2019 Ram 6.4 Advice

[JohnandDonna]

Resale on diesels is also higher. Get what you want. I think most also overlook the recommended premium fuel for the 6.4. Around here now, diesel is only 20 cents more than regular, premium up to 50cents higher. Each engine has their pros and cons and different requirements. I also cringe at the upcharge for the diesel, but people don’t bat an eye when it comes to luxury interiors and fancy wheels and such. I have questioned the technology/navigation options for some time. I have a vehicle that has all that, and I can do most of that stuff via smartphone at far less cost. That said, I will still opt for the 12” screen if I decide I want it. With all the techies out there, I also believe that that will be a resale point as well.

Actually the recommend fuel for the 6.4 Hemi is Mid-Grade. Not Premium. Just got a 2020 RAM 2500 MegaCab with the Hemi and that is what the owner manual says.

 

[Bozo]

Resale on diesels is higher, but not $9k. Right now book values on a 5 yr old truck are around $5k difference, diesel vs gas. For an option that costs $9k more. I wouldn't be worried about getting diesel vs gas for a daily commute of less than an hour of driving time. And if I wanted to haul a lot, the gas would be my preference for payload. Big towing is where the diesel makes the difference, imho. And just general preference for a lot of guys, too.

4k difference assuming you pay full list on your vehicle. Personally, I have many vehicles, really too many. I find maintenance on my diesels to be easier than my gas counterparts over time. I also would pay the difference on two identical trucks with the yearly average of 12k miles/yr,60k/5years , for the diesel over gas. Yes, I too have had many gas vehicles go 300k, but they really start to nickel and dime ya after 100k. And anyone that goes by the 100k interval for plug changes is nuts and asking for problems. My 2001 3500 currently is at 325k and counting. No issues yet. Fluids(54gal oil), filters (21),fuel filters(21)air filters(5) belts(3), an alternator, and 1 water pump. that is my shingling truck. My old ranger parts chaser truck had almost 300k on it when I traded: 4 water pumps, radiator, fan clutch, 4 alternators, 3 starters, 30 spark plugs, 2 distributor caps, 2 sets of wires, pcv valve x2, 10 air filters, 60 oil filters,75 gals. oil, 4 belts. To each his own, drive them both, assess your situation and capabilities, and enjoy what you got.

 

[Bozo]

Actually the recommend fuel for the 6.4 Hemi is Mid-Grade. Not Premium. Just got a 2020 RAM 2500 MegaCab with the Hemi and that is what the owner manual says.

what is the recommended octane?

 

[JohnandDonna]

what is recommended octane?

Manual say you can run 87 but recommends 89 octane.

 

[Bozo]

Manual say you can run 87 but recommends 89 octane.

Around here that means you are gonna run ethanol which does hinder mileage somewhat, but e15 is cheaper yet and you really only take the mileage hit on the 10%, 15% from 10 is negligible. Engine management will allow it to run on the lower stuff, but will not be optimum.

 

[@JC]

Thankfully <90% of the pumps around here are non-ethanol, both 87 & 91. Unfortunately, only a couple of stations in town have 89 and they're on the opposite side of town. I usually just put in 91 unless the tank is still close to half, in that case I'll even it out with 87. On the positive side, both 87 and 91 are pretty cheap here.

 

[Bozo]

I don’t mind ethanol, in fact we have been running e85 in couple of our old cars. I just mentioned the 10 and 15% mix around here because they did away with 87 reg (non-alc)and send us tractor gas mixed with premium at triplethe price difference it used to be.( used to be cost effective to buy for the mileage increase). E85 allows us to keep our old hot Rods cruisin the streets. Lots cheaper than Sunoco.

 

[dtsequeira]

I have a 2019 6.4 8 speed and love it. I came from 2 Duramaxes, loved my 05’, my 2011 was great until the emissions problems started popping up. I will never own a newer diesel with a DEF system, they will all have problems with time.
I haul a camper twice a month to the eastern sierras here in California from the Los Angeles area so I go from sea level to 10k feet of elevation and the truck has no issues with mountain passes.
It is pretty comical to hear people talk about diesel resale. You spend nearly 10k more for a diesel of course you’re going to have higher resale on a comparable truck.
I run 87 octane.

 

[Bozo]

I have a 2019 6.4 8 speed and love it. I came from 2 Duramaxes, loved my 05’, my 2011 was great until the emissions problems started popping up. I will never own a newer diesel with a DEF system, they will all have problems with time.
I haul a camper twice a month to the eastern sierras here in California from the Los Angeles area so I go from sea level to 10k feet of elevation and the truck has no issues with mountain passes.
It is pretty comical to hear people talk about diesel resale. You spend nearly 10k more for a diesel of course you’re going to have higher resale on a comparable truck.
I run 87 octane.

Comical? point is, if resale is higher, do you really lose? some of us have vehicles for different jobs....at least until the perfect one comes along, that can do them all. When someone finds it let me know. Short trips, I drive the "parts chaser". Long trips/heavy/ I drive the diesels.

