Option Frustration

[Domino]

I find this thread interesting as I did the opposite based on the gear ratio. I'll share my perspective....

I was trying to get a 2015, however the only one available with my options and second choice color as with the 3.92. I passed because of this and took a 2016 that was already in build.

Good information in the post about gearing and the difference. In my case I ordered the EcoDiesel, so standard is 3.55. I travel approximately 32,000 miles (50,000km) per year. Fuel economy is very important to me and is the reason I sold my 2010 1500 CC Hemi after only a year. Given the economy theme, I wanted to maximize as much as possible and stick with the 3.55

The Eco diesel enabled me to get my truck back!!

 

[silver surfer]

What are you running to get that kind of mileage. Towing a 5500lb. trailer, I get 10-11 mpg. Don't get 20+ without towing.

 

[silver surfer]

Never mind. Forgot about the diesel.

 

[EagleChief]

Stick with it and wait to find the one with 3.92 gears. It took me MONTHS to finally find my truck. I ended up expanding my search area to 400 miles. Finally found my truck 300 miles away. Took a 5 hour drive one way to get it, but I'm sure glad I did!! I love the 3.92's and wouldn't have it any other way.

If you don't mind a little travel, you can surely find one. You may be able to save a little money, too. I saved myself $1000 by going straight to the dealer instead of having my local dealer bring it in for me.

 

[SlowRoller]

LOVE my 8 speed / 3.21's,,, Just over 10k on the clock,,,,Took an easy ride to Galveston, down to Freeport, back to Houston,, 25.3 mpg with a 5.7.
Had an 09 RCSB w/5 speed 3.92's,,, No way in hell it would get anywhere near that kind of mileage.

But,,, different strokes for different folks!!! LOL!!!

 

[Greeco]

How big is your search area, are you willing to take a one way plane trip to get one?

The closest truck that has the exact setup I want is 1400 miles away. Problem for me is that I want to trade in my current ride to save money on taxes. I wouldn't mind driving 3-500 miles but 1400 is way too far. I just won't compromise on options. I'm currently driving a fully loaded Tahoe that I love so if it takes a year to find the right truck I'll just wait.

 

[Jared4.7]

My new 8spd/3.21 Ram pulls my 22' Baja better than my old 04 Silverado 5.3/3.73 and my last 6spd/3.21 Ram. So I can't mash the pedal from a stoplight and get it to 90mph pulling my boat as fast as a 3.92 can. Such is life.

-JT

 

[clh1220]

I get 20-22 mpg normally with my 3.92s at 80mph, and 17mpg pulling a 6,000lb trailer/corvette combo at 80mph.

That is absolutely amazing. WOW I have 3.21 and it's best mileage starts dropping off at over 70. I'm going to go trade mine in for a 3.92,I had no idea You could get 22 mpg doing 80 mph. And hauling 6k and getting 17 mpg.

 

[powderbrad]

You do realize when you not towing it's going to be down side of the truck as you're going to be pulling more RPMs on the highway and getting lower MPG. I don't see how getting "another option on the list" just to say you have it will be beneficial to somebody that tows every once in a while. If you don't want to be limited on towing, why are you getting a 1500?

Not true.

Im thinijng the HEMI likes an additional 4-500 rpm. Believe it or not, at 135-140km/hr my mileage is BETTER than at 110-115.

Why? Because my RPM sits at 2400, and with the combo of trans gearing and rear end gearing, its a happier place. I didn't believe it either, but over 2200 km of testing just this weekend it was better EVERY time going faster. Regardless of gear, 2400 > 2000.

must be a mechanical advantage, or engine "happy" zone where power and leverage balance out nicer. based on drivetrain efficiencies.

I realize this may not be the case everywhere, just what I noted. It wasn't much better mileage...say 1.5 L / 100km (probably like 0.7-1 MPG better) . best mileage I ever got in any truck. 23 MPG @ 135-140....faaaaar well enough for me. Admittedly, it takes a LIGHT foot on the throttle, but it WILL maintain speed. I aslo noted even a 0.5 % change in throttle body blade percentage, or throttle position makes a BIG difference in fuel consumption. (based on Trinity readings in tuner readouts) hence the light pedal pressure.

Ill never fear the gear. And I NEVER buy vehicles based on gas mileage as I don't care. Ill take 15 MPG and fun over 40 mpg blah.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

That is absolutely amazing. WOW I have 3.21 and it's best mileage starts dropping off at over 70. I'm going to go trade mine in for a 3.92,I had no idea You could get 22 mpg doing 80 mph. And hauling 6k and getting 17 mpg.

It's gotten better and better the more I mod it. Stock it was about 18-20mpg at 80mph without towing. I never towed anything when it was stock so I don't know what I would have gotten there.

The intake, exhaust, and lowering helped quite a bit. I want to make some sort of Ram air as that will help at 80mph on power and efficiency.

