My experiences thus far with 3.6 Pentastar Ram 1500

[DILLIGAF]

Well it looks like this after 68000km The Valve Body didnt have any issues.

Il be doing mine again at 120xxxkm.

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for tons of great info. I have a question about the trans service. What mileage interval do you recommed? Presume no towing, generally easy driving.

ZF reconmends between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or 8 years to service the 8 speed

 

[BenchTest]

Thanks for tons of great info. I have a question about the trans service. What mileage interval do you recommed? Presume no towing, generally easy driving.

I believe manufacturer's (ZF) current spec is 90K for initial service, normal driving or in the 50-75K mile range for "severe duty" (offroad, towing, racing or "sporty" driving). I personally believe that fluid changes are cheap preventative maintenance and I did mine early. I've done 2 drain/refills in 86K miles. The first time I used a Mopar OEM pan/filter unit. The 2nd time I found a retailer that had a ZF branded unit and that's what I used.

As stated in this thread, you'll get a lot of different answers and "reasons why" - these are just the thresholds that I've decided to use. On that note, based on my learnings/experience, I would not recommend going beyond a drain and refill as some do. Replacing ALL of your fluid (e.g. "flushing") is not a good idea in most cases. Gradual change is better tolerated by transmissions vs. "change it all at once". There is some science/mechanics behind that thought process and you can read about it via an internet search if interested. Some opt to drain/replace a quart of transmission fluid at every engine oil change interval. That just seems like extra work, but it works for some folks. I will keep my subsequent fluid and pan/filter changes around the 30K mark.

Hope that helps and answers your inquiry.

 

[BenchTest]

Well it looks like this after 68000km The Valve Body didnt have any issues.

Il be doing mine again at 120xxxkm.

View attachment 551620

View attachment 551622

What was the purpose of the tear-down? Just inspecting?

 

[DILLIGAF]

What was the purpose of the tear-down?

I installed the PPE Pan and Sonnax Zip Kit when I did my 8 speed swap.

Anyone who says this is a lifetime fluid is full of sh1te ! Same goes for the fluid. Looking forward to see how the Maxlife fluid will look in 60xxx km

 

[BenchTest]

I installed the PPE Pan and Sonnax Zip Kit when I did my 8 speed swap.

Anyone who says this is a lifetime fluid is full of sh1te ! Same goes for the fluid. Looking forward to see how the Maxlife fluid will look in 60xxx km

I've looked at that Sonnax kit. How was the install? Fairly straight forward?

 

[DILLIGAF]

I've looked at that Sonnax kit. How was the install? Fairly straight forward?

65RFE to 8HP70 Swap , Lifted Truck Edition!

I used this thread to get me started https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-speed-swap.180898/ My cost breakdown, And parts list. in Canadian Pesos! - I already have HP tuners ( not sure why anyone wouldn't ;)) - Im lifted 6.5" in the rear, so there's zero reason to get the 8 speed rear drive...

www.ramforum.com

 

[BenchTest]

Just completed a 3700 mile trip across a few states. Running mostly interstate or state highways, 65-75mph, mixed rolling hills and mountains, I averaged 22.6 mpg over those miles. I feel that's pretty good for a V-6 powered full-sized truck. Temps ranged from mid-teens to 65 degrees. Truck ran a consistent 195-197 degrees coolant (hit 205 a couple of times pulling grades and higher RPMs), 185-192 degrees transmission, and similar oil temps. The computer said I had consumed 39% of the oil life (for whatever that's worth to you, or 61% remaining).

 

[BenchTest]

Well, the 3.6L journey has come to an end. Traded in the RAM a week ago.

 

[Fightinbass]

So whats your new ride?

 

[Indynick]

What did you get?

 

[BenchTest]

So whats your new ride?

