RAM 2500 + 6.4L Hemi

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

WhiteExpress

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Posts
18,187
Reaction score
3,284
Location
Midland, TX
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I'm pretty excited about it all. Just wish I could get it with the interior and electronics of a 2012. I'm not into the new dash, nor all the electronic crap that they can't even get to work.

I'd still like RCLB 2500 4x. Think this would be a great option other than above issues.
 

Hemi Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Posts
710
Reaction score
58
Location
Berks County, PA
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
How could the ride be same or worse than the existing 2500 w/leafs??

Leafs don't always mean a stiffer ride. My new truck has leafs and the ride is much smoother than my Ram was, with a higher payload as well. Of course I went from a regular cab to a crew cab.

Even though the new 2500's will have coil springs, they'll have to be pretty stiff to get a decent payload out of it.
 
OP
OP
Chewy

Chewy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
460
Location
Bettendorf IA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
V8
I'm pretty excited about it all. Just wish I could get it with the interior and electronics of a 2012. I'm not into the new dash, nor all the electronic crap that they can't even get to work.

I'd still like RCLB 2500 4x. Think this would be a great option other than above issues.

So don't get the electronics. It's an option!
 

audio1der

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
5,300
Reaction score
1,105
Location
Airdrie, Alberta
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Interesting; what did Chev do with their rear to make it so smooth? The Kodiak edition we test drive was a kidney buster and was GROSSLY underpowered. My timid wife asked the dealer if there was something wrong with the gas pedal because "it won't go!"
I look at Chevs as great work trucks; super reliable with good MPG.
Our RAM is a city truck, more fun to drive, much nicer interior, more power, better ride (than its equivalent '12) but sounds like the '14s have made strides if you like the looks.
 
OP
OP
Chewy

Chewy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
460
Location
Bettendorf IA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
V8
Interesting; what did Chev do with their rear to make it so smooth? The Kodiak edition we test drive was a kidney buster and was GROSSLY underpowered. My timid wife asked the dealer if there was something wrong with the gas pedal because "it won't go!"
I look at Chevs as great work trucks; super reliable with good MPG.
Our RAM is a city truck, more fun to drive, much nicer interior, more power, better ride (than its equivalent '12) but sounds like the '14s have made strides if you like the looks.

I personally like the new GMC and would have probably gone that route had it been out when I was looking. I LOVE my RAM though. They buying process just sucked.

I've never had an issue with leaf springs, but keep in mind the ride is only one part of the equation. Handling is another.
 

mojoe

Senior Member
Joined
May 4, 2013
Posts
669
Reaction score
90
Location
Southern Maryland
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
As I read through some of the posts, I get a kick out of the speculations being made. :D

I have never been a leaf spring fan, it shows a lot of innovation and how advanced our technologies have come. I'm sure there will be plenty to test drive in person soon, I will be in line to try one out for myself :)
 

Hemi Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Posts
710
Reaction score
58
Location
Berks County, PA
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Interesting; what did Chev do with their rear to make it so smooth? The Kodiak edition we test drive was a kidney buster and was GROSSLY underpowered. My timid wife asked the dealer if there was something wrong with the gas pedal because "it won't go!"
I look at Chevs as great work trucks; super reliable with good MPG.
Our RAM is a city truck, more fun to drive, much nicer interior, more power, better ride (than its equivalent '12) but sounds like the '14s have made strides if you like the looks.

GM trucks have always handled and driven smooth, they were just underpowered unless you got the 6.2, plus the interiors were horrible. The new Gen V DI 5.3 fixed the power issue in the volume V8, and they finally made the interior competitive. The new 8" MyLink system is great, works flawlessly.
 

Hemi Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Posts
710
Reaction score
58
Location
Berks County, PA
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I personally like the new GMC and would have probably gone that route had it been out when I was looking. I LOVE my RAM though. They buying process just sucked.

I've never had an issue with leaf springs, but keep in mind the ride is only one part of the equation. Handling is another.

I like both the Ram's and the new GM trucks, for me it was whoever gave me a better deal. I love the headlights on the '13 Rams, loved the Hemi power, hated the transmission (65rfe) in the '13 I was looking at. The Silverado however drove much better, the 6L80 trans is tuned perfectly, the gas mileage is better and I liked the interior better. The CJD dealer I've purchased 3 vehicles from didn't want to deal with me. I got 4 grand more trade in value on my Express at the GM dealer. I called the CJD dealer and let them know that's why they won't be getting my business anymore.
 
OP
OP
Chewy

Chewy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
460
Location
Bettendorf IA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
V8
I like both the Ram's and the new GM trucks, for me it was whoever gave me a better deal. I love the headlights on the '13 Rams, loved the Hemi power, hated the transmission (65rfe) in the '13 I was looking at. The Silverado however drove much better, the 6L80 trans is tuned perfectly, the gas mileage is better and I liked the interior better. The CJD dealer I've purchased 3 vehicles from didn't want to deal with me. I got 4 grand more trade in value on my Express at the GM dealer. I called the CJD dealer and let them know that's why they won't be getting my business anymore.

