MotorTrend Tests the 1500's

jerem0621 wrote:

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But when you drive this Ram the power always seems to be right where you need it.. No crazy shifting and 5,000 RPM wind up to get to the power... It's just there... Depress the pedal slightly and 420 lb/ft of tq are right there low in the powerband...

For Half ton loads the EcoDiesel is a great choice, it gets great MPG towing and the torque is down low in the rpm band and remains fairly constant to 3000 RPM's where the TQ starts to fall off...
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That's pretty much the Motor Trend take on it as well. They really liked the responsiveness of the RAM EcoD with all that low rpm torque.

As for parts and EcoD availability, I guess RAM didn't expect quite the uptake they have got. Still I'm surprised at the parts issue. They could have done better there.

One of the reasons we ended up with the F150, even with the first year of a new motor (2011 EcoB), is that I knew there were Ford dealers and trucks everywhere. So if that's a concern, and you want more low end torque and HP than a normally aspirated V6, the EcoB's might do.

Motor Trend liked the 2015 2.7 EcoB almost as much as the EcoD if that means anything. Me, I'd still get the 2015 3.5L EcoB in a HD Payload F150. Now that's a real capable "half-ton" :) tow truck. Unfortunately though, it burns gas when towing like similarly capable V8 gas trucks. :(