Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Specs: Power, Towing, and Payload 2014-2026
The Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI specs break down to 405-410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, depending on model year, paired with towing capacity up to 17,730 pounds and payload up to 4,000 pounds in the right configuration.
If you’re cross-shopping this gas V8 against the 6.7L Cummins diesel, or just want to know exactly what your truck is rated to pull, the numbers change more than most spec sheets admit.
This guide breaks down the engine specs by year, the real towing and payload figures, how the 6.4 HEMI stacks up against the Cummins, and what owners actually report about long-term reliability.
Ram 2500 6.4L HEMI Specs
Horsepower, torque, towing, and payload at a glance| Spec | 2019-2024 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 410 hp | 405 hp |
| Torque | 429 lb-ft | 429 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8HP75 8-speed | 8-speed TorqueFlite HD |
| Max Towing | 17,730 lbs | 17,520 lbs |
| Max Payload | 4,000 lbs | ~3,940 lbs |
Figures shown are manufacturer maximums for Regular Cab, 8-ft bed, 4×2 configurations. Crew Cab and 4×4 trucks rate lower. Confirm your exact rating on the driver-door certification sticker.
Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Engine Specs By Year
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The 6.4L HEMI V8 (internally known as the “BGE,” or Big Gas Engine) has powered the Ram 2500 and 3500 since 2014, and its core hardware has stayed remarkably consistent. The output rating has shifted slightly across model years, mostly due to emissions calibration rather than physical changes to the engine.
| Model Years | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2018 | 410 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 429 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 66RFE 6-speed automatic |
| 2019-2024 | 410 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 429 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 8HP75 8-speed automatic |
| 2025-2026 | 405 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 429 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 8-speed automatic (TorqueFlite HD) |
The 2019 model year is the cutover point for the transmission upgrade, when Ram moved the 6.4 HEMI from the older 6-speed to the 8-speed automatic used across the current-generation (DT/DJ) Ram 2500 lineup.
The small 5-hp drop for 2025 is not a hardware change — it lines up with a broader recalibration Ram made across the HD lineup that model year and does not affect torque, which has held at 429 lb-ft since 2014.
Block and Displacement
The 6.4L HEMI displaces 6,407cc (392 cubic inches) from a 103.9mm bore and 94.6mm stroke. It’s built on a cast-iron block with aluminum cylinder heads, a forged-steel crankshaft, and cross-bolted main bearing caps for added bottom-end rigidity under towing loads.
It’s worth knowing this is a different tune than the “Apache” 6.4L HEMI found in SRT Challengers and Chargers, which uses a higher 10.9:1 compression ratio and a more aggressive camshaft to produce 470-485 hp. The Ram HD version is tuned for low-RPM torque delivery and durability instead of peak output.
Multi-Displacement System
Every 6.4 HEMI in the Ram 2500 uses Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which deactivates four of the eight cylinders under light load to improve fuel economy, effectively running as a four-cylinder at highway cruise.
It’s the same underlying concept as in the 5.7 HEMI, but as covered in the reliability section below, MDS is also tied to one of the 6.4’s most common failure points.
Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Towing and Payload Ratings
Towing and payload figures for the 6.4 HEMI vary significantly based on cab style, bed length, drivetrain, and axle ratio, so the headline “max” number on a window sticker rarely applies to every configuration.
| Configuration | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab, 8-ft bed, 4×2, 4.10 axle (2019-2024) | 17,730 lbs | 4,000 lbs |
| Crew Cab, 4×4 (2019-2024) | ~14,370-15,540 lbs | ~3,000-3,700 lbs |
| Regular Cab, 8-ft bed, 4×2 (2025) | 17,520 lbs | ~3,940 lbs |
These are the manufacturer-advertised maximums for each configuration, achieved only with the specific combination of cab, bed, drivetrain, and axle ratio Ram used for SAE J2807 testing. Ram’s own engine and towing specification pages list these figures by trim and should be your first stop before towing near the limit.
Why Your Sticker May Show a Lower Number
Owners regularly find that their individual truck’s payload rating, printed on the driver’s-door certification sticker, comes in well under the commonly quoted “4,000 lb” figure.
One owner on the Ram Heavy Duty Forum reported a 2024 Regular Cab Tradesman 6.4 HEMI with a dealer-listed payload of 3,680 lbs, and a glovebox weight notice specifically addressing camper loading that came in at 3,080 lbs — nearly 1,000 lbs under the advertised maximum.
This happens because added options, trim packages, and even paint can shift a truck’s actual curb weight, which directly reduces payload within a fixed Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Always check your own door-jamb sticker rather than relying on advertised max figures if you’re planning to carry a slide-in camper or heavy equipment near the truck’s limit.
