Ram 6 vs 8 speed

Forget the 8spd in the HD line - I'd settle for a 6spd in the Hemi that wasn't designed by a moron :)

The gear ratios are borrowed from the diesel counterpart and really aren't ideal for gas. I think Ram tries to keep costs down by borrowing parts back and forth between models. I suppose every manufacturer does this.

8 speed was the nicest towing transmission I have ever had in a half ton. Always knew what gear it needed and when you dropped gears going down a grade it stuck like a magnet with basically no input of the brake pedal. I had 3.92s in it.

As for it's absence in the HD line up- it has been covered in depth on a few forums. It has to do with the ability of the transmission not being rated to hold the full GVWR of the truck when parked- so i assume the pawl or something was the weak point?

8 speed all day...sooooooooooo silky smooth.

The 8 speed offers a larger range of returned value. Coupled with a 3:21 axle ratio, the 8 speed offers lower off the line power than the 6 speed with 3:92s. In the higher gears, you will get improve economy with lower RPMs at highway speeds.

You have the option of manually selecting a gear to optimise the towing power needed.

I tow a 7,500-pound trailer/tractor combo around town with my 2013 8 speed with 3:21 axles, never felt the need for more power. The 8 speed does a nice job of keeping the engine it is power band.

Jayco-noslide wrote:
8 speed seems like overkill. The important thing is to have enough towing capacity, power etc. My old 30 ft. clall C has the V-10 and only an old fashioned 4 speed. I wish it had 5 or 6 but really it does a pretty good job.

Yeah its what you think you need I assume..

I have the 4 speed.. Tow in 3rd... there is no other gear really but 2nd... ha ha ha..

I would be tickled pink if I had a six speed. If I had an 8 speed I would feel guilty that I didnt deserve it as I didnt progress up the ladder...

Ha ha... I remember my old 2 speed powerglide days.. rev it to 60 then shift!!!!:E

wilber1 wrote:
I don’t understand why they don’t offer the 8 spd with the 6.4 2500. The 8HP90 ZF used in the Hellcat can handle up to 900 lb ft of torque.

Apples-to-oranges... Big difference between the weight of a car and a truck/trailer combo.

8 speed seems like overkill. The important thing is to have enough towing capacity, power etc. My old 30 ft. clall C has the V-10 and only an old fashioned 4 speed. I wish it had 5 or 6 but really it does a pretty good job.

stevemorris wrote:
both trucks are 1500's, both v8 hemi
the 8 speed is a higher optioned model, big horn iirc and does have the 3.21 rearend. the 6 speed has a higher ratio rear end, 3.46 maybe

I think the available ratios are 3.21, 3.55, and 3.92. The 3.92 is definitely the best of the available options. The 8 speed transmission is outstanding in my opinion and drives and tows excellently. If the 6 speed is not 3.92 geared, I wouldn't even consider it.

900 ft/lbs in a car is different from in a truck that's going to haul a lot of weight.
The car will never have anywhere near the stress on it, there's far less resistance to motion because of the lighter weight.
That's why F550s have reduced power compared to F250/350/450s.
The drivetrain would have to be even bigger to handle the same power at higher weight.

both trucks are 1500's, both v8 hemi
the 8 speed is a higher optioned model, big horn iirc and does have the 3.21 rearend. the 6 speed has a higher ratio rear end, 3.46 maybe