2013 looks to be a good year for Ram HD trucks

[RollingsFarms]

I'm a pretty good lurker but this tugs at my feelings. I was a loyal GM guy till the bailout. Since then, and until it is paid back, I fugure they owe us, big time. So only fords here. I sold the avalanche, Wifey sold the pontiac. 2013 Focus for her and 2011 F350 for me. No dodges or gov motors here

You and me both my friend. I went to Toyota instead of Ford though but only because the local Ford dealers around me are an absolute joke.

 

[Viperdave]

That's because the Ford trans temp gauge is basically an idiot light hooked to a gauge to look like a proportional gauge hooked to a sending unit. Your temp gauge takes it's info from the PCM. When your trans is in the "normal" RANGE (say ~150-210) the gauge needle stays parked at the normal range (mine do the same thing). If it overheats, it jumps way up into the red zone and by then it's too late and your trans is probably cooked. Our GM on the other hand, has a sending unit hooked to a real trans temp gauge. It goes up slowly on cold mornings, where the Ford reads "normal" right after I pull out of the driveway.
Believe me, your tranny has gotten hot, you just don't know it because the needle sits in the normal range, even when it's hotter than you think.
Look at your trans temp gauge on a cold winter day, it will read warm or normal way before the tranny fluid really is warm.

What makes you think i don't externally watch my temps? i wouldn't trust a factory ford gauge to get me to the grocery store and back. plus anyone with a 6.0L can tell you, you need to monitor oil temp Vs coolant temp as it is the primary warning to a failing cooler.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What makes you think i don't externally watch my temps? i wouldn't trust a factory ford gauge to get me to the grocery store and back. plus anyone with a 6.0L can tell you, you need to monitor oil temp Vs coolant temp as it is the primary warning to a failing cooler.

Yep. I have had two 6.0L trucks, still have one. My trans temp runs steady even towing 16,000# at 70MPH tough the hills of Tennessee. I watch my oil temp as you mentioned in my trucks and my boats. More then 30 deg separation means big issues.

Chris

 

[Viperdave]

Yep. I have had two 6.0L trucks, still have one. My trans temp runs steady even towing 16,000# at 70MPH tough the hills of Tennessee. I watch my oil temp as you mentioned in my trucks and my boats. More then 30 deg separation means big issues.

Chris

chris FYI, normal is 7 degrees delta flat land at 65mph. 12-15 is basically a clogged/failing cooler. 25 degrees delta is where FORD says you have complete failure.

I have an early 04, so it has the better EGR cooler. But when i had 12 degree seperation my oil cooler was about 50% clogged.

 

[Diamondpilot]

chris FYI, normal is 7 degrees delta flat land at 65mph. 12-15 is basically a clogged/failing cooler. 25 degrees delta is where FORD says you have complete failure.

I have an early 04, so it has the better EGR cooler. But when i had 12 degree seperation my oil cooler was about 50% clogged.

Ok. I could not remember the exact number but I knew it was around 25/30 deg was a issue. I know what normal looks like in my vehicles and would clearly know what is not normal.

On my BMW it does not even have a water temp gauge, just oil temp. Since its the 3.0L Strait 6 with Twin Turbos I watch it like a hawk.

Chris

 

[john_bud]

Interesting that the 2012 3500 with the turbodiesel can only tow 11,900 pounds or 13,250 with the option gear ratio. Seems like a waste with such a powerful engine.

2012 RAM Trucks | Towing & Payload Specifications | RAM Trucks

 

[Viperdave]

and the same drivetrain in the 4500/5500 nets you almost 19K lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interesting that the 2012 3500 with the turbodiesel can only tow 11,900 pounds or 13,250 with the option gear ratio. Seems like a waste with such a powerful engine.

2012 RAM Trucks | Towing & Payload Specifications | RAM Trucks

Dodge has always been low on its numbers. Both tow ratings and GVWR. Same can be said with GM also but they make up for it with the trucks being about 800# lighter on average prior to this new chassis. My 06 F-350 Diesel is rated at a little under 18,000# We all know the Dodge can do more than the 13,000# number but with the way the world is if you have more than that on it and get into a accident they will hang you.

 

[Hay Dude]

What makes you think i don't externally watch my temps? i wouldn't trust a factory ford gauge to get me to the grocery store and back. plus anyone with a 6.0L can tell you, you need to monitor oil temp Vs coolant temp as it is the primary warning to a failing cooler.

OK, excuse me!!!! Didn't know you had aftermarket gauges. 99% of 6/6.4L owners don't.
What do those poor suckers do? My point is that with such expensive engines & transmissions, we deserve a better set of professional gauges. My transmission gauge reads in the normal range before I get out of my driveway on a 30* day. Then when I'm pulling 22,000 lbs of hay and trailer on a 95* day, it reads in the middle of the normal range. Throw a heat laser gun on it and it's cookin a lot more than that. It's a worthless.

What I was trying to say is the factory gauges are worthless-pretty much what you are saying too.

 

[case245]

is that right a cumming equipt 3500 2500 can tow 13200 wow thats low my 2011 3500 srw 6.0l 4.11 gears can pull 13k