Ram 1500 3.0L Diesel Thread

[ChooChooMan74]

Hey gang,

I figure that I would start a thread on the new Ram 1500 diesel with the 3.0L VM A630 engine. The purpose of this read is to share information and not to flame this vehicle. I already seen enough flaming about this motor and everyone who flames it has no experience with it.

This vehicle, in my honost opinion, has potential to be a game changer. This motor has more power than my old 6.9L and 7.3L before the aftermarket turbos were installed, and could possibly still have more power.

Being a current VM owner in my Jeep, I know of the few problems. Most of the problems, from research by Green Diesel Technologies, has to do with the aggressive EGR that is required by our EPA and Daimler Chrysler's suggested use of 0W40 as the oil of choice. I am hoping that they have worked on that, although reading the Owner's Manual, I see they recommend a 5W30.

I am hoping to purchase the Outdoorsman package. My reasoning is factory 17 inch LT tires. I will be towing my Roo with it, and when financially right, upgrade tto something below 7500 GVW.

I would like to hear about others who have an interest in this vehicle. I have been following this vehicle closely and done my research on it, even making a gearing chart for towing purposes (comparing it to my Jeep).

I hope we can keep this civil. I know how truck guys can be loyal to their brand, or even their engine.

[Sgt. Schultz]

looks interesting -- 2011+ VM Motori V6 Diesel Engines
Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500
Max Power in kW (hp) 184 (241) @ 4,000
Torque in Nm (lb-ft) 550 (406)@2,000
Gas mileage 28 comb / 8.3l/100
Model Years 2011-?
hopefully Ram does not bundle it like they have the Grand Cherokee - priced right at the top end

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Schultz

looks interesting -- 2011+ VM Motori V6 Diesel Engines
Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500
Max Power in kW (hp) 184 (241) @ 4,000
Torque in Nm (lb-ft) 550 (406)@2,000
Gas mileage 28 comb / 8.3l/100
Model Years 2011-?
hopefully Ram does not bundle it like they have the Grand Cherokee - priced right at the top end

Ram, you can get in most models. The exceptions are the sport, express, and regular cab with short bed. I would have to check their web site first to confirm.

[JFM-jr]

This motor gets better MPG than the V6 that is offered and will tow 9200lbs. Game changer for sure the 1st to offer a small diesel in the 1 /2 ton class. This will rival the ecoboost F150. It generates the same power as the early 2000 5.9 Cummins motor with 1/2 the displacement my has technology changed things.

[dustman_stx]

I agree that it will definitely be a game changer. Only concern is the suspension on the 1500- still coils? And with the extra weight of a diesel, are they going to up the GVWR? If not, it will negate much of the towing capability because payload will likely be VERY low.

[JFM-jr]

The 3/4 and 1 ton pickups also use coils. In fact for 2014 the rear suspension in the heavy duty is no longer leafs and has coils all the way around like the 1/2 ton. The 1/2 ton also has air ride as a factory option for load leveling. The new 3500 Ram has a tow rating of 30K pounds!

[JFM-jr]

Just looked it up payload is 1630 lbs with the eco motor

[EricInColorado]

I hear it only starts on the 3rd try and the exhaust smells like strawberries.



Now, when can I get this motor in a 7 or 8 passenger full-size SUV, I ask? My 1999.5 diesel Golf still holds a very fond place in my heart. But what's with the prices of diesel??? Sheesh.

[wneise]

Is this the same motor that's currently Mercedes / Dodge Sprinter, and will it also require you not use B20?

[Flying dutchman]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I agree that it will definitely be a game changer. Only concern is the suspension on the 1500- still coils? And with the extra weight of a diesel, are they going to up the GVWR? If not, it will negate much of the towing capability because payload will likely be VERY low.

If I remember (but may be wrong) an air suspension with load leveling is available as option. Sound promising.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I agree that it will definitely be a game changer. Only concern is the suspension on the 1500- still coils? And with the extra weight of a diesel, are they going to up the GVWR? If not, it will negate much of the towing capability because payload will likely be VERY low.

