Ram 2500 6.4L 12.5K Ike Gauntlet

dreeder wrote:
Huh, other than the cylinder deactivation, I can't see a reason to choose the 6.4 over the 5.7.

I have not driven a 5.7 Hemi, but I do have a Tundra with the 5.7 and it did a awesome job pulling my ~7000lb trailer up a very steep grade leaving the campground last weekend. I was holding 60mph @ ~3000rpm and nobody felt the need to pass me even though I was in the slow lane.

if the Hemi is as good as the I-Force 5.7 then I think it would be a fine choice for a gas motor in a 2500.

The reasons I'm looking at the 6.4 would be the cylinder deactivation when empty (95% of the time for me) and the torque coming on 1000 rpm earlier than the 5.7, leads me to believe it would not have to rev as high climbing grades or off the line.

I did test drive a new 6.4 with 3.73's and I was not impressed with off the line torque compared to the Tundra (4.30's). 4.10 gears probably would have changed that for the Ram.

It's a tough call on the 6.4...fairly new motor, possibly better mileage/torque. the 5.7 is a known commodity and seems to be up to the task. However someone coming off a diesel would likely want as much torque as they could get in a gas motor and I would think the 6.4/4.10 combo would be the better choice for the $1500 difference.

Would I like the 6.7 oil burner? Absolutely, but not for the $8k cost of admission given I'm running unloaded 95% of the time and live in the cold north east. I had a f250 with the 7.3 and it was great when I was towing, but really it was just loud, expensive and a general PIA in the winter months. If I lived and a warmer area, or towed heavy loads more often it would be different.