Hi Currently have 2009 Ram 1500. Thinking of change for a new Ram 1500 or possibly the 2500. I would prefer the 2500 as I really do need a bigger bed. But a few people have put me off as they say it's more agricultural in the way its drives ? The Ram 1500 drives more like a car.

So if you guys were starting with a blank canvas what would be your perfect spec and which model.

David in the UK

 

I'll jump on this since last week I ordered a 1500 and today changed the order to a 2500.

Bottom line: spec it out by what you need, what you want, and how you'll think you'll use it. Don't forget to include any mods that you know you'll want to do, and consider that into the equation. The mod part is why I switched the order to a 2500.

I wanted the combination of the crew cab and the 6.4 ft bed. But I couldn't get that in the 1500, so I compromised and initially ordered a quad cab, figuring that I'd use the extra bed length more than the extra rear seat room. I could still be perfectly happy with a 1500 QC, but the mod part made me pause and reconsider.

Most comments around here, on other Dodge boards, and in magazine & online reviews talk about how great the ride is in the 1500. I keep reading the phrase "rides like a Cadillac." I also kept seeing posts about what people were doing to firm things up (air bags & shocks), adding lifts, bigger tires, etc. All good stuff, and all stuff that I'd end up doing if I had a 1500.

But when my projected mod amount was around $4K, I stopped to think about it for a minute. Most everything that I was planning on doing centered around lifting it and firming it up. Then a funny thing happened. I realized that the 2500 with the Hemi had the right combination of capabilities, height, and looks for about the same price as a modded 1500, except it was from the factory and would have the factory warranty. Looked at that way, going with the 2500 suddenly made a lot more sense. I'd be getting the CC with 6.4 ft bed that I wanted from the beginning, the height and look that I want, over 1000 pounds additional load capacity, and it'd essentially be at no additional cost, compared to the modded 1500 I was planning.

The downside to my situation is that because I'm overseas right now, I don't have the opportunity to drive the current generation of either the 1500 or the 2500. But I have driven the previous generation of both, and preferred the 2500, mostly because it sat higher and was firmer...it felt more like a truck to me, and that's what I'm going for.

So for me, the perfect Ram is a 2500 CC 4X4 5.7L, 4.10 gears, outdoorsman trim level (no chrome!), nav & backup camera, tow mirrors, power adjustable pedals, factory spray-in bedliner, and the roof clearance lights.

 

I am in the same situation as you, I had my 09 1500 quad cab laramie that I loved stolen, now it's time for a new one. I want the combination of a crew cab with a 6'4'' bed, with extra height and strenght of a 2500, so I'm seriously considering the heavy duty version. What I don't like about it is the small wheels and tires and the possible drop in fuel mileage with the same 5.7 Hemi.

If I put 20'' wheels with tall sidewall tires on a 2500, how can I re-calibrate the speedometer in order to read accurately?
How many MPG should I expect to lose from a 1500 to a 2500, both with the 5.7 Hemi?

Thanks!

 

If you get a 1500 make sure you get the 32 gallon tank. I settled for a 26 and really regret it. At 15-17mpg 26 gallons goes FAST

 

Most programmers will let you change your tire size, or your dealer can do it. They will probably charge you 30 mins labor.

The 2500 hemi makes less HP than the 1500 and does not have mds (the thought being that the engine is going to be under heavier loads all the time, so it will very rarely be in 4cyl mode so why put it on there. Because of this the truck will be slower and burn more gas (I would WAG at about 25% more fuel burnt at least). Whilst it may have a higher tow and haul rating this has everything to do with the chasis and brakes. With the same gearing the 1500 will accelerate with an 8000 lb trailer far more briskly than a 2500.

The 2500 chassis is essentially unchanged from the previous one, so it rides just like the previous one...

Weird note... if you are getting a Ram and plan to do some serious trailer do not get the factory tow package. IIRC both the 2500 and 1500 max out at 5K for a weight bearing hitch, 10K for weight distributing (for the stock Duramax it is 17000 weight carrying or distributing, Powerstroke is 6000). Aftermarket setups go as high as 12K ... of course they cost more and you are going to want the dealer to add your trailer brake controller note: I do not think you can get a ram 2500/3500 or higher without a stock trailer hitch.

Me I would get a sport 1500 with an aftermarket hitch, unless I was going goose-neck or 5th wheel. They ride better, cost less get better gas mileage and are good to aprox 9500 lbs on the hitch. If you do decide to tow that much remember your Max GVWR when loading and put everything possible in the trailer. A downside of a 1500 is if you have 5 corn-fed good old boys in the truck, each with a 50 lb bag of tools and clothes in the bed you are over your max weight.

 

The 2012 2500 hemi has the new 66RFE geared the same as the 68RFE Deisel. It has a lower first gear and a higher sixth gear than the funky 545/65RFE. IMO, the transmission alone warrants an upgrade to the 2500 of your choice...I'd go with the 2500! A 2012 2500 Hemi would give the same 1500 a run for his money because the 66RFE gears are spread closer together with without loss of power like the 545/new 65RFE has. And make sure you get the LSD 4.10 option...you have to add the LSD even if you choose a 4.10 or else you're screwed...2500 all the way!