Yardbird
Senior Member
The V6 OHC engine makes its HP over 3000RPM, as does the 3.5 V6 in my wifes Ford Edge. I had to get used to that, and since I have, it doesn't bother me much. I was used to the 1500 RPM huge torque of my Dodge V10 engine.
I have 3.21 in my 2018 Ram. Get a 3.55, otherwise you will have a 7 speed transmission. With 20" tires, the transmission will not go into 8th until past 70 MPH, and only then when going downhill.
You will need 80 MPH on level ground to try to maintain 8th gear, but at 80, the wind resistance is so great, the transmission will change right back to 7th.
Every time I drive my truck I manually limit the gear according to the speed limit on that road. On interstate I never select 8th, as it's useless. I recently took a trip over 1200 miles, and never used 8th, even at 80 MPH. 24 MPG average.
These engines like RPMs, and will not suffer low fuel mileage from light throttle high RPMs.
The main advantages of 3.55s are better take off with higher weights and being able to use all 8 gears. The disadvantages are the transmission changes 3 gears before you get to 25 MPH, and that's about it.
I will sell you a good set of low mile 3.21s if you want them so I can go 3.55, lol. But really, the 7 speed does all I want on lever ground or steep mountains.
I'll put it this way....7th with 3.21s is basically the same RPM as 8th with 3.55s.
I have 3.21 in my 2018 Ram. Get a 3.55, otherwise you will have a 7 speed transmission. With 20" tires, the transmission will not go into 8th until past 70 MPH, and only then when going downhill.
You will need 80 MPH on level ground to try to maintain 8th gear, but at 80, the wind resistance is so great, the transmission will change right back to 7th.
Every time I drive my truck I manually limit the gear according to the speed limit on that road. On interstate I never select 8th, as it's useless. I recently took a trip over 1200 miles, and never used 8th, even at 80 MPH. 24 MPG average.
These engines like RPMs, and will not suffer low fuel mileage from light throttle high RPMs.
The main advantages of 3.55s are better take off with higher weights and being able to use all 8 gears. The disadvantages are the transmission changes 3 gears before you get to 25 MPH, and that's about it.
I will sell you a good set of low mile 3.21s if you want them so I can go 3.55, lol. But really, the 7 speed does all I want on lever ground or steep mountains.
I'll put it this way....7th with 3.21s is basically the same RPM as 8th with 3.55s.
