The 8-speed is a heck of a lot better than any of the ones before it in trucks; 4-, 5-, 6-speeds are grenades with the pin pulled. 4xRE is ok after it's been rebuilt with some upgrades.
I suppose the Pentastar V6 in a Ram would work at sea level, my mom has a 2014 300C with the V6 and 8-speed...