2018 Dodge 3500 dually gas motor row ratings
With the super high diesel ratings they have, how do the gas motor ones rate?
Forum Discussion
ib516 wrote:
Unfortunately, your calculation completely leaves out the fact that all modern high torque diesels in pickups with auto transmissions are equipped with the transmission saving TORQUE MANAGEMENT (torque reduction) feature in the lower gears. There's no way you're getting anywhere near 930 lb-ft in gear 1 and 2.
I have actually tested it. In the real world. I used my previous 6.4L Hemi/4.10 vs a friends 3500 SRW Cummins/3.42. The trucks were identical with the exception of the transmission (66RFE vs 68RFE), rear axle ratio, rear suspension, and engine. We did 0-60 mph towing his 14k 5er. Guess who was faster to 60 mph? My Hemi was.
Unsurprisingly, I was faster 0-60 empty as well. That only makes sense. Lighter truck, 4.10 gears, and more hp.
It's a good point you brought up, but BOTH the Hemi and Cummins has torque management.
But a 0-60 run is not a good measurement of startability. You're well into the meat of the power band where raw HP, rather than torque, does the work (see my post above). Your HEMI was faster because it has more HP, my little 5.7 can easily out pull a stock 24V Cummins on highway grades.
A better test would be finding a steep hill and test it at full GVW.
Even if my numbers aren't 100% true to life, it still brings up an area where diesels are superior to gas. As we step into 8 or 10 speed transmission, this gap will shrink.
