2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Horsepower: Full Specs Guide 2026

The 2019 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. That number hasn’t changed since 2014, but 2019 was the year Ram gave the entire Heavy Duty lineup a major refresh, and the drivetrain around that engine looks nothing like the truck it replaced.

2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI truck parked showing engine badge
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI truck parked showing engine badge.

This guide breaks down the full factory spec sheet, what actually changed for 2019, how the 6.4 HEMI stacks up against the Cummins diesel offered in the same truck, and what real owners and dyno pulls show once the truck leaves the showroom.

2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Horsepower and Torque Chart

Here is the complete factory spec sheet for the 2019 6.4L HEMI, pulled from Ram’s official heavy duty specifications documentation.

SpecValue
Horsepower410 hp @ 5,600 RPM
Torque429 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
Displacement6.4L / 392 cubic inches
ConfigurationNaturally aspirated V8, cast iron block, aluminum heads
TransmissionZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Fuel Requirement87 octane regular unleaded
Cylinder DeactivationMulti-Displacement System, 4-cylinder mode

These figures are identical across every 6.4 HEMI Ram 2500 built between 2014 and 2024, since the 6.4L HEMI’s core engine architecture didn’t change during that stretch. The 2019 model year is not distinguished by different output. It’s distinguished by everything bolted to that engine.

What the 2019 Ram HD Refresh Changed for the 6.4 HEMI

6.4 HEMI V8 engine bay in a 2019 Ram 2500 heavy duty truck
6.4 HEMI V8 engine bay in a 2019 Ram 2500 heavy duty truck.

Horsepower wasn’t the story in 2019. The transmission and lineup changes were.

Every 6.4 HEMI Ram 2500 built before 2019 used a 6-speed automatic. For 2019, Ram paired the HEMI with a new ZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic, the same transmission family already proven in the light-duty Ram 1500. Two extra gears mean tighter spacing, better highway cruising RPM, and smoother shifts under load.

The 2019 refresh also ended the 5.7L HEMI’s run in the Heavy Duty lineup entirely. Before 2019, buyers could sometimes spec a 5.7L in lower trims. Starting in 2019, the 6.4L became the sole gas engine offered across the 2500 and 3500 series, standard on every non-diesel configuration.

Ram also revised the Multi-Displacement System for 2019, refining how smoothly the engine transitions between 8-cylinder and 4-cylinder modes during light-load cruising. It’s a fuel economy feature more than a power feature, but it’s part of why the 2019 6.4 drives differently than a 2017 or 2018 truck with the same rated output.

That refreshed drivetrain also changes how the 6.4 stacks up against its diesel sibling.

2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI vs 6.7 Cummins Standard Output

The 6.4 HEMI isn’t the only engine in the 2019 Ram 2500 lineup, and the output gap is significant.

Spec6.4L HEMI V86.7L Cummins Standard Output
Horsepower410 hp370 hp
Torque429 lb-ft850 lb-ft
TransmissionZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic68RFE 6-speed automatic
Fuel87 octane gasolineUltra-low sulfur diesel
Factory upchargeStandardRoughly $9,100 additional in 2019

The High Output version of the 6.7L Cummins, rated at 400 hp and 1,000 lb-ft, was reserved for the Ram 3500 in 2019. The 2500 could only be equipped with the Standard Output diesel or the 6.4 HEMI.

The HEMI wins on horsepower and gas station simplicity. The Cummins wins decisively on torque, which is why diesel-equipped 2500s carry a meaningfully higher tow rating in Ram’s own configuration data. Exact maximum towing figures swing widely by cab style, bed length, and axle ratio, so check the full Ram 2500 towing capacity breakdown by engine and configuration before assuming either number applies to your specific truck.

Numbers on paper are one thing. Here’s what the 6.4 actually delivers on the road and the dyno.

