Anyone use a 6.4 hemi - Page 2

JohnnyT · 09-28-2016, 11:51 AM

I just bought a new to me 2015 Ram 2500 4x4 Mega cab 6.4L hemi. In two weeks I will use it to tow my new 832OKBS round trip from Texas to Alabama. Pulling the TT home from the dealer was simple even though I had some minor bucking. I'm going to take the TT back out this Sunday for some more practice before the trip.

The dealer tried to tell me I could easily pull this TT with my old 2002 Chevy 1500. I shudder to think of the situation I would be in if I listened to them.

mikeysotp · 09-28-2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X96mnn

There is a 6.4 Hemi 2500 hauling in our group. That truck pulls and pulls hard, going up a hill from a 40kph rolling start he can leave my 6.7 behind but is hauling about 3000pds less. Even if he was hauling the same it would leave me behind.

Problem would be if your hauling much, he gets between 7 and 8MPG where my 6.7 get 12 to 13 without the delete kit. His maintenance over the first 40K has been more then mine, I have $129 oil change where his is closer to $200 but they happen around the same millage. Diesel has been 10 cents a litre cheaper here as well for the better part of the year but that will go up and down through time. I tow a lot more then he does, 70/30 for me compared to 10/90 for him. He has no regrets!

OK, so I had a 2015 3500 6.4 and swapped it for basically the same truck with the Cummins. My 6.4 towed like a beast and kept up with my buddy in his built Powerstroke MOST of the time. I am in no way bashing the 6.4 because it was great. But to say that it could leave the Cummins behind is far from reality in my opinion. On steep hills I would be over 4,000 rpms just to maintain speed and I'm close to sea level here. My new truck tows the same 5'er on the same terrain without breaking a sweat.

Big1 · 09-29-2016, 03:42 AM

I can pull this all day long, I have the Denali 287REL that weight uvw 8,300 lbs with my 2016 2500 6.4L / 4.10 gears, with all of ours stuff it in about 9500 lbs all most can't tell it's behind me.

Big1 · 09-29-2016, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFD

$200 oil change in a gasser??? Really? Ouch! Where does he go?

Mines don't cost that, unless he is in another state that where the dealer is ripping him off, I only paid $80.00.

Salt Shaker · 09-29-2016, 07:21 AM

It's hard to argue the 6.4 vs 6.7 for mountain pulling or full timing. The turbo, e brake and torque alone are hard to beat. If I where full timing I'd have a dually and a bigger 5er.

As far as one pulling away from the other...how fast do you want to run? I'll beat anyone that pulls 55-60 mph no matter what rig they have because I run 65 -70 mph. Anyone running 70-75 mph is going to beat me.

The 6.4 loves to be fed. No doubt about it. But so did my 6.7. I averaged 9 pulling with my 6.7 over 100k miles. I am one of those fortunate guys that never got the bragging rights on mpg on any of my oil burners. Its loves rpm like the 6.7 loves its turbo.

If you're worried about maintanance cost as a budget breaker I would stay home.

As far as major repairs out of waranty the 6.7 is going to eat the cash alot more than the 6.4. For around $2500 you can get a max lifetime waranty that you can't get on the 6.7.

Fuel costs I've always run the lower octane without issue. The smaller tank and a headwind will have you seeking fuel every 150-200 miles.

As far as the OP original question, you Re going to be very satisfied upgrading from the 1/2 ton.

Salt

LinemanSeth · 10-06-2016, 10:06 PM

Well I ended up getting the Cummins. I have a friend with each the 6.4 and the 6.7. They were polite enough to let me hook my camper to each of them and go for a spin. The 6.4 did great not going to knock it one bit. The 6.7 did amazing, really loved the engine brake and the low rpms when towing. Took a lot less effort. The 6.4 was a noticeable difference from the 1500 but not enough to convince me to have a new truck payment. I went with the 6.7 because this is only the start of our camping adventures as a family and our camper is sure to get bigger in the future. I could not justify buying the 6.4 to turn around in a few years just to by the 6.7 anyway. As far as the oil change that has been discussed they gave me 4 free ones and when those run out there $87 from there on. Now the fuel filters are alittle more pricey. Thanks for all the amazing input and suggestions.

Seth

shorthorn · 10-07-2016, 04:25 AM

Congrats and enjoy!

mikeysotp · 10-07-2016, 10:26 AM

Nice! Time to delete and tune it.

m2kamp · 10-07-2016, 11:45 AM

Congrats! What configuration did you get?

I noted sticker payload on the Cummins 2500 was about 1000 lbs lower than a comparable 6.4L Hemi when I was shopping. (though they are both built on the same frame/axles as the 3500's)

LinemanSeth · 10-07-2016, 12:48 PM

Ended up the crew cab 4x4 Laramie. I can only figure the difference in towing capacity is due to the extra weight of the cummins. Like Ford went to the aluminum body and saved weight so they added the weight savings to the towing capacity. Cummins weighs more than 6.4 so can tow less. All I can figure.

SidecarFlip · 10-07-2016, 01:16 PM

The newer common rail Cummins get less fuel mileage than the older ones. Be apprised of that and the DEF systems are issue prone.

