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HO vs SO driving/acceleration

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TXAG07

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I would like to order a new truck soon (if I can...) and trying to decide which engine/trans would work best for me. I don’t want this to be about payload, suspension/comfort, towing, etc. I want it to be about driving experience/acceleration. I live in the metroplex which requires me to need power on demand to move in and out of traffic. At first I wanted the HO/Aisin for most power/firmer shifts, then I heard about dead pedal, then the 21s trans tuning is better. I drove an SO. It was ok, but I could tell that in time I’d probably want Calibrated or someone to make it better, but prefer not to worry about warranty. I can’t seem to find an HO to drive.
I would appreciate anyone’s thoughts/experience. Please don’t tell me to buy a Hemi :). I already have a 1500 and love it for my wife. I’ve owned many modified diesels in the past so that is what I am used to. Last truck was 17 f250. It drove great, but looking to get back to Ram
 
Have a 19 SO. Dead pedal is real in this truck. I have also heard the 21s are better, but haven't driven one. Interested to see opinions of those who have.
 
put a pedal commander on it. that kills the dp. with all the daily driving, I'd go with the 68. that's what I did.
 
John Jensen said:
I went with the HO and Calibrated. Couldn't be happier
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John, I fully expected you to respond this way based on your Calibrated Thread. That would be the best combo for sure, but the HO $$ and worrying about warranty got me scared. I’m sure if I drove one like yours I’d just do it :).
 
I've driven both the 68rfe and the Aisin (HO 400/1000). I like the Aisin, and not just because its with the HO, but its a better and heavier duty transmission. However the traffic issue effects both. The dead pedal is due to the RPM's running real low (1000 to 1100 rpm when in drive at whatever speed your running 55 and below. The 68rfe I could never find the best method within the parameters of its abilities. The Aisin seems better, but you need to run in T/H or lock out 5th and 6th, that way your running @ 35 to 45 MPH, and will give you a higher RPM range for power, normally @ 1500 RPM. I've seen 55MPH in drive at 1100 RPM and thats to low of RPM's when you step on it. When you step on the pedal there is a lag at 1100RPM/55MPH, you need to keep your RPM's at a minimum of 1500. The negative of running T/H is the aggressive down shifts, but it thinks you have a load because you chose T/H. As an experiment, chose the gear that gets you 1700 RPM's then step into the pedal, its immediate in response. The Cummins 5.9/6.7 has the best power to MPG ratio @ 1700 RPM's, meaning you have better response but slightly less MPG. Running at 1100 RPM in 6th has the best MPG but your acceleration is poor (dead pedal), and when at 2100 RPM you have poor MPG and instant acceleration. I hope this helps you.
 
CdnHO said:
I have a new HO and I have not noticed any dead pedal. Lots of get up and go. Stock. Remember these are trucks, not a Lamboghini.
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Not that I don't believe this statement, but If in "Drive" with T/H off, cruise at 50 MPH on a flat surface, your RPM's will be around 1000/1100. While cruising in that condition, step into it, you should have a delay in response, almost like turbo lag. The 2014 6.7 2500 I drove would start to ping with this very same scenario, but that was with the 3:42 rear diff, the 3:73 helps a little more. Yes, if I start out from a dead stop, there is no dead pedal.

While I was Phoenix on Thursday, in slow traffic, I went to change over to the left lane and almost got rear ended because I forgot to have 6th and 5th gear locked out, that would keep my RPM's within the 1500/1600, and it took a few seconds to get up to speed.
 
For what it's worth, I have a 1500 with the all new Gen 3 EcoDiesel and 8HP75 and it's had dead pedal issues since day 1. Over the last 14 months the dealer has flashed the truck with two major PCM updates and the truck still has dead pedal.

I'll ease into the throttle to take off from a stop sign or red light and it does NOTHING and then a few seconds later it'll bury my head in the seat. Terribly annoying! Anyway...my only point is that I believe the dead pedal issues are related to diesels/emissions with all Ram pickups.
 
RVTRKN said:
Not that I don't believe this statement, but If in "Drive" with T/H off, cruise at 50 MPH on a flat surface, your RPM's will be around 1000/1100. While cruising in that condition, step into it, you should have a delay in response, almost like turbo lag. The 2014 6.7 2500 I drove would start to ping with this very same scenario, but that was with the 3:42 rear diff, the 3:73 helps a little more. Yes, if I start out from a dead stop, there is no dead pedal.

While I was Phoenix on Thursday, in slow traffic, I went to change over to the left lane and almost got rear ended because I forgot to have 6th and 5th gear locked out, that would keep my RPM's within the 1500/1600, and it took a few seconds to get up to speed.
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Thats not dead pedal thats tq management
 
And keeping transmission parts in their proper form!

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
 
What ever it’s called it almost got me rear ended.
 
I just bought a 2021 3500 SRW with the H.O./ Aisin. I just sold my 2019 3500 with the same combo due to the CP4 disaster. The 2021 is a completely different truck and for the better. The dead pedal and de fueling is gone and the transmission does not hunt for gears any longer. Big improvements were made for 2021.
 
Justed changed careers, so I'll have to wait it out, to buy a new truck, but the CP4 was a big mistake. I wonder who lost their job over that bonehead mistake?
 
RVTRKN said:
Not that I don't believe this statement, but If in "Drive" with T/H off, cruise at 50 MPH on a flat surface, your RPM's will be around 1000/1100. While cruising in that condition, step into it, you should have a delay in response, almost like turbo lag. The 2014 6.7 2500 I drove would start to ping with this very same scenario, but that was with the 3:42 rear diff, the 3:73 helps a little more. Yes, if I start out from a dead stop, there is no dead pedal.

While I was Phoenix on Thursday, in slow traffic, I went to change over to the left lane and almost got rear ended because I forgot to have 6th and 5th gear locked out, that would keep my RPM's within the 1500/1600, and it took a few seconds to get up to speed.
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With lockdown in Ontario I don't want to give the cops an excuse to stop me to ask why I am not at home. However I was out a couple of days go and passed a car that was chugging along at 50 mph (50 mph zone) and when I floored the accelerator it just went. No lag. I do have a 4.10 axle so that may make a difference as it keeps the rpms a little higher. Or maybe I am just lucky that I got a truck without a lag.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
Thats not dead pedal thats tq management
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Absolutely this. Truck makes 850lb/ft (many dyno tests would lead you to believe more like 900+) @ 1,600 RPM. It's not a turbo lag or RPM issue, it's an electronic algorithm measuring output torque and dialing back power so you don't twist that aluminum driveshaft in a dramatic lane change.
 
CdnHO said:
With lockdown in Ontario I don't want to give the cops an excuse to stop me to ask why I am not at home. However I was out a couple of days go and passed a car that was chugging along at 50 mph (50 mph zone) and when I floored the accelerator it just went. No lag. I do have a 4.10 axle so that may make a difference as it keeps the rpms a little higher. Or maybe I am just lucky that I got a truck without a lag.
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LOL, cops have no right to stop you to ask why your not at home, come on man.
 
Epsilon Plus said:
Absolutely this. Truck makes 850lb/ft (many dyno tests would lead you to believe more like 900+) @ 1,600 RPM. It's not a turbo lag or RPM issue, it's an electronic algorithm measuring output torque and dialing back power so you don't twist that aluminum driveshaft in a dramatic lane change.
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My shaft is steel.... but its more so it does not tear the trans apart the driveshaft can take the abuse the trans wont
 
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