Speccing out a 2015 Dodge Ram 3500 for a Tiger Bengal TX

[Durango]

Hey folks,

So I'm hoping some of you truck gurus would be willing to weigh in. Sioux and I are decided (pretty much) on a Tiger Bengal TX. (No generator, no A/C, composting toilet, four AGM batteries [440 AH], extra fresh water capacity.) Dry weight on this baby is 2800# but we all know how that goes. I'm calculating loaded, watered and with Sioux and I on board an easy 3500 pounds.

So our truck of choice (pretty much) right now is a 2015 4WD Ram SLT 3500 standard cab. After subtracting for the truck bed the total payload will come in at 4500#. We're looking at the new (introduced 2014) 6.4 liter gas engine. Yes, I know that it isn't a diesel. But we drive less than 6,000 miles a year and this engine has 410 HP and 429 lb-ft of torque. (not diesel power but not bad) Here is what else I'm adding as of now:

Dual-rated alternators for 380 amps, OWL off-road ties, remote keyless entry and remote start and power adjustable drivers seat.

So does anyone have any experience with the 6.4 liter Ram engine or the Ram 3500 4WD with a 3500 pound load? Also any other suggestions on factory options and/or suspension upgrades? Or should I take delivery, test and then make any modifications?

Many thanks for your ideas,
Steve

 

[bloodyWEST]

i assume you have spent time on the Ram website "building" your truck? i just custom ordered a 2014 3500 work truck. Take your time and read over the options slowly. the sales man probably wont know much about specific options. just by familiarizing myself on the web page for a few hours i knew way more than the salesman when it came time to order.

look into gearing options. i know on the diesels they offer a "tow package" that has the built in brake controller, 4.10 gears, and a finned alum diff cover. i think its about $800.

i didn't want the 4.10 gears so i opted out, but i did pay the $200 for the built in brake controller.

 

[bloodyWEST]

I see the "snow chief group" for $480, its the offroad tires, transfer case skid plate, and cab marker lights.

that sounds Expo worthy

on my cab/chassis, i ordered the back up camera for $395. it came coiled up ready to install where ever. if your putting a big camper on the back i would highly recommend it.

you can delete the bed and save $400
also the "luxury group" sounds hard to pass up for $600. the steering wheel audio controls are as good as gold

7-Inch Multi-View Cluster
Glove Box Lamp
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Overhead Console with Garage Door Opener
Rear Dome with On / Off Switch Lamp
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Microphone
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls
Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
Under Hood Lamp


looks like the GVW goes from 10,300 to 11,500 when you add the cummins, whats up with that?

 

[crismateski]

I have had a couple with the 5.7, which is basically the same motor as the 6.4 be prepared for the gas mileage, the Hemi is a thirsty engine. I bought the first one new and put 185k miles on it with just oil changes, not even a tune up, ran perfect. The second one I bought with 72k miles and now have 152k. Did a tune up at 100k, no issues with it either. They are pretty solid motors, just thirsty.

 

[Durango]

Thanks, everyone. With the 6.4 gas engine (410 HP and 429 lb-ft of torque) I'm leaning toward the 3.73 ratio instead of the 4:10. We may occasionally pull our 2 door Rubicon (3700#) but otherwise won't have any load other than the 3,500# payload. Your thoughts?

I have had a couple with the 5.7, which is basically the same motor as the 6.4 be prepared for the gas mileage, the Hemi is a thirsty engine. I bought the first one new and put 185k miles on it with just oil changes, not even a tune up, ran perfect. The second one I bought with 72k miles and now have 152k. Did a tune up at 100k, no issues with it either. They are pretty solid motors, just thirsty.

Yep. I have the 5.7 in my 2500 Ram with a 4Wheel Camper Hawk on back. Driven "conservatively" I can get up to 15 mpg over the road. (I prefer not to think about the 4WD mileage!) the 6.4 has the "cylinder deactivation" feature which THEORETICALLY should help highway cruising mileage.

Steve

 

[Kaisen]

The 2015 GM 1/2 ton 4x4 I'm driving has a 6.2L (420 hp and 460 lb-ft) with the 8 speed (8L90E) and 3.42 gears. In this configuration it can tow 12,000 pounds. And is EPA rated 21-22 mpg freeway (not finalized for '15) as a 4x4.

I'd think the Ram with 3.73 would be more than adequate. And going with a taller tire may actually help mpg.

 

[crismateski]

Thanks, everyone. With the 6.4 gas engine (410 HP and 429 lb-ft of torque) I'm leaning toward the 3.73 ratio instead of the 4:10. We may occasionally pull our 2 door Rubicon (3700#) but otherwise won't have any load other than the 3,500# payload. Your thoughts?

