Ram 1500 3.6 liter pentastar V6. Is it powerful enough?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 гру 2018
- Wondering if a ram 4x4 v6 is enough power for off road. Watch and get my take. I failed to address the trucks with 3.21 rear end. I don’t recommend you buy if you get 4x4.
195k? Some one call Scotty Kilmer... he's going to have a stroke!
charredskeleton They can last up to 600K
Scotty is an overly picky asshole. He dogs every brand except Toyota/Lexus. Just an old guy talkin shit for views
@@ericatkins6600 Thank you! Nice to know I'm not the only person who thinks so.
he became a clown
@@TheSavage3.6 how many pussies have you destroyed?
Considering trucks in the 80's and probably well into the 90's had less than 200 HP, there's no reason this V6 wouldn't be considered adequate.
Exactly. It has more torque than those older trucks too.
That’s a good point.
Problem is torque is more important than hp, at the 6 lacks in torque. For the average person, the 6 would be just fine though. If you're a serious tow/hauler, I'd opt for the 8 cylinder.
@@Brian-dh9lpThe benefit with the Pentastar is the fact it makes peak torque from 1600 rpm until redline.
Trucks are all about Torque and not Horsepower. V8 is still the torque king.
V6 is still the gas mileage choice.
Truck looks great with 195,000 miles
Thanks for sharing your truck and experience! You told me more in 5 minutes then I've learned in a day elsewhere.
Grew up driving 1980's and 1990's Pickups when I was a teen, let me say these modern motors blow anything from those years out of the water. Recently bought a Promaster 1500 high roof with the 3.6 Pentastar in it, but she only has the 6 speed automatic. I've taken her up into the Georgia Mountains and she screamed up some of those inclines, but she was still willing to accelerate even when revving out. I've turned the van into a camper with over a thousand pounds of wood and stuff inside and this Pentastar's impressed me on every single trip. Getting 18mpg on the highway with a roof rack and pull out awening really drops my jaw considering some of my old trucks got 8mpg city and 12ish on the highway ;-)
Just got a 2018 slt quad cab with the 3.6 3.21 ratio. Seems powerful enough for me and my hauling needs. I never had to pull anything over a ton or so. Usually light loads such as furniture and things like that. Been averaging about 20mpg around the city stop and go. These new V6s are great.
Pro2nda agreed you buy what you realistically need
What's the max tow??
What city are we talking about?
Chamoy Gaming 6000-7000 with the tow package
@@moichamoy2274 - 3.21 gear ratio SLT QuadCab w/ a V6 gives you a max tow of 4400 lbs, but the SLT QuadCabs have a max payload of 1700 lbs or so (I have the same truck Pro2nda has, just a year older.)
This is exactly what I wanted to see. I cover many shops in several towns and mainly use my Aveo and I keep 1/4” to 1” tools and impacts in the trunk with a transmission jack. I have a 1 ton dually but the fuel and tires just seems like a wast of money to haul 1,000 pounds around on highway alone 40-50k miles a year. The car I got works great but would be nice to have a bit more room for some extra stuff and a 30 gallon gas compressor. I rarely pull anything so been looking hard at getting one of these trucks since the MPG great. Hell it has more hp than my 95 k1500 but a little less torque.
Think I’m going to head to Bonham Texas to get one from their dodge dealer.
Thanks for the post
Great to hear from you Eduardo. My truck is running strong since I had both heads replaced. If you are ever in Kentucky, let’s race.
Thanks Mike:
I too had heat issues and decided to have them change the thermostat. I wanted to go with a cooler one but mechanic said it would set off an error code. However, the new one did the trick and runs normal temps now. Mine had like 150k when I changed it out.
I bought a new 2017 Rebel Crew Cab and I love it...the air suspension is the best thing ever, with four different height settings...The 3.92 limited slip is great also...And the gas mileage is about 14-15 locally, and it gets a best of 22 mpgs on the freeway at a steady 65-70 mph on the cruise control...I've driven it cross country from New Jersey to Seattle fully loaded...TWICE ! It's equipped with the 5.7 HEMI V8, and I'd get another one in a heartbeat !...The ride is very solid and comfy...You like a Rebel if you buy one.
