New member shopping for new Ram

[BluByU14]

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking to trade a 2015 GMC Sierra for a 2015 Ram. I am looking to get into a Ram Sport Quad Cab. The reasons for trading my Sierra are as follows:

- Clunky/Noisy/indecisive shifting 8-speed transmission, which GM has acknowledge that there is a problem with, but has no solution on fixing
- Unfixable vibration/shake at highway speeds (not wheel/tire related)
- The infotainment module (which controls the radio, Bluetooth, navigation, onstar, etc) just failed this weekend on a 1200 mile road trip, leaving me with no stereo system for 16+ hrs.

Essentially I have 3 major issues within just 1600 miles of ownership, some of which have been deemed to be "normal" by GM....the others they continue to scratch their head in trying to figure out what is wrong. O and by the way, this is my second Sierra in the last 8 months. The first one GM bought back from me given the incurable vibrations/shake at highway speeds. Given that I on a good run of bad luck with these trucks, I have decided that "enough's enough" and going to change brands.

I wanted to get an idea from you guys (or gals) on how you like the 8-speed in the Ram? Any shifting issues or problems to be aware of? From what I have read so far, there are appears to be little to no issues.

How is the performance of the hemi/8-speed with the 3.21 rear vs. the 3.92 rear?

Thanks for any feedback y'all can provide!

 

[blue_bandit]

Welcome! I've put almost 12,000 miles on my '14 with 8spd and 3.92s and absolutely love it. I highly recommend this combo.

 

[ExpressRules]

I can't give you much info on the 8 speed, I have the 6 and is actually the smoothest Chrysler trans I've had to date. People here will scream at you to get the 3.92, but in reality, unless you are looking to take a tenth or two off your 1/4 mile time the real difference is negligible. I have the 3.55 and it has plenty of pickup. If you are planning to order a Ram go ahead and get the 3.92, but if buying off the lot you cant go wrong with either the 3.21 or 3.92.

 

[Copperhead7310]

The 8 speed in these trucks is pretty smooth as far as I have seen. I just bought a 14 CC with the 8 speed / 3.92 setup and man I tell ya.. It's pretty damn fast. I had a 13 RC with the 6 speed and 3.55. It was quick too but it was also lighter than the Quad / Crew Cabs. I have about 1600 miles on mine now and I love it.

The 3.21 will be great for freeway gas mileage but if you want to trade off the 1-2mpg avg for the 3.92's they are a handful. From what I understand the 3.55 is no longer available.

I think the Ram is the best looking and most solidly built truck on the road. I have had two of the 4th gens, and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Where you from? Welcome to the board !

 

[dkmesa]

My brother-in-law purchased a 2015 denali with the 8 speed. i believe GMC replaced his transmission under warranty within weeks of getting it. Not sure how it's doing now that he's gotten it back.

8 speed ram with 3.92 here. It has been great. flawless shifts and very predictable. The only thing i noticed was notchy 2-1 shifts when coming to a stop when it was new, but that has virtually gone away after the computer "learned" driving patterns.

 

[EagleChief]

This is my first 8 spd and I love it. It is smooth and quick. I got the 3.92 gears and am happy I did. I test drove a crew cab with the 3.55's (they are still available, but hard to find), and could tell a difference. Granted, it's not much, but it's there. I didn't even drive or consider a 3.21 option.

Take off is quick, power is always there when you need it, no matter what speed. I'd highly recommend it. I don't think you'll be disappointed with it.

It rides like a dream, too. We've had our '14 Crew Cab for about 4 months and my wife still can't believe how smooth and comfortable the truck rides.

 

[BluByU14]

The 8 speed in these trucks is pretty smooth as far as I have seen. I just bought a 14 CC with the 8 speed / 3.92 setup and man I tell ya.. It's pretty damn fast. I had a 13 RC with the 6 speed and 3.55. It was quick too but it was also lighter than the Quad / Crew Cabs. I have about 1600 miles on mine now and I love it.

The 3.21 will be great for freeway gas mileage but if you want to trade off the 1-2mpg avg for the 3.92's they are a handful. From what I understand the 3.55 is no longer available.

I think the Ram is the best looking and most solidly built truck on the road. I have had two of the 4th gens, and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Where you from? Welcome to the board !

Thanks for the great info here! I live in the Baltimore, MD area. I am currently in South Florida on vacation and experienced problems with my Sierra the whole way (it is currently at a local GMC dealer having the entire dashed removed to replace the stereo). My brother has a '13 Ram with a Hemi/6-Speed and 3.55's...he loves it!

