Holy old thread! Its been argued before and everyone likes their own. Its just like iphone vs droid. What ever someone has will usually say its the best. From personal experience the 5.2's are very reliable. I beat my dakota pretty hard and it never showed any signs. My dad has the 4.7 in his grand cherokee and it gets beat on somewhat and its still ok.

 

I'm just going by the fact that I've owned a 3.9, which is identical minus 2 cylinders from a 5.2 and I've owned a 4.7 and the 4.7 has been light years more reliable. Never had a problem w/ the 4.7 w/ 160k on it and the 3.9 didn't last 120k miles before it needed to be replaced. I'm sure people have had opposite experiences but that's my experience. The 4.7 has been very solid for me. It's the one thing on my truck that's been reliable.

 

I've owned both. 4.7 for the win.

Both are great motors. The 5.2 is just dated. While its great at what it did it is simply not practical for today's times.

 

No offense, but that's a pretty silly statement. How is it not practical? It does the exact same thing the 4.7 does. It's not even significantly down on horsepower compared to the "modern" 4.7.

You make it sound like it's steam-powered or something.

 

The 4.7 gets a tad bit better mpg and has better emissions compared to the 5.2. Im the guy that deletes all that emissions crap anyway lol

 

May seem silly but after owning both motors I will put my cash on the 4.7 (for the year). The 5.2 was a dying breed. Plain and simple. Nothing wrong with the motor but like the 4.7 the 5.2 started out and progressed into something great. Then evolution kept going and the 5.2 couldn't keep up. My 4.7 is weak compared to the 4.7 built today. It's just the process of evolution.

I thankfully have never had issues with my vehicles (ram sport or durango) but not all motors live forever.

 

I agree. The 5.2 is a 40 year old motor that just had tweaks over the years to what it is today. Times are moving forward and the 5.2 is like a Model T compared to newer engines. Most guys at NAPA don't even know what a cap and rotor is anymore. It's nothing against the 5.2, it's just time to evolve and keep up with the times.

It's the same reason a 5.0 Mustang makes 425HP today and made 215Hp in 95 when the old IBC style was discontinued.

 

I never said the 5.2 is state of the art, but it's hardly impractical.

 

For today's requirements in modern vehicles.. It just simply can not provide any solid link to the vehicle. It's really only good for turning wheels.

The 5.9 I think is superior to the 5.2 but the 5.2 is great for what it is. Just no place for it now.

Downside is.. Can't really work on your car anymore. Too many wires. Too much linkage to different systems in the car. Great when all the parts work together but now days seems like one part break it takes down 7 other sensors and makes the situation worse because of the simple fact, you can't make make rain without water.

 

I wont buy any of that new crap, Its all junk. I could have a new truck if I wanted but I refuse to own that tin can truck with emissions crap all over it. I plan to keep my truck and run it into the ground. Im only at 148k so I have a long way to go before my engine gives up.