I can't get past the grille on the ram trucks. The ugliest front end on a truck imo.

 

Very good points Denny. You are almost talking me into another Ford! Not that I will need much convincing.

 

Anyone hear more on the 6.4 / 8 speed automatic transmission rumor? That would be a nice combo.

 

I am also a member on the Ramforum like RainDesert and I believe I have seen that it may not come until 2020? Not real sure though.

 

That is hard to believe considering we see hardly any tranny issues on here on the newer trucks. About the only thing I've seen is slippage on high tuned diesels. Maybe that's what they are talking about?

 

I agree the 6r140 is every bit as strong/reliable as the Ram 68RFE. Those guys, who I have known down there since my E99 7.3, have always been Cummins fans, especially when it came to mods. And when ram came out with there current tranny around 2011, it was so much better than anything they had before, so these guys love it of course. Much of their opinions have been engraved since the 6.0/6.4 debacle.

 

I am glad that the super duty trans is supposed to be pretty bad ***.

What do you think about the power wagons.....too many graphics or cool?

 

I hate graphics and stripes, even on the raptor. I prefer a clean solid color, and a few factory two-tones. I don't care for the ram 3/4 ton^ including the power wagon, but thought they had the best looking 1/2 ton until the '15 f150. But obviously plenty of people do like this stuff, and it's just a matter of opinion.

 

I've seen some power wagons that I like the look of. I don't know much about their added ability over a stock truck though. A factory winch and lockers maybe?

 

I'v owned enough Dodge trucks and cars in the past, eventually they all turned into the typical unreliable Chrysler product. I have also been to the Cummins forums, take a look at the power train forum, just a litany of problems a lot of trans issues and cel's, tie rod nuts coming undone, broken welds on track bars, . The 6.0 may have had its problems but it didn't try and kill you. No thanks I'l keep my tried and true 6.2

 

The couple Rams I've owned(2006,2012), when I was done with them there was no consideration of a new one, just couldn't wait to get back into Ford.

 

What's the Best 3/4-Ton Work Truck for 2017? - PickupTrucks.com News

this is pretty interesting read

 

Ford now has a similar "best performance" comment for the 6.2 in the 2017 SD's OM.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

6.4 is a small block, however the 6.2 is more of medium block. 6.2 has big bore spacing, probably stronger internals

 

I have some objective info and anecdotal experience.

Consumer Reports shows that Fiat and it's brands (Fiat, Dodge, Ram, Jeep) consistently are at/near the bottom of reliability trends. That's not one or two people complaining; it's literally tens of thousands of owners giving real downtime data to CR that then tabulates the info and reports real world troubles based on mass market experiences. Ram trucks generally don't hold up well, despite that some neighbor or friend has a good experience. Don't look at one or two; look at the mass market info.

And, personally, I've driven and been around many Dodge 5.7L Hemi Chargers at the SO where I work. These 5.7L Hemi engines are the same basic foundation as the 6.4L Hemi. Those engines in our pursuit Chargers just don't hold up well. Sure - they are stupid fast and fun to drive. But I'd never want to own one long term; too many things go wrong. Of note, and I don't exaggerate here, we've had several engines have to get the cams and MDS management systems replaced, as well as water pumps failing prematurely, etc. These cars and their engines have major issues well before 100k miles; some as early as 60k miles. Since the 6.4L is just an outgrowth of the 5.7L, I cannot think that they hold up much better.

Want to drive a Hemi Ram? I recommend leasing one and having your fun, then you can dump it prior to the problems starting. I always tell people owning a Hemi Dodge is like dating a smokin' hot blonde; fun to run around with for a while, but you don't want to take her home long term because at some point, she's gonna be high maintenance.