What does it mean by Ram HD? Ram is a brand apparently, not a product! Hopefully it gets a 6 speed though :-)

It means Fiat Ram HD made in Mexico and owned by Italy.

Nice to see the Ram finally getting a larger Hemi as an option. It never made sense to me that you could get the 6.1L Hemi in the Jeep, Challenger, Charger, 300C, and Magnum.....but not in their trucks (which could use the added grunt).

Well that leaves GM with clearly the weakest gasoline option in their HD trucks. When diesel prices climb again, that will be a sales challenge.

Alex, see Mike's earlier post. chrysler is trying to spin their truck line out of the Dodge name plate. Looks like it's Ram Trucks now.

power kid,

All GM has to do is drop the 6.2 Vortec into their HD trucks and the problem is solved.....

@Jake: GM has something bigger than 6.2-L up their sleeves. Stay tuned.

Why would anyone buy a HD truck and get a inferior gasser? Besides fleet operation and being a cheap skate. It will still have less torque than the Cummins. Lets no forget with just a programmer the Cummins hp and torue output at the rear wheels can be effectively doubled!! Plug and play. Lets see a gasser eer do that. Also the 6.4L Hemi would get about 7 mpg unloaded. Have fun at the pump. Even if diesel higher, the gasser will burn far more fuel.

@ Jake. So why don't they then?

Premium fuel is recommended. Not a big plus with HD drivers.

We look fwd to Mikes upcoming story on GMs new HD gas option...

dodges 6.1 hemi can be easily programmed to 450 why would they use a bigger engine for that? i guess well have to wait for torque numbers

Unless your towing 24/7 the gas mileage is not even a factor because the cummins is a 7k option. Do the math and you will see it would take a long time to even break even based on that logic. Besides your mileage savings is only achived when towing not unloaded. Not taking anything away from the cummins motor its the best diesel out there period. As for the programming statement its time to raise the bs flag. No programmer can double both. You can get a hell of an increase but not double with just a programmer.

As for the 6.4 I cant wait. If its rated for 450hp the torque should be somewhere beyond 550 which would be awesome.

My understanding is 6.1 has narrow powerband & mpg would be worst in class.

The 6.1 was never intended for use in truck applications which is why started from scratch and designed the 6.4. they learned their lesson from dropping the viper motor in the hd of the gen 1.

Ford finally gets even in the engine wars with their Boss gasser only to be immediately trumped by Dodge. It seems like they will never have a first-rate powertrain, and powertrain is the most important part of a truck in my opinion. Hopefully their new 6.7L Scorpion diesel can redeem the brand.

Not so quick, Ford has had the new 6.2L up to 700 hp w/o a turbo or blower so it has LOTS of room to grow...

@John, I was being silly before - they were referring to the truck as Ram HD - but since they want to call the brand Ram, instead of the truck, then it won't just be Ram HD anymore?

Chrysler has been working on the 6.4 liter Hemi for over a year. This engine was intended for the next-generation Charger SRT.

Hey mike thanks for the update, I can't wait to hear the news !

@Power Kid
"Premium fuel is recommended. Not a big plus with HD drivers."

No "89" is recommended but not needed (I believe 91 is premium). Every HEMI made makes its listed flywheel HP and Torque using 87 octane. Something that can't be said about every truck engine that GM offers.

So much for Ford having the top V-8.

Am a Gm lover, but never tryed the new GM 6 speed in a 5.3. One thing for sure, the new Ford 5.4 with 6 speeds feel and drive a lot better than the Hemi. Even a old 6.0 with the old 4L80 is hauling better than the new Hemi. To weak powerband with those Hemi Motor, lot of peak HP, but where's the midrange ? The new 6.0L HD isnt smooth, but really powerfull vs Hemi 5.7.

To each one is own. To have to buy a new truck now, without a doubt, the new Ford is perfect, overrated towing number, but i dont care, i dont see the need to tow 12 000 pounds. For a race truck , i would go Gm 6.0 or 6.2

@jeff..i mean from the factory it could be tuned to that...they detuned it to 425 for insurance reasons..same with the viper..the viper motor is capable of much more than 600hp...they detune it to keep insurance lower tho

Mike,
Care to elaborate or at least give us some hints abour your comment regarding GM having something bigger than the 6.2L up their sleeves for the HDs.

Thanks,
Brian

That's hawt.

Where are the Hemi V6s at?
A 300hp 4.3 would be decent.
A 325hp 4.6 would sufficient.
A 350hp 4.8 liter would be just fine.