Thanks. I try and take good care of it. Southern Kentucky uses very little salt and that helps a bunch
Good comprehensive review of this engine in this truck. They are few and far between. I am looking for a truck right now with the Pentastar engine. Good to hear a good review of it.
Mine is a crew cab 4x4 with the 3.21 rear gear. It gets great mileage but I don’t tow anything heavy. 0-60 is about a second slower than the Hemi so unless you’re flooring it all the time it’s fine for most people. Overall I never want for more power.
NIce review and beautiful truck!!! Future RAM buyer here!
I have a 2018 Tradesman quad with the 3.6 and 3.21 rear. Love it for my purposes: hauling tools and building materials and boating gear on weekends. Amazingly I get over 26 mpg on the highway, and 18.5 in our congested/hilly city. Plenty of power for me. I would opt for the 3.55 rear if I was towing heavier/more often, but I tow infrequently and my boat on the trailer weighs only 4,000#. I have used the 4x4 many times including deep snow and gives amazing traction. (I've also owned 2 Landcruisers and a 4Runner so I have a good comparison). Agree that the ZF tranny makes the power train viable; you can electronically control your gear range. Like Kraig, I use full synthetic oil and plan to change it every 6K miles.
@Brahmajoe I'll try to remember to reply Monday: I'll tow the boat for the first time with this truck on Sunday. So far it's cold-blooded, takes a long time to warm up. I know it has a tranny oil cooler and an engine oil cooler.
@Brahmajoe For ramps or steep grades, shifting into 4WD-Low makes the truck a completely different animal, will almost climb a tree. I think the tow-mode button merely keeps the tranny in a higher RPM range for a given speed or acceleration pattern. Here's my educated guess: No problem over flat or low grades, or on slow/steeps where you can use 4WD-low. Problems could occur pulling very heavy loads over sustained grades such as mountain passes. A 4,000# tow definitely won't push the truck around or anything like that. It was just set up for economy rather than brute force. What you're thinking about should be perfectly fine.
@Brahmajoe Pulled the boat ~70 miles today. Boat on trailer is over 4,000#. Outside air temp was 60F. Coolant reached maximum of 220F, (at idle) averaged ~ 212F running. Dash temp gauge stayed dead center. I stayed below 70MPH, averaged 63 or so; stayed in the right lane. Got 16.2 MPG towing. Truck never was pushed at all, and no trouble braking. I stayed in tow/haul mode the entire time towing, which kept RPM > 2,000 in all conditions. Some city, mainly highway and freeway miles, with hills; no mountains. Summary: no problem with handling and basic towing, including some brisk acceleration. I definitely felt the truck working, maybe due to being in tow/haul mode? Don't think I will pull the boat over a long/extended grade such as a mountain pass, at least not until I have more data and maybe not ever. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Got my v6 7 months ago. I'd be damned if I miss any maintenance. It's my first truck and want it to last as long as my grandpa's 04 explorer 😂
My dads has 379km on it and a whole lotta rust and a missing back window. But man that explorers a beast
How has the truck been
I had a 2017 Grand Cherokee with the same engine. Loved it!
Wow, that is in great shape for the mileage.
Andrew, I wish I could tell you but I can’t find a brand name anywhere. I like it and it performs well. Truck was bought used and came with it.
Funny I work at a hospital and never go off-road. I have the same exact truck and Falken off-road tires. I’m just a city slicker poser 😁 BTW great looking truck
Glad to hear that, i just bought a 2016 Long Horn Crew Cab 4x4 with the v6. Beautiful truck with only 35k miles, and for what I drive it for I usually only put in like 5k-7k miles a year. So hopefully I'll have this beauty for many years to come.
Stay tuned for an upcoming race between the pentastar and an ecodiesel!
