Hello all, Dakota owner here. Looking to buy a used Ram 4th gen, and my price range is in the sweet spot of trying to get a loaded 2012 or more basic 2013 with 8 speed.
My question is... is the 8 speed worth it for anything more than the better MPG? I'm looking to supercharge this down the road and want the best tranny for the job without breaking the bank for a brand new truck.
Anyone on this forum have experience with heavily modding the 6speed vs the 8speed?
Thanks for any help!

 

To keep my answer short.......YES. It is a major leap foward. Myself, I could care less about mpg in a truck. I am after power and smoothness and the 8 speed is soooo much smoother than anything before it. Almost completely seamless in shifts. Its always in the optimum gear for instant torque at any speed.
Put a 3.92 rear with the 8 speed and you have a extremely fast and smooth full size truck. I live on top of a very steep mountain and it reveals issues with improper gearing and horsepower setups that you typically wouldn't notice living in flat country. No truck, modified or not that I have ever driven or have been in climbs my hill with such effortless power and smoothness as my new Laramie 8 speed Hemi with a 3.92. Feels very similar to my Audi RS4 and that is saying ALOT about a trucks performance.

 

I'm going to be buying a new 2015 5.7 HEMI this spring, and I'm going with the 8 speed for sure.

 

Heard nothing but good things about the 8-speed! I have the 6 speed and quite like it, but others who have made the jump seem quite impressed with it.

 

The 8-speed is the only way to go... hands down a far better transmission than the 6-speed. Should be good for at least 500hp.

 

Is the 8-Speed manufactured by Gertrag?

 

The 8 speed also has over 100 lb. torque increase over the 6 speed so if you are going to supercharge it down the road it is a no brainer.

 

I agree with this guy . I wouldn't of bought the truck without it.

 

The 8 speed is hands down the best of the two choices. I don't believe that I have read anywhere of anyone that has an 8 speed with a supercharger yet, so I think the jury is still out as far as how long the 8 speed will last with the additional hp and tq. It seems almost everyone that has supercharged their trucks with a 6 speed has had problems. Right now it seems like the only rebuilder that has had any success has been L&M Custom Transmissions. The 6 speed transmission is clearly the weak link when you start to increase the hp and tq in any significant way.
Jay

 

Made by ZF in germany if its the 8HP70 (hemi only)
I thought i read somewhere that the V6 trans is built in house now.