Currently got a 06 QC Big Horn 1500 with the auto. Its "ok". I love the Hemi but its not 4wd, dont have a bench seat, not a stick shift. Basically I only like the Engine in the truck. I dont like IFS. I dont like the way it rides or handles.

Was thinking of a SAS and 6 speed swap etc etc and after seeing some of the threads on here decided I will just sell and buy a 2500. I really like the HEMI but why not get the CUmmins? What MPG do the manual 2500 HEMIs get? How do they pull etc etc.

 

Same as an auto 1500 for mpg's. I've heard those Mercedes manuals are long throw and a bit of a hassle for daily commutes. Tough shifting if you will??? Never driven one so i cnanot speak from experience. just what I have heard.
Also, the ride does suck but so do stock 2500's and stock other trucks. i'm gonna replace my shocks when i get some fundage for some Bilsteins.
What don't you like about the IFS? it certainly handles better than a SFA, so kinda confused why you don't like it? It's superior to any SFA on road. it's only offroad when guys are looking for a SFA since the IFS isn't quite as strong. For 95% of the truck owners out there. IFS is the way to go for daily commute IMO.


if you swapped out the shocks and got yourself a rear sway bar, you'd be impressed.

 

I dont think the long throw will bother me. I have an 89 Ford F250 with a ZF-5 speed. Thats like shifting a school bus! As for the IFS I just dont like the way it looks, the feel it gives the truck, the way it rides and above all I just like the idea of a SFA better. The way the SFA goes over speed bumps and articulates through off camber stuff. Also my truck front end seems like the springs are not matched to the rear very well b/c when I hit bumps the front dips alot.

 

6 sp hemi is not a drag racer, 2nd to 3rd is a quick shift, 3 to 4 is long, 4 to 5 is short, 5 to six is long. 1 st gear, is a bull gear, use only in the even you want to pull out a CTD..

Empty, the hemi 6 sp is so close to the 6.7 and 5.7 ctd in mpg, how ever, once you work the hemi, mpg drop, the CTD mpg is the same empty or loaded.

I have a reg cab 2500 that I converted to a true dual ex, I get better mpg than the mds 1500 on the highway, I find the 2500 is a better handeling truck than the 1500 Ram, empty the 2500 rides like a truck.

Shifting the hemi is rush hour trafic can be a chore, Trick is is to crawl in 2nd or third as trafic flow allows, up shifting, downshifting every ten to 15 seconds, ie stop and go, is a pain.

My truck tows fine, But I have a reg cab, once you go quad cab or quad cab long box, the hemi is no where close to the mpg or pullling power of a CTD.

THe 6sp in the hemi and the 6sp in the CTD are the G-56, Thier not drag racers.

The 2500 has better suspension, stronger drive train with the 6sp.

at 1800 RPMs 6 th gear 60 mph I can pull up to 20+ mpg highway.

a 6sp hemi is quick, but not drag racer quick.

 

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Even a medium duty stick shift is more enjoyable than an automatic. At work I drive a couple different 2002 2500's with the 5.9 gasser, and the 5 speed is so much more fun. It's not fast, but you can get more out of it than the dog-*** 46RE in the other.

But then I get in my Dakota, and that 6 speed feels light and flicky compared to the clutch and boat oar sticking out of the floor in the 2500. And it's rated to 400 ft-lb.

 

I gave up my drag racers a couple years ago. Wife and kids and drag racing just costs to damn much money. I have been looking that the 07 Powerwagons. Would be hard to find one with a 6 speed. As far as towing goes, Mostly just dirt bikes and a boat along with wife and kids. I would get a QC short box. I want the power wagon just dont know If I will find one with a 6 speed.

 

on the 2500 ( including PW ) a 6sp manual transmisson is standard, the automatic is optional. Dealers hate 6sp manuals, I factery orderd my 06 with a 6sp.