looking at getting a 2500 5.7L laramie 4x4. if i don't plan on towing much - any disadvantages in getting a 2500 HEMI instead of a 1500? i know the 2500 HEMI does not come with MDS - not too concerned since i plan on getting an aftermarket exhaust anyway. wondering how a 2500 HEMI handles versus a 1500 HEMI - and what the ride quality and MPG difference would be over the long term. thanks!

 

My dad has a 03 4x4 hemi standard cab long bed and it rides alot rougher than my 08 1500 4x4 standard cab short bed.The 1500's will feel much smoother than a 2500 due to suspension
Hisalso feels like a turd when i jump in it and drive. Maybe its because im just use to my truck, but his deff feels much slower. My truck had 3.90's and his has, 4.10's also...He gets around 8-11 MPG and i can get anwhere from 15-20 MPG.A huge diff in MPG....I have MDS BTW...
Ed

 

The 1500 (non Mega Cab) 5.7 Hemi is pretty smooth and people I know are really enjoying them... I have a 1500 mega cab with the 5.7 Hemi (no MDS) and it's bad, like 11.2 mixed and 13.6 on the highway, I would think the 2500 standard or quad would be pretty close to just as bad...

 

def the 1500. you want the mds trust me. the exhaust wont make that much of a difference. itwill but not what the mds can do. agreed on the rougher ride. if your not going to b towing or hauling much just get the 1500. youll be much happier when it comes to gas

 

If you are not going to tow over 5000 lbs., load the bed with sand or do a lot of 4 wheeling, save yourself a bunch of cash and get the 1500. It will be lighter, faster, smoother and get much better MPG. If you buy new, they also have a bigger rebate, making them even a better deal.

 

I looked at both, and couldn't see a reason you'd take the 2500 with a Hemi. If you want thehemi, the 1500 will do great (and probably cheaper??) and the choice I made. If you want a heavy duty model, opt for a real engine to take advantage of it.

 

The ride quality in the city is a bit more smooth in the 1500, most likely due to the IFS and a lower rear spring rate. The 2500 rides a bit more choppy in the city due to higher spring rates and solid front axle and stiffer frame. On the freeway, I would have to say that the ride quality difference between the two is negligible, give or take a tar strip or two. Compared to my old 87 W150, solid front axles, leafs and all, the ride quality in my 2500 is like night and day and it handles much better. It's actually quite nimble/firm as I've come to find after suddenly having react to a few numbskull drivers pulling stunts in front of me on the road!

MPG is a solid 17 on the freeway, 13-15 city. The MDS in the 1500 is a benefit although it didn't matter to me when I bought the 2500. I have the standard 3.73 geared, LSD 10.5 rear differential. I intend to pull a car trailer occasionally and haul wood and other stuff in the back, which the 1500 is more than capable of doing, but I wanted a higher GVWR and the overall feel of the beefier 2500.

Performance wise, with my 2500, the hemi does what it's suppose to: easily can do grippers all day long, has excellent passing and acceleration ability, and torque right when you need it. Overall I'm quite happy with mine. It was even better than I expected from Ma Mopar.

Tim

 

You avoid the 9.25 differential in the 2500 series.
Traditionally over the last 15 yrs or so the 2500 has a higher resale value.
In a really bad accident
the stronger & deeper frame of the 2500
might give some protection along with the greater overall weight.

It all depends on what is important to you

 

Hands down the 2500 is a better truck than the 1500 Ram.

Ride is not as smooth, but the solid front axel and stronger rear diff are better than cv joints and the pucky rear axel that needs to be babay sat every 20,000 km

Handeling in the 2500 is really good, better than what you would expect from a 3/4 ton truck, in drag racing the 1500 is quicker, the 2500 is geared to take better advantage of the hemis torque ( I have a 6sp manual )

as for mpg, My 06 2500 reg cab 4x4 can = or beat a mds Ram on the high way, my best has been 21 mpg at 60 mph ( dual ex )

I don't like the slushy feel of the 1500, more car like than I care for, but a hemi in a 1500 or 2500 is awsie chioce.

 

i'm looking at 07 models to take advantage of rebates. i can actually get the 2500 QC 4x4 laramie a hair cheaper than i can a comparable 1500.under $30,000. so given that the prices are about the same, here are the arguments for the 2500:

ADVANTAGES:
+ beefy frame/axle/joints

DISADVANTAGES:
- choppy/stiff ride
- worse MPG

really it comes down to sacraficing ride quality and MPG for a better frame and beefy components. payload and towing not being an issue - 1500 looks like the wise choice. since its the same engine - wouldn't a 1500 HEMI be able to pull as much as a 2500 HEMI??

any idea how much more a 2500 weighs over a 1500?

it does look like the 2500 4x4 sits a bit higher than the 1500 4x4 due to the stiffer suspension. it also seems like there aremore lift options for a 2500 if i decide to go Xtreme later in life....