Yay
Awesome review by what you can hear in his voice is a great man, I’ve had a many 3.6 in Company Dodge Caravans and never the first problem, our company leases and gets rid of them at around 100k. My F150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost seems to be hard on the oil to, maybe all V6’s are hard on the oil. Hoping my Ford is as good as that RAM has been. I like that body style better than the new one too.
i have a pentastar with 4x4 and a 355 rear end. no problems on the highway, towing or using 4x4. mine weighs 5000 lbs.
Glad you have the 3:55 rear end. That helps
Yes, I have the 3:55 rear, its great.
Vulpixgrant, this winter we rented a Winnebago on the Promaster platform. I thought it did better than expected since the engine in this model is the 280 hp version and 6 speed. The only thing I didn't like was that it did not have tilt steering on any models. The seats where very comfortable and adjustable.
Traded my '13 Ram with the Hemi for a '15 Ram with the Pentastar and love the mpg and has plenty of power for my needs. The only modification I did was adding a K&N cold air intake. Great review.
wreckagevic did the CAI make a decent difference?
@@raymondfitzwater1313 I did the same mod, because it was the thing to do, made zero difference and increased the drone noise. Power n mpg is controlled by the computer, if your add more air the computer adds more fuel this also impacts how you transmission shifts. CAI bring a zero value, if you befall a warranty issue THEY WILL BLAME THE CAI FIRST, iv seen more dusted engines from a pos cia than a stock intake. If it was better the manufacturer would use them.
@@panthermartin7784 If you’d like to squeeze more mpgs out of it install a bug screen on the grill, clean the radiator, cover the bumper opening when not towing, add a longer plastic air dam under the bumper to push more air away from under the truck, and install fender flares to push more air over the tires instead of getting caught inside the fender. Slightly over inflate the tires and make sure your alignment is right. That should make a noticeable difference.
im glad you like your pentastar. me personally i prefer my 5.7 v8. looking to get a travel trailer and my 5.7 would be perfect for it.
I’d say yes 100% it’s a strong motor. I have the 2014 single cab and it’s a quick motor and pretty damn strong and only 44,000 miles so far
Just purchased 2019 classic 1500 3.6 quad cab 4wd 8 speed with 3:21 axel ratio. Drives nice do notice the lack of low end torque, but drives good and has decent power for a v6 truck. Also @ kraig Moore you not only know your stuff but you hit the head on the nail with everything about this vehicle.
I have the same truck but mine isnt 4wd had it for over a year now bought it brand new I love it
This is exactly the video I was looking for. I want to do whatever I can to avoid having to buy the hemi or ecodiesel for my next Ram 1500. I have 3.6L v6 magnum in my 06 with 160,000 miles on it and it runs great but it’s a 2 door and I need a family sized truck that can go offroad. People say the rebel with a v6 is a bad idea but idk why they say that especially with an 8 speed trans and 3.92 gears the 305 hp should be plenty. Fuel economy is big for me and life cycle cost too. The other more attractive motors are sweet but financially don’t make sense for me.
I have the 2016 Ram 1500 with the V6 but no hitch as I only carry skis, mountain bikes and gear on a special Yakima rack over the bed when in the mountains. Crew cab and Express package but the engine is plenty powerful. With the stock tires, I was getting mid 20s MPG but when I put on Cooper Discoverers, that dropped to low 20s. But no issues and enough power to pass, accelerate, plow through snow and very quiet.
I, too have a 1500 4x4 Crew with the V-6 /8-Spd and love it... Mine has a 4" lift (exact ride height as a 2500 4x4) so I took a hit in MPG, but in my opinion, it's worth it with front clearance. I do oil changes every 4000 miles and it literally takes 15 mins. Due to the low viscosity of synthetic oil, I HIGHLY recommend using a FUMOTO oil drain valve in place of the factory oil drain plug...
Thanks Tumblevveed: Hope you enjoy it if you buy one. Just know that these trucks are rated for 16-23 if its 4x4 but you will never come close to 23. I have gotten 20 mpg are really good days. The estimator on the dash is consistently 1 mpg high on my truck.
Anthony, you asked about maintenance between 95-195k.