If you think about it, it makes sense. My truck almost NEVER downshifts for hills or anything like that just driving. Even when towing it would never go lower than 7th. All it ever has to do is turn off MDS and it has all the torque it needs. It can also stay in MDS a lot longer because the motor is at a higher rpm.

 

[Ratket]

^ why I want 456" for my 2500 6.4 lol

 

[Hootbro]

The closest truck that has the exact setup I want is 1400 miles away. Problem for me is that I want to trade in my current ride to save money on taxes. I wouldn't mind driving 3-500 miles but 1400 is way too far. I just won't compromise on options. I'm currently driving a fully loaded Tahoe that I love so if it takes a year to find the right truck I'll just wait.

If you have looked high and low locally, then ordering a 2016 sounds like your best bet.

I get trying to get the end of model year incentives but the pool of 2015's is finite.

 

[EagleChief]

Yea, if you can handle it, ordering may be the best bet. But, I didn't want to order either, as I was trying to find the best deal and the most money off to stay in my price range. I shopped around for about 6 months, with 3-4 months of that being really serious about finding my truck. I had 4 different local dealers looking for me before I found mine in the next state over.

It does get frustrating... I went through the exact same thing. When you do find it, though, it makes it that much sweeter! Good luck!

 

[clh1220]

It's gotten better and better the more I mod it. Stock it was about 18-20mpg at 80mph without towing. I never towed anything when it was stock so I don't know what I would have gotten there.

The intake, exhaust, and lowering helped quite a bit. I want to make some sort of Ram air as that will help at 80mph on power and efficiency.

If you think about it, it makes sense. My truck almost NEVER downshifts for hills or anything like that just driving. Even when towing it would never go lower than 7th. All it ever has to do is turn off MDS and it has all the torque it needs. It can also stay in MDS a lot longer because the motor is at a higher rpm.

Ya your intake and exhaust mods didn't do anything for your gas mileage. I'm thinking your doing 80 mph and getting 22 mpg when your going down hill. Same thing with your towing mileage.

 

[jag1886]

Most people don't need the 3.92 gears with the new 8 speed and I doubt Ram could put a 3.92 in every truck because there over all gas milage would go down and that would make the government and the advertising dept unhappy.

 

[Mikeybat]

I test drove several Ram 1500's today, with 3.21 and the 3.92 and I like them both. I felt the 3.21 was more relaxed cruising down the highway but I do like the way the 3.92 gets off the line and had more of a 'hotrod' feel to it.

Decisions decisions.........

 

[MyOhFive]

It's a "to each their own" thing.

I like power and launching and have never given the slightest of ***** about fuel economy. (These are V8 trucks remember?) so for me a 3.92 was a no brainer and I did feel some of the same frustration in trying to find the right truck. For me it was actually LSD I couldn't find. Another no brainer if you ask me.. that's not even a question of fuel economy, it's literally "do u want one wheel spinning...? or two??" that shouldn't even b a question.

For any lads out there who NEED a truck but would like it as fuel efficient as possible, by all means, go for the 3.21. How you spec ur truck doesn't effect me in the least.

But saying wanting a 3.92 is silly and will be the pitfall of a truck because it spins the engine slightly faster is stupid. By that logic, none of us need a hemi because the 4.7 and 3.6s do the same job if you don't tow. I have the highest possible tow rating of any 2014 1500... and my trailer hitch is still a virgin. Just cuz I spec'd it that way doesn't mean I'm gunna use it that way. But the looks I get from little cars when they try n jump me at a light to get in my lane and my big ass truck is keeping up with (OR PASSING!) them is priceless.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

Ya your intake and exhaust mods didn't do anything for your gas mileage. I'm thinking your doing 80 mph and getting 22 mpg when your going down hill. Same thing with your towing mileage.

Uh, what?

You do realize that both of those mods improve the efficiency of the motor by reducing pumping losses, right? That's why they make more power lol.

Considering that mileage figure was round trip driving from my house to work every day on the same highways, the elevation difference, if there were any, wouldn't matter.

The towing figure was actually uphill I believe.

I just know how to drive. I don't floor it every chance I get. I'm smooth with my throttle and I never use my brake. I coast a lot. There's a reason my tires and brakes look brand new despite having 30,000 miles on them.

If you don't believe me, come to Conroe TX and I'll take you for a ride.

 

[clh1220]

I'm sorry that you fell for the exhaust and cai giving you more power. The truck is still like a brick and it's not gong to get you 22mpg at 80 mph.with 3.92 at that, even with you being the exceptional driver that you are. LOL .The only reason I comment about your post is that someone new may read it and think WOW that's great mileage. Have a good one!

 

[Awastatyme]

OP, if you found on you like, go talk to your dealer sometimes they will horse trade a truck for truck. They ship them one of their trucks for the one you want. Just a thought.