Yep. I have the 5.7 in my 2500 Ram with a 4Wheel Camper Hawk on back. Driven "conservatively" I can get up to 15 mpg over the road. (I prefer not to think about the 4WD mileage!) the 6.4 has the "cylinder deactivation" feature which THEORETICALLY should help highway cruising mileage.

Steve

I am the 5.7 with 4.56 gearing on Toyo 35's. Cruise control at 55 I hold about 10.5mpg and about 9.8mpg at 70

I just reread your original post and missed the part about suspension. You can not go wrong with either Carli or Thuren Suspension. Personally, I like the Thuren control arms over the carli, everything else is kind of what ever works for your application. CJCoffroad can point in in the right direction, they are retailers for both product lines and can explain the differences much better than I can

 

[Durango]

...You can not go wrong with either Carli or Thuren Suspension. Personally, I like the Thuren control arms over the carli, everything else is kind of what ever works for your application. CJCoffroad can point in in the right direction, they are retailers for both product lines and can explain the differences much better than I can

Thanks. I am thinking I will go with the original suspension from the factory instead of having Tiger add anything. Then I will change as needed. I'll bookmark your ideas.

 

[Darwin]

Truckcampermagazine just bought a new ram 3500 gas truck and provided a review. If i remember right, it got pretty good gas milage.

 

[Larry]

The RAM HD line up is a great platform regardless of gas or diesel. Once you start playing around on RAM’s website you’ll notice the option differences between a 3500 pick-up truck and a 3500 series chassis cab. One downside to the SLT pick-up truck is the electric shift transfercase is standard equipment. While that does not bother a lot of guys, that would be a deal breaker for me. There isn’t a single manufacturer that builds a reliable 4x4 vehicle with buttons, dials, electric motors and 10 lbs. of harness just to do the same thing you can with your right arm. If I were specing this for me I would take the base model Tradesman pick up at the expense of losing some fluffy options just to have a real deal hold in your hand shift lever for the transfercase. The next option would be to spec a chassis cab with the single rear wheel option (assuming you want singles) then the rest of the options are more ala’cart. The best part is the manual shift is standard on a chassis cab even in SLT décor.

There are only two ways to get a manual shift tcase in a RAM HD pick-up truck. 1) Tradesman 2) Power Wagon (Even though the lever is standard in a Trademan pickup, electric shift is optional where a lot of stealers order them with electric because they probably never spend hours in the dirt laying under a truck trying to figure out how to manually shift it when things go wrong). The other way to get a manual shift 4x4 is to go with a 3500 on up to 5500 chassis cab where manual shift is standard and electric is optional as mentioned above.

That is how I understand the RAM HD data book anyway

 

[Overdrive]

If I were specing this for me I would take the base model Tradesman pick up at the expense of losing some fluffy options just to have a real deal hold in your hand shift lever for the transfercase.

X2 on that for sure. You can add packages and get most of the comfort goodies of the SLT anyway.

If you are going with an automatic trans, I'd also opt for the Aisin HD transmission, which is available only in the 3500 and up. It is super-heavy duty and well worth the extra $1700 or so.

 

[Larry]

If you are going with an automatic trans, I'd also opt for the Aisin HD transmission, which is available only in the 3500 and up. It is super-heavy duty and well worth the extra $1700 or so.

The Aisin is definitely an option that I would recommend as well. However, it is only an option with the Cummins engine and not available on gas. The OP was leaning towards gasoline power.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I bought a new 3500 3 months ago. I have the cummins, but opted not to get the aisin, and so far I am real happy with the 6-speed auto, I think its a 68fre? I came from a daily driver duramax with an Allison, and this tranny is just as good as the Allison so far.

 

[Overdrive]

The Aisin is available with a gasser, at least in the Chassis Cab. Not sure about regular pickups.

Click on Window Sticker in the link below to see the options listing the Aisin.

http://www.avondaledodge.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500+HD+Chassis-c6b3cd070a0a00020617fe3bdcc87251.htm

 

[Durango]

The Aisin is available with a gasser, at least in the Chassis Cab. Not sure about regular pickups.

Click on Window Sticker in the link below to see the options listing the Aisin.

http://www.avondaledodge.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500+HD+Chassis-c6b3cd070a0a00020617fe3bdcc87251.htm

Hmmm. So how is a 3500 "Chassis Cab" different from the regular 3500 pickup with the "bed delete" option? Quite aside from the heavy duty tranny option it seems like it includes a 52 gallon gas tank while the standard 3500 has a 34 gallon tank.

Steve

PS BTW, thanks to all the posters so far.