1. Change trans fluid & filter
2. Replace PCV valve
3. Change front and rear diff fluid, transfer case too.
4. Radiator fluid if never changed.
5. Surpentine belt.
6. Plugs at 100 k
Small problem/obstacle: The 8spd transmission has ZF "lifetime fluid", and allegedly should never be changed. Change it at 60k miles anyway, but it's a bit of a trick to do (no dipstick, so you will need to drain, switch filter, then refill on a level surface.)
Thanks Aden for your reply. This motor gets the job done.
@@korylambert5353 Do you mean the 4.0 liter straight six? Probably not as efficient or would meet epa requirements.
Thanks Zakk for your comment. Both these engines have their issues but it you got the 3rd gen engine (2018>), I think they got it right. There is a guy I follow "Online mechanic tips" who works on these engines and has lots of videos on problems. He said as of now, he has not had to open up a 3rd gen engine.
I have a 2017 with same engine and 3.21 gear most I've towed was 3000 lbs and it did it with so ease that i hardly knew i was pulling something Lol, I'm always looking for new mods and else but overall is a great truck now i got 53k on the engine and doing oil change every 8tk with full synthetic CASTROIL ..cold air intake, flowmaster 44, pedal commander and soon a tune too, this thing it's a beast !
Thank you for your knowledgeable review
Hey Jaypatrus, I have changed the fluid and filter every 60,000 miles since I got the truck with 90,000 miles. The truck now has 260,000 miles but the engine was replaced at 195k and my son just got hit by someone and it totaled it. I have had 3 of these trucks and the transmission is by far the best component on the truck.
Taylor, I think you will like this truck for that use. I really put it in off road situations and happy with it despite its lack of torque. I overcome that with restricting gears. I still would rather have a 3.55 rear end but thats just me.
Pretty Good Video, how was your coffee? Yeah, kind of hard not to notice it on top of the air filter. I've got to clarify you oil change mileage... I still go with 3,000 to no more than 5,000 between oil changes on ANY engine. I've owned many 4 cylinders with and without turbos, V6's and V8's including the 5.7 Hemi when it came in the 2003 Dodge Ram. Never expect engine oil to go to 7,500 to 10,000 miles even with Synthetic, old motto... "it is cheap insurance". RAM ON!!
thanks for the reply Poppy!
I've got one in a 2015 Chrysler 300. It has plenty of power and mated to the ZF 8 speed gets 30 mpg on the interstate with 23 mpg around town. I love it.
Older Balder Wiser Yeah my 2016 300 is incredibly fast and gets around 37MPG. It is an amazing engine.
The Pentastar in the Promaster 3500 books, and it's got 150k miles..I think it's a great engine.
RT, I am averaging 17.8 mpg. I drive mostly highway. I’m going to have the dealer check to make sure speedometer is set for my wheel size. In my previous rams, they were not. The window sticker on my 19 rebel calls for 19-24. Ha ha.
Thanks hemifever. I’ll check into it.
Great video, thanks !
My current work truck is a ‘14 tradesman 1500 with the 5.7 hemi. Seems decent.
Hemifever makes a good tune for the pentastar. Plus ubcan tune the 8speed
For those who think that this v6 isn’t powerful enough just look back into the first gen rams of the 80’s with the slant 6 it only made 95 horsepower and 160 ft of torque.
Yes but people were skinnier back in the 80s. The average American weighs 300lb now and we need more powerful engines now.
@@abdullahal-shimri3091 Not to mention people drive faster. You better be going 70 when you want to merge. People will run you over.
@@abdullahal-shimri3091 or just stop eating so much shit lol
@@abdullahal-shimri3091no, they dont weigh 300 on average.
I think a torque tune would be phenomenal on this
Thanks for your video!!!
Great video
Thanks Cody. I still have the truck and recently bought an ecodiesel. The diesel has way more torque but you wouldn’t know it by driving. Downshifts almost as much as pentastar. Pentastar is funner to drive. Check out our race if you have a chance.
Can u put a 5.7 hemi in this truck as an option?
