Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives 2023 Ram 2500 Diesel initial impressions.

Took delivery of my new one about 3 weeks ago, after 209k great miles with my 2014 Ram 2500. Old truck was still running great with no immediate issues, but my CPA encouraged me to get some new to depreciate. I paid the IRS an obscene amount of money last year, and figured that if I going to have to do it again, I might as well get something out of the deal. This is my 6th Ram truck, and my 3rd diesel.

First impressions after 1700 miles:
QUIET!!! Wind noise almost non existent, exhaust very quiet, a little road noise from the crap Firestone Transforce A/T's. The Firestones are already gone, replaced by a set of Michelin Defenders. Much better.
Interior is a lot nicer than the '14, well thought out, and the seats are a lot better.
Powertrain is actually better than I expected. Transmission shift mapping much improved over the last one, and exhaust brake is a lot stronger. 3.73 gear instead of the 3.42 of the old one, so more rpms on the highway, but nicer for towing. Fuel mileage seems to be about the same, but may improve after some break-in miles. Having to use DEF again is a negative, but not much I can do about that.
Lighting is a bid improvement, LED headlights and foglights. Being the light slut that I am, I added a 20" Black Oak light bar to help the high beams.

All in all, lots of improvements, from ride quality to interior. I'm pleased with it.

Did you get the HO engine? And which transmission did you get?

I am pushing 12k on my 22 cummins. I have a few minor gripes but overall pretty happy. I need to find a way to make it tax deductible!

SO and 68RFE is the only drivetrain option on the 2500. HO and Aisan are optional on the 3500's. Heaviest I'll pull would be 10k, but it did come with 5th wheel prep mounts. I bought it off the lot, it wasn't a special order truck. I would have liked the optional 50 gallon fuel tank though.

Do the new RAMs come with Auto 4?

Roger. I would have done SO and Aisin if that combo would have been an option.

I do love the seats, and I really realize how good they are when I drive my 08. The new truck exhaust brake is awesome. DEF is annoying, but oh well.

S&B fuel tanks can help of you want longer range.
https://www.sbfilters.com/fuel-tanks/60-gal-tank-cummins?list=2019-2022%20Cummins%206.7L
I'm driving a gasser but after 3 hours or so I'm ready stretch and take a leak so I will top off as necessary.

Thanks. Looking at Titan. They make one about 50 gallons that will fit a short bed. The factory 50 gal tank is less than $400.00 though if ordered with the truck.

not that I have seen

Looking forward to getting a new Ram Cummins when I'm done in the sandbox. I would like a mega cab with HO and Aisin, but I'm not paying $100k for the limited edition. Likely will get a big horn long bed 3500 with single rear wheels.

That's basically what I got Paul. Bighorn longbed 3500 SRW, HO/Aisin. I like my toolbox, but if I gave that up I could get by with a megacab and the shorter bed.

How long until you are out of the sandbox?

I don't need the long bed, but I'm not paying $30k for a limited to get the megacab. The plan is two more years, can't come fast enough.

I'm driving my 2012 Ram 2500 HO deleted, no reason to look for anything else with all that emission garbage.

What mpg are you getting without towing?

3700 miles so far, and it's living up to expectations. Tows very well, the 3.73 gear is a definite improvement on the 3.42 gear on the 2014. Fuel mileage (hand calculated) has settled around 18.5 on my general commute, country roads with not much traffic. Towing mileage with an open car hauler and a 4000 lb car is around 15-16mpg. Vehicle tow was from Atlanta to Chattanooga, so some elevation change and lots of hills. Lots of tech goodies that actually work, like blind spot warning that extends the warning distance when the truck senses a trailer attached. Trailer length is programmable. The camera system is great, especially front camera as the hood line is so high up.

Lots of thoughtful touches. Fuel mileage of course, goes down the toilet when a regen takes place, but only 3 regens so far in 3700 miles.

Badger, if you put lights on this one, please put up some pics of the set up. I'm hoping to put in some of those ARBs, but want to avoid making the truck any longer.

Added a 20" Black Oak light bar spot/flood combo with the 5W Osrams down low, and while it was a big improvement on the stock lights, I was still missing the ARB's. Not enough spread although distance was adequate. Bit the bullet and added a 30' Black Oak spot/flood combo with 5w Osrams and now I can see much more better. Black Oak specs the 20' at 22k lumens, and the 30' at 33k. I believe it. Together, they are more than adequate. I still think the ARB's were a little better though, but I like the clean look of the light bars.

The ARB's on the old truck.

I'll have to get out on a dark night and take a photo of the Black Oaks....................

Installed my Titan 52 gallon fuel tank last weekend, a 21 gallon increase over stock. Going to see if Alpha OBD will allow me to recalibrate fuel tank size so that my distance to empty readings reflect the new tank capacity. Should have a comfortable 1000 mile cruising range at 22mpg...........

Nice! My current truck makes about 650mi or so on a tank which is so much better than my old Toyota that got about 280mi. Talk about a hassle. 900-1000mi would be very convenient.

Yah, all I'll need next would be an IV and a catheter............

Wife and I are driving up to Calgary next month, but we'll be taking her ride (BMW X7). A little more comfortable, and she won't tolerate 8-12 hour stints without stopping anyway..............