Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ram truck trans

I've been kicking some tires and thinking about trading my 2011 Silverado in. I really like the Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I'm running into some that have a 6 speed automatic and some have an 8 speed. Is either tranny more dependable?

I am running the 8 right now. I haven't had it long enough to give a comment on dependability. That ZF 8 speed transmission is used widely throughout the Dodge/Ram/Jeep lineup. I haven't read of many problems at all in recent years. I get very good economy with my Hemi and the 8. Is that 6 a heavy duty tranny?

I'm not sure if its HD or not. I know the 8 speed completely replaced it but that doesn't necessarily mean the 6 speed wasn't a good transmission.

That ZF 8 speed transmission is used in a LOT of vehicles in various configurations. I had one in a BMW 535i, it was flawless in the time I had it. The 6 speed auto is a 545RFE with an extra gear basically, which is an in house transmission from Chrysler. Chrysler automatic trannies haven't had the best reputations over the years. Given the choice, I'd prefer the 8 speed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

I know Chrysler has had major issues with automatic transmissions but I hear they've been better since 2012 no?

...................I bought new a 2015 Ram Hemi Express; std cab; 6'4" bed; 8 spd trans; 3:21 rear diff; 2WD.........Love the thing......Just did a round tripper to from Calif to Texas and back. At 90 mph, engine rpm at 2,000.

My suggestion is to go with the 8 speed trans because imo you will have more gearing versatility, better acceleration and less engine RPM at fwy speeds. 85K miles on my truck. No trans issues.

Now if ya go with a Ram Hemi, here is a list of things I have added to mine for a 'lil more gitty up and slightly better gas mileage as well...

Cold air intake. Adds about 15 to 20 hp, more torque and a lower throatier sound when accelerating. Mine is an AFE.
18" Magnaflow straight thru muffler. Dump the OE muffler. Too restrictive. Beautiful sound. Much better than OE muffler.

Stage 3 Performance chip from www.chipyourcar.com. Plugs directly into the OBD2 port below the steering wheel under the dash. 60 seconds to install and forget about it. 45 to 60 hp gain. IT WORKS!

A complete conversion over to Amsoil Signature Series engine oil at 38,000 miles (15K change intervals), Amsoil trans fluid and Amsoil rear diff fluid at 55K miles. Doing that made the engine quieter, the trans shifts more crisp and the truck just a wee bit faster and smoother running still.

From the OE 395 HP; 410 ft lbs torque,,,,to a verified dyno test of 465 HP; 460 ft lbs torque.

It does love to go!.......

Not the 545rfe. Run away from that one. My dad had to replace one at super low miles with no towing. Of course, putting a transmission in a HD truck that was originally for something the size of a Cherokee is the Ram way. The dealer was dumb enough to brag they have replaced ‘thousands’ of them under warranty. Ringing endorsement.

I’ve a 2018 Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.7 and 8 speed trans. I love the powertrain in the truck, but there’s a few potential issues to be aware of. I work in the mining industry so the truck sees a LOT of off-road use. Beware if you get much mud buildup on the trans/transfer case that the electronic shift actuators don’t like to work. Just finished a job where the last four days were rain/snow coupled with 300t haul trucks churning it all up into 8” of mud on the roadways. On the last day my truck was throwing the service transmission message at me every time I drove it. After the job I put on my rain gear at the local car wash and got under the thing to power wash the 500# of mud I had accumulated on the undercarriage. After the trans/transfer case were cleaned, no more problems. We have a few of these and they all exhibit the same problem if they get much buildup. It’s an easy fix, but can be a messy one too.

Mine gets around 20 mpg and has lots of power. Just turned over 50k miles with no issues other than the above. I wonder why folks go for the eco-diesel version. The gasser, in the half-ton performs exceptionally well.

My 2019 ram 1500 has the hemi and the 8 speed. I don't have many miles on it but I like it so far. Shifts great and no problems yet. I was always a GM or Toyota guy before and never thought I'd own a ram but I like this new generation ram. Although mines only been averaging around 15.5 mpg.

Bb

I have a 2013 ram 1500 that has the 6 speed automatic and have had no issues. I'm currently at 163k miles. I had an 04 1500 before this one and I believe it had the 6 speed auto in it. It had 203k miles with no issues when I sold it.

Thanks guys for all the good info! It will help me tomorrow when the car salesman are back to work and ringing my phone off the hook again.

Question: how's the engine compression on downhills with the 8 speed? We have a Toyota Highlander with an 8-spd. It seems like it has no compression at all on downhills. I have to shift clear down to 4th to feel it at all. What does the Dodge do when you need to slow down on a hill?

I am getting ready to turn 100K on my 2015. Not a single problem. Still getting 19+ mpg combined, mostly hwy with oversized tires and leveled 2.5".
Going to trade for the 2500 in a few months... with 8 speed.

..............On my 2015 Ram located on the steering wheel, there is a gear down button and right next to that there is a gear up button. Those buttons do the same thing as other vehicles equipped the paddle shifters located directly behind the steering wheels.

So when going down hills, depending on the speed limits, and without over RPM 'n the engine, I will use the gear down button as needed IF imo, the trans does not automatically shift down low enough to my liking to either slow down or to maintain a safe speed while conserving the brakes. And on my dash there is a digital readout that tells me what gear # I am in.

The computer or sensor on your Highlander that controls the trans shifting, probably is not programmed from the factory the same way the Rams are. As a result when you go down a hill your trans does not automatically shift down to your particular liking because you are coasting down the hill too fast......When that happens to me, I simply use the gear down button.

You may want to have it checked. My 2016 ram has never got that low unless pulling my boat or atv.

Don't buy a phuggin Dodge! There's a valid reason why they are cheaper.

Both are fine, we have a 15 4x4 with the 8sp. It gets 21 on the hwy with the 5.7. I don’t know anyone that’s had issues with either.

The Allison Transmission in my 2011 Silverado HD has been bullet proof along with the rest of the vehicle 137 K no issues.

.........Oh yeah? No explanation?

.................A 15.5 mpg average is not bad for the Hemi if you include in town driving as well. My mpg is a little less on average. On my recent round tripper from So Calif to Texas and back, I averaged 16.9 mpg. At the beginning of the trip just before getting on the freeway I reset the trip meter odometer back to zero, topped off the gas tank right up to the top of the filler tube and after I got back refilled the tank up to the exact place at the top of the filler tube for best mpg accuracy.......Cruz 'n along at 80 to 90 mph and getting on it occasionally (like alot) hitting 105 mph when passing the trucks. Did not baby it.........

No point in having a Hemi if ya gonna drive like a grandma.