Well, not really. For reasons unknown, maybe it's to deal with the EPA, or there are some people that think that the V6 in the Ram= best of all worlds, it still really wasn't a "standard" engine. All manufactures had an "economy" engine, and it was typically one in either a base model or fleet model.

As it sits right now, I don't think that Dodge is even offering the 3.7 in the new Rams. Only the 4.7 and the 5.7. I know that ford has their economy motor as a 2 valve 248HP 4.6 and I assume Chevy has one as well, but in all honesty, I think it's nothing more than a ploy to please the EPA in the long run.

 

Yeah, the Chevrolets offer the 4.3L V6 in their base model Silverado 1500, but otherwise their 5.3L V8 is standard.

 

That's a terrible reason to pick the 318. I have the same thing but opposite. I got a 5.9 and he has a 5.2. I beat him all the time. How it preforms is all relative to the condition it and the truck is in.

Sadly for this I'll go with the 318. Same engine with minor differences, but the reliability thing is the key. However that doesn't mean 5.9's aren't just as reliable, maybe no one is saying anything about it.

@Halfamil - I work with a guy who has a 5.2 with 500K+ miles and has only done miner things to keep it running.

 

my 318 has 120k on it, ive sucked up water in it, replaced the 1 bent rod with another one from a junkyard, slapped it back together and itll still squall the tires off and run like a champ

 

I didn't say there wasn't any. I, personally haven't seen or heard of many 2nd gen. 318 with over 350,000, but I'm sure there is a lot of them !!!

 

If I could vote, Id say 5.2. Im a jeep guy and the 5.2s came in our ZJs. Unfortunately I have a 4.0, but those 5.2s are just as reliable as the 4.slow.

 

yea, i'd say the 318 and 4.0 are pretty close as far as average reliablity goes (i have both, the 4.0 in my 91 cherokee with 100,000 on it and the 318 in my RAM with 96,350 on it, both run equally great and strong)

oh and nice sig btw

 

someday im going to have girls to pull my truck out

 

i hav the 360 and love it. lots of power, i get good mpg's and shes at 198K. nothing internal replaced aside from hughes plenum.

but the 318's are a strong motor no doubt about it. i cannot decide between the two, so i chose the motor that i have which is the 360.

my dad had a 96 5.2 2wd, and towed his 32' camper about 12K a year for 7 years, and she still runs awesome except for the blown plenum shes got. Now my best friend bought it, and only problem he had was a sputtering, but it came out of it. (an the blown plenum it still has)

 

My 95 Ram 1500 has the 318 and is running strong with 160,000. Just ran a compression check last week, 120 lbs all across the board. No rebuilds, original head gaskets no misses or knocks. Lacks a little towing power but it is a 1/2 ton with all stock drivetrain. Almost deciding to put one in my Ford F-100 to **** off the Ford Guys at the truck show! HAHA