Motor differences between 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons

[DareDevilQracer]

I was cruising dodge's website yesterday and noticed that the same v8 is offered for both the 1500 and the 2500. How can that be? Wouldn't that make the 2500 slower because of the extra weight? I dont see how it could tow anything with the same motor found in the 1500. Are all manufacturers this way?
Specifically, Im talking about the 5.7L hemi offered for both the ram 1500 and the 2500 power wagon. And there is no diesel upgrade available for the power wagon, so the 5.7 is the strongest motor availbale. I guess its not made to be a tow rig?

Also, what are the major differences between most 3/4 ton gas motors and the diesel upgrades? Are the diesels really worth the extra 10k they cost when buying a new truck? Are they rated to tow more?

[Lurkin]

diffrent tuning.

[DareDevilQracer]

What do you mean "different tuning? "
Like, different timing, different intake and different exhaust? How much tuning can be done to identical motors and how much of a difference does that tuning actually make?

[Lurkin]

dont know about gas engines. but may have lower gear rear ends to help towing too.

[Jason]

Truck rating also takes into account weight you can carry in the bed, etc.

Pure and simple, you aren't comparing apples to apples with a v8 gas to a diesel. The gas motor isn't going to make anywhere NEAR the torque that you'll get from the diesel power plant. If you're going to tow anything significant its pointless to do so without the diesel engine

The gas engine is offered as a cheaper stopgap alternative to paying the diesel premium (and getting a truck worth having). Ford did a v10 for a while to try and bridge that gap a bit more as well; that was a decent motor.

If you're going to tow heavy weight, a diesel is worth every damn penny.

[DareDevilQracer]

What about the dodge 2500 power wagon, though? That is a 2500 and they dont offer it with a diesel, but is has good suspension and front and rear lockers, so it seems like a sweet truck. Is that truck, especially in a crew cab, just a gas sucking turtle?

[Jason]

What about the dodge 2500 power wagon, though? That is a 2500 and they dont offer it with a diesel, but is has good suspension and front and rear lockers, so it seems like a sweet truck. Is that truck, especially in a crew cab, just a gas sucking turtle?

Define turtle? Those v8s when their tuned will put out a lot more power than you may think. I'd be interested in the difference in curb weight between the two trucks.

[DareDevilQracer]

In real life, lets say you are towing a dual axle trailer with a race car on it and you have to go through the mountains, your choices are the dodge hemi powered 1500 and 2500. You have trailer brakes set up on both rigs so that is not a problem. The trailer is balanced and not overloading the suspension on the 1500. Would you rather tow with the hemi powered 1500, or the hemi powered 2500? The motor in the 2500 is working extra hard to pull the weight of the 2500 running gear, so therefore in a situation like this, the best tow rig is actually the 1500, right?
In other words, with the 1500 and 2500 hooked to trailers, the 1500 would win in a drag race and pull the trailer better?

[Jason]

In real life, lets say you are towing a dual axle trailer with a race car on it and you have to go through the mountains, your choices are the dodge hemi powered 1500 and 2500. You have trailer brakes set up on both rigs so that is not a problem. The trailer is balanced and not overloading the suspension on the 1500. Would you rather tow with the hemi powered 1500, or the hemi powered 2500? The motor in the 2500 is working extra hard to pull the weight of the 2500 running gear, so therefore in a situation like this, the best tow rig is actually the 1500, right?
In other words, with the 1500 and 2500 hooked to trailers, the 1500 would win in a drag race and pull the trailer better?

Depends on how the motor is tuned and the gear ratios, etc. honestly.

Personally, very likely the 2500 for a couple reasons..

1, I don't care how good it pulls if it can't stop and I won't put my life 100% in any trailer brake.
2, I expect the gearing change makes the 2500 more tow friendly, but likely its downside is highway performance.

Oh, and yeah, I forgot the important part..

3, I wouldn't be driving a Dodge either way..

[Neuromax]

Oh, and yeah, I forgot the important part..

3, I wouldn't be driving a Dodge either way..

Jason needs it put in much more realistic terms, instead of it pulling the trailer lets say its pulling a broken down Ford. That should help clear it up a bit. LOL