 

[Distillusion]

Comical? point is, if resale is higher, do you really lose? some of us have vehicles for different jobs....at least until the perfect one comes along, that can do them all. When someone finds it let me know. Short trips, I drive the "parts chaser". Long trips/heavy/ I drive the diesels.

Yeah, you can lose. Even if you get a below-msrp deal on the truck, you'd have been able to get a similar deal on the gasser, so you lose depreciation on the engine. If you really need/want the diesel for whatever reason, it's not necessarily a loss because you're not considering the gasser anyway. But if you're analyzing tradeoffs and don't really need the diesel, then it can definitely be a big loss. Different needs for different folks.

 

[miles]

I owned two diesels that I put lots of mileage on, first one 515K, second one 300K, both were before all the emission controls. Everyone I know have problems with the newer diesels. When the warranty runs out be prepared to lay out thousand not hundreds for repairs on the diesels. Also the price of diesel and the extra expensive of maintenance means it is more expensive for diesel ownership now.

I did a calculation of cost of fuel in one year for diesel versus gas biased on the fuel mileage average. for 20,000 kms year. Save all of $160 per year on fuel with diesel but the maintenance will cost more. I don't haul a heavy 5 wheel anymore only a TT weighing about 8,000 lbs occasionally.
The resale will never be enough to recoup the cost of owning a diesel over the time I would own it.
I would love to have another diesel but the cost of owning one just doesn't add up!

 

[JohnandDonna]

Seems to me its all based on need. You can't beat diesel for a heavy tow. But if you looking for load capacity or tow =<10k then gas makes more sense. Loving my 6.4 Hemi. I have an Airstream on order (Supposed to be delivered early next month) that will have a max weight of just under 9k and is 30'. My 2500 Mega with 4.10 puts the tow right in the trucks sweet spot and I still have almost a thousand pounds more carrying capacity then I would with a diesel. Plus for now its weekends and vacation so my truck will sit at times. I understand that sitting is not good for diesels. But like I said, different folks different needs. No wrong answer here.

 

[Djeazie]

Resale is higher because your paying more upfront. Pay 7-8k more up front and get 6-7k more than gas on the rear end. It’s a wash.


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[Cookiemonster]

To answer the original question..
I went from diesels, (still own 2 powerstroke fords) and bought this 2019 Ram 2500 CC 4x4 with the 6.4 to use for work. I run a **** ton of miles and trade every year around 60-70k miles,, so didn't want an $80k truck.
Also didn't want the SCR and DPF issues that come with the diesels these days..
Now the MDS stuff is annoying, but it does help MPG when not towing.
I usually run with my tow/haul on just to turn the mds off...
Now the 6.4 does NOT tow as well as my diesels but it does the job just fine.
Hauling my boat I only get about 9mpg, which blows. But the 6.4 doesn't struggle...
My 40ft montana on the other hand.... ill never tow it with the 6.4 again... talk about frustrating...
The constant down shifting with the MDS is annoying to say the least, and the exhaust note when it kicks in is embarrassing...
With a pack-rat full of tools and an air compressor in the bed like it is daily I average about 16mpg with tow haul on to disable MDS, with MDS ill get about 18 on long trips across Texas.. prior to the added weight I'd get about 20mpg...
All in all the 6.4 has impressed me.
Fuel MPG sucks by far, but it does the job surprisingly well, and it's a damn comfortable truck for a 2500 4x4. Also, im running 35's on mine too.

 

[Cookiemonster]

All in all, I'd buy a 6.4 again hands down...
Again I trade yearly due to miles driven so it's financially the smart move. I miss the diesel clatter and extra power as a daily but the 6.4 performs just right for what im doing with it....
Sure do love my overly built diesel ($15k deep thus far), it tows better and gets better mpg... but after 250k miles it was time for a replacement work truck... again the 6.4 will NOT pull like a turbo diesel but will do the job just fine, although not as quick and definitely not with decent mpg! That being said, if I were you I'd snag the 6.4 and save some coin!
Best wishes
Brian.

 

[PGHChris81]

I will say one thing, if your not going to be driving a lot and or working it a lot you will be better off with the 6.4 The Diesel is not worth it if your only driving say 5 miles to work or just pulling once a month. My son bought a 2019 CTD like mine and he only drives 5 miles round trip for work. He has had issues with his particulate filter because he wasn’t driving long enough for it to go into regen mode. He now has to take it out and drive it a bit. I told him he should have bought a gassser but he wanted a Cummins.

This is why I got my 6.4, these exact reasons. I had a Duramax back in '11 and didn't need the diesel, just wanted it and regretted every bit of it. The new emissions systems make it a real pain in the butt to own one now if you don't really need one. Not to mention how harsh regen is on motors, it really shortens the life of them.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

No comments yet on how awful the OPs Titan is? lol