I have been driving a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn, now it is time to get a new truck!

I have decided on a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn with the Hemi gas motor.

Looking for some info & suggestions.

I have been reading alot about the 2500 and the new 66rfe 6-speed transmission. Overall most people are very pleased with it.

The couple trucks I am looking at have the 3:73 gears with the LSD rear end. I have read that while the 3:73 gearing is pretty good with the new transmission, it is still recommended to upgrade to the 4:10 gears if you are doing any hauling. I will be hauling my travel trailer, my snowmobile trailer and my atv trailer throughout the year.

Question..... Should I go to the 4:10 gears and be very happy, or will the 3:73 be enough? (I don't want to regret not getting the 4:10's) If possible, I will try to negotiate the swap for the 4:10 gears into the purchase price and just have the dealer do the work before I take delivery of the truck.

Question.... The new 2500 has traction control. My current truck does not. I understand how it works and all, but when you turn it off will it allow you to get the truck sideways? (I don't do this often, but it is fun sometimes during the winter!)

Question.... I know there is not a programmer available now, but if anyone comes out with one in the future is it a worthwhile upgrade on the 2500?
I run the superchips programmer now on my 1500 and love it.

Sorry for the long post. Just trying to get all the info I can before I purchase my new truck.

Thanks.

 

If you're questioning if to go with the 4.10s, then do it. You'll always have that "I shoulda" thought in the back of your head if you don't. Besides, it's a heck of a lot cheaper to order the higher gears from the factory than have them put in later when you can't take it any more. I think it's a $200 option from the factory, but at least $1000 PER AXLE to do it aftermarket.

As far as I know all the 4th Gens have traction control, even the base models. Regardless though there's a button to turn it off. Click the button and you'll slide all over the place just like your current 1500. You'll have an LSD, but even with that you can still get squirrely, especially in the wet. The traction button is a soft setting, so turn hit the button again or turn the truck off and on again and it'll reset back to on (same with the tow/haul button).

I've got a programmer (SuperChips) on my 2009 1500. I think they're worth the money. I hate the Hemi's MDS, so being able to turn it off alone is reason enough for me to buy. I also like the tuner's different shift patterns, much smoother over stock.

Good luck and let us know if you get one. Oh, and make sure to post some pics!

 

If you turn off traction control, it kicks back in at 40mph.

I'm sure you can still have some fun with that

 

This is pretty much my thought exactly!
Looking like 4:10's for me!!