Hey

[RatchetJaw]

Before you ask, yes, the name is a nickname I got, RJ for short. Anyways, I used to own a 03 Reg cab 2500 5.7 and have been craving that thing sense I sold it. New to the forum, but missing the Ramness. I have a serious question. I have been looking or thinking rather about getting back into the Dodge trucks in either a 2000-2004 Dakota or a 03-04 or so Ram, Hemi or not even worth getting (imo). Besides a bigger truck and just more power and fun all around. Can the hemi have better MPG then a dakota or are they the same? I know a hemi can easily out power the 4.7Dak, but pure power isnt my goal. I am after good MPG, I know its good on towing. But Awesome MPG and overall usefullness is a must. I simply cannot afford a 90K mile truck which around here hold solid at 10grand. A 130-145K truck is around 6-8 area which is more what I can afford, are those to high miles or can I possibly find a good steal at that price? Far as goals, 20-25+ would be awesome for MPG. I know 25 is a stretch but anything is possible seeing as how my foot is not a 20lb hammer. Anyways, I got food looking at me and im starved. If you can`t just dodge it, RAM IT!

 

[Davy120]

Not gonna get that kind of mpg out of a hemi, people that say they do are lieing my buddy can barely break 20 in his 4.7 ram. when my wifes car is payed off im getting an 00-04 dak cause i want a prerunner and imo this hemi im driving is gonna be too expensive to convert to prerunner. So ask yourself the question mpg or hemi lol

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[SmokedRam]

Welcome to the forum...

You're not gonna see 20-25+ out of any of the gas Gen3 trucks, unless you go with a Cummins. Even the 06 and newer MDS Hemi powered trucks with the Hemi aren't gonna see over 20, if you even get 20.

The 2000-2004 Dakota V8 was the 4.7, which I can definately see you getting 20+ with it. With my '05 Ram 1500, regular cab/short bed with the 4.7 and 3.92 gear, I have seen nearly 22MPG, but it was on the highway and ya gotta keep it at 60 mph and 1650 RPM and then as soon as you hit traffic, you're gonna watch the MPG fall, fast.

Right now, on winter blend fuel, I average about 17 MPG in my truck.

 

[RatchetJaw]

Figured as much. I know a few special things that a guy was getting over 25MPG from a hemi, but then again. He had a hemi in a dakota so thats why. But in a 1500 I could imagine not. How much more cab room would the Ram have compared to a Dakota?

 

[bigbadram1500]

welcome

 

[Bluesmoke91]

Welcome to the forum...


The 2000-2004 Dakota V8 was the 4.7, which I can definately see you getting 20+ with it.

My brother has an 04 QC Dak with the 3.7 and he gets 18mpg city/hwy religiously. Hand calculated. I imagine a 4.7 would be a little less. Smaller engine in a large truck such as a Ram, means less mpg. But the Dak is a small truck that may benefit from a smaller engine.

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[SmokedRam]

It's quite a bit of difference. Here's specs from another site...

04 Dakota:
Front headroom 40"
Front Legroom 41.90"
Front Shoulderroom 57.20"
Front Hiproom 54.90"

04 Ram 1500
Front headroom 40.90"
Front Legroom 41.00"
Front Shoulder room 67.00"
Front Hiproom 65.10"

 

[SmokedRam]

My brother has an 04 QC Dak with the 3.7 and he gets 18mpg city/hwy religiously. Hand calculated. I imagine a 4.7 would be a little less. Smaller engine in a large truck such as a Ram, means less mpg. But the Dak is a small truck that may benefit from a smaller engine.

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Yeah but the power to weight ratio with the 4.7 would make it more effecient than the 3.7, the 60 ftlb's of torque and the little 20HP difference can make quite improvement in a small truck.

 

[RatchetJaw]

Guy on another site is saying hes getting roughly 22-24MPG out of his modded Dakota 4.7, with the right mods and the right driving I could easily see that. A good 4.7 with mods could easily break 300-400HP, and a good ratio setup, tranny/rearend/tires could easily make or break that MPG total.

 

[Bluesmoke91]

Yeah but the power to weight ratio with the 4.7 would make it more effecient than the 3.7, the 60 ftlb's of torque and the little 20HP difference can make quite improvement in a small truck.

That's what i was trying to get at. I don't think the efficiency would go up. A Ram with a Hemi is the best of both worlds, but drop an 8.3l in and the efficiency goes down. A Dak with the 3.7 is good power and mileage, a larger motor would sacrifice efficiency for mpg. Idk, this is all just speculation from what I've seen in other vehicles.

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[RatchetJaw]

Idk, it depends on the ratios largely imo. You put that 8.3 in there, with a sweet spot ratio setup and it should make the 5.7 look like a *****. But get them wrong and its useless.

 

[wermbang]

Welcome to the site

 

[BAILEY1]

Welcome

 

[RatchetJaw]

Ty much!

 

[b_palmer22]

welcome