Ram 1500 Ecodiesel

[carson blocks]

So, now that it's been out for ~1.5 years, who has purchased a Ram 1500 with the 3.0 Ecodiesel and what do you think?

[ExtraSlow]

I would like to hear some real world experience as well. I'm a Ford Fanboy, but this sounds like a fantastic powertrain for a lot of folks.

[Darell_n]

A good friend has one, not myself. He lost a good chuck of towing capacity going from the 5.7 gasser to the Ecodiesel but he says it gets fantastic fuel mileage for general commuting, as one would expect. He has a farm and has larger diesels for actual work. He has had repeated problems with the emissions equipment on the truck, not sure if that has been straightened out yet.

[Alak]

I also have a good friend with one and the only problems he has had is repeated trips to the dealer for the emissions equipment. I haven't really heard anything else about it other than good mileage claims.

[TurboMedic]

I've got the same engine in the Jeep, and I've been problem free so far in terms of emissions system. Never had a problem with any of the DEF brands, and its been great on fuel, great for towing, and has tons of power in the Cherokee. No regrets buying it so far, but I only have 21000km on it so far. I average 10.2L/100km for my mostly city driving average.

[Kavy]

Originally posted by TurboMedic
I average 10.2L/100km for my mostly city driving average.
:drool:

[Jonathanl10]

I worked at an FCA dealership awhile back and all the techs would comment on how these would come in only for electrical and emmisions problems. The fuel systems seem reliable.

As a lot guy, I had to take all the Ecodiesel demos out on the highway once a week to burn out the filter so it can be a chore sometimes. Don't know if that is a regular thing with diesels...?

Good torque, slow compared to the Hemi though. Runs out of steam past 3500rpm.

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by Jonathanl10
I worked at an FCA dealership awhile back and all the techs would comment on how these would come in only for electrical and emmisions problems. The fuel systems seem reliable.

As a lot guy, I had to take all the Ecodiesel demos out on the highway once a week to burn out the filter so it can be a chore sometimes. Don't know if that is a regular thing with diesels...?

Good torque, slow compared to the Hemi though. Runs out of steam past 3500rpm.

Though I think it is a great multi-platform engine, I do think that a 4 - 5L diesel would have been a better application for a half ton, though then you are encroaching on the HD territory

[spike98]

Originally posted by TurboMedic
I've got the same engine in the Jeep, and I've been problem free so far in terms of emissions system. Never had a problem with any of the DEF brands, and its been great on fuel, great for towing, and has tons of power in the Cherokee. No regrets buying it so far, but I only have 21000km on it so far. I average 10.2L/100km for my mostly city driving average.

Have you towed its rated load yet? If you have, how's the fuel economy?

[adamc]

Slow compared to the hemi, ridiculously weak compared to the cummins, what the hell's the point? To fit in with the big man in a truck scene and get good commuting economy?

Gas is cheap, get a hemi.

[bjstare]

Originally posted by adamc
Slow compared to the hemi, ridiculously weak compared to the cummins, what the hell's the point? To fit in with the big man in a truck scene and get good commuting economy?



I'm pretty sure that's exactly the point haha

[HiTempguy1]

Originally posted by adamc
Slow compared to the hemi, ridiculously weak compared to the cummins, what the hell's the point? To fit in with the big man in a truck scene and get good commuting economy?

Gas is cheap, get a hemi.

It tows 9200lbs which covers about 85%+ of the truck buying public.

And it doesn't just get "good" commuting economy, it gets OUTSTANDING commuting economy. I have a good friend with one and its a great all around rig. Unless you're one of the people that believe you can get 21usmpg on the highway in a hemi :rofl:

And what does that even mean, "slow" compared to the hemi? In a straight line? I guess, I didn't realize it mattered how fast a truck was when commuting :rofl: But it makes more torque at a lower rpm compared to the hemi for doing, ya know, truck stuff with it. Would sell my dmax in a heartbeat for one if I knew I wasn't going to be towing 10-15k lbs. :dunno:

[adamc]

I've got a Ram Hemi and I get 22+ mpg highway all the time?

