Hey all; I'm a happy owner of a 2006 2500 MegaCab SLT 5.9 Cummins with the 4 speed AT; great truck, never had an issue with it in 59,000 miles, just love it. But, I'm not getting any younger and am planning to upgrade to a 2011 Laramie because life is short and I'm afraid Dodge will stop making the MegaCab now that they offer a crew. I've searched far and wide around Arizona where I live (as well as dealerships in New Mexico, Colo, Nevada, and So. Cal.) and am down to a 2500 MegaCab with a sunroof (which I don't need but would be cool now and then) with 3.73 and a 3500 MegaCab, exactly the same except but without the sunroof and it has a 4.10. I tow a 32 foot travel trailer and a heavy boat, but I've never had any trouble towing either with my 2006 which has a 3.73. I'm concerned that most of my driving is not towing and that the 4.10 will result in worse mileage. I life the burliness of the 3500's springs, but I've never had any issues with my current 2500, which has a 500 pound lower GVWR than the 2011 2500. I've read other posts on these issues but am curious what anyone currently thinks; I'm up a tree over this! Help!

 

With the 3500 you won't have to deal with tire pressure monitoring issues.

 

4.10's gears are not for cruising and daily cummuting. I really don't like those gears in a diesel, you pull way to much rpm for my liking. Stay away, unless your going to throw big tires under the truck (35in or bigger), or tow heavy stuff daily.

In my mind, to justify the 4.1 gears, you would have to pull/tow almost everyday. The 3.73 is a great gearing, good for fuel mileage and you can still tow just about anything you want. Just hate hearing an diesel nearly all reving out, cruising down the interstate at 80mph.

I have 3.73 gears, tow, and cruise at around 1800ish at 70mph. Which is perfect for cruising.

 

Years ago I went through this delima. For fun you should go to the dealership and as what do you get for your money by going 3500 over the 2500 and watch the blank stares. When I was looking at this I was a Ford man so my findings are on those vehicles. At the time the F350 was roughly 2K to 3K more than the F250. When you got out the books, the front axle, springs and shocks were identical. The rear springs and shocks were identical, the only difference was the size of the ring and pinion gears. The only way you truely got beefier stuff was to go to the dually, then everything was different. I would be interested to know what the base price difference is between the 2500 and 3500. The engine and drivetrain are obviously the same. So, the big question would be for the money difference, what do you get for your money.

There is not a huge difference between the 3:73 and 4:10 gears. If you want to go with some bigger tires then go with the 4:10s and put some 35s on it and press on. I have a dually crew cab 4x4 long bed with 4:10 gears and am getting 12 to 13 mpg towing. The mileage is getting better but I only have 4,000 miles on it at the moment.

 

When I looked into buying a new 2008 truck with a diesel I looked at all three makes. The ford dealer would not even talk to me walked on the lot and walked off. I could not find a Chevy/GMC with a diesel in it in the area. So I went to Dodge. The dealer had two different trucks to test drive one was a one ton SRW 5.9L 4 speed auto the other was a 2008, 3/4 ton 6.7L 6 speed auto.

The one ton was a much harsher ride than the 3/4 ton truck. I checked out the under carriage on Dodge's website and found out that they have the same running gear brakes, axles and driveshaft. The only difference was an additional spring in the rear spring pack for the one ton truck. This is on the third gen trucks. The other difference are the added lighting required on 1 ton trucks and a higher license plate fees.

Now on the 4th gen trucks I remember reading some where that Dodge has redesigned the rear spring packs on the 1 ton trucks. So there is a difference between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck now other then running lights.

Here is a list of major changes for the 2010 and 2011 trucks over the 3rd gen trucks.

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/201.../ram/rammc.pdf
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/201.../ram/rammc.pdf

Jim

 

The frames are slightly different and you get a higher weight rating on the door. Helps keep the highway cops off your back. They will pull you over if your towing something you shouldn't.

Springs rates are different. No TPMS, can't remember if the tires are different.

Beside, the need to get something new, why upgrade? A truck with that low of mileage, I would keep it.

 

I agree and can honestly say this NEW Dodge is NOT an upgrade over a good running 5.9L truck.

 

Read this thread.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...0-t281050.html

 

Dude, you still on the 6.7L fence. How many forums you on trashing 6.7L now?

 

I hate the whole truck & the NEW Dodge corporation not just the 6.7L.

 

You're probably the only guy I have ever met that doesn't like the 6.7L cummins diesel truck and the fourth gen chassis. Good luck.

There isn't that much difference between the 06-5.9L and the 10-6.7L engines. Small changes like crank stroke and pistons, the emission stuff.

Do the deletes, you'll be happier trust me. Its just about the same truck.

 

I'm not sure doing the deletes & deleting the warranty would help with my chassis vibration & uncontrolable oscillation of the truck at highway speeds?

 

Are running bigger wheels/rims and a lift kit? Can't remember the exact details. I thought it was just related to the tires and you needed to get them balanced.

My trucks has been rock solid, even thought I would have broke it by now knowing how heavy footed I am.

I put 1600 miles on my truck in the first week of ownership. Most of that was towing and into a head wind.

The 10 truck has impressed me, stock and all that. Sharp looking, quite engine, comfortable cab, decent fuel mileage tons of torque to tow with. Whats not to like about the truck.

 

100% Bone stock turd. Purchased it 300 miles away & it's been JUNK since i got on the highway home. Check engine light issues have been fixed but the truck is unsafe at highway speeds so i really haven't put any more than 1,600 miles on the truck. Those 1,600 have been mostly going back & forth from the dealers. The NEW Dodge & General tires would rather play games than fix a NEW truck? It would also seem asking for a SAFE truck is unreasonable these days?

 

I think they changed up the front end of the new ones a little from the 09 and below style. Just at a glance the brakes and control arms are different. I think they changed some other stuff too compared to my 07.