ok, im sure this has been gone over and over before but cant seem to find the right words to find it in a search

im in the market for a dakota and want a V8 but dont know if i should get the tried and true 318 or get a newer 4.7l engine. i need good gas mileage as i also drive this to work everyday (60 miles round trip, 95% on the highway), dont need a 4x4 unless i cant find the one i want without it. i want to be able to tow a boat in the near future (17 or 18 foot bass boat) i know they can both tow reasonably well

so what does everyone here think? 5.2 or 4.7?

 

47 is gonna get better milage but the 52 is more dependable and can be found cheaper. its really up to you. if you absolutely know you wont need 4x4 then my vote is for the 52.

 

i love my 4.7 and it will def get you the better gas mileage with a 2wd i would guess you could get in the 21-24 range on the highway because a few times going to school last year i was able to get 20-21 with my 4x4. The 5.2 is also a very good engine as well but is pretty crappy for gas mileage so my vote is for the more refined 4.7.

 

i forgot to add power numbers are almost equal so neither one would have a problem towing your boat especially one that small.

 

The gas mileage is close to the same. 5.2 will give you more power with close to the same mpg. I have no probs hauling my 19ft Bayliner with mine.

 

the numbers are all but the same the 5.2 just has more low end power then the 4.7 it makes its power higher in the rpm range and from everything i've heard the mpg's aren't about the same but i've never owned a 5.2.

 

the 4.7 is better on gas from everything ive read, yes 20 on the highway w/ a 4x4 and the 4.7 is not unheard of(i get more than that w/ mine) and the 5.2 is a good engine, bulletproof to say the least, but loves the gas. if you are worried about fuel economy you probably shouldnt be driving a truck as a daily driver, but if you also need to tow and can only afford one vehicle(similar to my situation) i would look for a 4.7 (btw a manual trans will get better mpgs than an auto)

 

moe in wichita ks
i vote for the one with the longest stroke, it should tow better. iam just old fashion.

 

mine gets about 21-24 highway and 12-15 around town(depending on my mood of driving)

 

well going to look at a few tomorrow with the 4.7, wish me luck

by the way moe, according to the wikipedia the 4.7 has the longest stroke (3.405 versus 3.31)