Turns out I need a real truck. Kindly help me choose one!

[UglyViking]

A short note on torque and diesel versus gas engines - when I selected my gas engine one of the calculations I used to compare the engines used published engine torque x 1st gear x axle ratio which equaled a value I called calculated torque. Now this did not include the transfer case since the high and low range numbers were identical, and this also considered the trucks were running identical sized tires.

Of course the diesel has a much broader torque curve compared to the gas but this is just a snapshot of some real values that paint a slightly different picture. If only considering engine torque we can say the diesel produces 88% more torque but if we include gearing then the diesel powertrain is only producing an additional 17% torque.

	engine torque​	transmission 1st gear​	axle ratio​	calculated torque​
6.4L Hemi​	429 lb.-ft.​	4.71​	4.10​	8,284​
6.7L Cummins​	805 lb.-ft.​	3.23​	3.73​	9,699​

While these numbers look pretty accurate, I'll call out that the Hemi makes that torque @ 4,000 rpm, where as the Cummins makes it's torque @ 1,700 rpm. Obviously, torque curves being different and all that, you'd need to find apples to apples dyno sheets or manufacture provided data, the Cummins is still going to make a noticeable amount of additional torque, if it didn't then there would be no real need for it right?

Whether that matters to each person or it's worth the price of admission is another question, but it does have the clear apper hand in a way that your chart alone doesn't account for.

In order to fit 37'' tires, the AEV bumper is necessary.

This is 110% incorrect. Many Ram HD owners, most in fact, install 37s without any aftermarket bumper. Guys put them on stock Cummins and Power Wagon trucks, so I've got no clue why they would tell you this, it's just flat out wrong.

Found another solution. This one seems a bit cooler. but it's a full bumper system from Expedition One. It will set you back $3.5k aprox.

View attachment 799309

I commented on this on the HD thread, but I'll say that their CS is still not fantastic. One guy had recently purchased this rear bumper for his truck, and turns out they made a change to the mounting latch to have it bolt together instead of be welded on (presumably to allower greater flexability for difference in manufacturing tollerance across Ram trucks) and they hadn't included the new metal brackets in his order. He had to fight with them over two weeks to get the brackets.

I've also got my own tale on their front bumper.

That all said, it's by far one of the nicest looking bumpers (front and rear) that are available. At least to me.

 

[hdas]

This is 110% incorrect. Many Ram HD owners, most in fact, install 37s without any aftermarket bumper. Guys put them on stock Cummins and Power Wagon trucks, so I've got no clue why they would tell you this, it's just flat out wrong.

I see what your are saying, but my interpretation of what they said (and I could be wrong), is that AEV wouldn't do trimming/cutting or other stuff to the stock bumper. It wasn't a general statement about fitting 37's in a 3500. Maybe I worded my comment incorrectly to begin with.

commented on this on the HD thread, but I'll say that their CS is still not fantastic.

Yep, outfitter here in Colorado didn't recommend using them. Seems that they have bad experiences.

 

[UglyViking]

I see what your are saying, but my interpretation of what they said (and I could be wrong), is that AEV wouldn't do trimming/cutting or other stuff to the stock bumper. It wasn't a general statement about fitting 37's in a 3500. Maybe I worded my comment incorrectly to begin with.

For what it's worth, I am running 37s on AEV wheels and I didn't have to trim my bumper at all. My buddy is also running the same. Stock bumpers on both, 0 trimming to the bumper.

If you like the look and want to run the winch, then by all means, but it's not strictly necessary.

 

[No Ma]

We've ended up in a Ram 3500 built along the lines you're considering. We've been off-road traveling and camping for 15 years in Colorado and Utah with built Jeep JKURs and ground tents or off-road trailers. We wanted a rig that could carry a small off-road popup camper but still be capable of running 90-95% of the trails we normally visit these days.

After much research, we bought a 2022 Ram Big Horn 3500 crewcab short bed with SO Cummins. Suspension is 3.25" Carli Pintop. 37" tires on 18" Method HD rims. AEV front bumper w/16.5k Warn winch. White Knuckle sliders. Chassis Unlimited rear bumper and a Rigd Ultraswing tire carrier. FWC Hawk front dinette slide in camper.

The Carli suspension makes the truck the best riding/handling vehicle we've ever had. Very smooth and controlled both on pavement and off-road. I wasn't expecting that from a truck with a 4,009lb payload and rear leaf springs.