[Jonathanl10]

Originally posted by adamc
I've got a Ram Hemi and I get 22+ mpg highway all the time? My record was a dealer trade to Red Deer. Empty Quad Cab. 7.8l/100kms or just over 30MPG

[civic_stylez]

Originally posted by Jonathanl10
My record was a dealer trade to Red Deer. Empty Quad Cab. 7.8l/100kms or just over 30MPG

:eek: I thought I was doing well from Calgary to Kelowna in my 5.7 Crew Sport at 9.2/100.

I work for Chrysler and most of the people Ive talked to with the 3.0's are really happy with them. For the average truck user, it can handle everyday duties with great fuel economy. There is a bunch of new product coming for the emissions systems to keep the common issues down as well. Ive driven it and I like it. my 5.7 pulls harder under WOT but I drive like a grandma so that really doesn't matter to me.

[ExtraSlow]

I would love to have a comparison event with the EcoDiesel, the Hemi, the 2.7L EcoBoost and the 3.5L EcoBoost, and why not the 5.0L Ford as well.
Be awesome to drive them all back-to back, both empty and loaded with say a small TT, around 5000lbs.



What a great time to be a truck person, so many stellar powertrain options.

Ram may have an edge these days just due to the extra gears, Ford is supposed to have a 10-speed out in 2017. Be interesting to see how things look once that arrives. I'm a huge fan of more gears for towing.

[adamc]

For me, the Ram has had the best interior by a country mile for the last number of years. Really is no comparison to even Ford's 2015 top of the line config.

Will continue to be a Ram customer for that reason. Truck has never let me down, either.

[Cos]

.

[ExtraSlow]

Interior is so subjective. Because I'm a fanboy, I like the Fords best. Very hard to be objective.

[redblack]

Originally posted by adamc
For me, the Ram has had the best interior by a country mile for the last number of years. Really is no comparison to even Ford's 2015 top of the line config.

Will continue to be a Ram customer for that reason. Truck has never let me down, either.

This is one of the reasons I bought my ram sport.
Just did a round trip from calgary to osoyoos, myself and two other adults with about 500 pounds of gear in the back, i averaged about 11.7km/100 hand calculated. Truck calculated 10.5 so it's off a bit from real world numbers.

This was a 5.7L hemi with the 8 speed and 3.92 gears

[Kavy]

Awaiting the "your mileage is impossible" comments.

It's funny how it seems whenever a Ram owner gets decent gas mileage they are called out as fictitious numbers.

[ExtraSlow]

It's because Ram owners are douchebags. Fact.

[SKR]

There must be a big difference between the new 1500s and the 2011 2500 hemi that I had, because that thing never saw better than probably 12mpg. But it's a taller, heavier truck with fewer gears and lower rear end ratio. So there's that.

The ecodiesel reminds me of the old GM 6.2s. Not really meant for pulling, just for mileage.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
It's because Ram owners are douchebags. Fact.

Also doesnt help that Chrysler advertises bullshit non-EnerGuide numbers on all their billboards etc.

[civic_stylez]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
It's because Ram owners are douchebags. Fact.

This is true, but Ford takes the cake for hillbillies, truck nuts, non projector HID installs and lift kits with bald 35+ inch tires.

[ExtraSlow]

Well, I'm a Hillbilly, so that stereotype fits . . . no HID yet . . .

[CanmoreOrLess]

I'm on the fence for which truck I'll be buying, was in the RAM diesel camp then along comes the Nissan Titan diesel for 2016. Good time to be a truck buyer, it's really difficult to make a decision. The F-150 is the better looker IMO, subjective as that is. The 2016 RAM is a mixed look, not sure how it looks in person.

http://www.nissan.ca/en/trucks/2016-titan/

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ram/laramie-ltd.html

[adamc]

Wow, they went full retard with that RAM branding. Jesus christ.

[CanmoreOrLess]

Originally posted by adamc
Wow, they went full retard with that RAM branding. Jesus christ.

Offhand I'd need an aftermarket grill and tailgate, not sure I'm ready for a truck that draws attention even in Alberta.

[relyt92]

Originally posted by CanmoreOrLess


Offhand I'd need an aftermarket grill and tailgate, not sure I'm ready for a truck that draws attention even in Alberta. I wonder if the tailgate letters are riveted in there or just double sided tape, might not be too bad if you can just pull them off.

