Cody's Car Conundrum
Well-known member
Meeeeeeeeeehhhhhhh on the front end: 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty
I may "get it" for saying this but IMO Ford make the 2020 f-350 look much better without that belt buckle front end (now if they just fix that 1990/2015 smashed together rear fender...) Also I think Ram on the HD side is in a big trouble. Yes the Ram looks great and has the best interior
but now GM has more HP in diesel 445 vs 400 torque 910 vs 1000 and now the new 6.6 gas is stepping on the Hemi (HP) 401 vs 410 and torque 464 vs 429, 10 speed vs 6 speed, towing 35,500 vs 35,100 and those numbers all stay the same unlike the non HO Rams and 2500 so IMO ouch.
Same with the Ford (though I am afraid they are going to match or beat the Cummin's) Ford diesel HP 450 vs 400 torque 935 vs 1000 now they have a new 7.3 numbers not out yet but the old 6.2 had (HP) 385 vs 410 and torque 430 vs 429, 10 speed vs 8 speed (in gas only for Ram otherwise it's 6 speed) and towing (again new numbers aren't out yet) old ones are 31,900 vs 35,100 plus with the new ten speed Ford is saying a 10% or more MPG gain! These numbers all stay the same unlike the non HO Rams and 2500. So looking at just the old numbers Ford (and I don't like to say this) is going to kick butt, again just IMO but ouch.
IMO Ram when they go to 5th gen for the HDs need a 10 or 12 speed auto and up the HP to at least 440 while increasing the MPGs.
My guess for Ford is the diesel will be 460 HP and 980-1000 torque and the gas will be 425 HP and 475 torque towing 35,600-36,000.
Couple things.
I think Ram HD will be just fine. 10 speed with high torque diesel will be interesting....i'm glad Ram is on the sidelines seeing how it will play out for GM and Ford. Those 10 speeds also cost a lot to develop. I'll bet most of the time, 1st gear will be locked out. And when towing, you'll never see 8-9-10. So 2-7 is 6 gears...When you've got high strain on drivetrian during towing the last thing i like is gear shifting. Yes the 10 speeds should allow engine to be at optimum power but it will have to shift more to do it, but if you have enough torque to hold a gear that could be better and more efficient. Won't be much different than today, ram not as fast but efficient and reliable.
Also, cummins is currently more efficient than higher horsepower competition...so IF they see a 10% improvement that may only get them to match the new cummins. Ram, being now slightly smaller also has the best aero, which will help efficiency well.
I'll be surprised if there wont be complaints about 10 speed shifting, especially at lower speeds.
Ram still has nicest interior and class exclusive features (air suspension, rambox, megacab) i think they'll keep the #2 HD spot.
I definitely think that all the strengths will outweigh any weaknesses with the Ram HD that's for sure. I agree that I don't think there is any danger of them losing the #2 spot and don't forget that the ALL-NEW HD will be out around 2022.
Couple things.
I think Ram HD will be just fine. 10 speed with high torque diesel will be interesting....i'm glad Ram is on the sidelines seeing how it will play out for GM and Ford. Those 10 speeds also cost a lot to develop. I'll bet most of the time, 1st gear will be locked out. And when towing, you'll never see 8-9-10. So 2-7 is 6 gears...When you've got high strain on drivetrian during towing the last thing i like is gear shifting. Yes the 10 speeds should allow engine to be at optimum power but it will have to shift more to do it, but if you have enough torque to hold a gear that could be better and more efficient. Won't be much different than today, ram not as fast but efficient and reliable.
Also, cummins is currently more efficient than higher horsepower competition...so IF they see a 10% improvement that may only get them to match the new cummins. Ram, being now slightly smaller also has the best aero, which will help efficiency well.
I'll be surprised if there wont be complaints about 10 speed shifting, especially at lower speeds.
Ram still has nicest interior and class exclusive features (air suspension, rambox, megacab) i think they'll keep the #2 HD spot.
Yes I agree, Ram has the best interior (Ford just caught up to 2015s) however I don't agree with you on towing and not to be rude but my guess is you have never towed anything over 15,000lb because like I said I used to tow a 20ft and a 43ft trailer (I tried a grear splitter back when I had the 20ft) and let me tell you more gears = way better towing performance. Better MPG, slowing down/braking, acceleration and less wear on the truck over all. This is what people that tow look for MPGs, braking, GVWR/GCVWR and acceleration (to some degree hence buying a diesel instead of a gasser).
Also sorry I have tried Fords 6.7 diesel and while I still say Cummin's is better they did a good job making this engine. It gets 1-2 less empty and only .5-1 towing. a 10% increase will reverse that.
Ram (as far as I know) doesn't have any development cost in the HD's transmission since Aisin makes it (or if they helped it lowered the cost)
and they already make 8-10 speeds and so does Allison (and 12 speeds) and so does Eaton (actually 9 or 11 speeds)
This is my last thing then that I always disliked about Rams (and I know a lot of owners who agree) is the back seat in crew cabs were never full, the middle was always smaller so when taking 5-6 people with you that guy was/is uncomfortable.
One thing that I didn't have in my older post was why Ram hit the nail on the head in the 1500, inside, outside and thanks to insiders we know 7.0l, inline 6 with/without twin turbo, hellcat Ect. Ram addressed all the sort falls in the 1500 and sales show it but again IMO are Falling behind in the HD wars.
No worries, but your guess is false. I admit i do not have a lot of OTR high gross towing experience. I also trust ZF that 10 speed is not huge improvement over 8. 8 is nice, and i'm sure will be an improvement when it comes (i own 2 FCA ZF 8 speeds after all), but there are challenges in low speed, especially with towing axle ratios. Reason why GM went with 3.42 axle only?
My primary point was there will be more shifting, period. Its the current primary complaint with 10 speeds even with the programming to skip gears. There is probably a reason the ZF powerline was set up for 2nd gear starts as well. It will also not be like operating a manual...as a computer is thinking for you. Could be great if GM and Ford get the programming right. Could be not so great if they don't - but we don't know yet.
GMs new gas offering is not a strong entry IMO. Despite the truck being all new, i don't think it will disturb the waters.
Ford will have a very strong offering across the board, with lacking interior
Ram has improved their gas entry, strong Class 4 and 5, stout cummins, and by far best interiors.