Took the plunge - Cummins to Hemi 6.4
After reading posts, reviews, specs, watching videos, and a few test drives, I finally decided to take the plunge. I sold my 2003 Ram 2500 QC LB 4x4 Standard output 5.9 Cummins 5 speed and bought a ne...
Forum Discussion
Thanks all for the kind words.
The new gas engines are a huge improvement over previous generations. I have no misconception that it will be better than a new diesel though. For those asking why go back to gas: The extra $6-7000 in price, the extra $.40 or more per gallon, the emissions & DEF, etc are what pushed me to try the gasser. I got a big horn 6.4 for less than a tradesman diesel. They also had an extra $2000 in rebates on the gas engines, so I ended up about $10,500 off sticker (1% under invoice - $6,000 rebates).
My old Ram diesel had 250 hp/460 lb ft and 3.73 gears mated to the 5 speed manual. new truck is 410 hp/429 lb ft, 4.10 gears and 6 speed auto. The 03 averaged around 17-18mpg empty. I am hoping the new one does at least 15. The first 1/3 of a tank averaged closer to 14, but only has a couple hundred miles on it.
My camper is a little under 11k dry, about 12k loaded. The old truck was rated for a max of 11,850 towing and the new one 15,500. Payload was under 2,000 lbs on the old one and close to 3,000 on the new one. My hitch shipped and should be here Friday and I am eager to test it out with the camper hooked up. My 03 struggled a little pulling the hills with the 5vr, so I am really hoping this one gets the job done.
Other than the 5th wheel, I will use it for my 20' deckover trailer, 6x12 enclosed trailer, and other hauling. I it also my current daily driver, but if I run across a good deal on something cheap and 30+mpg, I may get it just to drive to work.
The new gas engines are a huge improvement over previous generations. I have no misconception that it will be better than a new diesel though. For those asking why go back to gas: The extra $6-7000 in price, the extra $.40 or more per gallon, the emissions & DEF, etc are what pushed me to try the gasser. I got a big horn 6.4 for less than a tradesman diesel. They also had an extra $2000 in rebates on the gas engines, so I ended up about $10,500 off sticker (1% under invoice - $6,000 rebates).
My old Ram diesel had 250 hp/460 lb ft and 3.73 gears mated to the 5 speed manual. new truck is 410 hp/429 lb ft, 4.10 gears and 6 speed auto. The 03 averaged around 17-18mpg empty. I am hoping the new one does at least 15. The first 1/3 of a tank averaged closer to 14, but only has a couple hundred miles on it.
My camper is a little under 11k dry, about 12k loaded. The old truck was rated for a max of 11,850 towing and the new one 15,500. Payload was under 2,000 lbs on the old one and close to 3,000 on the new one. My hitch shipped and should be here Friday and I am eager to test it out with the camper hooked up. My 03 struggled a little pulling the hills with the 5vr, so I am really hoping this one gets the job done.
Other than the 5th wheel, I will use it for my 20' deckover trailer, 6x12 enclosed trailer, and other hauling. I it also my current daily driver, but if I run across a good deal on something cheap and 30+mpg, I may get it just to drive to work.
