Is the Ram 1500 finally catching up with the competition?
This pickuptrucks.com article shows a Megacab mule. The thing that caught my eye was the 6 lug wheels. Maybe they're finally trying to compete in the payload category.
Forum Discussion
Mike Up wrote:Santa Fe wrote:Mike Up wrote:hvac wrote:
Let's talk innovation. Small turbo v6fuel efficient diesel. 8speed automatic. Air suspension all 4corners. Seems others need to catch up.
Yeh, it makes a good crossover. Ford and chevy want to keep leaf springs for their better handling while towing or carrying a load, and provide engines that have good torque while having enough horsepower to get out of their own way.
6 speed trans were the best of all worlds, torque and fuel economy and only slightly busy. 8 - 10 speeds are very busy to gain fuel economy and I prefer a less busy transmission.
Chevy and Dodge have shown their 8 speed transmission provide slower or equal times than their 6 speed transmissions but that only makes sense with more shifts.
Fords new 10 speed and Ecoboost are quicker than the previous but the new Ecoboost added 50 lbs torque and higher horsepower to offset the shifting loss.
I'd rather have 6 speed. Performance, fuel efficiency, and tolerable shifting busyness.
Have you driven a RAM with the 8 speed?
Yes, and a Town and Country Minivan with the 3.6L.
Last generation Town and Country/Grand Caravan minivans did in fact have a 6 speed auto, not an 8 speed.
Personally, I prefer the way my 8 speed Torqueflite rows through the gears. The shifts are sharp and crisp; it never hunts for gears and is the opposite of "busy". It's refined and smooth. Towing with it is a breeze.
Before test driving, I had the same thought as you...that the truck would never know what gear to be in because 8 was too many. 5 minutes behind the wheel changed my opinion.
