not sure which route to go.... HELP!

[Bozo]

IMO, the 7.3 Ford is the current King of the gas HDs and where I would go if I wasn't in a diesel.

Sorry, fanRambois but MDS is a deal breaker in this class.

I swore that I’d never buy a vehicle with mds. Always a deal breaker for me.

 

[Bozo]

Start stop b.s. is also a deal breaker.

 

[pconklin46]

I swore that I’d never buy a vehicle with mds. Always a deal breaker for me.

alright lets talk about MDS. so thats the system that shuts down cylinders during higwhay driving? thats to blame for camshaft problems correct? is there a way to delete that system?

 

[LateToTheParty]

alright lets talk about MDS. so thats the system that shuts down cylinders during higwhay driving? thats to blame for camshaft problems correct? is there a way to delete that system?

I don't have a way to do any testing myself, so all I can go by is what I've read, but just about all I've seen plastered across the 'net is anecdotal and hearsay.

Does it cause a little extra drone for aftermarket exhaust? Yes
Does it allow for better gas mileage? Maybe
Does it cause premature lifter failure? Jury is out
Does it give people a reason to bash the Hemi? Absolutely

If it is that big of a concern, someone can drop ~$200 for an OBD solution to disable it, just like with Start/Stop.

 

[pconklin46]

I don't have a way to do any testing myself, so all I can go by is what I've read, but just about all I've seen plastered across the 'net is anecdotal and hearsay.

Does it cause a little extra drone for aftermarket exhaust? Yes
Does it allow for better gas mileage? Maybe
Does it cause premature lifter failure? Jury is out
Does it give people a reason to bash the Hemi? Absolutely

If it is that big of a concern, someone can drop ~$200 for an ODB solution to disable it, just like with Start/Stop.

probably voids warranty ?

 

[LateToTheParty]

probably voids warranty ?

It would definitely initiate a lengthy discussion, that's for sure.

I know in the US it is supposedly on the dealer to prove something directly caused a failure in order to deny warranty. Sounds like it is much easier to deny warranty work due to mods elsewhere (such as Canada).

One could argue that if there was a way to determine for sure if disabling the MDS caused a specific failure, you'd think they would have done that study already and used those results to decide if it had anything to do with the lifters.

That said, I wouldn't want to be the one fighting that legal battle if at some point it impacted me. So if there is ever a time I want to disable my MDS, I can either push the tow/haul button on the dash, or the gear limiter button on the steering wheel. I do the same thing to disable start/stop every time I drive my wife's Durango. It takes less time than moving the seat, adjusting the mirrors or closing the garage door.

But that's just me. It sounds like it is a much bigger concern to others and ultimately your decision if you choose to come back to a Ram (CTD or Hemi) or decide to go with another brand.

 

[Epsilon Plus]

Tuning it out is only a bandaid. The lifters are the issue if it's anything like GM. A little pin (the reason for the thin 0W-20 oil) gets fired out and grabs a lifter to keep the valves from opening when the cyls get shut down. When that lifter or pinning system decides to crap the bed the whole valvetrain and possibly engine goes.

Does it happen enough to be a huge issue? Honestly, I would say no. There are millions of vehicles out there with this system doing fine. I had it in my 5.3 Silverado for 4.5 years with no trouble.

Still think it's enough of a problem that fleets don't want to deal with it though. Especially for the BS gains. GM just announced because of the chip shortage, the 2021 Silverado 5.3s rolling out wont have AFM (MDS). They'll have it mechanically but not digitally if you will. GM said owners can expect to lose 1 MPG because of it.

1 stupid MPG for all that mechanical problem potential. Sounds like GM all right. I'm disappointed FCA brought the MDS system to the HD lineup. It doesn't even effect or add to their CAFE credits. Should have left that crap in the Durango or Charger where people "might" care about 1 MPG.

 

[THC1]

Yeah, The diesel option does quickly jack the price up. But, for the 2500 the weight of the diesel also eats up a big chunk of payload capability as well. Would the Hemi meet your needs? Other than that, with HD trucks not as populous on the car lots it'll be harder to get discounts. Not impossible but harder IMO. You could wait until the end of the year deals or see if you can find a recent year used truck.

I can add this: I shopped for a 2500 Gasser for three months and even nationwide intending to pay for shipping. I could never find exactly what I wanted and never found 4:10 gears. Yes "maybe" lose 1mpg but pick up over 2K lbs of additional tow capability and I don't want to be afraid to tow into the mountains with my #8000 lb travel trailer.
This will be my first 2500 and I will say it was an eye opener searching for one. First the Gasser is rare if you step up to anything it seems. I selected nationwide, under 30K miles, a few options I wanted and then GAS.......they all disappeared! Sure don't offer discounts to speak of either, especially the gasser. I finally just said screw it and ordered one.

 

[RamGuy84]

I know of a guy in my line of work who tows 10k with a 2015 Ram 2500 68rfe and never used tow/haul mode. He got to 120k before the tranny failed him. I've never had an issue with the 68rfe on my 3500s. I chose it over the AISIN because I thought it shifted smoother. The only 6.4 Hemi issue I've heard of was one guy who bought a new one last summer and it spent most of it's summer in the dealer's shop due to a bad ground on the intake manifold. They couldn't figure it out and finally did after two months. This is what I was told.

 

[Epsilon Plus]

I can add this: I shopped for a 2500 Gasser for three months and even nationwide intending to pay for shipping. I could never find exactly what I wanted and never found 4:10 gears. Yes "maybe" lose 1mpg but pick up over 2K lbs of additional tow capability and I don't want to be afraid to tow into the mountains with my #8000 lb travel trailer.
This will be my first 2500 and I will say it was an eye opener searching for one. First the Gasser is rare if you step up to anything it seems. I selected nationwide, under 30K miles, a few options I wanted and then GAS.......they all disappeared! Sure don't offer discounts to speak of either, especially the gasser. I finally just said screw it and ordered one.

The take rate on the diesel in Ram HDs is 75%

That narrows the field considerably if you add that to the COVID stuff, chip shortages...etc.

Ordering could be the best option.