Gas is going to be unbelievably expensive in 2012

Ford would be the top dog if they bring back the 7.5 460 with 525hp and over 650lbs of tq

Bob, the HEMI does not have a weak powerband. My 08 Ram HEMI out tows my friends 09 F150 with the 5.4 and the new 6 speed they have.

hey guys.. i own a 2006 1500 SLT 4X4 megacab.. so far.. afe cool air intake kit.. magnaflow cat back twin exhaust.. 6" superlift suspension kit.. 17" X 10" mickeys.. 17.5 X 37 pro comp xtreme terrain rubber.. double front stabilizer.. superchip flashpaq programmable ecm.. i was never concerned about fuel economy.. i am still not concerned with mpg.. i don't tow.. i don't pull.. i just wanted a full size truck with alot of interior room and i'm single.. no plans for family.. ever.. i just want a big truck.. that's what i like.. some of us just want a big truck with alot of power.. the dodge ram styling was the most attractive for me.. simple.. money is of little concern.. fortunately some of us make enough to be able to afford such luxuries.. if a newer version of the ram megacab will have a 6.4L hemi.. i'm gonna buy one of those too and do all of the same stuff i did to this one.. i'll probably even take it to precision bodyline and have them convert it into a longbox.. i'll keep 5.7L hemi 1500 megacab in the garage as back up or maybe my girlfriend will use it.. and use the 6.4L hemi 2500 megacab for my daily driver.. i read so much talk of economy.. efficiency.. towing.. price.. i understand the all the arguments of gas vs. diesel.. but for those of us that don't tow or haul regularly having the torque of a diesel engine is not a issue.. it's just not needed.. but we still like having the excessive power.. even over-kill.. why the hell not.. just my two cents..

A gasser make sense if you drive less than 15 to 20,000 miles per year. Remember a diesel engine runs and last longer if it's used continuously but infrequent use will put a big toll on diesel.

That's why a big block gas engine will sell for low yearly milleage trucks.

@Yep, hope you will choke in smog

Hi everyone, I've enjoyed reading all of your comments. My name is Hassan & I have a 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie 4X4. I am spending all of my money on it & it's scary:)
I recently added a set of 38"X14"/R24" Kumho tyres on it. It killed my acceleration though it looks really sexy with the 9"+ body lift/Suspension kit & the 2 triangle like front leveling kit. The reason for the latter is the constant rubbing that the 38" causes when hard braking or going over a Sand dune. I also have the FabFours front & rear Bumpers & I have a Warn 16.5ti Wireless Winch on the Front FF Bumoer & another Warn M15000 also Wireless on the Rear FF Bumper. Recently I fitted my Rear Differentials w/a 4.56 gear Ratio, however, to be honest I didn't feel much difference. I looked @ one of those charts that tells you what Gear Ratio you should use with different tyre diameters & since I have a 38" then I should use a 5.38 gear ratio for maximum power. The million dollar question is Who Sells such a Ratio for the Dodge RAM 9.25" Rear differential & 8" for the front? Will they fit into my old housing(I seriously doubt it as my Motive Gear 4.56 barely fitted with that thick 41 tooth Ring), do I have to buy a Whole New Front & Rear Axles? Please guys I need some advice:)

Ford's V8 only has 310. That's way less than GM.

I have a 2003 Ram 1500 Hemi Qcab SLT 4x4 8ft bed. LOVE IT! It has Flowmaster super 44 exhaust and a K&N cold air intake. Originally dyno in 2006 said it made 383hp, and 404lb/ft, but they were sued for false ratings in 2008. New dyno from march 2010 said it made 293hp and 319lb/ft. Not bad. Even with its huge size and weight, it will beat almost any other truck on the road. 0-60 in between 5.7-6.8secs depending on road condition, load, weather, fuel, etc. Wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe a 2010 Ram Hemi. Good job Dodge!

Mike Levine-

Is the latest new official word, that the Ram will NOT get the 6.4L HEMI?

@Buy American or say Bye to America!:

Unfortunately, I think so... The 6.4 is a racing engine only, and it is only slated for the Challenger, Charger, and Grand Cherokee... I'm disappointed...

BTW, I LOVE your screen name! So true.

IF THEY PUT A 6.4 IN THE 1500 CREW CAB I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO SIGN UP AT MY DEALER. MY 2010 CREW CAB HEMI IS ONE OF THE FASTEST VEHICLES I EVER OWNED. I'M IN MY 60'S AND HAVE HAD 4 CORVETTES AND I HAVE NO DOUBT IT COULD SMOKE EVERY ONE OF THEM OFF THE LINE.

John-

I'd believe it, that hemi is one heck of an engine. My 2003 is the fastest car I've ever owned, and I have raced and beat all other trucks with it, not to mention my brother's 2006 mustang gt, a 1994 camaro z28, and countless others.