Forum Discussion

BurbMan's avatar
BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2018

Ram 6.4L Hemi vs good ol' 8.1L

Had the flu this week so spent a lot of time sitting around watching TV and Googling stuff....I got to thinking that my next truck will probably be a well-equipped Ram 2500, crew cab, 6'4" bed, with the 6.4L Hemi.

The real question is the drivetrain....I thought briefly about the manual transmission, but the traffic around here has gotten so bad I'm afraid I don't have the patience to shift anymore. After losing 2 automatics while towing, it seems to make sense though....

I don't tow far enough or heavy enough to need a diesel, TT loaded is not quite 9k lbs. I'm thinking the 6.4 with the 4.10 rear would make a nice combo.

So obviously the Big Question is, how will it tow compared to the 8.1/4.10 combo I have now? How is the 68RFE transmission, is it durable?

I'm also not seeing ram boxes or an IBC option, are these not available on the power wagon?

The other big question is how recent model years stack up....ideally I'd like to get 14-16 truck that somebody else had paid the depreciation on.

Would appreciate any pointers from guys who know the Ram truck line...
Tow Vehicles
  • RamGuy's avatar
    RamGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 09, 2018
    OP here....reserving my new user name in advance :B

    Sorry I meant the 66RFE, the 68 does go behind the cummins. The 6.4 also had MDS so it should get better gas mileage when empty. On a good day with a tail wind, running completely empty and downhill I can get 11 mpg with the big block....7 mpg with the trailer.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Feb 09, 2018
    Looks like a good fit to me.

    The 6.4 has been reported to be a good engine; so is the tranny. The hemi will have more HP so you will go up the mountains better and faster. Fuel use will be "about" the same.
  • 1stgenfarmboy's avatar
    1stgenfarmboy
    Explorer
    Feb 09, 2018
    When wanting torque with a gas engine there is no denying cubic inches, but the 6.4 is a power house for sure, and with 4:10's it will work so well I dought you feel the difference between it and your 8.1.

    the 68RFE is what is behind the cummins with 750tq so I can't imagin it won't hold up behind the 6.4, and with the low gears it will put even less stress on it.


    With all this said I like manual trans, but I know where you are coming from on the not wanting to shift in traffic.

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