hey everyone!
Im new to the forum but im not entirely new to dodge. My dad had 99' v8 Durango that we ran up to 200k miles before it was given to the fire department. Im looking at truck for summer jobs and something that can handle the snow of rochester new york where i will be going to college. I came down to the 2nd gen Dakota or Ram 1500. Im looking for any information possible. Anything will be greatly appreciated, the only thing that concerns is me is there any issues with either of these trucks ie transmission or any other engine issues. thank you very much for your help.

 

4.7 seems to be liked the most, however any v8 will do

automatic transmissions arent the best with dodge, but if your dont abuse it you'll be

 

get a reg cab 3.7. they are insane, horsepower to burn. actually. i lied, but i have to make myself feel better some how. Rock On!!

 

the automatic transmission behind the 4.7 (45rfe) will hold up a lot better than the 42/44/46 re transmissions

 

get a manual... you won't regret it

4.7 is a good balance of power and fuel economy

5.2 is old school technology, makes the same power as the 4.7 but gets bad mileage

the 5.9 makes great torque, however only ok power (for its size) and gets terrible mileage

the V6's get about the same mileage as a 4.7 but don't have any power

basically for the best combo go with the 4.7...

what are you leaning for when it comes to size? RC CC or QC?

Cheers and welcome to the forum...

 

Yeah if you are willing to drive a manual (which if you're a guy you should have np doing) then get one. They will last longer, get more power to the road, get gas milage, lighter, more effiecient... well you get the point. And yeah the 5.9 makes torque like a tractor but sucks up fuel doing so and the 4.7 like bryant said is a good balance between power and fuel economy.

And don't get a 3.9... been there, hated that. Iv heard the 3.7 are pretty good and should be seeing its the same as the 4.7. Not sure what they get for gas milage but I would assume 21+ highway.

And as far as snow goes. It would be ideal to find a Dakota w/ a LSD and 3:92 gears. You won't get stuck, but if not, I do just fine in the snow up here in VT. The LSD w/ 3:92s are hard to find.

 

If my 3.7 got 21+ ever my life would be complete. the best i have seen out of mine is 17 highway.

 

FAIL

my 01 3.9 once got 25mpg on a 250 mile strait highway run with the cruise on 70 in perfect weather conditions. However, in normal highway conditions i'll get 21mpg, in the city its more like 14. but i have a few mods.

 

tamcnally - your crazy! the lowest ive gotten in my 3.7 is 16 and thats chirpin second every chance i get but cruzin down the highway it gets 25+ pretty easily at 75. ive done that with a 350 short block in the bed.
(side note for 3.7 power; I can chirp 3rd if the clutch isnt actin up, and i can pull on my little bros 4.7 pretty good. Maybe make some people feel a little better about their 3.7 haha)

I would mention though the trucks like mine (reg cab 2 dr 2wd) dont have any weight in the rear and spin very easy in the snow. my dad has one up in wyo and he puts like 6 or 7 bags of sand in the bed just to keep it down a little.

 

hold on man, dont get a chubby over being able to chirp into 2nd and 3rd gear. my 88 dakota pre-mag 3.9 can do the same thing. and it packs a whopping 100 horsepower.