2010-2012 Ram question

C Schomer wrote:
^^^ I'm thinking the same thing. What engine and trans changes were made after 12. I'm looking at 13+ trucks now. I see there is an HO again... looks like Ram is getting all the mileage they can get out of the HO suffix. Was 13 another year for an HO... third or forth time around? What characters in the VIN indicate the HO and/or Aisin? Craig

For 2013 ram didn't have a HO version per say, but has 3 different power levels for the three different transmissions (Manual, 68, Aisin) with the aisin available only in the 3500 series. When shopping on the dealer lot and if your looking at a 3500 you can simply look under the truck to see which tranny it has, but the vast majority of the 3500 trucks will have the 68.

One thing I forgot to add earlier is a dealer will not take a diesel truck on trade if any of the emissions system has been deleted. Something worth considering when the time comes to sell a truck.

^^^ I'm thinking the same thing. What engine and trans changes were made after 12. I'm looking at 13+ trucks now. I see there is an HO again... looks like Ram is getting all the mileage they can get out of the HO suffix. Was 13 another year for an HO... third or forth time around? What characters in the VIN indicate the HO and/or Aisin? Craig

C Schomer wrote:
I'm thinking no newer than 12 because I can do deletes and tuning. My 03 is already plenty of truck for my 15K and 18K trailers so any 4th gen dually should be great. The Aisin trucks are RARE and the tuned 68RFEs sound plenty appealing to me. Craig

You'll be good with a deleted truck as long as you install a very mild tune to deal with the deleted hardware.

+1 2013 or newer 3500

Me Again wrote:
3500 SRW with Aisin. Chris

+1. SRW 3500 w/ Aisin auto is a tow beast that makes no compromises for daily driving.

3500 SRW with Aisin. Chris

Me Again wrote:
Forget the heavily smog'd pre DEF 6.7's and get a 2013 or newer RAM. Much better trucks and in 3500 you can get the Aisin tranny. (tranny dip stick on the drivers side of the engine)

Chris

I'm also looking at Rams and rigs, probably 2013 and up. Never had a 5th wheel and Interested in a Grand Design or Montana High Country, 41' or so, both are 15,000# plus. Any advice, pro or con on a manual trans,vs regular automatic or Aisin???

It's a fine choice. I don't know about the ibc setup other than read/heard some of the earlier ones weren't that great on the Rams, but that's only a brake controller away if it doesn't do what you want.
You can easily do deletes on the newer Rams as well, but the early 4th gens are less complicated.
If your 03 works then an early 4th gen will as theyre essentially the same chassis until the 13/14 models when the chassis got beefed up.

Good luck truck shopping!

Yup, I third the 2013 Ram 3500. All new frame. GVWR from up from 12,200 on the 2012 to 14k on the 2013. SRW went from 9,900 to 12,300

My 2012 only has about 65,000 miles on it, but it has been a great vehicle. Yes, it does have electric over hydraulic option on the IBC.

I also came from an 03 with the NV5600. I thought I might miss some things about the manual, but I don't.

Never have had trouble with any of the emissions equipment, but if you delete, you won't have to worry about that (although I would save everything you take off in case Pueblo ever goes to emissions testing, and for resale reasons).

I am very happy with my truck, but if I were in the market to buy used, I would agree with Chris, and would look for a 2013 or 2014 over the years you are considering. The HD's went through a significant upgrade in 2013, and it isn't just the engine/transmission options. It is the whole truck including the frame.