kohldad wrote:
Gear selection depends on speed and if you plan on using the tow/haul feature which greatly increases the exhaust braking.
If you plan on using the tow/haul, select the 3.73 or possibly even the 3.42 as the 4.10 will have your rpm too high.
If you don't plan on using tow/haul, the 4.10s are better because it will allow the 6th gear to be used more.
My father ordered his 2016 with 3.73 and when he hauls a 5k TC, he wishes he had the 4.10s so he could run 6th more often. However, he often switches between tow/haul on/off depending on interstate vs stop/go or where he wants the exhaust brake to really work. When he pulls his 16k# FW, the 3.73s are almost perfect because he runs 5th in tow/haul for the exhaust
In regards to the trim level, look at the SLT. Gives you the chrome, sliding rear window, power seats, upgraded seats and a couple power points yet keeps the smaller radio. Only negative (IMO) is the updgrade from manual to electronic shift transfer case. The SLT is worth the extra $2k over the tradesman without getting into a lot of fancy stuff like the 8.4, auto climate control (which I hate).
Don't complain about the mmpg. Of course, I'm averaging 12.4 with a 2015 6.4 hemi and 3.73. You aren't going to do much better with the diesels today. If you want better mpg, going with a pre 2007.5 5.9 with the added benefit of going.
Unfortunately, the SLT I’m looking at has the upgraded 8.4, larger driver info screen, dual climate control and bed camera. I’d rather not have these and save a couple thousand dollars. It does have the bed liner which is good.
Does the SLT come with power seats? It didn’t list that on the invoice.
