Ram 2500/3500 Info

[D45]

I am starting to look hard at a new to me, used truck

It will be a Ram 2500 or 3500, crew cab with the short bed.....power wagon isn't out of the realm either

It will be a 5.7 or 6.4, not sure yet.....which and why?

What's the rear suspension discussion, 2500 with coils or 3500 with leafs?

I want the manual tcase shifter on the floor......not the turn dial. Was this always available or just on certain trucks?

 

[D45]

2014+ 2500's have front radius arms and rear coils

2013+ 3500's have front radius arms and rear leafs

 

[Halligan]

D45 is correct .

Also the 2014 and on trucks have a nicer interior/radio options. The 6.4 is the only engine offered on a Power Wagon since 2014 while the 5.7 is was still available through 2018 on the 2500's. I would go 6.4 unless you found a super clean 5.7 2500. Most trucks with the floor shifted 4wd are Tradesman trim 2500/3500 which won't have as many creature comforts as the upper trims. All Power Wagons have floor shift 4wd even the Laramie trimmed ones. A Power Wagon gives up payload numbers for suspension articulation so consider your weight hauling needs before buying a PW.

 

[D45]

6.4L Hemi
410 HP @ 5600
429 TQ @ 4000

5.7L Hemi (05-09)
345 HP @ 5600
375 TQ @ 4490

5.7 L Hemi (10-13)
383 HP @ 5600
400 TQ @ 4000

Power Wagons had 4.56:1 axle ratios in the early years with the 5.7L......then 4.10 as of the 2014 model with the 6.4L

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

D45 is correct .

Also the 2014 and on trucks have a nicer interior/radio options. The 6.4 is the only engine offered on a Power Wagon since 2014 while the 5.7 is was still available through 2018 on the 2500's. I would go 6.4 unless you found a super clean 5.7 2500. Most trucks with the floor shifted 4wd are Tradesman trim 2500/3500 which won't have as many creature comforts as the upper trims. All Power Wagons have floor shift 4wd even the Laramie trimmed ones. A Power Wagon gives up payload numbers for suspension articulation so consider your weight hauling needs before buying a PW.

2013 got the upgraded interior (had I known it was coming I would have waited and got one along with the Rambox that I wish my 2012 had).

 

[D45]

The ram box does seem nice, but all my trucks have had a cap on the bed

How does the 5.7L do in the 2500 series? The numbers are close, but it's a gamble with saving $3500 or getting a 6.4L

How's the mpg between the two motors?

Rear suspension needs to be discussed too......i am sure the rear coils ride great over the leafs, but what about simplicity and payload

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

The ram box does seem nice, but all my trucks have had a cap on the bed

How does the 5.7L do in the 2500 series? The numbers are close, but it's a gamble with saving $3500 or getting a 6.4L

How's the mpg between the two motors?

Rear suspension needs to be discussed too......i am sure the rear coils ride great over the leafs, but what about simplicity and payload

I’m on my second 2500 Ram with the 5.7L Hemi. The first truck was a 2004 HD with 3.73 gears and 35” tires. My daily is a 2012 Power Wagon on 34” tires. I’ve been happy with the 5.7L. It’s a thirsty setup, but I doubt the 6.4L is a whole lot better. Depending on driving habits you’re going to see around 12mpg in town. At say 65mph you’ll see around 15mpg, and once you step over 70mph it’s going to drop to closer to 13mpg. I put around 8,000 miles a year on my truck, so fuel economy isn’t a big concern. I love the Power Wagon platform as long as you don’t need a ton of hauling capability. The ride for a 3/4 ton truck is amazing, but you’re sacrificing some work load numbers to get the softer springs. I will never own anything heavier than what the Power Wagon can handle, so I’m ok with that.

In short, you have to decide how much truck you need, and how that fits into your budget. The 2500 Hemi setup has been perfect for me, and I can’t say a bad thing about it. I’ve got over 115,000 miles between the two trucks, and the 5.7L has never let me down. The 6.4L mated to 4.10 gears has never been enough to make me want to upgrade, but I’m sure it’s a great setup. Again- it’s what you need and can afford that’s important.

 

[D45]

The 6.4L came out in 2015 for the Power Wagon right? This was also the first year for the 4.10s in the PW?

Before that, it was only the 5.7L (what HP version???) With 4.56s?

 

[kmacafee]

I found a 2015 3500 Laramie Quad Cab last year and have been pretty impressed so far. I added a flatbed and camper and it handles all that very well.

 

[TrailWhalePowerwagon]

cant beat an 2015-2018 Powerwagon right now.

the 6.4 and 4.10 is a great factory setup.
add in the ease of bypasses and having full control of your sway bar and lockers...you just cant beat it.

 

[D45]

cant beat an 2015-2018 Powerwagon right now.

the 6.4 and 4.10 is a great factory setup.
add in the ease of bypasses and having full control of your sway bar and lockers...you just cant beat it.

I doubt I can touch those model year price tags.......

 

[Explorerinil]

The ram box does seem nice, but all my trucks have had a cap on the bed

How does the 5.7L do in the 2500 series? The numbers are close, but it's a gamble with saving $3500 or getting a 6.4L

How's the mpg between the two motors?

Rear suspension needs to be discussed too......i am sure the rear coils ride great over the leafs, but what about simplicity and payload

Don’t get the ram box if your running a topper, I too prefer a topper and love mine. From what I’ve seen the 6.4 does the same or slightly better on fuel, I’ll take the 6.4 for more power. I got a friend with a 2500 with the 5.7, it’s been extremely reliable, fair on power, decent on fuel when not towing.

My 2014 2500 with rear coils springs did great, towed and handled great. I got to admit it towed way better and took a loaded trailer way better than I thought it would. I was very impressed and had no problems. I went with a 3500 this way around for the Aisin trans. Put that trans and an ho cummins (900 ft lb torque) in a 2500 and I would have bought that.

The 4th gen ram is awesome, you’ll like it allot more than the 3rd gen.

 

[D45]

The 6.4 is more appealing to me

2500 or 3500 won't matter to me

I want a manual lever tcase on the floor

 

[D45]

What gearing were factory options with the 6.4?

 

[Explorerinil]

What gearing were factory options with the 6.4?

4:10 gears on power wagon with the 6.4