I am looking at a few dakotas, some with 3.7s, some with 3.9s. I've had a full size with the 3.9 before and she was a dog in the worst way. I know the V8s are more power and all, but this will be a daily driver and gas is a big issue as I drive 28 miles one way to work. most of the trucks we are looking at are two wheel drives. so what I'm asking I guess is what are the pros and cons of the two in a two wheel drive auto( must be a automatic for the boss(wife))?

 

OH YA 1999-2002

 

Actually the v8's have been shown to get the same, but in most cases better, mpg than the v6. This is because of the wieght to HP ratio. Go with the v8 and steer clear of the v6 if you can.

Just my $.02

 

I have the 3.7 v6 and my boss has the 4.7 v8 in a 4x4. I barley get better mileage than him. He gets 18-19 mpg driving good. I have got 19 and 17 and this tank seems to be going to be about 20-21 mpg. I expect to be able to achiece low to mid 20's regularly. With a few mods. I have sofar only owned it a week and have put 700 miles on it. I will be filling up today after woork to confirm mpg for a minimum of three tanks before I start playing with it.

If you have to get a v6 go with the 3.7. But a 4.7 v8 in two wheel drive would be a good choice, if you can keep your foot out of it, so you will have the extra power on tap. You really have to look at more than the peak power numbers. The v8 "only" has 20 more peak horsepower, but the real story is the total area under the curve. It makes power at much lower rpm's.

 

+1 your better off with a V8, it doesnt have to work near as hard as the 6 banger andin realitymileage will be the same if not slightly better than the 6er.

 

If you buy the 6 you'll be saying, "I could have had a V-8", and the gas mileage is no different.

 

hey... i agree with the dudes above. to be honest and u can check my profile i have both 3.9 v6 and 4.7 v8. i just got the v8 this week. ive been driving it just as much as the other v6 when i was driving it regularly and its about the same. i havn't honestly noticed any extra guzzel in gas.the v8 seems to run better as well. smoother ride and gear changes seems but of course thats relative to the history on the engine i guess. but anyway my 2cnts.... go with the v8 4.7 as really in the long run the most it will be different is like 20-30 bucks or something at the end of the month. well worth the extra crash imo. also mine is a awd 4x4 so does not have the 2wd option.. and still i don't notice much difference.

and you can't beat that rumble of the v8 [8D]

 

That's a great explanation. I've gotten about 14.5 MPG on my very first tank with my '97, and that's with 32" tires and the check engine light on. Now that I've cured the check engine codes, I hope to get an honest 16-17 MPG out of it. As stated, the V-6 doesn't get much better (if at all) MPG.

 

Buy the v8, i Have the v6 and it's crap for millage, I probably get 15 at most. I will drive 300-400 km's on a 80 dollar tank. 400 highway, 330 about in town...