Hello, I just joined and look forward to receiving some precious advice
from you experts... in selecting the correct specs for my first Dodge
Ram diesel truck. I welcome you to correct my assumptions (I am a
newbie at this, after all) whenever they do not seem to make much
sense, this being my reason for posting here in the first place...

I am looking to buy a 2500. It will be a vehicle used for personal
purposes (not for work/business). Why not a 1500 instead? Because
I want a Cummins, for its durability, power and fuel economy. I very
much love the looks and proportions of the Power Wagon, but do not
really need its specs, which are geared for extreme off-road performance.
Beside, the PW precludes the employment of a Cummins engine
because of space limitations (the placement of the winch interferes
with the massive radiator and intercooler), the fact that the diesel
engine is too heavy for a truck designed for off-road tasks, and
the incompatibility of the stock 4.56 rear axle ratio on the PW with
the Cummins, which, among other problems, would produce very
poor fuel mileage. Also, the spring rates in the PW are lighter than in
a reg 2500HD (for off roading and articulation), and that takes away
from how the truck expresses its engine power in other than extreme
off-road situations. So, the purchase of a PW is definitely out of the
question in my case.

But, as I said, I simply love THE LOOKS and proportions of the PW, and
would very much like to make my truck look that way. For instance,
I want it to have those large 22" wheels with 33" tires on them. So,
here comes one of the basic questions: how do I go about it (possibly
without going broke in the process, if you know what I mean)?

Most of the miles put on my truck will be highway miles, with some city
driving and occasional MILD off-road driving (when camping, etc.) I
will not pull any loads at all behind the truck, except for the load of the
truck itself and its occupants. So what I am looking for is the best
combination for looks, fuel economy, and the best expression of the
engine's power in the contest of my usage of the truck. The basic
specs I thought would serve me best are as follows. A RAM 2500
LARAMIE QUAD CAB 4X4 SWB J Pkg. with the following options:

- 6.7-Liter Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine. I am no expert, but I thought
this would be the one to choose based on the extra stuff it comes
with, the increased power, the fact that it is much quieter than its
predecessor... However, is it as reliable/durable? How does it compare,
really, in terms of power and fuel economy with the smaller engine? Is
this the best choice for me?

- 6-Speed Manual Transmission. I am used to drive this way and think
it effects much more control on the driving experience, and also
produces better fuel economy. However, is this specific MT a good
match for the Cummins? Or is the automatic alternative preferable?

- 3.73 Axle Ratio. Given that, as stated earlier, I won't be pulling any
heavy loads, I thought that this lower ratio would produce more fuel
economy, without affecting adversely the expression of engine power.
This, combined with the larger wheels/tires (aside from the look factor,
also important to me) should really improve fuel mileage by allowing
for highway speeds at a lower rpm, without affecting too negatively
acceleration (keep in mind, no trailers to be pulled...) Should also
improve the overall speed of the truck... Am I thinking correctly here?
What type of 33" tires (on 22" wheels) are best suited for my scope
here? Will I need/does it make sense to raise the vehicle a few inches
with a lift-up kit to better house the larger tires, or is that completely
superfluous and unnecessary?

- 9.25 Front Axle and 11.50 rear axle. These values came up after
adding the 6.7-L Cummins option. What do they mean in practical terms
when compared to the values available with the smaller engine?

- Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle. Is this option needed, worth it the $325
it costs? To go or not to go for it...

Sorry for asking all these questions all at once... This is, however, the
most effective way I thought I could share the perspective I am coming
from and to best illustrate exactly what I am looking for. Initially I was
kind of intimidated by reading the official consensus about the 2500HD
being a pain to drive around town and certainly not a good choice for
a personal/family truck (the 1500 being the preferable choice). But then
I read several stories online of people happily using the 2500HD as their
daily driver, including even a 16-year-old boy and a couple of young
ladies who had theirs customized...

Me and the 2500 with its wonderful Cummins engine: it's become quite
a love affair...