It is coils, and like others say, so are the HD trucks. The GVW of the diesel is raised about 150lbs over the Hemi. If I remember when pricing, the outdoorsman Hemi is 6800GVW and the Diesel is 6950.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by wneise

Is this the same motor that's currently Mercedes / Dodge Sprinter, and will it also require you not use B20?

Negative. Those motors were in the 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. These are made by VM Motori, who has been making diesels in Europe for years. VM, until recently, was owned 50% GM and 50% Fiat. Just within the past month or so, Fiat bought out GMs stake.

As for B20, using fuel over B5 has a different maintenance schedule.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

The 3/4 and 1 ton pickups also use coils. In fact for 2014 the rear suspension in the heavy duty is no longer leafs and has coils all the way around like the 1/2 ton. The 1/2 ton also has air ride as a factory option for load leveling. The new 3500 Ram has a tow rating of 30K pounds!

The air suspension would be a great factory option. I thought that when the coil suspension first started on the 1500 they recommended you NOT use the trucks with slide in campers specifically because they tended to roll and become unstable. Anybody know what Dodge did to solve the inherent shortcomings of coil suspension?

[wneise]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

Negative. Those motors were in the 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. These are made by VM Motori, who has been making diesels in Europe for years. VM, until recently, was owned 50% GM and 50% Fiat. Just within the past month or so, Fiat bought out GMs stake. As for B20, using fuel over B5 has a different maintenance schedule.

Just did some research. Your right. I also saw somewhere that it should be B20 compliant.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

Just looked it up payload is 1630 lbs with the eco motor

I couldn't find it on the Dodge site. I could find max possible payload but didn't see where those numbers were modified for different engine/drivetrain combos. Link? If Dodge is like most others and that is the completely stripped version, payload will probably be more in the 1300-1400 pound range for a normally optioned truck. I know I personally would like a payload more in line with the HD Payload package on the Ford- 2500 lbs or so. I still think it will be a great truck and personally think it is a great move for one of the big 3 to use a small diesel. Could you imagine how great this truck would have been pre ULSD and pre-emissions??? It would probably get mid 30's, be bullet-proof and you wouldn't have any DEF or DPF to mess with. And diesel was considerably cheaper than regular unleaded. That would have been a winning combo from every possible aspect.

[ependydad]

Looks like it's part of the build your own thinger:

[ependydad]

In my 15 seconds of looking at the Ram Body Builder guide, I saw 1,920 as the highest payload option:

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/d...ammlup1500.pdf

[Ford Idaho]

I wonder if Dodge would but that engine in a Wrangler?

[ChooChooMan74]

On the dodge site, you can go to towing and payload calculator. As of when I last checked, the diesel option wasn't there, so I went with the Hemi. The outdoorsman 4x4 has a payload of a little over 1400lbs. IMHO, easy to go over. But I am a fudge factor guy, as long as you scale yourself. I am 100lbs over GVW of the Jeep right now, and under the GAWRs.

As for the air suspension option, if you May go over, I wouldn't go with it until someone else is the guinea pig first. The air suspension will let you know if you're too heavy.

As for me, after calculating family, a little cargo, I have about 700lbs for available tongue weight. If I upgrade, I may be 100 to 200 over. But, I am a weigh guy, and won't go crazy. Believe me, all of us gave seen those guys towing stupid!

(please don't make this a weight police thread)

[beerjay]

In Truck Trend Jan-Feb 2014 it lists the 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel 4WD with a payload of 1150 lb. for the one they tested. A bit small for any large trailer and any cargo beyond a couple of people.

Towing capacity 8500 lb. This may be due to the wheels they used though, 20" aluminum. All for only $56.6K

Lots of focus on truck mileage in the magazine articles.

Bryan

Add: The 2013 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew 4x4 V8 5.7Hemi they tested only has 957 lb. payload.