2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi Specs: Horsepower, Towing and Payload

The 2014 Ram 3500 introduced the 6.4L HEMI V8 as the truck’s first gas engine option in the dual rear wheel (DRW) configuration, previously available only with the 6.7L Cummins diesel. It produces 410 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, and it tows up to 16,450 lbs and hauls up to 7,320 lbs of payload depending on cab, box, and axle configuration.

Below is the full breakdown: engine identity, exact power figures, towing and payload by configuration, how the 6.4L compares to the 5.7L Hemi and 6.7L Cummins in the same truck, and what owners report about reliability and real-world driving.

2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi Engine Overview

The 6.4L (392 cu in) HEMI V8 debuted for model year 2014 as a new engine option across the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty lineup. Before 2014, the Ram 3500 dually was only available with the 5.7L Hemi (SRW only) or the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel. The 6.4L made the gas dually a reality for the first time.

The engine pairs exclusively with a 66RFE 6-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual gearbox option with the 6.4L, unlike the Cummins, which offered a 6-speed manual on some 2014 trims.

A key feature is MDS (Multi-Displacement System), Chrysler’s cylinder deactivation technology. Under light highway load, the engine shuts down four of its eight cylinders to save fuel, then reactivates all eight under acceleration or load. This happens automatically and is not something the driver needs to manage.

2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi Horsepower and Torque Specs

The official Chrysler Group powertrain figures for the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty 6.4L HEMI are:

These numbers come directly from Chrysler Group’s original press materials for the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty launch. At the time, this made the 6.4L the most powerful gasoline V8 available in the heavy-duty pickup segment.

2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi Towing and Payload Capacity

Towing and payload with the 6.4L vary significantly by cab style, box length, single rear wheel (SRW) versus dual rear wheel (DRW), and axle ratio. There is no single “the truck tows X lbs” answer. Ram’s official 2014 trailer towing chart breaks every combination down.

The highest-rated 6.4L configuration is the Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 DRW (ST/Tradesman trim) with the 4.10 axle ratio:

• Max towing: 16,450 lbs
• Max payload: 7,320 lbs
• GVWR: 13,700 lbs

For a Crew Cab Short Box 4×2 SRW (ST/Tradesman) with the 4.10 axle, the 6.4L is rated at:

• Max towing: 15,900 lbs
• Max payload: 4,070 lbs
• GVWR: 10,500 lbs

Payload always drops as you move from Regular Cab to Crew Cab or Mega Cab, since more cab means more curb weight eating into the GVWR. DRW configurations carry meaningfully more payload than SRW at the same trim and axle ratio, which is the entire point of the dually.

If you are shopping for a specific 2014 Ram 3500, always confirm the door-jamb tire and loading sticker for your VIN. It reflects your truck’s actual configuration and is the only number a scale or a trooper cares about.

2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi vs 5.7 Hemi and 6.7 Cummins

The 6.4L sat in the middle of the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty engine lineup, between the base 5.7L Hemi and the range-topping 6.7L Cummins diesel.

The 6.4L cost $1,495 more than the base 5.7L Hemi, a relatively small premium for 27 more horsepower and 29 more lb-ft of torque. It was also the first gas engine Ram had ever offered in the dually-only 3500, opening that configuration to buyers who did not want or need the diesel.

Compared to the Cummins, the 6.4L was thousands of dollars cheaper to option and required no DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) or diesel-specific maintenance. The tradeoff is towing headroom. The Cummins nearly doubles the 6.4L’s maximum tow rating in top DRW configurations, which matters if you are regularly pulling a large gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer.

For a full year-by-year breakdown of every engine offered in the Ram 3500 towing capacity charts, including how the 6.4L stacks up against later model years, that resource has the complete data.

Is the 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi Reliable

The 2014 Ram 3500 as a model year has been subject to several NHTSA recalls that apply across engine options, not specific to the 6.4L powertrain. The two most relevant are a tailgate actuator recall affecting 2013 to 2014 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks with power locking tailgates (the limiter tab could fracture and allow the tailgate to open while driving), and a steering drag link jam nut recall covering 2013 to 2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks, where the outboard steering linkage jam nut could loosen and separate.

Owner-reported reliability data for the 2014 Ram 3500 overall (all engines combined) shows fuel system and emissions-related complaints as the most common trouble spot, based on subscriber survey data compiled by Consumer Reports.

For the 6.4L engine specifically, owner forum threads from early adopters in 2014 describe strong low-end pulling power for a gas engine, with one Ram 3500 SRW crew cab owner reporting confident performance towing a 12,000 lb trailer shortly after purchase.

Real-world MPG reports from the same forum threads were not consistently logged in the early ownership period, so if fuel economy under load is a deciding factor for your purchase, cross-reference recent ramforums.com or dieselplace.com threads for long-term owner data before buying.

If you’re weighing the 6.4L against other 6.4L-equipped Ram HD trucks, the general Ram 6.4L Hemi specs reference covers how the engine’s output and MDS behavior compares across model years, and the dedicated Ram 6.4 Hemi problems guide covers the most common issues owners report with this engine specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 6.4 Hemi mean in a Ram 3500?

It refers to the 6.4L (392 cu in) HEMI V8, a gas engine option introduced for the 2014 model year across the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty lineup, sitting between the 5.7L Hemi and 6.7L Cummins diesel.

How much can a 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi tow?

Up to 16,450 lbs in its highest-rated configuration, a Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 DRW with the 4.10 axle ratio. Lower-rated configurations, like Crew Cab SRW, top out closer to 15,900 lbs.

Is the 6.4 Hemi better than the 5.7 Hemi in the 3500?

The 6.4L offers more horsepower (410 vs 383), more torque (429 vs 400 lb-ft), and access to the DRW configuration, which the 5.7L did not offer in the 3500. It costs $1,495 more than the 5.7L.

What transmission comes with the 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi?

A 66RFE 6-speed automatic transmission only. No manual transmission was offered with this engine.

How much horsepower does the 2014 Ram 3500 6.4 Hemi have?

410 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, per Chrysler Group’s official 2014 Ram Heavy Duty powertrain figures.

Bottom Line

The 2014 Ram 3500 6.4L Hemi filled a real gap in the lineup: a gas dually with real towing numbers, at a fraction of the Cummins option price. It is not the truck to buy if you regularly pull 20,000-plus pounds, but for buyers who want DRW payload without diesel maintenance, it was the first Ram 3500 that made that possible.