Real World Power and Towing Performance of the 2019 6.4 HEMI

MotorWeek’s road test of a 2019 base Tradesman 2500 with the 6.4 HEMI confirmed the factory numbers translate to real capability. Their gas-powered 4×2 Regular Cab test truck was rated at 17,580 lbs of max towing and returned an observed 13.1 mpg during testing, a fuel economy figure MotorWeek noted was roughly 50 percent worse than the diesel-equipped truck they tested alongside it.

Owner feedback backs up that mileage range. A 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman owner posting on RamForum.com reported around 11 mpg in daily mixed driving, while also noting the truck felt stable towing a 7,000 lb bumper-pull travel trailer and that the coil-spring rear suspension rode noticeably better than a leaf-spring predecessor. That owner’s main complaint wasn’t power. It was tire pressure monitoring alerts after airing down for a softer ride.

Factory power is one thing. Here’s what 6.4 owners are actually seeing with basic modifications.

How Much Horsepower You Can Add to a 2019 6.4 HEMI

Factory-rated at 410 hp at the crank, the 6.4 HEMI has real headroom once it’s on a dyno with basic bolt-ons. Because the engine architecture is shared across 2014 through 2024 trucks, dyno data from the broader 6.4 HEMI community applies directly to the 2019 model.

Owners posting dyno results on RamForum.com commonly report stock rear-wheel horsepower in the 340 to 370 rwhp range, which is expected given typical drivetrain loss from crank figures. With a tune, a cat-back exhaust, and long tube headers, several owners documented pulls in the high 380s rwhp, with one build showing 388 rwhp after adding a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and a custom tune.

The single modification most frequently cited for improving real-world towing feel isn’t a power adder at all. It’s disabling the Multi-Displacement System, which owners say sharpens throttle response and eliminates the cylinder-deactivation transition some drivers find intrusive under load.

None of this changes the fundamental question most buyers are asking: is 410 hp enough truck?

Is the 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Powerful Enough

At 410 hp and 429 lb-ft, the 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI is the strongest standard gas engine Ram has ever offered in the Heavy Duty lineup, paired for the first time with a proper 8-speed automatic instead of the older 6-speed. For work truck duty, moderate towing, and daily driving on 87 octane, it’s a genuinely capable engine.

Buyers who tow near or above 15,000 lbs regularly, or who want the flatter torque curve diesel driving delivers, are better served stepping up to the 6.7 Cummins. For everyone else, the 6.4 HEMI in a 2019 Ram 2500 delivers real, verified power without the diesel premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does a 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI have?

The 2019 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, according to Ram’s official heavy duty specifications.

Is the 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI the same engine as 2018 and 2020?

Yes, the horsepower and torque output are identical across 2014 through 2024, since the 6.4L HEMI’s core architecture didn’t change. What changed in 2019 was the transmission, upgraded to an 8-speed automatic.

What transmission comes with the 2019 6.4 HEMI?

The 2019 6.4 HEMI pairs exclusively with the ZF 8HP75 8-speed automatic, replacing the 6-speed used in prior model years. It’s the same transmission family used in the Ram 1500.

How much can a 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI tow?

MotorWeek’s tested 2019 base Tradesman 4×2 with the 6.4 HEMI was rated at 17,580 lbs max towing. Exact figures vary significantly by cab, bed length, and axle ratio, so check your truck’s specific configuration.

Is the 6.4 HEMI or 6.7 Cummins better for the 2019 Ram 2500?

The 6.4 HEMI offers more horsepower and lower upfront cost, while the 6.7 Cummins delivers far more torque, 850 lb-ft versus 429 lb-ft, and a higher tow rating. Heavy, frequent towing favors the Cummins, while lighter-duty and daily driving favors the HEMI.

Author

  • Mr_Shamrock

    With more than two decades in the automotive world, Mr_Shamrock is Truckguider's go-to expert for Ford and Chevy Trucks. From the F-150 to the Silverado, his breadth of knowledge covers a wide range of models, making him a reliable resource for buyers, owners, and enthusiasts alike. His expertise is also featured in online communities like Truck Forums, where he offers valuable advice and reviews.

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