While helping one of my co-workers try to find a new Ram HD truck, I stumbled across this beauty. While I wasn't in the market for a new truck, I couldn't pass on this opportunity to own a PW again. She's the same color as my old PW (Brilliant Black) and its awesome to say the least. The dealer actually had 7 PWs on their lot and they were all pretty reasonably priced. 4 were the tradesman version and 3 standard PWs. I opted for the Black Tradesman Version because I love the subdued look. The mods will start soon. The great thing about have a REG 2500 is that I can transfer over some of my mods to this new truck. I've got a K&N CAI that will be going in today or tomorrow. I'm looking for a throaty and moderately load muffler. I may do steering wheel controls but a Line-X bed is in my future.
So here are some comparisons that I have coming from a 5th Gen Standard 2500 w/6.4 vs a 5th Gen PW:
Ride Quality
In terms of ride quality, the difference is night and day. While the rear coil springs on the 2015 2500 were a lot softer than leaf springs, but this new PW runs circles around a normal 2500. On the way to the dealership, the freeway roads were incredibly rough and in the 2500 you felt every bump. The PW took those same roads much easier. You felt the larger bumps, but I didn't even notice the smaller ones. Also, you really notice the 2 inch ride height increase. I haven't noticed a large difference in fuel economy, but I have noticed that the PW stays in "ECO" mode more than regular 2500 did. I
4.10 gears vs 3.73 gears
3.73 gears made my previous truck feel like it couldn't get out of its own way at lower rpms (1500-1900). Don't get me wrong, the truck moved when I put pedal to the floor, but a times the 6.4 just felt bogged down. Now I know the 6.4 makes its power in the higher RPM bands, but between the lower(numerically) gears made the 66rfe shift a lot. On flat highway roads, it did very well. On longer trips, it could manage between 17-19 mpgs hand calculated. But I live about 25 minutes from my job and the roads are mostly hilly two lane country roads (55 MPH speed limit).
4.10 gears feel much better. Acceleration was better (obviously) and the truck doesn't bog nearly as much comparatively speaking. Time will tell how this compares to the 3.73 gears, but it seemed to take the back country hills much better. Highway driving was nice as well. The 4.10s allowed the 6.4 and 66rfe to hold the MDS mode with relative ease.
Other odds and ends:
The PW has a floor shifting transfer case vs the electronic version on the 2500. Even though everything is CPU controlled and it probably doesn't make a difference, I find this version to be superior.
The PW has the 3.0 Uconnect vs the 2500's 5.0 Uconnect. The 5.0 was a touch screen with a larger screen vs the small button controlled 3.0. Although it is a minor change/inconvenience, it still a change that needs to be noted. I can still utilize Sirius XM radio which is a major plus. Everything else is pretty much the same.
The PW has a rearview parking camera. This is a nice upgrade and I was looking to install one in the 2500 at some point. It shows up in the rearview mirror but still functions like any other one that I have seen.
The biggest change is the Rambox. The 2500 had the Rambox where as the Tradesman PW is not available with it. I personally never really used the Rambox as much as some people. It was great for grocery shopping, storing straps, or putting things up for safe keeping that I didn't necessarily want in the cab, but I honestly don't think the benefit is worth the loss of space in the bed. Plus I noticed that the boxes never truly lined up with the bed. Maybe its just me being OCD, but I didn't like that small flaw.
Everything else is pretty much the same but its funny how the PW just has a much more aggressive look to it when compared to a similarly equipped 2500. It just looks bad ass! I have to say the 2500 just felt like a truck where as the PW feels better!
Anyway, here's some pics of both. Its good to be back and look forward to posting in here more often! ABN!