Rob, the trans filter is about $125 I think. Synthetic fluid will run you $12-20 per quart. Differential fluid only takes a couple quarts for while system. Syn diff fluid will run about the same price as well
Thanks Bones, I’ll do that
You may be right camopar but you should drive one. I think you would be impressed. I think the v6 would compare favorably with the old 4.7 liter.
Thank you. Great Info and you answered almost all my questions.
I have 76k on my 2018. I live in Arizona so I take it off road and up in the mountains in flagstaff. I can honestly say, for what I do, I’ve never needed more power. The only thing I don’t like is it constantly shifts from 7th to 8th back and forth. But I really don’t mind the v6. Plus I get 22mpg all day long on the highway!
You could try changing the transmission fluid and filter.
Great video, thanks. Have you had any issues with the transmission or any other big ticket items? I'm currently leasing mine and would like to buy if general consensus is that it would be reliable in the long run. I'm getting an average of 20 mpg 50/50 mix driving - 2018 3.6 4x4 3.21 gears
Snap im amazed actually i legit didnt know they threw em engines in a truck to
I have a 2015 with the v6 and I thought power was going to be and issue but I'm pleasantly surprised at how well this v6 steps up.
Oh and I have almost 190,000 miles on it....
Yes l2l. I am still impressed with the acceleration of my v6 rebel
Enjoy it Kory. It should last you a long time.
I had one and yes it has more power than any v 8 I've ever had except the Hemi.
I agree
Wow Josephu. That is impressive. What oil you using and oil change interval. Especially impressive you are towing so much. You should contact Ram and see if they will feature you in an ad.
Truck blew head gasket at 200k. Leaked oil profusely after fixed and found block cracked.
Oh man. What kind of driving were you doing?
Damn so shortly after this video?
I have the Single cab long bed 4x4 and it ripps. I love this truck no need at all for the Hemi with what I do for a living. Forestry work as well.
Glad you are enjoying it Karl. Should last you a while.
Mine holds up perfectly fine under max payload (1700 lb), with no issues at all.
I have a 2016 big horn with the v6, with tow/haul mode, that thing is pretty fast and fun to drive
Thanks Eduardo for the comment. It wasn’t that long ago that v-8s didn’t have this kind of power.
Love mine. Its only 1 second slower than the Hemi in the quarter mile.
would you say this is a good truck if your looking for a cruiser/work truck with little off-road use?
Never heard of a torque tune but I’ll take one if they are out there. Not much you can modify on this engine
Thanks Joseph. How many miles on it? Has the transmission fluid and filter ever been changed? The temp you mentioned is high. The ZF transmission is also cooled by the radiator coolant. Unless you are towing, it should not run that hot. Should run about 195 degrees.
Sorry for delay Harry. If you are talking about buying one with the 3.6 liter, I would pass. I have had three of these with the v6. None have made it past 190,000. Run Harry, Run! I wish they would hold up better but they don't.
Plenty of power in 4 low. The exception is if in deep mud that consumes your torque.
I was hoping for some tips I just got the same model but a single cab with 160,000 could u type of few things for maintnece the oil was changed every 4k miles anything else I can do to keep her running
Good info. Thanks
I'd love that big gas tank!
Id be interested in your thoughts on a Procharger 😮.
I think a standard cab, v6 would be fun to drive. Considered buying one myself
Kraig Moore I actually own a Single Cab V6 2017 Penastar ! Love it ! Race it every chance I get and 9/10 will leave them in my rear view !👍 just drove it to show low Arizona with the mountains their it has no issue on pick up !
It is!
Cool video, I was thinking about getting the regular cab with the 4x4 and V6. The regular cab is and the Jeep Gladiator are about the same weight with the same engine, the only difference would be the transmission gearing ratios and maybe differential.
Thanks David. The truck would have the 305 up and the jeep about 290. Depending on year of jeep, it will either have a six speed or 8 speed
@@foresterram869 Another question, does it have a front axle or is it an open axle type of 4x4? Hope that makes sense, is it a Jeep type 4x4 or a new Ford Bronco type hahaha.
Sounds good sonicleblue. Prevention rather than cure!
check out the video of the 3.6 teardown with 625 K on it ....it is amazing , just shows what regular maintenance can do...
