I currently own a 2002 ram 4.7 4x4, I love the truck but it sucks down gas and its overkill for what I need. I'm thinking about trading it for a 4x4 dakota with a V6 and manual transmission. Heres a list of questions, any help is appreciated.
What kind of gas milesge can I expect with one?
My ram is underpowered with the 4.7, will a dakota V6 feel the same way?
I do a fair amount of off roading, will the V6 have enough power to run in sand?
I tow snowmobiles occasionally, will a V6 tow a 2 place open trailer down the highway ok?
Are the V6's reliable? I do a lot of highway driving and long trips.

 

Short and sweet - The 6's are reliable, but underpowered.

Exact same motor as the 5.2, just short of 2 cylinders.

The 5 speed will definitely help with towing and power, but mine is a Reg cab and I feel like its underpowered so I can see why a lot of people say the v6 is a dog when paired with a quad cab.

Gas mileage is still crap - only 0.8-1 mpg better than the 5.2. Not sure where they are compared to the 4.7.

Can't speak for performance in Sand.

 

Don't forget, '04 saw the 3.7 V6 come out. Basically the 4.7 minus two cylinders.

Still not a great improvement in MPG from what I read.

I'd suggest you get the V8. If you need the power it's nice to have and there is very little MPG difference.

 

I feel like a dakota with a 4.7 wont do much better than my ram 4.7 and I dont ever want to own that motor again if I can help it.

 

Well the thing to know is what do you get for mpg now? V6 dakota isnt gonna do much better than 12-14mpg. 4.7's in the dakota get just about the same mileage they do a tad bit better than the 5.2's but are the same power wise.

 

Sounds like I'm better off with a ranger. I'm not gonna keep anything for long. I just want something a little smaller and nicer until I can afford the cummins I want after I finish college in two years. I have no problems keeping my truck but if I can trade for a nice small truck thats a little better on gas but will still suit my needs, then I'm going to do it.

 

A lot of it has to do with how you drive and the condition of your truck, A v8 5 speed dakota will get you about 15mpg id say. If you drive it like an old man. Bigger tires/wheels will lose you mpg. If you drive in the city all the time then your not gonna improve much unless you get a car or suv. Our 04 grand cherokee with the 4.0 gets about 13-15mpg city and 20-22mpg highway.

 

everybody above has pretty much nailed it fairly well. The V6 is at best, a marketing ploy. 75% of the cylinders in no way, shape, or form leads to 75% of the fuel used.

 

I understand that, I really just need to know if the v6 will do what I need it to do

 

I can't say anything about a V6 going off road or going in sand, I have never done either one with my truck. I can say without a doubt my Dakota has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. If it blew up tomorrow I got ten times my money's worth out of it.

My truck is a Club Cab, 2 wheel drive with the 3.9 and a NV3500 manual, 3.92 rear end gear ratio. My truck is not going to win any drag races but it has enough power for me, it runs fine and is fast enough for the way I drive it. I do not tow anything but I do haul an occasional load home from Home Depot. I try my best to drive sensibly and stay away from idiots on the road. If some dumba$$ is tailgating me I will pull off and let them pass. I love my truck and really don't want to get rear-ended.

I track my gas mileage every time I buy gas, on my last 4 tanks I am averaging 18.8 MPG combined city and highway driving. Right now I am using a home brew of two different fuel additives in my gas and am picking up about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile more per gallon than I did with just one additive. It is not much of a gain but gas is not getting any cheaper so every little bit helps.

Jimmy