Ram 2500 (coil spring) versus Ram 3500 (with opt air ride)

[thecdnmole]

Wondering if there is much ride difference when empty between the two since the 3500 has about 2500 lbs. more GVW. I did notice last fall when I was trying 2500's, the longer wheelbase in the megacab seemed to make it feel like a better ride. I know, I need to drive it myself, but until that happens curious what others found. Thanks!

[FishOnOne]

ShinerBock wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:


But the big difference is one will have a warranty and tranny that was designed for that power level, and the other has jepardized any engine/emission equipment/transmission warranty. That 68 tranny most certainly will not last very long.

My top Cummins ISB certified technician could not detect my module was on even with the latest Cummins Insite 8.1. Neither could the technician at the dealership when I went for an update. People keep saying that my warranty is voided, but even after four visits to the dealer(two oil changes, one for recalls, and another for an update and interior button replacement) I still have my warranty intact. They wouldn't have replaced the steering wheel button or update the trans ECM for free under warranty if I didn't have warranty.

I also have multiple friends who have 2010-2012 deleted Cummins(which I don't agree with deletes) running hotter more powerful tunes as a daily drivers than what I run without one transmission issue. The one with the DRW has over 180k miles which was mostly pulling a trailer for his hot shot service. You may say they won't last long based on whatever experience you may have with them, but from what I have seen with my own eyes I have no worries for my tranny.

I am not saying the 68RFE is bulletproof. No transmission truly is and all will burn up quicker than shnit if you drive them like a dumb ass all the time and without regular maintenance. I am just saying that I have seen many instances where the 68RFE had a long life even with engines putting out considerable more power than my truck is putting out with my Edge module and stock emissions equipment.

The dealer will not flag your truck when performing an oil change or safety recall. It's when they actually have to replace an item that they test or look at the symptoms to ensure no tuner was involved. Now there are some tuner friendly dealers but most are not.

[ShinerBock]

FishOnOne wrote:


But the big difference is one will have a warranty and tranny that was designed for that power level, and the other has jepardized any engine/emission equipment/transmission warranty. That 68 tranny most certainly will not last very long.

My top Cummins ISB certified technician could not detect my module was on even with the latest Cummins Insite 8.1. Neither could the technician at the dealership when I went for an update. People keep saying that my warranty is voided, but even after four visits to the dealer(two oil changes, one for recalls, and another for an update and interior button replacement) I still have my warranty intact. They wouldn't have replaced the steering wheel button or update the trans ECM for free under warranty if I didn't have warranty.

I also have multiple friends who have 2010-2012 deleted Cummins(which I don't agree with deletes) running hotter more powerful tunes as a daily drivers than what I run without one transmission issue. The one with the DRW has over 180k miles which was mostly pulling a trailer for his hot shot service. You may say they won't last long based on whatever experience you may have with them, but from what I have seen with my own eyes I have no worries for my tranny.

I am not saying the 68RFE is bulletproof. No transmission truly is and all will burn up quicker than shnit if you drive them like a dumb ass all the time and without regular maintenance. I am just saying that I have seen many instances where the 68RFE had a long life even with engines putting out considerable more power than my truck is putting out with my Edge module and stock emissions equipment.

[FishOnOne]

ShinerBock wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
The coils ride and handle noticeably better, and I think part of that is the rear swaybar. The payload difference between the two is substantial on the diesel trucks due to the GVWR class limitation, but the axle rating is only 500 lbs lower on the 2500. In terms of real world performance there's not much of a difference. The biggest difference may be the TPMS on the 2500, which can be a hindrance in setting the PSI where you want it without the idiot light going off (or getting the trigger points reset by a dealer).

The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

A simple tune or fuel timing module will fix that. My Edge JWA tow level 2 puts mine over 900 lbs ft at the crank if you account for drive train loss.

But the big difference is one will have a warranty and tranny that was designed for that power level, and the other has jepardized any engine/emission equipment/transmission warranty. That 68 tranny most certainly will not last very long.

[ShinerBock]

transamz9 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
The coils ride and handle noticeably better, and I think part of that is the rear swaybar. The payload difference between the two is substantial on the diesel trucks due to the GVWR class limitation, but the axle rating is only 500 lbs lower on the 2500. In terms of real world performance there's not much of a difference. The biggest difference may be the TPMS on the 2500, which can be a hindrance in setting the PSI where you want it without the idiot light going off (or getting the trigger points reset by a dealer).

The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

A simple tune or fuel timing module will fix that. My Edge JWA tow level 2 puts mine over 900 lbs ft at the crank if you account for drive train loss.

[Cummins12V98]

Chart showing 3500 SRW/DRW.

[Cummins12V98]

bbaker2001 wrote:
40 psi or 44-46
also what should the fronts be set at empty
thanks.

On a Dually 80psi, others can say on the SRW pressures.

[transamz9]

spoon059 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:
The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the Aisin and additional power is only available on a dually 3500. That is quite the cost jump from a 2500.

No, my 2013 SRW has it. Honestly, this is the only reason why I don't have a 2500. We are wanting to get a new truck but we can't find a 3500 SRW the way we want it. We can find a lot of 2500's but they don't come with the Aisin/HO.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

spoon059 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:
The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the Aisin and additional power is only available on a dually 3500. That is quite the cost jump from a 2500.

No. You can get that in a SRW 3500. The 6.7 HO is listed under both SRW and DRW on Ram's towing guide.

[bbaker2001]

my 2015 3500 SWD had the aisin option

[spoon059]

transamz9 wrote:
The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the Aisin and additional power is only available on a dually 3500. That is quite the cost jump from a 2500.

[transamz9]

IdaD wrote:
The coils ride and handle noticeably better, and I think part of that is the rear swaybar. The payload difference between the two is substantial on the diesel trucks due to the GVWR class limitation, but the axle rating is only 500 lbs lower on the 2500. In terms of real world performance there's not much of a difference. The biggest difference may be the TPMS on the 2500, which can be a hindrance in setting the PSI where you want it without the idiot light going off (or getting the trigger points reset by a dealer).

The performance can be quite a bit different when you look at the 2500 can't be gotten with the Asin and 900 lbft of torque. The 3500 can.

[IdaD]

The coils ride and handle noticeably better, and I think part of that is the rear swaybar. The payload difference between the two is substantial on the diesel trucks due to the GVWR class limitation, but the axle rating is only 500 lbs lower on the 2500. In terms of real world performance there's not much of a difference. The biggest difference may be the TPMS on the 2500, which can be a hindrance in setting the PSI where you want it without the idiot light going off (or getting the trigger points reset by a dealer).

[bbaker2001]

40 psi or 44-46
also what should the fronts be set at empty
thanks.

[thecdnmole]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I'm sorry but making a decision buying a truck on ride quality between 2500 and 3500 is just #^&$@#$.

Sorry, not making a decision based on ride quality, just curious what others say about it until I get a chance to drive one myself.

[Cummins12V98]

Be sure they lower the rear tire air pressure to 40 or so as MeAgain suggested. It will make for a much better test drive.

I'm sorry but making a decision buying a truck on ride quality between 2500 and 3500 is just #^&$@#$. Comparing the same series between the big three for ride quality makes some sense.

My 3500 Dually with factory rear air ride handles and rides great, even if it did not I would still drive it since it does the job it's intended to do VERY well.