Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins-opinions

[deerefan]

My 13 3500 has been flawless, except for a fair amount of recalls (none of which I have done because I do not go to the dealer, not a fan). I am used to Ram recalls though, I have had a Ram HD Diesel since 04. My 13 is by far the best. I change oil and fuel filters at 10k, do not care about Rams silly 6 month scheme. Drive it short commutes, to the bus stop for the kids, tow a bunch, get groceries, it does not care.
It has the standard 68re trans not the Aisin, I tow max capacity and she doesn’t miss a beat.

Only thing I may change is the anemic 3.42s. They get the job done and save on some fuel but I would like a little more down low when towing heavy. In all fairness all my other Rams were 4:10’s so that’s what I’m used to.

If it were me I would get a SRW 3500 and skip the 2500. The coils in the rear do not soften the ride from the trucks I have been in and you loose a bunch of payload. Even if you do not use it now it is nice to have.

I am also a fan of the srw 3500. They are a little hard to find here for some reason.

 

[RyeThomas]

I have a DRW, just so I can be a moron and load whatever I want however it fits on my trailer without too much worry.
I understand most don’t want the extra wheels, width, etc.

 

[deerefan]

I have a DRW, just so I can be a moron and load whatever I want however it fits on my trailer without too much worry.
I understand most don’t want the extra wheels, width, etc.

I was looking at a drw also but envisioned my wife driving it, which she does time to time. The fenders being destroyed scared me enough! The heaviest load I handle is roughly 16k lbs, which the 2500 handles well. The Cummins is impressive. Never owned on prior to this one.

 

[Raspy]

My 13 3500 has been flawless, except for a fair amount of recalls (none of which I have done because I do not go to the dealer, not a fan). I am used to Ram recalls though, I have had a Ram HD Diesel since 04. My 13 is by far the best. I change oil and fuel filters at 10k, do not care about Rams silly 6 month scheme. Drive it short commutes, to the bus stop for the kids, tow a bunch, get groceries, it does not care.
It has the standard 68re trans not the Aisin, I tow max capacity and she doesn稚 miss a beat.

Only thing I may change is the anemic 3.42s. They get the job done and save on some fuel but I would like a little more down low when towing heavy. In all fairness all my other Rams were 4:10痴 so that痴 what I知 used to.

If it were me I would get a SRW 3500 and skip the 2500. The coils in the rear do not soften the ride from the trucks I have been in and you loose a bunch of payload. Even if you do not use it now it is nice to have.

I have a '14 3500 SRW Ram/Cummins/Aisin. Like you, I ignored the recalls, but I did inspect the steering gear mount carefully looking for bad welds. No problem. But, they also have a water pump recall. It's important to get that done. Mine failed with no warning and threw the belt off. What a nightmare to fix!

Just this week I changed the terrible 3.42 gears to 4.10. It is a huge improvement! Truck drives much better overall and the RPM is still just fine at about 1800-1850 at 70. It will now actually build boost in 6th without downshifting. I'm also running 295/70r18s instead of the stock 275s.

My DEF system failed at just over 100,000 miles and it was not clear what the problem was, although I thought it was the pump. I deleted the exhaust and tuned the engine with an EZlynk and shut off the EGR.

 

[heavy hammer]

Raspy I hear that most cummins owners that have second half of 07 and newer end up deleting the emission and getting a tuner. Does it run much better? Did you have a lot of problems with the emissions stuff? I'm surprised to see your 13 had 3.42. Most have 3.73 or at least 4.10.

 

[RyeThomas]

Common misconception even down to the window sticker on many trucks, all srw automatic trucks are 3.42.

DRW trucks can be 3.42/3.73/4.10

Before you disagree do your research, this topic has been beaten to death elsewhere.

This comment is not directed directly at you Heavy Hammer Sir, I’m just letting everyone know this is a big area of misconception and disagreement. If it’s an auto non CC SRW Ram it is 3:42.

 

[HickoryFarms]

Common misconception even down to the window sticker on many trucks, all srw automatic trucks are 3.42.

DRW trucks can be 3.42/3.73/4.10

Before you disagree do your research, this topic has been beaten to death elsewhere.

This comment is not directed directly at you Heavy Hammer Sir, I’m just letting everyone know this is a big area of misconception and disagreement. If it’s an auto non CC SRW Ram it is 3:42.

Correct, a 3500 srw CAN be had without 3.42’s, but as soon as the 6.7 Diesel “option” is added, 3.42’s are standard.

 

[heavy hammer]

I just didn't know that. I figured they all started at 3.73. Something new learned. Is that just dodge or do they all follow that?

 

[Raspy]

The only time 3.42 was more or less OK, was unloaded and driving at sea level. Pulling and in the mountains, it sucked. Combine that with the very slow throttle response and I got tired of it. I'd end up just locking 6th out and even using 4th a lot. The Cummins in the 2013 and later trucks are not tuned to pull at very low RPM, like the 5.9s would.

 

[Raspy]

Earlier trucks, like the 2004 third gens, had 3.73s I think they kept that going until the 6.7 came out. Back in 2005 and 2006 a lot of guys were wanting 3.42 gears. And it actually worked sort of OK with the pre-emissions Rams.