I have that trans in my car and it's a good trans. Tune it, you'll be AMAZED what you're missing.
 
OP
OP
Chewy

Chewy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
460
Location
Bettendorf IA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
V8
That's awesome, I've been looking at Blackbear tunes.

I'd have Livernois do it or get someone local that tunes the Corvette's, Camaro's and G8's.

There's nothing better than having it on the rolling road to really get it tuned in, and if they'll take it out on the road and tweak it more, even better. Most won't.
 

Burntfire

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Posts
154
Reaction score
9
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2008
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I'm sure you could re-tune that 6.4 to have amazing numbers...
 

audio1der

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Posts
5,300
Reaction score
1,105
Location
Airdrie, Alberta
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
GM trucks have always handled and driven smooth, they were just underpowered unless you got the 6.2, plus the interiors were horrible. The new Gen V DI 5.3 fixed the power issue in the volume V8, and they finally made the interior competitive. The new 8" MyLink system is great, works flawlessly.

Unless the Kodiak we test drove was an anomaly, it drove like a freight car across uneven track. AND it was rated for less towing capacity, and I wanted as much headroom as possible.
Different strokes for different folks...Not saying "GM SUCKS", just saying it wasn't right for us, and would take a lot to get me out of RAM now.
 

Hemi Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Posts
710
Reaction score
58
Location
Berks County, PA
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Unless the Kodiak we test drove was an anomaly, it drove like a freight car across uneven track. AND it was rated for less towing capacity, and I wanted as much headroom as possible.
Different strokes for different folks...Not saying "GM SUCKS", just saying it wasn't right for us, and would take a lot to get me out of RAM now.

I'm not too familiar with the Kodiak's, aren't they 4500 or 5500 series trucks? If so that would explain why it rode like a freight train. I'm talking about 1500 series pickups.
 

Hemi Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Posts
710
Reaction score
58
Location
Berks County, PA
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I'm sure you could re-tune that 6.4 to have amazing numbers...

You're probably right about that, one thing I haven't seen is the dyno graph on the 6.4. Low peak numbers are OK if the torque comes in early and stays flat, I would imagine that is the case.
 

loveracing1988

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Posts
3,508
Reaction score
918
Location
Clarkston, MI
Ram Year
2020
Engine
6.7 Cummins
This may be a dumb question, but will all of the 2014 Ram HDs come with the coil suspension or is this part of the 6.4 setup?

The 2500's will get coil springs, the 3500's will keep leaf springs and add air bags to help put a little softer spring while keeping the load capacity.
 

Noved

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Posts
155
Reaction score
19
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Well at least in 3/4 ton segment the 6.4 is the most powerful gasser considering the next one up is Ford F250 6.2L with 385 hp and 405 Torque.

If they put the 6.4L in a 1500 I am sure it will have more power it is just for some reason they detune gassers in 2500s compared to the 1500s. I.E. Ford 6.2 F150 411hp and 434 torque. Ford 6.2 F250 385 hp and 405 torque.
 

hemi1282

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
752
Reaction score
300
Location
Arkansas
Ram Year
2016 Ram Tradesman
Engine
Hemi 6.4
this will b my next truck if they make it in a megacab!
 

awo1aggie

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Posts
55
Reaction score
6
Ram Year
2016 2500 Megacab Bighorn 4x4
Engine
6.4 L Hemi
this will b my next truck if they make it in a megacab!

I ordered my megacab last month. I hope they DON'T offer it in a 6.4 and this is all hype because my dealer told me it wasn't an option at the time. Me and him are gonna have a little talk when I go to pick it up when I find out I could have ordered it with the engine I wanted. But then, like other people have said, I don't know if the minimal increase in hp/tq is worth the cost. I have the 5.7 now and I have no problems with it. Either way this is the first truck that I have ordered exactly how I want it so I am excited!
 

phobos512

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Posts
9
Reaction score
1
Location
US
Well at least in 3/4 ton segment the 6.4 is the most powerful gasser considering the next one up is Ford F250 6.2L with 385 hp and 405 Torque.

If they put the 6.4L in a 1500 I am sure it will have more power it is just for some reason they detune gassers in 2500s compared to the 1500s. I.E. Ford 6.2 F150 411hp and 434 torque. Ford 6.2 F250 385 hp and 405 torque.

They detune them a bit for longevity and reliability in the HD trucks. Most folks keep an HD truck longer and use it harder than a non-HD. Ram does the same thing with the CTD in the 4500/5500 series trucks as well.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
211,381
Posts
3,065,842
Members
171,790
Latest member
ChloeBrooks
Back
Top