We’re is the video?
Link ?
I got the 2016 1500 with the v6 at 235000s I had a tick which the dealership said was a bad injector i asked them to replace it , they downplayed it by saying oh it’s nothing . Any ways I had to change two cams on the passenger side . And yes I do a lot of driving and she pulls good ! That’s all I had to repair except the normal tires and brakes
Lots of highway driving and a fair amount of off road
A couple weeks ago I hauled a HUGE load of river rock (Probably close to 2 tons - no shit) in my '14 Ram with the 3.6 Pentastar V6 over 15 miles. Yes, the mudflaps were only about an inch off the road, and it was WAAAY more overloaded than I like, but that engine had plenty of power to haul that load.
Yes, I took it REAL easy...
Wish you posted a video or pic Michael
Love my 3.6, plenty of power and GREAT fuel mileage
what kind of mpg?
What kind of bed topper do you have? I’m currently shopping for one...
Thanks for comment itisfinsihed4u. We still have the truck. Just turned 250,000 but had to replace the engine shortly after this video.
It’s been a long time since I have towed anything so I can’t give you a good number. If all I did was drive around town I would probably get 16 mpg. Most of my driving is Hwy and I average 17.5-18.
I used a cheap 3.3 chrysler Grand Voyager mini van for food delivery and those numbers are very realistic but more impressive with this newer truck because of the weight . If I owned that truck i'd be happy with those numbers .
Just got a 2015 single cab with 83k for 8k. Hope I get that mileage!
This is a great video man . Proper info
Thats about as good as a review gets.
I have a 17 Tradesman with the 3.6 and 3.21s
I tow 9k lbs 3-4 times a year and 3k atleast once a week. Some weeks 4 days.
Bought it with 12 miles. Coming up on 61k miles now. So far issue free. I did just delete the grill shutters. I didnt like how hot it made the engine run. I went from 220 degrees at highway speeds to 195. I wish like hell I would have got a 3.92 rear end. 300 ft lbs of torque would be nice too.
Hope its a 300k mile pick up for me.
Take Care
How far do you go when you tow those 9k lbs? I’m lookin g to get travel trailer and I have same make and model with same engine and gears.
@@dvazq6179 not far. 60 miles round trip. I wouldnt tow more than 6k long distance. I towed 5k lbs for a little over 2200 miles. Truck did great.
Awesome, well I have the 2wd do you have the 4x4? I know my towing cap is at 4600. I was looking to stay under 5k lbs for travel trailer.
@@dvazq6179 Mine is 2wd as well. Id say thats a good idea. Should have zero issues.
My 3.6 has 353,000 miles on it so I would say you will make it to 300k with no problem
Hell yeah it is..I have one and it's just fine..
Got a 2020 with the 3.6 etorque. I have a 3600 pound camper that I cool with it and no it doesn’t jump for joy either but it does it. It’s supposed to tow about 7000 pounds
Thank goodness towing is not a race Walter. Gets the job done though
What kind of Mpg do you get towing and around town?
I do 6500 mile oil changes in my Pentastars. Pretty sure that was the recommended interval.
I've heard Scotty and other mechanics, 5000 mile interval if you have variable valve timing. I tend to vary that dependent upon driving type and environmental factors like heat cold dust.
I have a 2012 Chrysler 200 Ltd hardtop convertible with the 3.6 L v6 the thing is a rocketship
Hey what about 4 low when you off road? Thxs
******. I personally don't have an issue with the 3.6. I just hit 30k in my single cab tradesman (2018) . I had a 2013 with the 5.7 and a 2016 with the 5.7. I lost the trans in my 2013, and my 2016 had the worst lifter tick I've ever heard. Im very happy with my 3.6. Amsoil 5w20 oil every 6k miles (ish) and k&n filters all around. No issues. 👌
Thank you for your post hope ur still checking posts....I have a 2014 v6 Ram, have loved it but the transmission whines with a five people in and going long distances...I noticed during that time the transmission temperature then was at around 235-245...is that too hot and do you have any advice.
Fluid and filter change, now.