Big vs. Mini Trucks: New Purchases

[D60]

GM is currently tooling up for a new generation of HD gas truck engine. I haven't heard much, only that it's coming. I wonder what the HP and TQ numbers will look like.

Of course, GM already offers a high-performance crate engine of the 6.6L gasser in my truck. The L8P takes the L8T and moves the HP from 401HP --> 523HP and the Torque goes from 464 --> 543 Ft-Lbs ..... substantial bumps.

To run on 0W-16, no??

 

[Phishin]

I prefer the Hemi

I can't stand Dodge in any flavor for a bunch of reasons.

Stellantis and their French practices do not belong on American Roads. Besides, there's a reason Dodge/Chrysler offer the cheapest option in every vehicle segment: Trucks, cars, SUV, etc

If you need an need a new truck, but saving $5000 is most important, you buy a Dodge

 

[hemioiler]

I can't stand Dodge in any flavor for a bunch of reasons.

Stellantis and their French practices do not belong on American Roads. Besides, there's a reason Dodge/Chrysler offer the cheapest option in every vehicle segment: Trucks, cars, SUV, etc

If you need an need a new truck, but saving $5000 is most important, you buy a Dodge

I'm not brand loyal in the slightest and will jump ship where I see fit. But before you go spouting off on Ram you may want to be aware that GM has literally the worst offerings in the 1500 segment at this point; their v8's have a terrible reputation, the diesel is great on paper but will cost you big when it comes time to service it, belts at the back (euro design). The 2.7 seems to be doing ok. As for the Ford and GM 10 speeds in both the half and heavy dutys, well that isn't doing so hot either.

Brand loyalty is nonsense. For a start, some years in some brands are better than other years, and it really comes down to specific hardware that can or can not cause problems. Nothing would convince me to purchase a GM 1500 with a v8 at this point. But I'd be happy with their 2.7 turbo as a cheaper entry level truck, and I might still take a chance on the 2500; that transmission though...

But yeah back then in 2019 I saved 10k CAD vs the GMC work truck with basic 4x4 (not even low speed TCase) and vinyl floors, with an engine down 50 hp, worse interior, and worse ride. Haven't looked back.

 

[JTK]

Are the mini trucks good for anything? I see them from time to time but never actually did any research or knew anyone that owned one. Are they any different than a four Wheeler with a bed?

It's looks to have 2x the cargo carrying capacity of my 2022 Nissan Frontier CC, short bed. May even be more than that.

 

[Arc]

The 6.4L HD Hemi?

5.7 hemi

 

[clinebarger]

The 5.7L Hemi doesn't directly compete with the GM 6.6L L8T, If GM were to install a 6.6L in a 1500 & tweak it for the lighter duty cycle....450-470 horsepower would be easy.

 

[hemioiler]

The 5.7L Hemi doesn't directly compete with the GM 6.6L L8T, If GM were to install a 6.6L in a 1500 & tweak it for the lighter duty cycle....450-470 horsepower would be easy.

The 5.7 was in the 2500 for years as the base engine, somewhere between 2010 to 2019 IIRC. Detuned, may have had a little different cam but basically the same engine. It put out 383 hp down from 395 everywhere else.

 

[clinebarger]

2018 was the last year, The L8T wasn't offered yet.

I'm not saying the HD 5.7L Hemi is a bad engine, But can't compete with a L8T far as power & torque. I'd also give duty cycle to the L8T for the lower HP per cubic inch, Piston cooling nozzles, And forged crankshaft.

 

[hemioiler]

2018 was the last year, The L8T wasn't offered yet.

I'm not saying the HD 5.7L Hemi is a bad engine, But can't compete with a L8T far as power & torque. I'd also give duty cycle to the L8T for the lower HP per cubic inch, Piston cooling nozzles, And forged crankshaft.

Well the 5.7 is quite a bit smaller, so of course its not going to compete in terms of power output. But it did get used and abused by years as the base/entry level engine in the 2500 series and proved itself more than reliable so in that way it did compete quite well. The hemis have a rock solid bottom end. The cams in the earlier years.... well they can be touch and go.

The 6.4 BGE is basically the same engine design but built for heavier duty cycle. They have piston squirters as well as other improvements for HD usage though I'm too lazy to look up the exact differences.

Fun fact, the 5.7 in the 2500 with the 4.10's is rated to tow slightly more than the 6.4 with the 3.73. Clearly they weren't worried about the 5.7 collapsing under heavy load.

The 5.7 is more of a competitor with the GM 5.3 and 6.2. But those 2 engines are aluminum block and clearly meant for passenger duty, GM has never stuffed either of those in the HD trucks. The 5.7 is at least a cast iron block like all the other HD gas engines.

 

[hemioiler]

@clinebarger here is an interesting video showing the difference between the 6.4 hemi, 6.6 GM, and 7.3 godzilla. He tows the same load/route with both trucks. The 7.3 is the clear winner, but the 6.4 is running neck and neck with the 6.6.

 

[clinebarger]

I believe it! The 6.4L & 6.6L are similar displacement. Is that the new ZF 8 speed unit? I find the 6.4L/AS66RC combination in 4500/5500 chassis to be mismatched....One of my fleet accounts has 2 Ram 5500 Terex aerial bucket trucks, 2017/2018 & drivers complain constantly about low power. The trucks/programming just don't want to downshift to get the engine into it's torque band.

The ZF 8 speed could be a game changer for Ram in this segment as more & more businesses are avoiding diesel engines.