RAM trucks to receive 8-speed transmission, Pentastar V6 and light weight axles.

[Mixedbreed]

I am sure they could scale back a little. Takes a lot of steel to build a strong enough frame so they can boast north of 2 ton bed capacities. Do we really need that? The HD/SD versions are getting out of hand and it is trickling down to the LD segment. 22/23K tow ratings, really? Slow the chest pounding, dial back the load cap allowing for lighter trucks then you add the MPG stuff and we are all happy.

 

[Nick The Great]

I am sure they could scale back a little. Takes a lot of steel to build a strong enough frame so they can boast north of 2 ton bed capacities. Do we really need that? The HD/SD versions are getting out of hand and it is trickling down to the LD segment. 22/23K tow ratings, really? Slow the chest pounding, dial back the load cap allowing for lighter trucks then you add the MPG stuff and we are all happy.

I disagree, Dave. I need my capacity sometimes. Just last week I hauled home a 2' x 4' piece of backer board. And later, I hauled two 6' sticks of trim.

 

[Mixedbreed]

I disagree, Dave. I need my capacity sometimes. Just last week I hauled home a 2' x 4' piece of backer board. And later, I hauled two 6' sticks of trim.

well then, I digress.

 

[~$t3v3-o~]

My work truck has a 6 speed in it, and its always searching.. Never in one gear for very long at all. The fact that it has to go to 3rd on the highway to get up some hills at speed seems a bit much to me. I'll also point out that it's got a full cap on the back filled with tools and supplies all the time, so that probably doesn't help..

 

[Texas Jim]

If I remember right...
My old Chevy Cheyenne Super weighed only a little over 4,000 pounds, had a 454 CI engine and a three speed Turbo 400 transmission.

It would haul and pull almost anything you could pile on it or tie to it.

OH... and it would stay in high gear on the highway until you STEPPED ON IT and NEEDED another gear...

8 speed automatics in trucks seem totally ludicrous... at least to me.

 

[Mixedbreed]

I doubt you remember right Jim! Try to Remember, your getting old...

 

[Texas Jim]

I doubt you remember right Jim! Try to Remember, your getting old...

.... I know....
I remember that part pretty good...

 

[mr_bots]

Everyone worried about Chrysler's past experience with transmissions needn't worry as the 8 speed isn't a ChryCoFiat tranny but the ZF unit that's running around in Audis, Bimmers, and Range Rovers. So far everything I've read about this setup in the 300 and Charger has been positive and should finally let the Pentastar show off it's 290+HP in RWD setups as the old Benz 5 speed speed they're currently throwing behind it doesn't have a very good ratio spread, but it is smooth and very reliable. Hopefully it'll spread to the 5.7 Hemi too as the current 4/5/6 speed they use on it is overly complicated, has some worthless ratios, and isn't known for reliability.

If you think 8 is a lot, they're switching to a ZF 9 speed on FWD models.

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It would be nearly predictable for the 8spd to get extended to the 5.7

 

[slims]

I still hear talk about a true 6 speed comin out for the hemi. I hope what I hear is true.