2015 Dodge Ram w/ 3.6L Pentastar. . .

[Robster]

I'm taking delivery of a new 2015 Ram Quad-cab 4WD pick up with the 3.6L Pentastar engine on Saturday. I test drove both the 5.7 Hemi and the 3.6L--the Hemi was nice, but for my intended light duty the 3.6L seemed VERY adequate and gives a few more MPGs. I don't intend to tow anything, and the ZF 8-speed transmission made good use of the engine's powerband.

I researched the 3.6L on the 'net and it's difficult to find negative comments about it--most people like it as far as I can tell. Experts reviewing the Ram / 3.6L combo all mentioned that the engine seemed to produce V8-like performance in the real-world.

Are any of you guys running the 3.6L in a Ram? Any comments regarding reliability of the engine specifically or the Ram in general? I decided on the Ram after considering that it got Truck of the Year for the past two years, and the year-end deals coupled with rebates brought the price much lower than the competition.

Happy New Year! --Rob

 

[mrsilv04]

I'm running the 3.6 in a Town and Country minivan... but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be much help for you.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The Pentastar is a pretty rev-happy engine. The 8 speed transmission will help it out. I'd recommend the shortest gearing in the rear axle that you can get (highest number numerically) to further help it. My folks had a 2012 Wrangler with the Pentastar. With their mods (chassis/roll cage, etc), it probably weighed about the same as a Ram. They had about 36" tires on it, but also 5.xx:1 gearing to help it out. It performed well, and was mated to the 5 speed automatic that was standard back then (and that may still be standard in Wranglers, I'm not sure).

The engine is nice. Congratulations!

 

[spk2000]

My uncle has one that is a few years old. Overall he likes it but thinks the fuel economy should be better and does wish he had gotten the hemi.

 

[53' Stude]

My dad just bought one as he has his 11' with the HEMI also. He loves his so far. He's using MaxLife 5w20 and FRAM filter in his. Already changed the factory fill out at 2k

 

[supton]

I hear lots good, nothing bad. I'd expect it to be rev-happy.

At 305hp it ought to work as well as my 310hp Tundra, and due to 8 cogs and probably less weight, handily beat it on mpg. Should tow as well too, a horsepower is a horsepower in the end.

Congrads on the new ride! I assume it's one of those year-end deals?

 

[Blazered]

Have a 3.6 in our Grand Cherokee, which has been flawless. It works extremely well with the 8-speed. I'm sure you will be very pleased.

 

[dishdude]

I have the 3.6 and 8 speed in my Jeep, and I think it's a great powertrain combo. I'm very impressed with it. Congrats on the new ride!

 

[NHGUY]

I would be very pleased to have the Pentastar in a truck....more pleased if there was a manual transmission offering....A solid engine that has its bugs worked out.

 

[oldhp]

2014 RAM 3.6/8 speed. Truck and engine grade "A". 8 speed trans, at least mine, F-, junk. When brand new trans shifted so smooth I had to watch the tach drop so I could tell it shifted. Then it started, lurching high rev shifts at cold starts. Replaced valve body and fluid. Perfect again. Started same pattern of stupid shifting again. Lastest trick, it stuck in 1st gear, would not shift out of first gear. Had to shut off truck, restart it and it shifted thur it's gears. There many posts on ramforumz.com about the trans shifting problems. "Don't" ask your dealer anything about trans shifting problems as you will get the deer in the headlights look. Good Luck!!!

 

[GMBoy]

Got the 3.6L/8speed combo on our '14 Grand Cherokee Overland. Love it and 36k miles without issues.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I would be very pleased to have the Pentastar in a truck....more pleased if there was a manual transmission offering....A solid engine that has its bugs worked out.


Solid, reliable, plenty of power and great UOAs is what I've seen/read/heard about the Pentastar. Great engine.


I too lament the loss of manual transmissions in almost all full size trucks (Ram HD Diesel is currently the only one)

 

[Robster]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yes, I bought it to take advantage of end-of-year deals and I feel that I got a fair deal on it. It's an Express model quad with popular equipment group (air, cruise, power windows, carpeting and mats, UConnect 5.0 (no nav), 4WD, cloth seats, Silver w/ black grill-- $29,500 after rebates and incentives (MSRP was $37,340). That's about $3,000 less than a comparable Ford or Chevy.

I've heard only a few stories about 8-speed transmissions going bad, but it seems that for the most part they are solid--I can only hope that I get a good one. . . if not, the drive train warranty for the 2015s is 5 years / 100,000 miles and I'm not afraid to use it!

I'll give my first impressions after I drive it awhile.

