Looking to finally switch to Ram
 

I've been waiting and waiting to switch to Cummins, I've owned a '02 Chev Silverado 2500 Duramax for 15 years, doing some basic towing, has served me ok till now, I've been waiting too long to finally switch over to Ram, and the time is Now!!

I'm currently looking for some help with I am currently looking at a 2012 Ram 3500 4 door Laramie DRW, with 68RFE auto trans, with 4.10 rear end, ( was looking for 3.73 but from what I''ve read, 4.10 seems to be the sweet spot for max towing? )

So one of my good friends has owned many Rams, he told me to stay away from anything newer than 2012, due to emissions, but from what I've been reading through many and many of the online threads, I'm getting the impression that many with the newer 2013-2014, 2015-2016 model years with DEF and the added emissions, seem to be quite happy with much improved fuel economy and more power, so I guess I thought I'd say hello, and see what some would have to say, to someone currently looking to buy their first Ram, I'm sure this has been asked many times, just a matter of opinion... Thanks!

How heavy are you going to be towing? You may not need the 4-10's.

I agree I probably don't need 4.10's, I was looking for 3.73, it's probably overkill, the only issue, is I found a 2012 that's all set-up exactly like I've been looking for and exact for color I'm wanting, my only question I was looking to ask, would those that have been through this decision before, would they choose the 2012 with the 68RFE Auto and 4.10 with No-DEF and minimal emisions , or spend much more money on on a newer model like a 2014, 2015, or a 2016 with the same 68RFE Auto and have DEF and much more emissions? Thanks for any feedback

My 12 has been fine. It did have some code issues at first but I got them worked out. Mine turned out to be dirty O2 sensor connections but it gave codes for odd things that sent me on a goose chase for some time. Some say that the newer ones get better mileage. Maybe. I try to drive reasonable and try to do good maintenance. To me, the price I paid for the truck compared to a new/newer one more than makes up for the little bit less economy and the several month goose chase. I actuality looked at some newer ones online yesterday and they have got to be kidding for what they are asking for some of them.

As I think about it too, my 12 rides so well. People even say wow when they ride in it for the first time. Especially to be a 4x4 3500 with a little bit of lift in the front to level it.

I know 14,000lbs is more than doable with the 3.73 and the 68RFE in my 2011, over the 14k I haven't tried it but my son had a 2011 G56 with 3.73's and he towed all kinds of very heavy things, so heavy he destroyed the g56, but even with 3.73's his engine was screaming on the hiway. I would not go lower than 3.73's. Also if you tow heavy you will probably not be happy with the factory brake controller, I had mine replaced once under warranty but after a few nail biting incidents I installed a P3 and there is no comparison, the factory one is junk... However the 2012 has a different controller so you might find it "usable" just be aware. When my son bought his 2013 aisin I was going to buy a 2014 for the higher GVWR but then he started to have problems so I decided against it.

They're all great trucks but I'd be more inclined to buy a 2013+ (DEF) truck. Having owned both a 2011 and a 2015. The 2015 is hands down the better truck. MUCH better fuel economy, oil changes half as often, fewer codes thrown. But if the non-DEF truck is deleted correctly, then of course it would be a great truck, as those issues I mentioned wouldn't apply.

Thanks SOhappy, excellent info! , I'm really glad I posted here in this forum to get some real life suggests, as I was misled from a buddy, telling me to stay away from 2013 and newer, which was why I've been concentrating my efforts in a 2012, my buddy must not know how much better the newer DEF trucks are, he still has his 2nd gen 5.9, so I'm thinking he will see the light when he has to upgrade to something newer. I Spent some time last night looking for a 2015, thanks again.

If your son's truck was an '07 5.9 or older the final drive of 0.79 mimics a 4.10 auto. I grateful for those lower gears. The 6.7 G-56's had a higher 0.74 final drive for some rpm relief.
If I got a new one it'd be a def equipped truck.

My sons G56 truck was a 2011 6.7 with the same 3.73's as my 2011 68RFE, he was revving higher at the same speed on the hiway. The G56 is too high in reverse and too low in top gear. The newer 2013 and up with the 3.42's are more sensible for hiway but... there are just too many problems design wise for me to get past for me to buy a current truck.

Found a few 2015's listed online, found a 2105 3500 DRW crew Laramie, in KY, has only 7,500 miles and already 2 owners, kind-of hesitated noticing that, but over-all, if I go with a '15 used with under 25k miles, it's around 55k, the '12 I'm looking at is 44.5k, so I'm asking myself, how many miles will I have to drive to make up the fuel savings with the '15, it will probably take many miles to make up 10k in fuel savings?

Well I did a VIN check search of the 2012 3500 DRW I'm looking at, through the tools here, and that result when selecting Equipment tab, looking for rear axel ratio, Did Not MATCH from the dealer, the dealer e-mailed me the sticker from the window, and the build sheets, both match showing the add-on of 4.10, the 50 dollar charge, also showed max tow package, I double checked the VIN numbers, but not sure why I get a different result through tool here.

So it looks like, for 2012, the EGR and DPF need deleting? Is it really necessary to do the deletes? Can it stay totally stock? How much of a hassle will I have deleting, and if ever run into codes or other issues, regarding warranty stuff, I'm looking at buying a Mopar extended warranty to cover me 2-3 years with no millage limit, and a 100 or 200 dollar deductible, but wondering if it's not worth it?
I will have to do some more reading, to see what the difference between the '12 3500 DRW 6.7 HO 68RFE with 4.10 max towing would be compared to a '15 3500 DRW HO with Aisin and either 3.73 or 4.10, back to more reading more threads.... Thanks!!

What are you planning to tow? If it's not extremely heavy (over 20,000 lb. trailer) I would stay away from 4.10 gears. My 15 w/aisin and 3.73's will tow anything I've put behind it just fine. My gooseneck with a backhoe on it is right around 20,000 and I don't have any trouble pulling it.

I have a 2013 4x4 with a 3.73 and the mileage was always good (16 city and 22 hgwy). Due to the dealer charging $1200 to clean out the soot last year and the same code showing up this year I had the emissions system gutted. The mileage did go up some but at least I don't have to pay $1200 every year. I also don't haul loads on a regular basis which supposedly helps keep the emissions system cleaned out.

I am with the others the DEF trucks = better

I am unsure what is on your must have features/options but for $55k you can get a new 3500. I just took a quick look at Dennis Dillon's new inventory and you can get a 2018 Big Horn for under 50k and a Laramie for $55k. I know my 2017 3500 SRW with 68rfe trans, crew cab, long bed and 3:42 gearing has been fine towing our fifth wheel (approx 12k weight) through the mountains of Colorado with no problems at all and I already have about 64k miles on the truck. I would also check with Dave Smith Motors. Both of those places are in Idaho but for me the local dealers (at least at the time) didn't/wouldn't come within $4K of Smiths price, it was well worth the $200 plane ticket, a $75 hotel room and $200 worth of fuel to get home.

Dennis Dillons price is right on the website Smith you have to call or request the price via internet (Smith did beat Dillon when I was looking by about 1k at that time) They both also have used trucks might be worth looking though I have no idea how their used pricing stacks up against others

https://www.dennisdillonchryslerjeep...el+Fuel&page=2

https://www.davesmith.com/ram-trucks...elections=true

I had a 2015 3500 SRW with Aisin 3.42. Pulled my 12k horse trailer just fine. Got 12 mpg with trailer at 70mph. Pulled thru the hills of the PA turnpike without problems. I know have a 2018 3500 dually with 3.73. Slightly less mpg but handles loads great. Both are/were full stock.