Test drove 2013 Ram 3500 today

It was a 3500 SRW 4x4, laramie, crew cab, and it was equipped with 3.42 rear axle, the 850tq Cummins, and the Aisin 6 speed auto.

My truck exactly, in a long bed.

raygreg wrote:
I bought one about a month ago, just got a B & w Turnoverball and Companion hitch put in, getting ready to see how it tows.

I've had mine about 5 weeks now, with two camping trips chaulked up. It tows like a dream. I can feel a big difference because it is a heavier truck than the F250 I have been towing with - more "solid". I think you will find it rides better towing than when it is unloaded. I reduced my tire pressure down to 70 in the rear tires, proportionate to my payload. I do notice, though, some "hunting" when using cruise control unloaded on flat and level ground. Not sure about that though, there's not much of that around here. I love the exhaust brake, and the way the tow/haul mode interacts with it. The EVIC is great, the only thing RAM left out which I wish it had is EGT; all other parameters are there.

I think if you get a SRW, 3.42s are your only choice with the diesel. You need to go to a DRW to get 3.73 or 4.10. Much like Ford. 3.31 or 3.55 in SRW trucks.

Vulcaneer wrote:

ib516 wrote:
It was a 3500 SRW 4x4, laramie, crew cab, and it was equipped with 3.42 rear axle, the 850tq Cummins, and the Aisin 6 speed auto.

Rpm @ 72 mph was ~1500.

I guess I would question the gearing. Seems pretty high? Assuming it develops peak torque at 1600 RPM, at 65 MPH (highway speeds) it would be below peak torque. Not a problem for non towing. But if towing medium/heavy (say 14,000 LBS), do you think it would be shifting a lot when encountering slight grades at 65MPH?

I would think a bit lower gear might be better for heavey towing.

What is the Aisin 6th gear ratio compared to the Dodge 6 speed auto.

Appears the 3.42, 3.73 and 4.10 gears are available. I would get 3.73 or 4.10 depending on 6th ratio. I am not sure the ratios are the same on the one in a Ram Pickup verses the CC. However with a .63 6th gear I would get the 4.10's and pull houses over.

Aisin Seiki Six-Speed AS68RC (Dodge Cab and Chassis Only)
Specifications:
First gear: 3.74 n Second gear: 2.00
Third gear: 1.34 n Fourth gear: 1.00
Fifth gear: 0.77 n Sixth gear: 0.63
Reverse: 3.54
Weight: 348 pounds (dry)
ATF lube capacity: 14.79 quarts
Torque converter: 12.2-inch diameter with four-disc converter
Input shaft diameter: 1.06 inches
Output shaft diameter: 1.68 inches

Allison Vs Torqshift Vs Aisin Allison 1000 Transmission
Allison 1000 (GMC and Chevrolet)
Specifications:
First gear: 3.10
Second gear: 1.81
Third gear: 1.40
Fourth gear: 1.00
Fifth gear: 0.71
Sixth gear: 0.61
Reverse: 4.49
Weight: 330 pounds (dry)
ATF lube capacity: 12.68 quarts
Torque converter: 12.2-inch diameter, dual-friction, single-disc converter
Input shaft diameter: 1.26 inches
Output shaft diameter: 1.75 inches

Allison Vs Torqshift Vs Aisin Ford 6R140 Torqshift Transmisson
Ford 6R140 TorqShift
Specifications:
First gear: 3.97
Second gear: 2.32
Third gear: 1.52
Fourth gear: 1.15
Fifth gear: 0.86
Sixth gear: 0.67
Reverse: 3.13
Weight: 325 pounds (dry)
ATF lube capacity: 16.7 quarts
Torque converter: 12.60-inch diameter, 2-disc converter
Input shaft diameter: 1.18 inches
Output shaft diameter: 1.61 inches

With 4.10's and a .69 OD in my truck I am turning 62-63 MPH at 2000 RPM this should be around 1800 or so. So Towing it Calif in 5th gear would about right. 3.42 are just to tall. I could settle for 3.73 but not 3.42's.


Chris

ib516 wrote:
It was a 3500 SRW 4x4, laramie, crew cab, and it was equipped with 3.42 rear axle, the 850tq Cummins, and the Aisin 6 speed auto.

Rpm @ 72 mph was ~1500.

I guess I would question the gearing. Seems pretty high? Assuming it develops peak torque at 1600 RPM, at 65 MPH (highway speeds) it would be below peak torque. Not a problem for non towing. But if towing medium/heavy (say 14,000 LBS), do you think it would be shifting a lot when encountering slight grades at 65MPH?

I would think a bit lower gear might be better for heavey towing.

bmanning wrote:

ib516 wrote:
It was a 3500 SRW 4x4, laramie, crew cab, and it was equipped with 3.42 rear axle, the 850tq Cummins, and the Aisin 6 speed auto. Payload was just under 4000#, gvwr was 11, 700#.

I took it for a 30 min highway run, and got an average of 13.5L/100km. That works out to 17.4mpg U.S. Rpm @ 72 mph was ~1500.

The power in second gear was very strong, but first gear full throttle launches were heavily torque managed to my butt dyno anyway. It felt like only about 60% of the potential power was there.

Interior was a huge leap fwd from my 07, not even in the same solar system.

Payments would be downright scary.

Going to drive a 6.4L Hemi one when they get one in.

I have been drooling over the thought of a loaded 2014 6.4L Hemi, 4x4 crew cab, rear air suspension :C

That might be my next truck!

ib516 wrote:
It was a 3500 SRW 4x4, laramie, crew cab, and it was equipped with 3.42 rear axle, the 850tq Cummins, and the Aisin 6 speed auto. Payload was just under 4000#, gvwr was 11, 700#.

I took it for a 30 min highway run, and got an average of 13.5L/100km. That works out to 17.4mpg U.S. Rpm @ 72 mph was ~1500.

The power in second gear was very strong, but first gear full throttle launches were heavily torque managed to my butt dyno anyway. It felt like only about 60% of the potential power was there.

Interior was a huge leap fwd from my 07, not even in the same solar system.

Payments would be downright scary.

Going to drive a 6.4L Hemi one when they get one in.

I have been drooling over the thought of a loaded 2014 6.4L Hemi, 4x4 crew cab, rear air suspension :C

Yes 1st gear doesn't feel like it does much, 2nd gear and up feels pretty good.
I bought one about a month ago, just got a B & w Turnoverball and Companion hitch put in, getting ready to see how it tows.