2014 Ram 3500 vs Ike Gauntlet

i really dont see the point in not offering different gear ratios. Sure the D/A is a proven, great combo and always accels, but everyones needs are different. I think Ram is equally as stupid for not offering anything but 3.42s in SRW trucks.

Also yes, Ford does offer quite higher ratios, but like stated when you look at the Trans gear ratios, it makes since and makes them pretty evenly geared overall.

GM has stuck with 3.73's since the inception of the Duramax in 01 in the pickups. My 5500 has 5.19's. I have to think they could run more trailer weight if they offered a 4.10 or so option. It does not appear at least right now that they will. The combination has proven very competitive over the years. It may not be ideal in a run up Ike however. I would be curious if they spec the truck or let the OEM spec the truck for the task. GM does not have any options, but Ford and Ram certainly could provide a truck geared specific for that task.

Riddler6.7 wrote:
also as far as people wanting to test the cummins with 3.73s for an accurate comparison, i see both sides. But in the end i think each manufacturer will bring their "best" towing setup and its no ones fault but GM's that they only offer 3.73, which IMO is ridiculous. I would have loved to have 4.10s in my LMM duramax, is was a turd down low even with EFIlive. It always had to pull all the hills 1 gear lower then any of my cummins truck, it had a lot of top end power though.

Ford offers 3.31 or 3.55 gears in most their SRW configurations. Seems wierd until you look at the transmission ratios.

parkersdad wrote:
If you don't believe it then why is it that every year when a new truck comes out do they say will it competent with a Cummins?

Please provide a link to back up "Parkersdad" statement! If not.... step away from the I-talian Kool aid.

the last cummins i had, had 3.73s. It pulled great and for the majority of the time was percet. But when i go to some of the camping spots, its a lot of tight windy roads with tons of S curves. Basically most of the time is accelerating from slow crawl to 25-30mph up and down the mountain. I drive those roads a lot and 4.10s make a world of difference in that situation. Plus I NEVER tow above 65mph so the 4.10s always have the truck in the sweet spot in 6th gear. 3.73s and other gears definitely have their place, but for me i wouldnt want to change back.

I guess what I think is not new thinking as our 05 has 3.73 and I really feel it is best for our towing. The mountain climbing is a non issue for us and most of our driving is solo so with having a 5 speed trannie it is a good set up. The new trucks are awesome and needed for heavier loads of today.

chevman

also as far as people wanting to test the cummins with 3.73s for an accurate comparison, i see both sides. But in the end i think each manufacturer will bring their "best" towing setup and its no ones fault but GM's that they only offer 3.73, which IMO is ridiculous. I would have loved to have 4.10s in my LMM duramax, is was a turd down low even with EFIlive. It always had to pull all the hills 1 gear lower then any of my cummins truck, it had a lot of top end power though.

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

Taco wrote:
I would imagine as "media" TFL truck guys might get a shot at testing the stuff before it is released.

My guess is it is slightly slower than the duramax but in reality we are only talking a few mph slower on maybe 2% of the towing people do. So the difference might add up to what a half hour slower over the life of the vehicle. Who cares.

You would be right, the Ram was slower LINK of the test with the time of 10:12 but 5.9 MPG and 7.6 MPG round trip, something the Ford and GM/Chevy cant do.

Don

thats not the same trailer setup. That truck could have had 3.42s. Anyways when watching the teaser video for the latest "2015 3500", they were approaching the end around 9 minute 10 second mark said it was going to be really close to the duramax finish. Either way they are all very close, but i expect the new powerstroke will probably take this challenge when they test it.

Doesn't matter to me. The Duramax is no where near the motor that cummins is. If you don't believe it then why is it that every year when a new truck comes out do they say will it compete with a Cummins? Cubby needs to work on there bodies as well, they look like a card board box with wheels

tsetsaf wrote:
I found it interesting how much they were bouncing around in the seats. Wonder what they are scaling?

Somewhere between 19 and 20k. I think this is good that they're taking the RAM up again. I wonder which ratio and transmission they are getting. But this way, it brings the RAM down to an Apples to Apples comparison against the Duramax. Really though, I also wonder about the exhaust brake performance. GM's Allison/Duramax combo is no slouch and has been a benchmark when it comes to exhaust braking. It will be good to have a back to back comparison like this. Hopefully Ford hops in as well. I would expect a great improvement from Ford with the updates they've recently implemented on that 6.7.

Also, noted that on the remarks on some of their vids that they're going wild when a truck doesn't maintain 60mph through the whole run. However, they continuously ignore that the big rigs are geared down and only holding 30mph through the run. Then they go on about RAM's 30,000 lbs rating when it can't hold speed at 17,000 lbs. This is another case where it would also be good to have a unified towing standard such as holding at minimum 1/2 or 3/4 the posted speed limit on a mountain climb or something like that in order to earn a tow rating.