I'm in the market for a new truck. Might be interested in the new Ram truck with the 3.6L engine. I don't need 5.7L power, or the 25% less city fuel economy that comes with the V8. I dont tow anything. It would be an around town truck, and picking up mulch at home depot truck.

My current truck is 16 years old with 108K miles and I'll probably keep this new truck 15 years as well.

I'm a big fan of the 3.6L Chrysler engine having driven them for years in the Pacifica. BUT, does it have enough ass for around town and highway driving in a truck? It DOES have 300 hp. I think these trucks have 8-10 speed transmissions, so my educated guess is that the truck can always find the right gear to put those 300 HP down to the road.

I'm seeing that this truck/engine 3.6L combo comes with some sort of hybrid battery thing that powers the accessories. Thus a 2 mpg bump in fuel economy supposedly. A quick search around the net shows this as "works fine" to "terrible, never buy."

Im apprehensive about the new technology and considering that I want to keep the truck for 15 years, maybe I would be better off with traditional engine and nothing hybrid at all?

Anyone have any experience with this? My budget is $35K to $40K if you have other recommendations...

have you looked at the Honda Ridgeline. I "think" you could get one at the top of your budget. Decent mileage, great resell, even though that may be something you are worried about. The Honda platform is a rock solid proven one. I looked at one recently and I was really surprised how nice it was and capable of meeting your needs no problem. I have an 07' that is a great rig still with 125k on the clock. A Honda and a Ram are not in the same quality category. Same with as Ford and Chevy vs a Honda imho.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

The 3.6 in my Challenger has plenty of grunt! In the Ram it should be fine. The difference will be in transmission and rear axle set up. If I was Ram shopping, the 3.6 would be a valid option.

I had that engine in a Jeep Wrangler, it worked well and never a problem with the engine (or whole vehicle for that matter). If I were interested in a Dodge truck I'd seriously consider the 3.6.
I'm thinking of replacing my 2018 Ridgeline this Fall and two substantially updated trucks for 2023 model year have my interest; Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon.

quote:

Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon.

Yikes

I have a 2013 1500 with a 3.6. It’s been a great truck! I did order a new half ton, as my old truck doesn’t have back up cameras/beepers etc and there are too many little kids around.

It’s an excellent engine that has won many awards. There was a mechanic who pulled his apart on YouTube after 600,000+ miles and I was shocked at the lack of wear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDjvfd9mo5s

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k,

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
have you looked at the Honda Ridgeline. I "think" you could get one at the top of your budget. Decent mileage, great resell, even though that may be something you are worried about. The Honda platform is a rock solid proven one. I looked at one recently and I was really surprised how nice it was and capable of meeting your needs no problem. I have an 07' that is a great rig still with 125k on the clock. A Honda and a Ram are not in the same quality category. Same with as Ford and Chevy vs a Honda imho.

I'm starting to think your a Honda Ridgeline salesman.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
have you looked at the Honda Ridgeline. I "think" you could get one at the top of your budget. Decent mileage, great resell, even though that may be something you are worried about. The Honda platform is a rock solid proven one. I looked at one recently and I was really surprised how nice it was and capable of meeting your needs no problem. I have an 07' that is a great rig still with 125k on the clock. A Honda and a Ram are not in the same quality category. Same with as Ford and Chevy vs a Honda imho.

I'm starting to think your a Honda Ridgeline salesman.

People tend to get stuck on Honda and Toyota and think nothing can ever surpass them for some weird reason.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
People tend to get stuck on Honda and Toyota and think nothing can ever surpass them for some weird reason.

Or, after owning:
1 GMC full size pickup
1 Ford small pickup
1 Dodge mid-size pickup
1 Ford full size pickup
4 Honda cars
1 Honda minivan
1 Chevrolet car
1 Oldsmobile car
1 Nissan SUV
1 KIA SUV
1 Ford car
1 Ford SUV
1 AMC Jeep
1 Ford jeep
1 Ford SUV
1 VW car

I’d buy a Honda Ridgeline or Toyota pickup in a heartbeat if they met my needs. I’m not particularly brand loyal. I pick whatever vehicle best meets my needs at the time.

The 1979 Olds 98 was the best car in reliability terms. Nothing but maintenance, brake pad, tires, and a couple mufflers in the 10 years and 155,000 miles my family owned it. I bought it from my father for $1,000 and sold it 30,000 miles later for $1,000. The only vehicle that left me stranded for something I had no control over: my Ford F-350. Once at 50,000 miles and once at 122,000 miles.

Both the Honda minivan and the KIA SUV had 3.5-3.8 liter V6s with 248hp/250ftlb and 291hp/262ftlb respectively. Both vehicles weighed around 4,300lbs and power was adequate. Neither had trouble merging at freeway speeds or passing slower traffic when needed.

Edited to add the VW.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

quote:

Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon.

Yikes

I like my 2018 Ridgeline but let's be honest Honda's of today are not the same as Honda's of the past. And US manufacturers have improved. There was a time when the old Ford Rangers, GM S10's etc., were pretty sad.



Is the Ford Ranger Reliable ? The 2022 Ford Ranger has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a predicted reliability score of 78 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below averagez

JD Power is a marketing company. Please do some research on them. They cater to manufacturers for $$ and can produce desired results.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
JD Power is a marketing company. Please do some research on them. They cater to manufacturers for $$ and can produce desired results.

What source(s) would you suggest?