 

[Robster]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
2014 RAM 3.6/8 speed. Truck and engine grade "A". 8 speed trans, at least mine, F-, junk. When brand new trans shifted so smooth I had to watch the tach drop so I could tell it shifted. Then it started, lurching high rev shifts at cold starts. Replaced valve body and fluid. Perfect again. Started same pattern of stupid shifting again. Lastest trick, it stuck in 1st gear, would not shift out of first gear. Had to shut off truck, restart it and it shifted thur it's gears. There many posts on ramforumz.com about the trans shifting problems. "Don't" ask your dealer anything about trans shifting problems as you will get the deer in the headlights look. Good Luck!!!


Based on my research on this transmission, some 2013s-2014s had some early software problems that caused harsh shifting. You didn't mention if you'd had software updates, although I'd guess that the dealer did that first, but you may want to double-check with them to make sure you have the latest version. I hope you get this worked out! --Rob

 

[Robster]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
2014 RAM 3.6/8 speed. Truck and engine grade "A". 8 speed trans, at least mine, F-, junk. When brand new trans shifted so smooth I had to watch the tach drop so I could tell it shifted. Then it started, lurching high rev shifts at cold starts. Replaced valve body and fluid. Perfect again. Started same pattern of stupid shifting again. Lastest trick, it stuck in 1st gear, would not shift out of first gear. Had to shut off truck, restart it and it shifted thur it's gears. There many posts on ramforumz.com about the trans shifting problems. "Don't" ask your dealer anything about trans shifting problems as you will get the deer in the headlights look. Good Luck!!!


I just found this service bulletin that seems to address the shifting problems you have had. . . FYI: http://www.wk2jeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk2_2103014a.pdf

Has that software update been applied to your truck?

--Rob

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

You will like the Pentastar engine. The torque curve is flat, literally, flat from 1200 to past 5000 rpm. There is no peak, it just pulls! I have a 13 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.6L and 6 speed. That van is heavy but you wouldn't know it. I'm getting 25 to 27 mpg on the road, 20 in local driving.

 

[hattaresguy]

I love my 2015 Ram with the Pentastar, no issues, runs great, pulls strong, and I average 16-17 mpg.

With the 8spd and the 3.55 rear end its a good combo.

It likes to rev but with the 8spd its not an issue, it just puts it in the proper gear. Performance is about similar to V8 trucks of a few years ago,ie 5.3 Chevy or 5.4 Ford.

I averaged 14mpg pulling around a bulky 4k pound trailer.

 

[Robster]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I love my 2015 Ram with the Pentastar, no issues, runs great, pulls strong, and I average 16-17 mpg.

With the 8spd and the 3.55 rear end its a good combo.

It likes to rev but with the 8spd its not an issue, it just puts it in the proper gear. Performance is about similar to V8 trucks of a few years ago,ie 5.3 Chevy or 5.4 Ford.

I averaged 14mpg pulling around a bulky 4k pound trailer.



Thanks for the info--I have the 3.21 rear axle, but I'm told that with the 8-speed transmission the rearend ratio differences are mostly negated now. How many miles on your Ram? Any issues I should watch for? --Rob

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
You will like the Pentastar engine. The torque curve is flat, literally, flat from 1200 to past 5000 rpm. There is no peak, it just pulls! I have a 13 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.6L and 6 speed. That van is heavy but you wouldn't know it. I'm getting 25 to 27 mpg on the road, 20 in local driving.


Agreed. I've got the same van. It's a powerful V6 and the best I've owned yet.

Would I want one in a fancied up, full-sized, high dollar quad cab 4x4? Only if it was a spectacular deal.

Regular cab, 2wd basic pickup? Absolutely.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: Robster
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I love my 2015 Ram with the Pentastar, no issues, runs great, pulls strong, and I average 16-17 mpg.

With the 8spd and the 3.55 rear end its a good combo.

It likes to rev but with the 8spd its not an issue, it just puts it in the proper gear. Performance is about similar to V8 trucks of a few years ago,ie 5.3 Chevy or 5.4 Ford.

I averaged 14mpg pulling around a bulky 4k pound trailer.



Thanks for the info--I have the 3.21 rear axle, but I'm told that with the 8-speed transmission the rearend ratio differences are mostly negated now. How many miles on your Ram? Any issues I should watch for? --Rob


With the new transmissions the rear axle ration doesn't matter as much. I always like to spec one in the middle of the range they offer if possible. Also make sure that truck has a limited slip rear end. A lot of dealers are stupid and order 4x4 trucks with open rear ends, I won't buy any truck let alone a 4X4 with an open rear end. For me that's a deal breaker.

I'm at 9k miles other than a very early hard 2nd gear shift which went away the drive line has been flawless. The only issue with the truck now is every once in awhile the digital display between the gauges will flash and the door chime will randomly go off when it does. I have not had time to take the truck to the dealer so they can look into it.