Looking to buy a 2019-2020 dodge ram 2500 w/ 6.4

['69FuryIIIConvertible]

I've driven a few of each over the years when I was doing fleet work, they were a mixture of 5.7, 6.4 and 6.7 trucks, I was really surprised the first time I drove one with a 6.4 at the amount of stones it had in a crew cab long bed 4x4 with a rack and toolboxes loaded.

I've been thinking about picking up a 3/4 ton and have found myself questioning the whole diesel versus gas thing.

As you said, the truck forums are just a pissing match.

The truck I really wanted sold before I even knew it. So my search continues.

My ramblings for your consideration

 

[Dobalovr]

Here is my Dealership view:

Cummins outsells gas 8:1 in our market
Cummins retains resale value by almost double
Gas is more responsive and cheaper at the pump but diesel runs cleaner
Cummins rated at 500000 miles or 10000 hrs before re-sleeve Gas worthless after 200000
Cummins engine costs twice what a 6.4l does but has the Aisin transmission option 1000lbs torque
Cummins will pull your house
6.4 will pull your cabin

If you are pulling more than 16000lbs get a diesel
If you are driving lots of miles get a diesel
If you trade vehicles every few years get a diesel better resale
If you want a lift and big tires get a diesel

If you want off the line acceleration get a 6.4
If you are pulling light get a 6.4
If you don’t want to mess around with DEF get a 6.4
If you are gonna keep it 10 years get a 6.4 resale doesn’t matter
Like cheap gas get a 6.4
Drive short trips get a 6.4

Thats my thoughts anyways

 

[CBODY67]

On the gas vs. diesel issue, don't forget oil change costs . . . IF that matters. In the later '90s, some young couples would go out and buy a fancy crew cab Dodge 2500 diesel. Not a bad deal to do. BUT about the time it was time for an oil change AND they found out the cost of such on the Cummins, they were wanting to trade it for a Chevy.

Back when it was Cummins or V10, I would have gone with the V10 as it had a lower "price of admission" on the window sticker. PLUS a gas motor was something that I could deal with myself, whereas the diesel was a different deal (injection pumps and such). Of course, now all of that stuff should be under warranty. Plus, the Cummins is "an investment" that keeps its value at trade-in time.

Am I interpreting "the doggy on power" statements to mean that the diesels have "turbo lag"? Just curious. What about the "re-gen", is that an issue? Just curious.

When we had the old GM 6.2L diesels, and the 5.7L diesels before that, you had to get used to driving a diesel vs. a gas rig. Learning how to do that was a key in getting the best from those old diesels, from my experiences. On those diesels, it was more relaxing to drive then vs. a gas rig as you had to plan your moves in advance of just "jumping out there" as you might in a 5.7L gas rig. But those were ancient compared to what's out there today.

CAN it still be an issue of what gear's in the back in current times?

For what it's worth,
CBODY67

 

[Dobalovr]

found out the cost of such on the Cummins, they were wanting to trade it for a Chevy.

Never heard that one before but 11qts of oil can get pricey good thing you can go double the mileage between changes versus a gas engine

 

[furious70]

Not turbo lag, more the torque management systems

 

[CBODY67]

I believe it also had to do with the price of the oil filter, too.

The other side of that deal is that they were probably already financially stressed to get the Dodge 2500 diesel. Then the cost of maintenance, which was not a prior consideration, probably raised the stress level a bit too much. BUT due to financing issues, they were locked into what they'd already done.

Then, too, some of the late-model BMWs might top the $150.00/oil change level.

CBODY67

 

[CBODY67]

Not turbo lag, more the torque management systems

Which relates to the ultimate torque capacity of the automatic transmission?

In the '90s, when GM sold 8L gas HD2500s, some customers envisioned "giant smokey burnouts" with that much torque. Especially with a manual trans. The engine management system wouldn't allow that, but with an automatic, it could happen. It was amusing to see the "low power" complaint on a repair order.

CBODY67

 

[polara71]

Here is my Dealership view:

Cummins outsells gas 8:1 in our market
Cummins retains resale value by almost double
Gas is more responsive and cheaper at the pump but diesel runs cleaner
Cummins rated at 500000 miles or 10000 hrs before re-sleeve Gas worthless after 200000
Cummins engine costs twice what a 6.4l does but has the Aisin transmission option 1000lbs torque
Cummins will pull your house
6.4 will pull your cabin

If you are pulling more than 16000lbs get a diesel
If you are driving lots of miles get a diesel
If you trade vehicles every few years get a diesel better resale
If you want a lift and big tires get a diesel

If you want off the line acceleration get a 6.4
If you are pulling light get a 6.4
If you don’t want to mess around with DEF get a 6.4
If you are gonna keep it 10 years get a 6.4 resale doesn’t matter
Like cheap gas get a 6.4
Drive short trips get a 6.4

Thats my thoughts anyways

I shoulda had a V8

 

[furious70]

Not necessarily trans limitations anymore, but software to guarantee it's driven in a way that doesn't create warranty claims
This was noticed in the first 1500 5.7 trucks as well

 

[Rapidtrans777]

No doubt, the price is crazy when you go above tradesmen. There was a $75k rig on the lot last summer back in my small home town.

When I bought my new Tradesman 2500 last year my son asked why I didn't get a Laramie, it has 2 glove boxes. Lol. I told him the $35,000 difference in price was the main reason. That, and I don't need air conditioned seats.

 

[azblackhemi]

For my situation the only real drawback to the Tradesman is it doesn't have dual zone a/c. My wife and I have a VERY different idea of hot and cold so it's important to me.

 

[jake]

Well, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 tradesman this morning. Pics will come this week. I am having them spray in the bed liner. Curious if anyone had the undercoating sprayed on? 600 bucks! Do you think it would be worth it? Deadens sound? Scam? Plan on keeping it as 10 years. Old truck did not have it, and frame and underbody still look decent considering 11 years of winter salt. Oh, billet silver metallic for a color.

 

[jake]

Dealer had these on the lot.

 

[3175375]

Well, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 tradesman this morning. Pics will come this week. I am having them spray in the bed liner. Curious if anyone had the undercoating sprayed on? 600 bucks! Do you think it would be worth it? Deadens sound? Scam? Plan on keeping it as 10 years. Old truck did not have it, and frame and underbody still look decent considering 11 years of winter salt. Oh, billet silver metallic for a color.

Congratulations!

 

[furious70]

Congrats!

 

[azblackhemi]

Well, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 tradesman this morning. Pics will come this week. I am having them spray in the bed liner. Curious if anyone had the undercoating sprayed on? 600 bucks! Do you think it would be worth it? Deadens sound? Scam? Plan on keeping it as 10 years. Old truck did not have it, and frame and underbody still look decent considering 11 years of winter salt. Oh, billet silver metallic for a color.

So the BIG question, 6.4 or 6.7?

 

[rkrochen]

Congrats. The Bedliner is worth it if it’s the same one I had done. The biggest benefit is it’s tough and does protect the bed. I also had it under coated just because of the environment we’re in. It’s questionable if it helps with noise and you won’t know because it’s new and you have no way to compare.

 

[Dobalovr]

Undercoating isn’t what it used to be when we slathered it on everything. FCA only lets us coat certain areas and it isn’t a lot due to the corrosive nature of the undercoat. Typically its the rear wheel well lip that rusts out first so do what you can to protect that area. If they put flaps on they should seal the self tapping screws first but they never do. Congrats and if you want the broadcast sheet for your truck PM me

 

[jake]

So the BIG question, 6.4 or 6.7?

6.4, 6.7 was never an option.

 

[jake]

Well, I picked her up today. I like it. Just miss the old girl already, had 11 years of memories with her. Steps should be coming next week and going to look into a tonneau cover cause the wife and kids did not like the cap on the old truck. I will be removing all decals as I like the smooth look. Shout out to @Dobalvr for getting me the broadcast sheet. I really appreciate that.