Took the plunge - Cummins to Hemi 6.4

[nirion]

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 new 2014 Ram 2500 Big Horn CC LB 4x4 Hemi 6.4 with 4.10 gears in Western Brown.

It has the 5th wheel prep, so I had to order a new base for my B&W companion hitch. It should be here Friday and I hope to do some test towing this weekend. We leave for our first big RV vacation soon, a trip to Disney's Ft Wilderness on 10/18. I'll post back with more info after the test pulls and hopefully a trip to the scales.

Thanks to all, but especially ib516, for the info on the 6.4. I went back and forth between 3500 SRW Cummins or a Hemi 6.4. I really hope I made the right decision. 🙂

[katoom400]

although, I don't think they mention what rear gearing it has?

[blderman]

katoom400 wrote:
I think he is reffering to this one:

you tube link

pretty disappointing when the GM 6.0 is over a minute faster to the top??

That's the one.

[blderman]

kmbelt wrote:

blderman wrote:
Have you guys watched the Ike Towing Test posted this weekend? I have no idea how credible the testing guys are but I was pretty disappointed in the results. It's making me second guess the 6.4 now. The F150 Ecoboost towing just 1,800lbs less made it up the hill 4 minutes faster than the Ram. It appears the 2nd gear ratio on the 6.4 is really a poor fit for the engine. Thoughts?

i have not seen it, you are referring to the comparison of a 1/2ton truck and a 3/4 ton truck. Not a fair comparison. Faster is not a good guide when it comes to towing in my opinion.

Nope, I am comparing it to the Chevy 2500. My reference to the F150 Ecoboot was to show that it was towing nearly the same weight as the Ram and blew it's door off power wise. The 6.4 could not get above 35mph once it reached the 7% section of the grade. I expected a lot more out of this truck. I really hope to hear some responses from guys who have towed similar grades with the 6.4. The more I look at that 2 gear ratio the more I think Ram really screwed up. With a proper ratio the 6.4 probably could have held 45-50mph easily.

[katoom400]

I think he is reffering to this one:

you tube link

pretty disappointing when the GM 6.0 is over a minute faster to the top??

[kmbelt]

blderman wrote:
Have you guys watched the Ike Towing Test posted this weekend? I have no idea how credible the testing guys are but I was pretty disappointed in the results. It's making me second guess the 6.4 now. The F150 Ecoboost towing just 1,800lbs less made it up the hill 4 minutes faster than the Ram. It appears the 2nd gear ratio on the 6.4 is really a poor fit for the engine. Thoughts?

i have not seen it, you are referring to the comparison of a 1/2ton truck and a 3/4 ton truck. Not a fair comparison. Faster is not a good guide when it comes to towing in my opinion.

[blderman]

Have you guys watched the Ike Towing Test posted this weekend? I have no idea how credible the testing guys are but I was pretty disappointed in the results. It's making me second guess the 6.4 now. The F150 Ecoboost towing just 1,800lbs less made it up the hill 4 minutes faster than the Ram. It appears the 2nd gear ratio on the 6.4 is really a poor fit for the engine. Thoughts?

[kmbelt]

running at 55, i get around 17. on the highway at 70, i get around 15-16.

[nirion]

On the first three tanks with mine (I just rolled over 1000 miles on Saturday), I am around 13mpg unloaded (only 15 miles of towing included). I am hoping it gets a little better. I didn't expect great, but was hoping for at least 15. We leave Saturday for a 1000 mile (each way) trip to Disney, so I will get some miles on it for towing mpg.

[IdaD]

kmbelt wrote:
I just got back from a 1500mi round trip to Florida with my 6.4 towing 9K. I ran premium fuel in one tank as i read it helps, but i didn't notice any difference and went back to 87 octane. I have the 3.73 gears and averaged around 8.1mpg. For my power, it is happies at 3500rpm climbing hills. Running at 65-70mph with cruise control on flat ground, it hums at 2500rpm.

Love the truck, fuel economy isn't the greatest, but that isn't what i got it for. I now have 5k on the odo, and expect the mileage to get better as it racks more up. I think the 4.10's would actually achieve better fuel economy while towing.

What MPGs are you seeing unloaded?

[kmbelt]

I just got back from a 1500mi round trip to Florida with my 6.4 towing 9K. I ran premium fuel in one tank as i read it helps, but i didn't notice any difference and went back to 87 octane. I have the 3.73 gears and averaged around 8.1mpg. For my power, it is happies at 3500rpm climbing hills. Running at 65-70mph with cruise control on flat ground, it hums at 2500rpm.

Love the truck, fuel economy isn't the greatest, but that isn't what i got it for. I now have 5k on the odo, and expect the mileage to get better as it racks more up. I think the 4.10's would actually achieve better fuel economy while towing.

[Hybridhunter]

blderman wrote:
I am really interested to see how your trip to Disneyland goes. I am currently thinking of getting rid of my 02 F350 7.3 and getting a 2500 6.4. Tired of driving a Ford but can't afford to get a Cummins this go round. From what I have read the 6.4 is sounding like a very nice engine.

That 6.4 will run circles around the 7.3 loaded or unloaded. But it won't feel like a diesel, for better or worse,

[blderman]

I previously owned an 06 Mega Cab w/hemi. It was a dog but I attribute that to the smaller torque curve of the 5.7 and the stupid 545rfe trans. I believe the new Hemi is a lot better setup to deliver satisfying results. I am still on the fence about making the switch but my 7.3 has been killing me repair wise for 3yrs now so I am pretty fed up with it. Looking forward to your trip review.

[nirion]

blderman wrote:
I am really interested to see how your trip to Disneyland goes. I am currently thinking of getting rid of my 02 F350 7.3 and getting a 2500 6.4. Tired of driving a Ford but can't afford to get a Cummins this go round. From what I have read the 6.4 is sounding like a very nice engine.

I think you would be happy going from a 7.3 to a 6.4 Hemi as long as you are ok with the real power coming on at higher RPMs. That is one thing I am still getting used to. With the 4.10s you are just under 2000 RPMs at 70 in 6th (about what I did with my 5 speed manual 3.73 5.9 Cummins in 5th) and its nice and quiet, but you step on the gas and drop a gear and see 4000 RPMs very quickly.

I'll post a review when we get back with mpg and such. Any specific questions, just let me know.

[blderman]

I am really interested to see how your trip to Disneyland goes. I am currently thinking of getting rid of my 02 F350 7.3 and getting a 2500 6.4. Tired of driving a Ford but can't afford to get a Cummins this go round. From what I have read the 6.4 is sounding like a very nice engine.

[nirion]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

nirion wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Set full forward with the straight edge forward on the side plates. Adjust to 6" from bed to RV. With my B&W full forward and 4,500# pin weight I add less than 200# to the front axle.

Do you have any issues on sharp turns or if you go off the paved road with it set that way? I have a toolbox that I will be putting in the truck this weekend and worried about getting too close to the front. Also, I don't have a driveway put in my property yet, so it is a little bumpy getting the trailer back in.

Not at all. My toolbox ia bed height and 30" front to back.

My toolbox sits a few inches over the bed. It is a lower profile one, but still above the bed a few inches. I'll play with it a lttle and see if it gets too close. Maybe go with the middle height setting.

Thanks