Do I need to add that your advice, suggestions, criticism, etc. will be
immensely appreciated?

Thanks...

Charles

 

Thanks! So you're saying go for the 5.9...

How about the axle ratio/tire size thingy... Do you think it will be fine just as I reasoned it?

Charles

 

I am saying I would go for the 5.9, others will disagree. As far as axle ratio, unless you do a lot of heavy towing 3.73's are the way to go. 4.11's will give you snappier take offs but cruising your rpms will be (I think) around 200-300 higher which gives less mpg.

 

22 inch rims, 35's on 17's or 18's would be nice. Look at Sharx ram 18's, and my stock 17's. gives you tire flex for off roading also.

 

Do you concur, then, on putting those 33" tires on a truck with a 3.73
ratio (I won't be doing any towing at all)... will it be fine without dulling
up too much acceleration? The way I see it, the combination of diesel
engine + 3.73 ratio + large tires should produce very good fuel
economy (one of the things I am shooting for). Was just a bit concerned
that it would mess up acceleration, perhaps something else...

Charles

 

Thanks... Do you do a lot of off roading? Did you modify your springs for
that or are they stock? What else should I be looking into to make it LOOK
more PW-like?

Charles

 

I would defiently buy a ram 2500 cummins, it is a perfect truck all around. As far as options go, I think it is completely up to the owner and his/heropinion, however I personally steered away from the laramie because of the leather (I ripped the leather seats in a volkswagon jetta that I was test driving for my wife, and have been scared ever since, plus IMO it wasn't worth the extra money). I too liked the proportions of the PW models but definetly wanted a Cummins, so I bought a 2" level kit, and it makes it sit just like a PW (problem solved). As far as what engine, I bought the 5.9L on purpose instead of the new 6.7L (see sig for my truck specs). I bought the 5.9L so that I wasn't gonna have to abide by the new emmisions laws that the 6.7L issupposed to conform too. Plus I figured there would be a wider array of cheaper performance parts available. My 5.9L is much quieter that the older cummins engines, even though I wish it wasen't, . The 6-speed tranny was the only way to go for me, I think I can get better fuel mileage andI likethe over all driving experience better. I went with the lower gears knowing that I would eventually put larger tires on it, and I wanted it to kinda cancel back out (if that makes since). Iam currentlyrunning 33's with my 2" lift and there is no rubbing at all, howeverI don't think it would rub without the level kit either. Also about the 22" rims, It s up too you but #1 not only do the wheels obviously start getting real expensive (over 18") but the tires get alot more expensie too, for example a 33/12.50/17 would be alot less than a 33/12.50/20 even though there is technically less material to makethe33/12.50/20 tire[sm=confused06.gif]. Also I think you will see a much worse ride the less sidewall you have on the tire. Anyway that is enough for now, If you got any other questions or I missed something just let me know. PM me or something.

 

There was 0 posts when I started typing. Man I am a freakin' slow typer [:@].

 

I do my fair share every chance I get. I did no spring modifications yet. I will be in the future. a little bouncy off road, but if I air downa little it helps with that.

 

Thanks a lot for your thoughtful reply!!

How much of the power produced by the twin turbos in the 6.7 goes into
the cleansing of emissions, do you think... as opposed to the 5.9? How do
these two engines really compare in terms of the power they actually
supply to the wheels? Does anyone know?

You mean the manual 6-sp tranny, right? Because as far as I could see at
their site, both the manual and auto trannies are 6-speed...

Wait a minute... probably it's me to be mistaken, but isn't the higher gears
(e.g. 4.10) that should go with the larger tires and/or larger towing loads?

I thought the PW was more than 2" lifted... something like 4" or 6"...
How do you go about it... Who should I go to in order to have that
done on the truck? What brands are best?

Thanks so much for pointing that out... So definitely it has to be 17" or 18"...
Which of the two do you repute best? Also, how big a tire can be put on a
17" rim and perform as it should? Just curious...

Thanks a lot for your help... it is very much appreciated!

Charles