Traded it in for a Maverick. I do basic homeowner stuff. Not on a farm/ranch or running a business out of my truck, so I don't need a full-sized pickup. I spent a BUNCH of years in 3/4 and 1-ton trucks working and driving a 1/2 ton as my personal vehicle. When I finally decided to stop working on my RAM all the time, I just decided to downsize further. It's a Toyota designed/licensed hybrid powerplant, FWD, truck on a unibody. My first hybrid. I call it a Prius with a truck bed. I've already gotten the standard issue jokes that grown men say to grown men in Mavericks, so I've gotten that out of the way. I'm 6' 2" and 245lbs and it's comfortable for me to ride in. Is it full-sized truck comfortable? No, but it rides a lot nicer than a solid axle truck bouncing down the road. 98% of the time it's just me and the dog running errands or running to the box store for home improvement items, so this should work. Heck of a lot easier to park in urban areas as well. Will be taking it cross country in a couple of weeks. Loaded with me, the wife, the dog, and some supplies. Curious what I'll think of it then. Still in the break-in period, but averaging 41MPG with mixed city/hwy driving.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Traded it in for a Maverick. I do basic homeowner stuff. Not on a farm/ranch or running a business out of my truck, so I don't need a full-sized pickup. I spent a BUNCH of years in 3/4 and 1-ton trucks working and driving a 1/2 ton as my personal vehicle. When I finally decided to stop working on my RAM all the time, I just decided to downsize further. It's a Toyota designed/licensed hybrid powerplant, FWD, truck on a unibody. My first hybrid. I call it a Prius with a truck bed. I've already gotten the standard issue jokes that grown men say to grown men in Mavericks, so I've gotten that out of the way. I'm 6' 2" and 245lbs and it's comfortable for me to ride in. Is it full-sized truck comfortable? No, but it rides a lot nicer than a solid axle truck bouncing down the road. 98% of the time it's just me and the dog running errands or running to the box store for home improvement items, so this should work. Heck of a lot easier to park in urban areas as well. Will be taking it cross country in a couple of weeks. Loaded with me, the wife, the dog, and some supplies. Curious what I'll think of it then. Still in the break-in period, but averaging 41MPG with mixed city/hwy driving.

I think the Maverick is a well designed vehicle. It's not for me, but I see the appeal.

 

[Rado]

Traded it in for a Maverick. I do basic homeowner stuff. Not on a farm/ranch or running a business out of my truck, so I don't need a full-sized pickup. I spent a BUNCH of years in 3/4 and 1-ton trucks working and driving a 1/2 ton as my personal vehicle. When I finally decided to stop working on my RAM all the time, I just decided to downsize further. It's a Toyota designed/licensed hybrid powerplant, FWD, truck on a unibody. My first hybrid. I call it a Prius with a truck bed. I've already gotten the standard issue jokes that grown men say to grown men in Mavericks, so I've gotten that out of the way. I'm 6' 2" and 245lbs and it's comfortable for me to ride in. Is it full-sized truck comfortable? No, but it rides a lot nicer than a solid axle truck bouncing down the road. 98% of the time it's just me and the dog running errands or running to the box store for home improvement items, so this should work. Heck of a lot easier to park in urban areas as well. Will be taking it cross country in a couple of weeks. Loaded with me, the wife, the dog, and some supplies. Curious what I'll think of it then. Still in the break-in period, but averaging 41MPG with mixed city/hwy driving.

Congratulations on your new truck !
The maverick has many great reviews and is a good seller for FORD!
I am also looking at them as I may down size son !

 

[BenchTest]

Congratulations on your new truck !
The maverick has many great reviews and is a good seller for FORD!
I am also looking at them as I may down size son !

Thanks. Happy with it so far. Will report back after I put 3,000 miles on it in the next couple of weeks.

 

[BenchTest]

2,807 mile trip completed. Averaged 38.7MPG running 70-80MPH for about 85% of the trip. The rest was sub-35MPH around town. Highway speeds were done through the rolling hills of TN and KY (as well as other states) where the truck performed very well. Never felt like it was lacking on power pulling grades and the roll-on acceleration was impressive. 6' 2" @ 245lbs and it was a comfortable ride. It wasn't plush, but it wasn't awful either.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

2,807 mile trip completed. Averaged 38.7MPG running 70-80MPH for about 85% of the trip. The rest was sub-35MPH around town. Highway speeds were done through the rolling hills of TN and KY (as well as other states) where the truck performed very well. Never felt like it was lacking on power pulling grades and the roll-on acceleration was impressive. 6' 2" @ 245lbs and it was a comfortable ride. It wasn't plush, but it wasn't awful either.

You gotta check those numbers again.

 

[Docwagon1776]

2,807 mile trip completed. Averaged 38.7MPG running 70-80MPH for about 85% of the trip. The rest was sub-35MPH around town.

 

[BenchTest]

You gotta check those numbers again.

Check the numbers for what?

 

[BenchTest]

View attachment 583401

Hey Doc....did you forget the part of the story where this thread changed over from Pentastar 3.6 to a Maverick? Scroll back a couple of messages.