I agree, but my Rebel was a 5th gen with a 3.5 lift and 35’s, my 2500 is a 4.5 gen with 2” level and 35’s, not that much bigger than my Rebel, the 6.4 torq should pull the gear. I can cheat a little, by accelerating to a higher speed than needed and then backing off the throttle I can get the trans to shift into 8th between 58-60 and it pulls that no problem , even in ECO mode, at 1500 RPM, but, any uphill grade shifts into 7th until I get level ground again. So it can pull 8th no problem on level ground, but your right about hunting the lower gear on an uphill grade.
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8th gear - highway speed?
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Dave01
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I guess I'm at the opposite end on this one. I agree the 6.4 2500 could probably stay in 8th on mostly level ground at the speeds you are talking about, 50-60. For me, I prefer that it doesn't. I don't want hunting gears, and I don't want, at 55 mph, to step on the gas a bit to speed up and have to drop 2 gears to do so. I think they got it right, stay in 7th longer and have some available power there. Maybe not to 68 as many are finding, but I'm fine staying in 7th into the 60's.
Not too far back in the Wayback Machine we were all running pickups with 4 speed auto's, if we had towing ratio rear ends we'd be running 2,400 rpm at 65 (and loud!), so I don't mind turning 1,800.
It may seem not that much bigger, but look at the shape of the front end and the aero dynamic impact of that. Also, shape aside, there’s a big difference in the size of the grille opening, and thus how much air is getting pushed into the engine compartment, further increasing drag. Compare the 1500 Rebel grille below, that is only really about 60% open, be the Power Wagon grille that’s completely open.
1500:
2500:
dieselscout80
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Grateful Dad
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Still less than 1k miles on the ‘24 and she will not shift into 8th until 70 mph. She’ll hum along at a tic over 2k rpm @ 69 mph on flat ground……………
As stated previously, my ‘21 would shift into 8th as low as 55 mph.
As stated previously, my ‘21 would shift into 8th as low as 55 mph.
Not even 1k miles yet! I remember those days. They grow up so fast!
Any other notable differences aside from the trim level and transmission?
Sent from me
Hm interesting thread. I have no issue with the shifting in my PW. I don’t get caught up in what gear it’s in nearly as much as the powerband I’m in. I don’t miss how quick the diesels would shift even while accelerating causing me to push the pedal more into for it to slam a downshift. The 8 speed has been flawless even with 37s
Grateful Dad
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Nothing notably different, these trucks are a bit long in the tooth (and I don’t mind one bit, still prefer Ram over the other 2, I looked before purchasing). The Laramie seats are nicer than in my ‘14 Laramie and the 12” Screen is pretty cool but the bones haven’t really changed. 6.4 and 8speed are still the benchmark IMO.
lgjhn
New Member
I purchased my 2500 6.4L gasser back in Nov. 2023. 3.73 gears is seeing a shift into 8th usually at 69 mph. It will stay in 8th until dropping down to about 60 mph.
I've nicknamed it: "A Lazy 8" transmission, but I think they're got it programmed just right for the type of driving I do.
Coming off a 1500 ECD, it took me some getting used to, but once I'd driven it awhile, I feel it's just right.
I've nicknamed it: "A Lazy 8" transmission, but I think they're got it programmed just right for the type of driving I do.
Coming off a 1500 ECD, it took me some getting used to, but once I'd driven it awhile, I feel it's just right.