+ MPG in real world driving, but lower 20's is more than possible. You have things like wind, and hills that really aren't taken into consideration when the EPA tests. I believe they also test at around 60mph if memory serves.

They're suppose to be coming out with a 1500 inline 4 diesel in the next couple years which would probably net some pretty great mileage. Otherwise, check out a 2500. All the towing capacity you could want, crew cab/mega cab option, and plenty of mpg's.

Actually it's a V6... 240bhp and 420lbft of torque

Chris

 

[audio1der]

Vehicles measured for EPA MPG are not even tested on the streets, not run on normal fuel. They are SO out of whack from real world driving, the only saving grace is the consistency of the testing. ALL vehicles are out of whack so you can still compare "apples to apples" knowing you'll never achieve the numbers they give.
How Vehicles Are Tested

If I wanted MPG and had the money I would consider a 2500 W/CTD and look at lowering it a couple of inches. A 2WD would only help if that fits the bill. I'm not familiar with the gears offered in the diesels, but keep it sane as you don't want towing or off the line performance to get best MGP results.

My $.02

 

[SilsHemi]

Hoonestly, they advertise 25 mpg's, but they'll probably only see avg 22-23.

So far that's about what Fuelly is showing for the V6: 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 MPG Reports | Fuelly

V8: 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 MPG Reports | Fuelly

 

[jlb]

I think suggesting a 2500 Diesel in reference to fuel mileage is a horrible idea personally. Not only is the general upkeep more in the sense of lots more oil per oil change to the tune of like 12 qts/ change vs 7 for the hemi/4.7(guess)/v6(guess), but the mileage without some modding is quite poor. Without a DPF delete (which requires tuning that is quickly becoming unavailable) I think you would be lucky to see 20 mpg real world, let alone more. Plus they require shorter oil change intervals than their gasser counterparts which makes them even less attractive, and with limited towing there is additional backing for it.

I think if you want that high of mileage you should consider an SUV for interior space for all the softball gear, and kids you will be hauling lol. In the meantime though your suggested combination of A8 w/v6, and 3.21 gears should net you over 20 in highway mileage, but I wouldn't bank on anything much more than 23 if that.

 

[DannyMK2]

wow there is alot of bad advice in here. suggesting a diesel to someone who has no use for it is a horrible idea, nor will a new 6.7L 2500 get 25mpgs.

honestly, your on the right track. if you really dont plan on hauling anything, but just want a pick up, the new v6 is the way to go for mpg's. i would probably spring for 3.55's, unless all of your driving is highway and your not in a hilly area. if you do alot of in town or have some hills around you, the 3.21's might hurt you a bit (then again its hard to say with the 8spd). i would say test drive a truck with each before you make your decision on gears.

 

[KevTN]

i appreciate evryones input. The local dealer has one in the SLT crew cab that i may go and test drive but i can order in the Laramie trim if i like it....

 

[KevTN]

honestly, your on the right track. if you really dont plan on hauling anything, but just want a pick up, the new v6 is the way to go for mpg's. i would probably spring for 3.55's, unless all of your driving is highway and your not in a hilly area. if you do alot of in town or have some hills around you, the 3.21's might hurt you a bit (then again its hard to say with the 8spd). i would say test drive a truck with each before you make your decision on gears.

I just reread this....I do live in a hilly area. Although I live and work in a valley there are times When I do have to drive mountainous areas. (I ask this because I am trying to understand) Will the 3.21 be able to pull the truck or will the 3.55 be best option.

 

[jlb]

I know that if you have the A8, and the 3.55 gears the combined ratios of first gear, and your rear axle leave you with a lower first gear than the older 545RFE/65RFE transmissions that had the 3.92 rear axles. I would suspect that the 3.21 combined with the A8 would give you 545RFE/65RFE/3.55 like performance in first gear, but having so many more ratios in between top, and bottom I would think the 3.21 would probably suit you quite well for your needs.

However, as suggested above, go drive one, and tell the salesman than you want to go over some hills. In order to make the sale, I am sure he would let you.

 

[DannyMK2]

I just reread this....I do live in a hilly area. Although I live and work in a valley there are times When I do have to drive mountainous areas. (I ask this because I am trying to understand) Will the 3.21 be able to pull the truck or will the 3.55 be best option.

the 3.21's will pull the truck fine, i just think the truck might want to downshift alot on hills (again, i cant say for sure this is just my thinking), where as with 3.55's it might be able to hold the gear and cruise over it.

 

[Graygoose]

If 8 speed 3.21 should be fine, 6 speed, I'd do 3.55's.

 

[Chewy]

Watch this: Road Test Review - 2013 Ram 1500 V-6 - YouTube

 

[jlb]

Nice mileage they got there... I didn't notice, but did they comment on avg speed?

 

[smiley]

One thing I don't get about the Pentastar offering is why they don't allow more trim options the option of having it. Some people are perfect fit for the V6 but may not want the limited trims available pushing them to Ford. If it was me buying a V6 I would want the lowest gears available as gears will make it seem like it has more balls than the very weak 3.21's and if you have to get on the thing none stop for your needs such as hills you won't be saving fuel anyway might as well get the 3.55 or 3.92 gears.


$miley

 

[KevTN]

thanks again for your input...my local Ram dealer is working real well with me. He keeps trying to push pre owns on me and when i tell him that i am considering ordering a v8 with the 8speed tranny, he just sighs and says that it would have to be ordered. I wish there was another dealer closer to me.

i did call dodge today and asked them the mpg on the v8 with the 8sp tranny and they could not give me any for that combo. I am thinking even with the 3.55 17 in the city?