Alright, I know this has been done a few times, but the last one I found was back '06, so I was looking to get a fresher input since the hemi's had more time to get used and abused! But I got a 94 ram 1500 with 5.2 in it, Its rusted all to heck and falling apart one piece at a time. So I think its time for an upgrade.(Although it has over 200,000 and is still running like a champ, minus minor upkeep) But im in a pickle as to weather I should step it up to the 5.9 or jump over to the hemi? From what I've read the hemi is faster and gets slightly better gas, but the magnum does with towing and all around low end torque. Now I like to be able to out run the truck next to me which points me to the hemi, and although I don't tow alot, I like knowing I can I need to which leads me to the magnum. So I guess i'm asking which ones has more problems in the long run(or more expensive problems!) And which I cheaper, easier to beef up? i know the newer they get the less you can do with a wrench so to speak, which makes me nervous bought the hemi. But whats yalls input on it?

(Sorry bout the long post, been putting alot of thought into it!lol and let me know if i should post this in the 3rd gen section, ill copy and paste and delete this one.)

 

The Hemi is overall a good engine. It has it's weak points and points of common failure, but overall, it's a good engine. Early Hemis had valve spring issues and issues with dropping valves. Most have Hemi-tick. And they're an *** to work on, but overall, they're not bad.

 

i have both at my house...an 04 1500 with the hemi and then my 01 1500 with the 5.9....believe me, the hemi tows just fine and is a superior engine performance wise. Reliability is also very good as we've had only minor problems with our 04 (o2 sensors, ignition coil, evap codes). The thing just runs like a beast. That being said, I would still pick my 01 over it and here's why:

1. The turning radius of the 3rd gen rams is HORRENDOUS. I know that all trucks are bad, but compared to my 01, the 04 is terrible!

2. Like dodge dude said, the hemi rams are an absolute pain to do any work on yourself when it comes to anything other than oil changes and brake jobs. I've fought with that 04 on many occasions and at times have cursed the day it was made lol

3. Parts are MUCH cheaper and easier to come by for the 2nd gen rams....the older rams have less electronics and less emissions equipment. Its your choice tho...the hemi is a good engine and if i could drop it into my 2nd gen, i probably would.

 

I would have to disagree here. My dad's 02 will out spin my rig any day.

 

The hemi is a good engine. I've ridden in several and the thing runs like a bat of a hell.

However, it doesn't really feel like a truck engine to me. Too high revving before you get any power down.

I prefer the 5.9L Magnum because its old school!

You can build a 5.9, get similar power down and in a power range that is better for trucks for cheaper than you can get a new truck with a hemi.

Plus most newer rams are fugly

 

Right, that is my biggest concern. Im a DIY kinda guy and Im no mechanic by far, I tend to learn as I go. So I dont wanna have to give someone 500bucks to change my thermostat(figure of speech) cause its too d*** complex! And im with ya on the whole look issue, but i dont think the third gen is too bad, not my pref, but i could make do. Now the fourth gen is in a completely diff ball park if you ask me. There loosing the whole dodge look which made me fall in love with'em in the first place! But thanks for yall input and I appreciate anyone else's inputs. The more thoughts i get on it the easier itll be to decide.

 

Imo magnum engines are very simple to understand, and work on.

 

I agree with him 100%, everything is so much simpler to work on, and magnum engines are very reliable outside of a few kinks but all engines have their own problems. The parts for them are also very common and affordable and the basic design for a 360 goes back to 1971 with the LA 360, but that being said a 5.7 hemi is a good engine as well, its all up to you man.

 

Alright, well thanks for yalls input. And so far I aint heard nothing to push me towards the hemi(or the price jump), so im thinking im gonna go with the 360. But i got one more question for yall, i know the 2nd gen is famous for thing like the tranny, u-joints, ball joints, well pretty much all the little front end odds and ends along with the streering system having issues, so im wondering if they fixed these problems with the 3rd gen or if it has its own new set if issues. cause ive met a few people with an 04ish model, the most drastic one having over 150 thousand on it and never felt the tranny slip or had to replace a u-joint! as opposed to the people ive talked to with a 2nd gen who had to replace the axle shaft u-joint bout every 50thousend miles! I know they aint major prob, aint nothing 20bucks and a few hrs cant fix(minus the tranny!lol), mainly just curious i guess.

 

They [I]did[I] fix alot of the issues that were present in the 2nd gen rams. The steering setup in the 3rd gens is a rack and pinion style as opposed to a gear box...it's much smoother and there's way less play. We had to replace it once on ours tho due to leaking. The tranny is also much better, they switched to a 47re which doesn't have near the problems of the 46 and previous models. Ours is still shifting without a hiccup at 91000 and I don't even think it's had a fluid change! (shame on me) All of the ujoints on my 04 are still factory as are the ball joints and tie rod ends I believe. They will probably be going soon, however as i've been hearing some cracking and whatnot when turning. Also, the front axles in the 3rd gens are cv joints, not ujoints. As long as no dirt or any crap gets up in the boot, they last longer. hope some of this helped