Big1 · 10-07-2016, 01:56 PM

Congrats! Both are good, it's all depends on what you need, the hemi 6.4L with 4.10 gears work for me. Pics?

shorthorn · 10-07-2016, 04:25 PM

Wow, there are some uninformed folks throwing out info in here today...

1) as of 2013, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 do not use the same frames. The suspension is also different as the 2500 is coil springs. The rear frame sections are different.

2) I get better fuel mileage in my 2014 3500 DRW than I did my 2005 2500 SRW... the ones with poor mileage were the non- DEF trucks (before 2013)

3) please provide back up that the DEF system has been trouble prone on the Rams. Chevy had a rash of DEF issues in 2011... I have been a member of the TDR for many years and maybe have heard of a couple DEF issues on the Rams... I have had no problems with my 2014, and I have 3 friends with 2013+ trucks and none of them have had a lick of issues with DEF either.

OP... enjoy the truck... you will be pleased... don't freak out about the emissions system on the 2013+ trucks... they are proving to be quite reliable.

m2kamp · 10-07-2016, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorthorn

Wow, there are some uninformed folks throwing out info in here today...

1) as of 2013, the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 do not use the same frames. The suspension is also different as the 2500 is coil springs. The rear frame sections are different.

2) I get better fuel mileage in my 2014 3500 DRW than I did my 2005 2500 SRW... the ones with poor mileage were the non- DEF trucks (before 2013)

3) please provide back up that the DEF system has been trouble prone on the Rams. Chevy had a rash of DEF issues in 2011... I have been a member of the TDR for many years and maybe have heard of a couple DEF issues on the Rams... I have had no problems with my 2014, and I have 3 friends with 2013+ trucks and none of them have had a lick of issues with DEF either.

OP... enjoy the truck... you will be pleased... don't freak out about the emissions system on the 2013+ trucks... they are proving to be quite reliable.

Short Horn, sorry regarding #1 you are misinformed:

The 2013 HDs got the new 50k PSI high strength steel frame (dually first up from previous 30K PSI). Then in 2014 the frame migrated to all Heavy Duty Rams 2500 and 3500. Both use the new heavier duty 3-link solid axle coil front suspension. The only difference is the 3500 retains rear leaf springs. Frames are the same, including 5th wheel prep frame reinforcement and Class V 2.5" hitch.

2013 Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks: Ram 2500 and 3500

Salt Shaker · 10-07-2016, 06:44 PM

2014 and up 2500 and 3500 frames should be the same. The 3500 gets an 11.8 rear end vs the 11.5 in the 2500, or so I've read.

Plenty of combos to look at regarding weight numbers.

The 6.7 Cummins is a worthy choice and no matter the rating will out pull the 6.4 Hemi all day long and get better mileage doing it.

Enjoy your new ride.

Salt

shorthorn · 10-08-2016, 07:04 AM

Thanks for the clarification...I missed the frame change in 2014.

WFD · 11-13-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m2kamp

Congrats! What configuration did you get?

I noted sticker payload on the Cummins 2500 was about 1000 lbs lower than a comparable 6.4L Hemi when I was shopping. (though they are both built on the same frame/axles as the 3500's)

You are correct...right from the Ram website...a 2500 Crew Cab with 6'4" box equipped with the 6.4 Hemi has a payload of 3300 lbs, the 6.7 Cummins has a payload of 2540 lbs.

JeffandLori · 11-24-2016, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFD

You are correct...right from the Ram website...a 2500 Crew Cab with 6'4" box equipped with the 6.4 Hemi has a payload of 3300 lbs, the 6.7 Cummins has a payload of 2540 lbs.

That is what keeps us from driving a new one home, Ford or Dodge. To get a big bump in power- we have to go diesel. If diesel, then to get a bump in payload we have to go 350/3500. For now we'll stick with our F-150. Most trips are close to home due to work, so it is just fine. Plus it matches the camper.

We did look at Dodge's recently which led us to believe we wouldn't be happy with anything but a Limited Megacab. Wallet said "no".

SidecarFlip · 11-24-2016, 10:29 AM

The underlying reason for the reduced payload is powertrian weight. The Ford, Dodge and Chevy engines are heavy as are the transmissions, whereas the gas engines are much lighter.

The eco boost in the Ford is pressure cast aluminum.. The Cummins is cast iron as is the Duramax and the Powerstroke. Additional weight equates to a reduction in payload.

Real simple.

I'll take a diesel over a gasoline engine anytime (even a pollution diesel engine). They last longer with less upkeep over the long haul.

m2kamp · 11-26-2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

I'll take a diesel over a gasoline engine anytime (even a pollution diesel engine). They last longer with less upkeep over the long haul.

Diesel is great for many, not for all. Frequent short trip duty cycle comes to mind -very hard on a diesel. Geographical location would be a factor too mountains vs. flatland. If I lived in the Rockies, I'd have a diesel in my driveway.

Typically, diesels do last longer. Its all about maintenance and use though. I disagree that they have less upkeep over the longhaul. Injector failure and emissions problems out of warranty come to mind. With the thousands that can cost, one could replace a entire gasser engine; and with Ram a lifetime maxcare bumper to bumper warranty is available on gas, not diesel.

For me, gasser was an easy choice. Our TV is dedicated to TT pulling and not a DD so MPG isn't a factor (its much better than i expected though) Bigger payload, same chassis/axles as diesel and plenty room to upgrade RV.

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