Hey All - New guy here with first post.

I'm new to Dodge & have seriously been considering a new Ram. Is the Hemi enough motor to get the job done in a 2500? I prefer the 2500 over the 1500 for a number of reasons - mainly front/rear suspension, heavier axles, beefier frame and general styling. I won't be doing much towing right away but do plan a small camper in the future. Truck will mainly be used for family hauling on extended trips, camping, highway commuter and general utility. I do need as much capability from the 4wd as possible as I also get out in the sticks regularly. I would prefer the Cummins with a 6-speed manual but the up-front cost is pretty nuts. I just want to be sure that the Hemi will provide enough motivation in a 6000 lb plus truck. Also, am I correct in that the 4.10s are an option with the Hemi in the HD trucks?

FWIW - The truck I'm interested in is a 2011 ST CC 4x4.

As background, I recently came out of a 2005 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 with 8.0 liter, 6 speed manual, and 4.10s. Nice motor on that one.


Thanks!

 

2500CUMMINS....!!!!!!!!!!....and never look back = Nough Said...!
If you really want the cummins cheaper, wait till 2011 leftover time, you`ll get it $10,000+ cheaper.
Ask yourself if you REALLY need the truck this soon, because if YOU can wait to buy a truck, the dealer cant, so ther`s where you`ll have the dealer by the b*ll`s. You dont need a truck, but the dealer has to SELL a truck scenerio = forces the dealer to sell cheaper to move inventory. Bigger trucks dont sell as good or as fast as smaller trucks, the dealer is hungry to move them, hence, ALOT cheaper. Get what i`m sayin here...?

Good luck to ya in whatever you buy...Dodge Ram`s are really good trucks.

 

Man, I wish you lived in VA. There is a 2010 2500 CC 4x4 with the Cummins at the dealership where I bought my truck. I have not stopped to check the price but they have put up one of those sale stickers on it already. I know sticker was 50k last year but I bet they have 10k knocked off of it already. Look around your area you might find a deal like this as well.

Now to answer your question. I drove a buddy's truck for about 6 months while he was in the sand box and it was a 2003 2500 with the Hemi. I know completley different from the new Hemi, anyway I did not think it had enough motor for me. It was slow, but it did haul great. I use my truck mainly for a Daily driver and only tow a 4000lb boat during the summer months so for me a 2500 is not needed but it towed great just slow.

 

My son is on his 2nd Cummings diesel and the torque of these trucks is just nuts. He had chipped his previous one and it was putting out something like 850 ft lbs, up from the normal 650. I just have the 1500 with a hemi and the 3:92 gears, I would think with 4:11 or something like that, it would work fine. If I remember the chart right, we have at least 300 ft lbs of tq from about 1200 rpm on up to about 400. That with the right gearing should be plenty for what you are describing. That is unless you demand lots of acceleration while towing or want lots of reserve power.

 

Thanks guys - Good info!

And just to clarify, I'll be planning to purchase the truck toward the end of the year. Hopefully I'll be able to cash-in on some healthy discounts.

I think the 4.10s would be the way to go with the Hemi, but I don't want to destroy gas mileage. I'd prefer the extra bottom end though.

BTW - I'm definitely no power ***** & don't plan on too many mods, but I would like the truck to be able to get out of its own way (while merging on the interstate, for example).

Is the Hemi known for longevity and durability?

 

To answer the question, yes it is.

But it sounds like you want the oil burner.

 

The HEMI will do it but if I were buying a 2500 i would certainly be looking at a CTD as said above

 

If you are towing under 10,000 pounds then I find the Hemi more than sufficient.

 

I'll put it to you this way in simple economics. Any brand of 1500 quad cab truck is gonna cost you about $35,000 well outfitted with the big gas V8. To step up to a 2500 with the same gas V8 mentioned above outfitted in a similar fashion as the truck above will cost about $38,000. To step up to a well optioned Diesel truck you're looking at $50,000 or more for a well optioned truck. Most folks don't have money burning a hole in their pockets and I'm sure you're the same. I'd say if you were pulling less than a 7000 lbs trailer over a few weekends during the summer a 1500 should be AOK. If it's alittle more than 7000 lbs or you have alot of mountains etc then I'd step up to the 2500 gasser merely to get the better brakes. If you're doing alot of long haul trailering then the diesel is the option, but you gotta put over 20,000 miles a year on a truck and run it like that for 5+ years just to break even with the additional cost of it IE you can put alot of gas in a gas truck for the additional cost of the diesel. If you're running it around mostly with the family and such and it only has to do some towing I'd pickup a 1500. Gonna be alittle easier to park in the city, and so on being most 1500's will fit in city parking garages etc (not sure about the new dodges though). 2500's are alittle taller and that little bit sometimes is the difference LOL. If your wife/girlfriend is going to be doing any of the driving definately get her opinion on it as well. The 1500's definately drive different with the IRS and such than the 2500's. Good luck with your purchase.

 

The 2500 with 4.10 gears and the hemi will be enough to merge and get out of its own way on the road. I have been in a buddies truck just like you are looking to buy and while its not as peppy as the 1500 it did still have enough grunt to get around fine. I will caution you though that it is nothing compared to the chevy 8 Liter motor so dont expect it to be or you will be let down.