Hey guys,

So I'm thinking about looking at a new 2013 Tradesman regular cab 4x4 3.6L v6 (3.21 gears) 8speed maybe sometime next few weeks. I currently have a 1998 1500 Laramie SLT 5.2L v8 4x4 and I love it. But it's just getting really old and I just don't feel really confident going anything more than 50 miles. I want to pickup a left over 2013 for a good price and enjoy a newer ram where I don't have to worry about being stranded etc.

Now before we go any further, let me tell you guys a little bit more about me: This truck is not my daily driver. I drive a 09 Nissan 370Z as my daily driver. I put about 17000 miles a year for all my driving (370z 16,000 miles, truck 1,000 miles). My truck usually used for picking up sofa or coffee table or a 55" tv that I can't fit in my or my dads car. I use my truck to drive during snow days or rainy/floody days. So it doesn't even see 1000 mile in whole year. I do not tow. Just driving around here and there. Random weekend homedepot/lowes trips. Lately, I have been autocrossing and tracking my 370Z a lot more (just spent $1600 on RE-11 tires ). I want to give a little break to my Z and preserve the expansive tire from daily driving (use them for track mostly) and don't rack up so much mileage as I want trade it in 24 months (maybe a GT-R , who knows). so I think I want to drive the truck more, hence my interest for purchasing the newer reliable truck.

Here are my questions:

1. How responsive is the 3.6L with 8 speed transmission? I'll not be towing. I'll not be hauling anything in the truck bed that's heavy. Just driving on the highway mostly (if I start to use it for commute) and random grocery store/home depot driving. I just want it to be decent power. Reviews are amazing for the new v6. NOt a single bad reviews. Hence I am very eager to try the v6 8speed combo.


2. Is there any on going issue or recall I need to worry about? How's the reliability of new 8 speed transmission? Anything I need to ask my salesman?


3. How's the aftermarket market? I'm most certainly would like to install an exhaust(BOrla?) and intake (AEM or K&N?) after purchase? Is there even aftermarket parts out for the 3.6L yet?


4. I hate halogen headlight. Is it possible for me to swap a Laramie or Sport (my fav) HID headlights (assuming I'll buy it from dealer) into the tradesman without any issue? anyone done the swap? complexity of diy 1-10?


5. In future ( maybe 3-5 years), if I end up owning a dedicated rece car that I need to tow to the track, will this combo will be able to tow open trailer-ed race car (2000lb trailer + 3500 lb race car)? anyone tows with their v6?


6. Is there an service manual that's available for me to see?

Overall, if you own a 3.6L V6, please chime in and tell me a few words what you like and dislike about the car. If you had prior driving experience with the 4.7L or 5.7L hemi, your comparison for power will be great. As you can tell I like powerful cars/truck but just don't wanna deal with paying for gas (if I start to commute 120 miles/day with this truck). If there's a slight difference in performance between v6 and 5.7L, then v6 will be perfect. If there's a significant difference, then of course I have to rethink.

Thank you for your time

Have you considered just buying a small fuel efficient SUV and a utility trailer? Your fuel mileage is going to be nothing to brag about with a huge heavy truck and a little V6. They claim 25 hwy vs 22 for the Hemi.

As for towing with the Ram - they claim it'll tow 4800lbs with the 3.21s and v6. so 5500lbs is pretty much out of the question.

I absolutely hate suvs. I don't know why, I always been. I just love the fact with a full size (8') bed, if I want to pick up some drywall, I can just put in the truck not have to worry. If I wanna pick up some 8' lumber or a 3 seat sofa, I can fit it without any problem. After Sandy, I used my 98 1500 to haul pretty much everything. The 8' bed is PERFECT for all jobs. So def. need reg cab/ full bed truck.

I see your point with the Hemi. I just hate it's city epa which is 13 and highway 19 (I don't think I want to spend that much to get 5.7L with 8 speed. All tradesman I saw in my range are equipped with 5.7L 6 speed which gets 13/19 city highway). My budget is less than 23K

For someone claiming to only put 1,000 miles a year on their truck, MPG`s shouldnt be your concern. Buy the HEMI, it`ll out tow the V6 by far.

You can get the V6 with a 3.55 rear and it will be rated to tow over 7,000 lbs so you could tow your race car and trailer with it. My truck has the Hemi but last year I did take a "6" for a test drive and was pretty impressed. It is just a tad slower than the Hemi but should do fine for what you are asking it to do plus the mpg's are better. The 2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 4x4 with the 8-speed has just been rated at 15 city, 21 highway in EPA testing, matching the fuel economy figures posted by a four-wheel-drive F-150 EcoBoost.
The best answer would be for you to test drive both and make a determination for yourself

Geez, I don't have anything to add for advice, but I went on the forum today....ready to post almost the same exact question...and I live in Jersey. I'm considering a 3.6L V6 "outdoorsman" w/ the 8 sp. trans. I also have another "commuter" car to get around in (a GTI). I have a dakota as my truck now for hauling, etc. I probably put about 8-9k on my truck per year but I do use it to periodically tow boats, haul loads of stone/topsoil, pull out stumps, etc. It's also just a "commuter" much of the time too. My dakota has the 4.7L V8. On average, I'm getting about 15mpg (hwy/city combined). I thought the V6 Ram would be a nice compromise...able to do a bit of everything WHILE saving some mpg's. I'm also looking to install some after market "mods" (exhaust, cold air intake, etc). Was gonna wait and check out the new diesel but with it running about $4k or so more...and with some questionable reliability issues that I've been reading about with this Italian made (I think) powerplant (vs. the Cummins)..I decided to opt for V6 or Hemi.

Guys, don't get hung up on MSRP or sticker price.

Be practical in your choice, you'll be happy in the long run if you get what you want.

If you want the 6, and it will work for you, great! But if you think you want power (you both mention aftermarket mods) go for the hemi. It truly gets decent miliage being the best fit for a big truck.

I agree with you (and did realize that after making the thread). Actually, currently it's 1000 miles/year bc my truck is old. But when I buy the new truck, I'm hoping to take 50% mileage load. So, it's probably somewhere between 7000-8000 miles. But still your formula stays put -- even at 8000 miles, I'm not driving much.


Thank you. Actually I have scratched the V6 from the picture. Now it's between 87 seepin' 4.7L V8 3.55 gears with 4x4 reg cab ('13 model) vs. 89 seepin' 5.7L Hemi V8 3.92 gears 4x4 reg cab.

WE have much in common. Yeah, I don't know man, the more I think about it, the more I swayed away from V6. Because you're not driving too many miles. I think Hemi will be the way to go for you. I haven't STARTED towing my car to the track but I know I will in few years.

yeah, it's crazy how there's pretty much nothing there for the 4.7L or V6. It's almost like they are unwanted children! lol .. I saw Vararram Intake for the 5.7L and my oh my .. that thing is a beauty! It's def something I want to put on my truck if I do get the 5.7L