From Beauty to the Beast
05-26-2016, 03:02 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
From Beauty to the Beast
New truck. Not a Ford.
Just wanted to thank all you guys for the good advice over the years.
It's a 2016 Ram SLT 2500 Cummins, Reg Cab 8' bed, 4x4. 2507# payload.
It's got a rougher ride, can be noisier under moderate load, and was a lot more expensive than the 2011 FX2 SCab EcoBoost.
Annual maintenance for the FX2 was about C$100 per year. This thing will be closer to C$700 (oil change every 6 months, fuel filters once a year).
But it does the job without a sweat, and I do love the diesel Exhaust Brake on the downhills. Think we'll just have to get used to the ride and diesel growl under load.
To be honest, if the old F150 had been a 4x4, we would probably have kept it, even though it was over-loaded on the rear axle and hitch receiver, and still a bit wobbly suspension-wise (even after my mods). After all, it was paid for and never, ever had a problem.
But as I needed a 4x4 anyway (spending more time off-road, tired of getting stuck with the trailer, in my own backyard even!), and wanted to carry more (batteries on the tongue especially), we decided to go crazy.
Cheers! And wish me luck with this new Beast.
Just wanted to thank all you guys for the good advice over the years.
It's a 2016 Ram SLT 2500 Cummins, Reg Cab 8' bed, 4x4. 2507# payload.
It's got a rougher ride, can be noisier under moderate load, and was a lot more expensive than the 2011 FX2 SCab EcoBoost.
Annual maintenance for the FX2 was about C$100 per year. This thing will be closer to C$700 (oil change every 6 months, fuel filters once a year).
But it does the job without a sweat, and I do love the diesel Exhaust Brake on the downhills. Think we'll just have to get used to the ride and diesel growl under load.
To be honest, if the old F150 had been a 4x4, we would probably have kept it, even though it was over-loaded on the rear axle and hitch receiver, and still a bit wobbly suspension-wise (even after my mods). After all, it was paid for and never, ever had a problem.
But as I needed a 4x4 anyway (spending more time off-road, tired of getting stuck with the trailer, in my own backyard even!), and wanted to carry more (batteries on the tongue especially), we decided to go crazy.
Cheers! And wish me luck with this new Beast.
05-26-2016, 03:06 PM
#2
Beer, Boats, and Trucks.
Last edited by berty; 05-26-2016 at 03:21 PM.
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schmenke (05-26-2016)
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05-26-2016, 03:08 PM
#4
Beer, Boats, and Trucks.
I'm only teasin, looks good though! I have no issue with RAMs, and yours looks great! hope you like it!
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brulaz (05-26-2016)
05-26-2016, 03:21 PM
#5
Senior Member
do say, you did ur self a favor stepping up to a 3/4 and diesel! enjoy!!
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brulaz (05-26-2016)
05-26-2016, 03:24 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It will take some getting used to. Just climbing up into the cab is a chore, these HD trucks are so far off the ground.
I used to be able to scramble front first up onto the FX2's tailgate, no problem. But now I need to hoist myself up butt first or use a ladder to get into this thing. Had to get a new two-step ladder to get the kayaks all the way up there for sure, and my wife needs the ladder to reach through the topper's "windoors" to get stuff. I don't, luckily, but it's a tippy-toe stretch.
There are days when I wonder "what have we done?"
On a more positive note, I think the mileage is working out ok. No worse unloaded so far, and I think with trailer there will be a substantial improvement.
05-26-2016, 03:49 PM
#7
Senior Member
When I saw the title I thought this might have been a thread about a new wife...
Seriously, it's been good having you around the forum, and thanks for your input!
Hope you remember to pop back in to provide a future long-term update.
Seriously, it's been good having you around the forum, and thanks for your input!
Hope you remember to pop back in to provide a future long-term update.
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brulaz (05-26-2016)
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05-28-2016, 03:18 PM
#8
Senior Member
Was almost there a week ago, lookin at dodge 3/4's, then slapped myself cause my 150 is only 8 months old.
Your gonna have to buy a bigger trailer now with all that extra power
Your gonna have to buy a bigger trailer now with all that extra power
05-28-2016, 08:33 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
And anyway, with the off-road places we like, bigger isn't always better.
Apparently the 3.5L Ecoboost has more peak HP, when on premium, than this Cummins, but it's all up in the high rpm range. The Cummins has lots more of its HP down in the low rpms 'cause of all that low-end torque. So, yes, with that and the HD chassis and all, it can definitely tow quite a bit more. Up to 17K I think.
05-28-2016, 08:50 PM
#10
I think the engine feel has a lot more to do with the fact that you now have twice the displacement.