Choice of diesel was for low rpm torque on the trail and for the extra miles per gallon. The 31 gallon tank plus slightly better mileage has eliminated the need to carry extra fuel tanks for our travel style. Was the diesel required for our build? No. It was a preference. After 2 years, 15,000 miles and 2 full travel seasons, it's been a great combination for us. I test drove a '22 with HO/Aisin. Drove fine, didn't notice any hard shifting. For our use, including any towing we might do in the future, I didn't see the need for the extra horsepower, torque and expense.

 

[hdas]

Buying the truck is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Here are the highlights:

1. Exact configuration is near impossible to find. If I order the car, I'm looking at 4-6 months potentially more. I could be patient, but the wife wants to start overlanding in late April.
2. I will use AAA service
3. Some of the dealers in Colorado said they would only do trades within Colorado.
4. The dealer I visited last weekend, salesman doesn't seem interested in following up or asking me what I want. It seems that I need to chase them.
5. Dealing with car sales people is truly annoying.

That's where I am.......And I need to do some research into:

1. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Front LED Headlamps to replace the crappy lights these trucks come with.
2. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Rear Wheelhouse Liners



These people are not interested in any discount beyond the general $2500 bonus. So I'm looking at 72k.......for a barebones truck missing some comfort and safety features, which is not optimal.

 

[hdas]

We've ended up in a Ram 3500 built along the lines you're considering.

Thanks a lot for you feedback!. If I could ask you, what have been the negatives, or relevant issues you wish were better ? Is there anything you would have bought/configured different in your setup?

I appreciate any insight you could share. Thanks

 

[Todd780]

View attachment 799480

Buying the truck is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Here are the highlights:

1. Exact configuration is near impossible to find. If I order the car, I'm looking at 4-6 months potentially more. I could be patient, but the wife wants to start overlanding in late April.
2. I will use AAA service
3. Some of the dealers in Colorado said they would only do trades within Colorado.
4. The dealer I visited last weekend, salesman doesn't seem interested in following up or asking me what I want. It seems that I need to chase them.
5. Dealing with car sales people is truly annoying.

That's where I am.......And I need to do some research into:

1. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Front LED Headlamps to replace the crappy lights these trucks come with.
2. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Rear Wheelhouse Liners

View attachment 799481

These people are not interested in any discount beyond the general $2500 bonus. So I'm looking at 72k.......for a barebones truck missing some comfort and safety features, which is not optimal.

Wow. Didn't think it would be that hard to find an in stock truck right now.
Just out of curiosity have you searched for a Tremor with the 6.7 diesel? Or are you set on the Ram?

 

[PirateMcGee]

Crazy money just to go places base model stock trucks drive around on all the time.

This is a long thread but why diesel? They are so heavy offroad on an already heavy truck...

 

[hdas]

Just out of curiosity have you searched for a Tremor with the 6.7 diesel? Or are you set on the Ram?

We are set on the Ram. I'm not opposed to it, but my wife heard the story of our friend who had one and sold it because of many issues, and that has colored her opinion strongly.

 

[hdas]

This is a long thread but why diesel?

In a nutshell: Torque, fuel economy and robust engine.

 

[PirateMcGee]

In a nutshell: Torque, fuel economy and robust engine.

Fuel savings is non existent. Most places it's more expensive fuel and maintenance costs out weight it. I would really reconsider the diesel if you are planning on any sort of wet conditions. The weight makes a huge difference.

 

[hdas]

base model stock trucks

A truck that was 50k in 2019 is 75k now. That's just the reality.

 

[Todd780]

We are set on the Ram. I'm not opposed to it, but my wife heard the story of our friend who had one and sold it because of many issues, and that has colored her opinion strongly.

To be honest that could be said for any make and model of vehicle. But if you're digging the Ram, that's cool. They are nice trucks.

 

[Todd780]

A truck that was 50k in 2015 is 75k now. That's just the reality.

It's crazy. When I build and price my 22 as a 23 model. The exact same truck has a $10,000 higher MSRP. Up 10G's! In one year!!

 

[hdas]

t's crazy. When I build and price my 22 as a 23 model. The exact same truck has a $10,000 higher MSRP. Up 10G's! In one year!!

Yeah, and I meant to write 2019 not 2015