6.4 HEMI vs 6.7 Cummins: Which Engine Wins
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The Ram 2500’s other engine option, the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, outperforms the 6.4 HEMI on nearly every capability metric except purchase price and weight.
| Spec | 6.4L HEMI (2019-2024) | 6.7L Cummins (2019-2024) | 6.7L Cummins HO (2025+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 410 hp | ~370 hp | 430 hp |
| Torque | 429 lb-ft | 850 lb-ft | 1,075 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 17,730 lbs | ~19,990 lbs | ~20,000 lbs |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed ZF automatic |
| Fuel Economy (combined) | ~12-15 mpg | ~15-20 mpg | Not yet independently tested |
The torque gap is the deciding factor for most buyers: the Cummins nearly doubles the HEMI’s torque output, which is what actually moves heavy trailers, not horsepower. For 2025 and later trucks, Ram’s high-output Cummins widened that gap further, jumping to 1,075 lb-ft alongside a new 8-speed ZF transmission.
That said, the 6.4 HEMI remains the better choice for buyers who don’t need diesel-level towing: it’s lighter (which raises payload relative to GVWR), simpler to service, cheaper to buy, and avoids diesel-specific maintenance items like DEF refills and DPF regeneration cycles.
Fleet and plow-truck buyers in particular often spec the gas engine deliberately for this reason. For a closer look at how the two transmissions themselves compare, see our breakdown of the 6.4 HEMI’s 6-speed versus 8-speed automatic, and for real-world fuel economy numbers from an actual owner, our 2021 Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI MPG report is a useful reference point.
Is the Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Reliable Long Term
The 6.4 HEMI has a generally strong reputation for durability, with forged internals, cross-bolted main caps, and an oil-to-water cooler built for sustained towing loads. It is not, however, without a well-documented weak point.
- Cam and lifter failure (“HEMI tick”). The most consistently reported issue across Ram Heavy Duty Forum and RamForum.com threads is roller-lifter failure, often first noticed as a ticking noise at cold start or after extended idling. Multiple owners report this occurring between 90,000 and 165,000 miles, with repair costs in the $6,000 range when it progresses to camshaft damage. Low oil pressure at idle, tied to how the MDS oiling circuit is designed, is the most commonly cited root cause among owners and independent shops.
- MDS-related complaints. Because MDS routes high-pressure oil to the deactivated-cylinder lifters only when MDS is active, extended idling (common in work-truck use like plowing or winching) is repeatedly flagged by owners as a contributing factor to lifter wear. Some owners disable MDS entirely to reduce risk, though this can void the powertrain warranty and typically costs 1-2 mpg in fuel economy.
- Exhaust manifold tick and bolt failure. Not every “HEMI tick” is a lifter problem — exhaust manifold bolts loosening or breaking is a separate, more common, and far cheaper issue that produces a similar sound. It’s worth ruling out before assuming internal engine damage.
None of this makes the 6.4 HEMI an unreliable engine outright — it’s a known-quantity design that’s been in production since 2014, and many owners report well past 150,000 miles without a lifter issue.
But if you’re buying used, an oil pressure gauge check at idle and a cold-start listen for ticking are worth doing before you sign. For a deeper breakdown of these and other issues, see our full guide to Ram 6.4 HEMI problems.
Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI Specs: The Bottom Line
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The Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI delivers 405-410 horsepower, 429 lb-ft of torque, up to 17,730 lbs of towing, and up to 4,000 lbs of payload, depending on your exact model year and configuration. It’s the right engine for buyers who need more muscle than a half-ton but don’t require the Cummins’ towing ceiling or torque, and it comes with a lower price tag and simpler long-term maintenance.
Before you tow or haul near the advertised maximums, always confirm your specific truck’s rating from its door-jamb sticker rather than the generic spec sheet, and if you’re shopping used, budget time to check for the lifter-related ticking that’s the engine’s most common long-term issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the horsepower of the Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI?
The 6.4L HEMI produces 410 horsepower in 2014-2024 model years and 405 horsepower starting in 2025. Torque has remained steady at 429 lb-ft across all model years since the engine’s 2014 introduction.
How much can a Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI tow?
Maximum towing tops out at 17,730 lbs for 2019-2024 trucks, achieved only with a Regular Cab, 8-foot bed, 4×2 drivetrain, and 4.10 axle ratio. Crew Cab 4×4 configurations tow considerably less, often in the 14,000-15,500 lb range.
What is the payload capacity of a Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI?
Ram advertises up to 4,000 lbs of payload in the maximum-capacity configuration, but individual trucks commonly rate lower once options and trim weight are factored in. Always check your driver’s-door certification sticker for your exact figure.
Is the Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI better than the Cummins diesel?
The Cummins outperforms the 6.4 HEMI in torque, towing, and fuel economy, but the HEMI costs less to buy, weighs less, and avoids diesel-specific maintenance like DEF and DPF systems. For buyers who don’t need diesel-level towing, the HEMI is often the more practical choice.
Did the Ram 2500 6.4 HEMI horsepower change for 2025?
Yes, horsepower dropped slightly from 410 to 405 for the 2025 model year due to emissions recalibration, not a hardware change. Torque stayed the same at 429 lb-ft. Owners researching persistent engine noise from any model year should also check our guide to common 6.4 HEMI problems.
