RAM 3500 now 800lb.ft and 30,000lb GVWR!

[jayste]

Well since this has become a Dodge rust thread.

This was my 95 rust bucket in 2008 when I sold it, after 13 years of contracting work.

My "rust-bucket" '95 with 5 spd manual and 138,000 miles (almost broken in), photo taken last summer. Astonishing as it may seem, 175 hp and 430 ft/lbs @ 1600 rpm have been quite satisfactory, thanks. If I could change anything, a 6 speed manual (not available then) with closer ratio gearing would make it even better.

It's just starting to bubble around the wheel wells. The full running boards probably helped a lot to ward off the corrosion to door bottoms, sills and wheel well area. The fuel filler pipe rusted from road spray, causing it to drip when filling. Replaced that and just fixed a power steering leak too. Otherwise, runs as good as when I bought it new. Injector pump was replaced under warranty but other than that, no major problems.

In 1995, Dodge had the best interior by far. The seats (40/20/40) were/are the most comfortable in anything I've owned.

When I open the hood of any future pickup I might own, it better only have ONE cylinder head. :laughing:

Both of these are very slick trucks and I can't believe that's a contractors truck!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

By the way, that 10,400lb tow capacity is for the new (HALF-TON) RAM 1500 Tradesman version that comes in reg cab, long bed V8 producing almost 400hp, 20 mpg and around $22k. That is not the tow capacity of the 3/4 ton truck. News Flash, the "entry level" Ford base work truck tow capacity is 5,500lbs unless you pay the $4500 premium ($27k total) for the new unproven twin turbo V6 which bumps it up to 11,300 lbs.

I miss understood what you posted. So looking at Dodges site its max tow rating for a Hemi Powered 3/4 ton truck is 12,300#. GM's does 14,700# in a 3/4 ton 6.0L Gas truck and Ford does 15,700# in a 6.2L gas 3/4 ton truck.

Not sure where you get the $4500 premium for the Ford but comparing apples to apples the Dodge base V6 has a tow rating of 3,750# while the base Ford with the base V6 has a tow rating of 5,500# and the GM with the base V6 has a tow rating of 5,100#. The Dodge 3.7L makes 210HP and 235 FT TQ, the GM 4.3L makes 195HP and 260 FT TQ, and the Ford makes 302HP and 278 FT TQ. So in both base HP and TQ Ford is on top along with base engine truck tow rating. Don't skew the numbers.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Not sure where you get the $4500 premium for the Ford

Go to build your own on Ford's site, pick the entry level F-150 which starts at over $22k then choose the optional engine in the drop down and it list the V6 TT 3.5l as a $4650 option. The V8 5.0l is a $1000 option but you need another $400 for the towing package plus $1000 for the 3.73 gears to get the 10k lb tow capacity. I was comparing the "base truck" Ford to this new RAM package as it's all you can get in a F-150 for $22k. :laughing:
Obviously, you have never researched trucks for a company as they don't compare base truck to base truck. They compare price to price, feel free to find a Ford for $22k that has a powerful proven engine, 20+mpg and a tow capacity of over 10k lbs. Amazing how you can find every spec for the Ford's except cost... :laughing:
Once again, my point about the new Tradesman package was to show how much truck you can get for $22k vs what you get in a Ford or GM for the SAME PRICE!
Not sure the point of the towing numbers for gas powered 3/4 tons. Ask anyone who tows over 10k lbs on a regular basis and they would take a diesel over gas engine any day of the week. For those who really want to tow over 13k lbs with a big block gas engine that will get 6-8 mpg and last about 150k miles or less before requiring a rebuild then I'll send them to the local Ford dealer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Got ya. Never bought a fleet of trucks, just my personal ones and picked the best truck for the price for our aviation dept. It was Reg Cab Long Bed 2 Wheel Drive V6 Dakota. Did everything we needed while averaging 13mpg for its life, rusting, and eating a tranny in 7 years. Other than that cant complain.

Back to diesel trucks.

Chris

 

[kenmac]

Derek, My 2007 2500 came from a place that produces a large amounts of salt. No rust. It came from FL.

 

[JB4310]

I would hire you on the spot just based on the condition of that truck:thumbsup:

Believe me that is a huge factor, clean neat truck helps make sales, no question.

I can't believe that's a contractors truck!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Well to be honest this is when I had it for sale so it was all cleaned and detailed, but it was in great shape, just a couple of dings. I sold it cheap to, no one was interested in a utility body. If I had a pick up bed i would of kept it myself, or sold it for more money.

I replaced it with an 07 dually ram 3500 quad cab, CTD, 9 ft utility body, red also. This truck has more dings and scratchs after just 4 years due to it's added girth

JB

 

[JB4310]

Back to diesel trucks.

Chris

OK, My 07 Ram 3500 had the first Cummins 6.7 L. Its only 305 HP and ~600 TQ, now they're up to 350/800. Mine is chassis cab so it had lower HP than the pick ups (not sure why). I'm sure they can squeze more out of the 6.7 in the future, everyone was saying back in 07 they are coming out low just so they can raise the numbers in the future, looks like that was true.

Don't think this new engine can take the tweaking that the old 5.9 (mad HP) could though, something about siamese cylinders walls?

JB

 

[dgl24087]

Chassis cabs use a different method for HP ratings. Ratings for Dodge, Ford, and GM are all lower in chassis cab configurations.

 

[Dmace]

Ratings for Dodge, Ford, and GM are all lower in chassis cab configurations.

I believe this is due to the fact that these trucks are considered "commercial" so they fall under different EPA regulations vs 3/4 and 1-ton trucks sold for "personal" use.

 

[Ryan03]

Yup, stock Dodge part. I installed a set on my '96 4X4 dually I had for 10 years. They really need a better bolt on setup though. I 'moved' mine a few times yanking with them.

OH MY........ :shocked: