Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi With A Car Hauler?

[deef1999 23]

Reasons to buy a diesel/2500:

1. If you use the truck for hauling more than just a car a half dozen times a year.(ie. work)

2. If you exceed the limits of the gas motor/1500 capacity.

3. If your budget can afford the premium for the diesel/2500.

4 If you don't mind paying 20-25% more for fuel and buying DEF.

5. If you don't mind giving up some ride comfort.

6. It's cool to own/drive a diesel.

I've had many diesels over the years, and logged thousands of miles towing various trailers.

I never would have thought I'd buy a gas motor 1500. I did, and I love it.

It used to be a no brainer to go diesel, what with increased mileage, capacity and longevity.

Plus it was cool too!

For me, I just can't justify the extra expense, without the NEED for it.

I'm past the stage of buying it for the cool factor.

Good luck with your decision.

[HemiSam 195]

That blower is very similar. Snout and the heat exchanger were the biggest differences I could spot. I would definitely not try to convert a car kit to a truck.

I test drove two 2500s and I wasn't a fan at all. It had the 5.7 but the suspension was rough, even on the highway. Not my idea of a good time and for reference, my car is taught as hell....don't mind it in my hot rod but didn't like it in the truck. The suspension in the 1500 is downright good shit.

As for why I don't like the 5 speed, Dave, it's coarse as hell at best and that transmission has had a lot of quality issues...but put that aside. It shifts rough and really needs to be a proper 6-speed at minimum. Ask Denis what he thinks after having driven both. He used to fight it before also

HS

[Williams RT 71]

Also if you want to see what Dodge is going to offer in options like transmissions and stuff in next years model? Go drive a 5 year old Chevy or Ford and you can see the lastest features Dodge will offer

[Guest Daparrothead]

^^^ In the infamous words of GSO, FUCK DODGE!

[TimeWaitsFNM 16]

After pricing the used market, they are asking 25k for 2010's here. Might get a few grand knocked off from there.

I priced out a new 2014 crew cab express and with all the options and rebates it is around 30k msrp. They made a lot of changes in 2013 including a 6 speed.

I think I will have to call my uncle who is a dodge sales manager and see what he can do vs buying used.

[Guest Daparrothead]

Stefan, take a hard look at the Ram box bed, it's the shit!

[BayouTiger 104]

My 12 has a 6 speed, but it's a fraud using the split second.

Be careful with the Express. It's a nice bargain, but generally doesn't have the brake controller harness, transmission temp on the EVIC and other goodies for towing. At least that's my understanding. Considering that Big Horns here we're selling for less than 30k here I would think there are deals out there. My loaded Outdoorsman was only thought the sticker was just over 40.

[Hemi31 194]

Towed an 8k lb enclosed for most of 2012 with my Ram 1500. Was pretty interesting . Traded it in on a diesel 350. Will never tow with a gas engine again. Do yourself a favor and buy the most truck you can even if its used. You will be much happier if you are using it for what it was meant for.

[BayouTiger 104]

I agree. It really depends on what you do with it. My Ram is my DD and tows occasionally (once a month or so). I would hate to drive a 2500 every day.

[Andy@PWR 58]

Rams should be offered with the 8 spd in the 1500s now

[TorRed Dave 6]

Reasons to buy a diesel/2500:

1. If you use the truck for hauling more than just a car a half dozen times a year.(ie. work)

2. If you exceed the limits of the gas motor/1500 capacity.

3. If your budget can afford the premium for the diesel/2500.

4 If you don't mind paying 20-25% more for fuel and buying DEF.

5. If you don't mind giving up some ride comfort.

6. It's cool to own/drive a diesel.

I've had many diesels over the years, and logged thousands of miles towing various trailers.

I never would have thought I'd buy a gas motor 1500. I did, and I love it.

It used to be a no brainer to go diesel, what with increased mileage, capacity and longevity.

Plus it was cool too!

For me, I just can't justify the extra expense, without the NEED for it.

I'm past the stage of buying it for the cool factor.

Good luck with your decision.

Agreed Jim, great post. I've had 3 diesels in the past. All 7.3 Powerstrokes. Never got anywhere near the tow capacity of them.

That blower is very similar. Snout and the heat exchanger were the biggest differences I could spot. I would definitely not try to convert a car kit to a truck.

I test drove two 2500s and I wasn't a fan at all. It had the 5.7 but the suspension was rough, even on the highway. Not my idea of a good time and for reference, my car is taught as hell....don't mind it in my hot rod but didn't like it in the truck. The suspension in the 1500 is downright good shit.

As for why I don't like the 5 speed, Dave, it's coarse as hell at best and that transmission has had a lot of quality issues...but put that aside. It shifts rough and really needs to be a proper 6-speed at minimum. Ask Denis what he thinks after having driven both. He used to fight it before also

HS

I've read about some of the issues. As for mine, I can't say it's coarse or shifts rough. However it does occasionally shutter into high gear. Mine shifts way too soft. The tow/haul mode doesn't seem to have any effect that I can tell. Seems to just keep the converter from locking up but there has to be more to it than that.

Sonnax has a line pressure booster that's plug & play between the harness at the back of the trans. I may give that a try as it's inexpensive.....unless it fouls up the transmission

[lakersfan7272 59]

The line pressure booster is good, I had one as well as a billet converter in my 5.7.

[rdrdr90 40]

Most of the issues with the RFE's were early issues. Frankly, installing a Diablo tune on mine made the shifting MUCH better. I also recently changed the filters and fluid in it and it made a world of difference. The filters, from what I gather, get "full" pretty easily. It shifts much better know. The roughest shift is, and has been on the 3 RFE's I have owned, 1-2 shift. Just my experiences.

[HemiSam 195]

Agreed Jim, great post. I've had 3 diesels in the past. All 7.3 Powerstrokes. Never got anywhere near the tow capacity of them.

I've read about some of the issues. As for mine, I can't say it's coarse or shifts rough. However it does occasionally shutter into high gear. Mine shifts way too soft. The tow/haul mode doesn't seem to have any effect that I can tell. Seems to just keep the converter from locking up but there has to be more to it than that.

Sonnax has a line pressure booster that's plug & play between the harness at the back of the trans. I may give that a try as it's inexpensive.....unless it fouls up the transmission

Drive a proper 6 or 8 speed and you'll understand straight away that what we have was probably carved of wood once back in the day....

HS

[Andy@PWR 58]

The 545rfe was first introduced in 1999 as the 45rfe. Thats a 14 year old transmission. There have been some changes to it along the way but its largely unchanged and archaic

[toofart 159]

Drive a proper 6 or 8 speed and you'll understand straight away that what we have was probably carved of wood once back in the day....

I used to not believe this shit, but after towing with a 5 speed and now the 8 speed, I am a convert to the school of HemiSam!

[Andy@PWR 58]

The 45RFE was introduced in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1999, it is notable for including three planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features three multiple disc input clutches, three multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized, with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) second gear to increase versatility when downshifting. In 545RFE usage, an extra taller overdrive ratio is also used. Chrysler decided to refer to it as a "multi-speed automatic".
The 45RFE was produced at the Indiana Transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana. It was normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech.
The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE.



For the 2012 model year, the 545RFE was recalibrated and introduced as the 65RFE in 1500 Ram models. With the exception of an improved torque converter, it is physically the same as its predecessor. The key difference in the 65RFE is the ability to use all six forward gears in sequence when using Electronic Range Select mode. In normal drive mode, however, the 65RFE uses the shift pattern of the 545RFE; thus never using 2nd and 3rd gears in succession. 2500 and 3500 models with gas engines received the 66RFE, a hybrid of 68RFE internals (including the gearset) packaged in a 545RFE case.

[rdrdr90 40]

No argument, it is old, and based on 40+ yr old designs. It is what it is, but it will last if cared for.

It is imminently serviceable, it is not, however, gonna win a style points. Thankfully, those days are over.

All that being said, I bet there ain't no vids like this for the ZF....

[Surfer1420 20]

Listen to Manny. If you plan to use the truck to pull a trailer and don't want to upgrade your 1/2 ton to pull a trailer(that is your first hint) buy the most truck you can afford(Diesel).

Load distributing hitches help also.

I just had to order one for my old 92 to pull my new 28' enclosed trailer. Plenty of power; just squatting the old truck a bit too much.

[Shepp 0]

1500 MegaCabs are the best compromise and bang for the buck for the situation described....5.7 / space / 3/4ton chassis / price !!

[BuckeyeGuy 90]

My 2012 Express 1500 now whas 44000 miles, probably about 12000 of them pulling a trailer at about 6klbs total weight. I agree with others that if you are buying a work truck or one that will be used for mostly towing, buy more truck that you think you need. However, this is my daily driver, and performed flawlesly pulling the car and trailer all over the east seaboard, midwest and Canada. Perfect compromise for what I need. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have gone wiht the 3.90 rear gears as I do have the 3.55s, great mileage (22 hwy, 11 -13.5 towing) but the engine does work a bit in the mountains, but still gets me there with no issues.

[Hemiwoman 7]

We tow with a 2011Jeep GC Overland 5.7 Hemi. Great tow vehicle. I get the same mileage as Guy does with his truck. Only extra we added was equalizer bars and brake controller. All the luxury of a Grand Cherokee and towing ability of a truck. Our car and trailer weigh about 6000 lbs.

[LUV MY RT 6]

I will agree with everyone else. If you are going to be towing a big trailer a lot of weight the Cummings is the way to go. If you are just going to be towing your car on a open car trailer the 1500 does a great job. One thing to remember 1/2 ton trucks today are equal to what a 3/4 ton truck was 7-8 years ago. Crawl up under a 1500 & you will see what I mean. My 1500 with the 392 gears are rated to tow 10400 lbs. My 03 Ford was rated to tow 7000 lbs. I have not added anything to the suspension on my truck to make it tow any better. Just like it was the day I bought it. I pull my car 70-75 on the interstate without any issues.

[TimeWaitsFNM 16]

Hemiwoman, thanks for making this more difficult! I had talked my wife into upgrading her 2012 Explorer Limited to an SRT Jeep...she was for it until she realized it didn't have a 3rd row to take the kid's friends around. For a minute though she was like, screw those kids...

Sad how her 3.5L v6 Explorer is rated for only 5k even with the tow package...if it had a V8 option I'd be all set already. Sigh, it's what she wanted though, and it is very nice.

[brucer41 9]

The Ram 1500 4X4 with the 5.7 has all you want. I have a 2011 that has towed my Challenger across 80 from Chicago to Connecticut without an issue one. The nice ride through Pa., NY., and Ct. was not even raising a sweat on the Ram what so ever.