[Darell_n]

Originally posted by relyt92
I wonder if the tailgate letters are riveted in there or just double sided tape, might not be too bad if you can just pull them off.

The old ones have several holes behind them.

[Jonathanl10]

I'm pretty sure you only get the huge lettering if you get the Rebel or the top Limited model. If you get a Sport or a Laramie, it's the same as last year. The center console is also different for 2015.

[btimbit]

If you asked me 5 years ago if I'd buy a Chrysler product I'd probably just burst out in laughter. But I test drove a fully loaded 2015 Ram 2500 SLT w/ the 6.4L and damn.... can't stop thinking about it

[civic_stylez]

Im a big fan of my Ram but I have relatively little use for a full sized truck. Up until recently I NEVER would have considered a GM product but the new Canyon/Colorado Diesel would fit perfectly. Z71 is supposed to have an 8 speed. Easy to park, off road capable and cushy interior. I will definitely be looking at this when it comes out.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2016-chevrolet-colorado-diesel-presented-at-the-2015-work-truck-show-video-photo-gallery-93277.html

[btimbit]

^If it's something that's successful I wonder if they offer it in the Sierra/Silverado 1500 in the future to compete with the Ram

[civic_stylez]

Im also wondering that if the smaller trucks sell well if vehicles like the Dakota and Ranger will come back to keep GM from running away with the mid sized market (hopefully in diesel options as well)

[carson blocks]

Well, I drove one of the Ram 3.0 Ecodiesels the other day. I have an irrational love for diesels, but I was kinda underwhelmed with the performance (wasn't expecting a lot going in), sound, and general driving feel. Going in, I was absolutely sure I wanted this engine, but it pains me to say that I'd keep the $4700 and just get a Hemi unless I was driving 100,000km/yr. The driving feel, combined with the long ROI, increased maintenance, and increased risk (just my opinion), left me unable to justify it. Still, I'm glad to see the company going in this direction and I may revisit the ecodiesel next time.

[TurboMedic]

Originally posted by spike98


Have you towed its rated load yet? If you have, how's the fuel economy?

I've towed 6000lbs with it for roughly 4000km this year, and I average 16.2. Through Rogers pass, both ways, passing vehicles pulling uphill it averaged exactly 16.51 for each tank (each direction), was pretty neat

[Cos]

.

[TurboMedic]

Originally posted by Cos


Is this with a JGC with the diesel? I am looking to get rid of my truck but I need something that will tow 4800lbs.

Yup, JGC Overland with the Diesel. Rated for 7300lbs I think?

[r3ccOs]

I am using a cheapassed SLT rental with the hemi 6900 gvwr which has the 3.21 gears...

with that 8 speed I'm averaging 12.4 in the city, and 9 on highway....
and I'm not pussyfooting it...

to achieve numbers like that in my Ecoscrew maxtow w/ 3.73 is near impossible... that Hemi revs under 1200 rpm at 100, and has MDS

its payload/tow capability is very similar to the ecodiesel... so I'm thinking that the ecodiesel doesn't offer that much of a competitive advantage, especially considering its cost

[adamc]

Well, I just towed a fairly heavy boat across the country and was getting 18-20mpg highway out of my 2007 Ram 5.7 hemi.

I assume the new hemis would be even better.

[adamc]

11-12 l/100km across the flats of saskatchewan :)

[r3ccOs]

Originally posted by adamc
11-12 l/100km across the flats of saskatchewan :)

its all based on configurations for sure, but I think the latest Hemi's are more optomized for power and performance, and though yet not DI, they do have MDS, and the greatest advantage is the 8 speed.

Kinda funny they still offer such a long range rear end (3.21) being that the 8 speed could easily be geared to provide the same length on the top gears with a shorter rear end, but the fuel economy benefits are staggering when compared to the 6 speed IMO

[ExtraSlow]

Will be interesting when Ford comes out with the 10-speed transmission for the 2017 model year.

[Cos]

.

[adamc]

Around 16l/100km when I was stepping on it, but usually I just set it at 100km/hour and put cruise control on. Still very happy because I figured I would be getting like 20+ l/100km towing.

I was really paying attention to how I drove though, I would basically coast on slight downhills and let the weight of the trailer carry me, probably had a lot to do with the low consumption.