My Sierra has the 6.2L 420hp/460tq with a 3.23 rear. Thing is really quick, but it has to clunk, bang, and thud its way to get there.

I will probably try and find a Ram with the 3.92 rear, but wont turn down a good deal if one comes with a 3.21.

Again guys, thanks for the help here!

 

[BluByU14]

My brother-in-law purchased a 2015 denali with the 8 speed. i believe GMC replaced his transmission under warranty within weeks of getting it. Not sure how it's doing now that he's gotten it back.

8 speed ram with 3.92 here. It has been great. flawless shifts and very predictable. The only thing i noticed was notchy 2-1 shifts when coming to a stop when it was new, but that has virtually gone away after the computer "learned" driving patterns.

Good to hear about transmission. If your brother in-law is on the GM-Trucks forum, I have probably read his story. About 2-3 members there have had replacements transmissions with the same symptoms returning within a few hundred miles. According to GM sources, they are aware of the issues, but just dont know what the fix is at this point.

Anyway....this is a Ram Forum, so I dont want to keep complaining about my GM issues. Just glad to hear/see a lot of positive information here about the Rams.

 

[Jerry1984]

Had my ram for almost 7000 miles. The first 2000 mine had the bump when downshifting to a stop but it is the transmission learning from what I've read and now after it has learned it is smooth shifting and an awesome combo.

 

[clh1220]

There is nothing wrong with the 3.21 ,mine with the 8 speed runs all over my old 08 z71 5.3, 3.73. The people that talk bad about them are usually the ones that never drove one. Go drive them and see and get ready to bend over when trading your 15 for a 15.

 

[14hemiexpress]

The ZF tranmission is solid I don't have it but I wish I did I was hesitant with it being so new when I bought my truck so I didn't go for it and looking back that was a mistake. My mom has a 2012 300 with th 3.6 8 speed combo and it's solid no issues just 1 recall for software update on it over 20k and still no issues.

 

[BluByU14]

There is nothing wrong with the 3.21 ,mine with the 8 speed runs all over my old 08 z71 5.3, 3.73. The people that talk bad about them are usually the ones that never drove one. Go drive them and see and get ready to bend over when trading your 15 for a 15.

Luckily I shouldnt take that big of a hit on my current truck. It was a replacement for a 2014 lemon and it didnt cost me a penny to have replaced. I got a great deal on the 2014 at the time, so after already doing some shopping.....looks like I will either break even or potentially make a little money. Drove a 15 Ram with the 3.21 last night....really impressed. Going to another dealer at the end of the week to drive on with a 3.92.

 

[nomadsmc]

If you do any towing, I would definitely recommend the 3.92.

 

[Copperhead7310]

.. or burnouts. Lol

 

[Express SN95]

I have a 2014 Hemi w/8spd and 3.92s. I purposely purchased this package coming from a 2012 w/3.55s because I knew I was going to put larger tires and a lift, in addition to towing. You can't go wrong with either 3.21 or 3.92s with the 8spd. Where it really comes in to play is lifting or towing which from what I read is doable with the 3.21s, just a bit better with 3.92s. One big thing I really wanted coming from my 2012 was the limited slip diff. It's a much cheaper factory option then buying one later and having it installed.

 

[BluByU14]

If you do any towing, I would definitely recommend the 3.92.

.. or burnouts. Lol

Haha....will probably be doing both! Great feedback here guys

 

[BluByU14]

Well guys and gals, pulled the trigger last week on a 2015 Sport. This truck drives SOOO MUCH better than my 2015 Sierra with the 6.2L 8-Speed. The only option that it does not have is the 3.92 rear, but that is okay, I am not doing too much heavy towing. Glad to be a RAM owner!

 

[clh1220]

Nice truck and I bet I it feels like it has more power then the other one, even with the 3.21. I like the color the only problem I have with black is that someone is always trying to run into it.

 

[Copperhead7310]

Good looking truck!

Just for the heck of it, if you lay under the truck on the drivers side rear axle tube where the shock mount connects there will be a small white sticker. 2x3" or so ..

Your rear gear will be on this sticker. My bet is a 3.21 but there were some 3.55s laying around you could have gotten lucky it just depends on when the truck was built. This is more likely in a 2014 but it would be fun to check.

The 3.21 is still fantastic, you'll be pushing 23-24mpg avg on the freeway.

 

[BluByU14]

Nice truck and I bet I it feels like it has more power then the other one, even with the 3.21. I like the color the only problem I have with black is that someone is always trying to run into it.

Thanks! Yeah the pedal feels much more responsive than my Sierra did. On my GMC I felt like I had to floor it to get it to go. This truck is much more dialed it.