Rumormill: Next Dodge Ram HD to get 6.4-liter V8?
2010 Dodge Ram HD - Click above for a high-res gallery
If you think there's nothing wrong with Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that an extra dollop of horsepower can't fix, we have some great news for you. Our friend and knower-of-all-things with a pickem-up-bed Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com is reporting that Dodge's next Heavy Duty Ram will be offered with a big 'ol 6.4-liter version of the OHV V8.
Based on the current 6.1-liter version of the HEMI, an engine that appears in any number of SRT-branded cars, the new engine would feature both a larger bore and a longer stroke, with resulting power figures estimated to fall somewhere between 450 and 500 galloping ponies.
An engine with that much power would need a beefy transmission bolted up to its crankshaft, something Dodge already offers with its diesel engines. Levine suggests ChryCo could use the latest six-speed gearbox from German specialist ZF.
Of course, all of this assumes that Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy with these projects intact. Bug assuming that, we're being told that in addition to its spot in the Ram HD lineup, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is also likely to make an appearance under the hood of Jeep's next Grand Cherokee SRT8. The next obvious question, then, is how much money will the powerplant add to the cost of the vehicle and what kind of fuel mileage will it be able to muster?
Gallery: 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brent 6:35PM (5/14/2009)
Didn't Chrysler say the HD trucks wouldn't look like the 1500? They are the same. They lied to me!
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Quattroporte 6:37PM (5/14/2009)
What are you complaining about? The new Ram is the best looking truck on sale.
Brent 6:41PM (5/14/2009)
As you can see, I am complaining about how they said the truck would look different, and it doesn't.
Quattroporte 6:44PM (5/14/2009)
They didn't change it because they couldn't make it better. And, I'm sure there was probably some cost-cutting.
Brent 6:56PM (5/14/2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wV4gMF0Hk
Starts talking about it at 4:20.
Neil 7:26PM (5/14/2009)
I'd guess things have changed a great deal as far as design budgets go so that might explain why there isn't much of a exterior design change.
Jason 11:19AM (5/15/2009)
Where/when did Chrysler say the new HDs wouldn't look like the new 1500? Also, the new HD debuted in Chicago back in FEBRUARY, so where've you been the past few months?
If you put the new HD side by side with a 1500, you'd see the differences anyway -- different bumper, larger and taller grille, and a taller hood.
Brent 12:08PM (5/15/2009)
Jason,
Look at post #5!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wV4gMF0Hk
@ 4:20.
EU_reader 6:50PM (5/14/2009)
Who wants these things? It makes my stomach turn, they're revolting...
It looks like an oversized kiddy toy. Wheels look small in huge wheel arches, chromey grille, ... Oh wait, off course you could replace the wheels by even chromier and bigger and more blingy 26" spinners! Ow yeah!
Some people really don't have any taste. "Make them trucks! The bigger, the better!"
If you need to haul stuff around, get a van or a simple real duty truck. If you want to go offroading with all your kids on board, get a landrover for christs sake.
Oh well, if it sells, it sells... Chrysler is going down anyway, so who cares...
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toronado455 7:08PM (5/14/2009)
These are great if you want to put a Lance camper on them. Great stability. Much better than an RV if you ask me.
Gloria 7:12PM (5/14/2009)
As you are in Europe, I will cut you some slack.
However, why do you post on something that you know nothing about??
For the most part, people in the US do not buy $50K HD trucks (3/4/1-ton) to take the family 4wheeling, or to "haul stuff around."
Also, people who buy heavy duty trucks, normally do not put 26" wheels on them, as this would greatly lower the towing/payload, thus defeating the purpose of the truck in the first place.
People who buy 3/4 and 1-ton trucks, buy them because they own a construction business/ work at a construction business. They have a boat that they tow to the lake, or an RV that they tow, to go camping. They may tow quads or personal watercraft............. or they may be in the business of towing large equipment (like front loaders, and such).
HD trucks are used, and many are used and abused hard.
Here in the US, retirees often buy a 5th wheel travel trailer, and travel the country, full time. Many of these trailers can weigh 12K, 14K, or more, loaded. Thus, a HD truck is the only thing they can use.
Understand the market, before you make a judgement call.
LX builder 7:21PM (5/14/2009)
This is a REAL work truck and it isn't built to be an off road toy. People that buy these need the towing capacity for large trailers for work and play. Lesser trucks will not do the job.
You wouldn't be pulling a 40 ft tri-axle fifth wheel with you little Van or Landrover my friend.
http://www.fthr.com/gooseneck_car-trailer/model4941/
stg 7:38PM (5/14/2009)
You just don't get it. Trucks are good. They are meant for work. You don't always have the money to have both a work truck and a personal car. I don't own a truck or plan to own one but I can see how these trucks are useful. Just because you don't need one does not mean everyone else doesn't. I mean, we really don't need sports cars on the streets but we would love to own some. quit your crying.
Taglane 7:41PM (5/14/2009)
So I guess construction workers should use Insights and Cubes...
gtfo.
rypt 6:21AM (5/15/2009)
You guys do know that people in Europe also tend to tow stuff - such as track cars; boats and so on. We do also do plenty of DIY - and yet we manage to make do without a 6.4L V8 truck for that.
For businesses surely a proper large van, or a larger truck is what is needed - not one of these?
John 7:44AM (5/15/2009)
EU reader = thumbs down by default.....
Swede 7:45AM (5/17/2009)
No John, EU_reader = thumbs up by default.
There is no justification for a 500 pickup, not for personal use and not for commercial use. If you run a business and you need to move big things around on a regular basis, get a commercial van or a lorry which does the job much better. Which as it happens FIAT makes lots of. I sincerely hope they will shut down these american excesses pronto.
Swede 7:46AM (5/17/2009)
* 500 horsepower pickup.
harlanx6 6:54PM (5/14/2009)
It'l go over big in Texas.
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xtasi 7:06PM (5/14/2009)
why would you take a gasoline engine over a diesel in a HD truck? isn't the whole point of HD for Heavy Duty towing/hauling? Wouldn't a diesel give you more torque?
though hope the 500hp engine makes it to the Challenger, 300c, and other cars that currently have the 6.1L engine. That would be nice.
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