Should I keep fixing my truck
#31
Power isn't everything, I would much rather have a straight axle in the front over the IFS that GM and Ford offered at the time. The 360 and 318 are great engines, that are more reliable than the Ford 4.6 and 5.4. Also you have to consider torque, and what rpm they make their power at, the Dodge 318, and 360 have more low end, where as with the Ford 4.6 and 5.4 you have to rev them to the moon to get any work done.
Last edited by 00t444e; 01-01-2019 at 06:24 PM.
#32
Power isn't everything, I would much rather have a straight axle in the front over the IFS that GM and Ford offered at the time. The 360 and 318 are great engines, that are more reliable than the Ford 4.6 and 5.4. Also you have to consider torque, and what rpm they make their power at, the Dodge 318, and 360 have more low end, where as with the Ford 4.6 and 5.4 you have to rev them to the moon to get any work done.
#33
The autos aren't the best but most good transmission shops know how to build them so they will last, the Ford and GM autos of that era aren't the best either, get a manual transmission if you want to avoid all of that. GM uses a Gov lock in the rear then commonly explodes, and Fords trac lok limited slip isn't that good either. The front end parts are better than the Ford or GMs IFS. GM and Ford aren't immune to the other issues you listed either.
#34
The dodge transmissions got a bad rep. Some folks can't even get 50K miles out of them, other folks are WELL into six digits with 'em. I regularly see 47/48 transmissions pushing 300K miles. (one of the reasons I bought one.....) I suspect a lot of it is 'luck of the draw', coupled with how it has been treated, and what folks are doing with them. If you tow in overdrive with a 46, no, it simply isn't going to last very long. Take care of it though, and you can easily get 200K miles out of it.
#35
I picked another random year prior to 2000, and they still didn't have anymore power than anyone else.
https://www.cars.com/research/compar...,USA70DOT113B0
Chevrolet offered the following:
5.0L - 230HP
5.7L - 255HP
Ford offered the following:
4.6L - 220HP
5.4L - 230HP
Dodge offered the following:
5.3L - 220 HP
5.9L - 230 HP
So while, they were very comparable to the Ford motor's, they still were making less power than Chevrolet's offerings.
Dodge did make a huge improvement with the hemi motor, but again it's offered in a second generation Ram. The 3rd gen steering, dash, etc. were also significantly improved over the 2nd gen. Unfortunately we're talking about 2nd gen Rams in this case, not the 3rd gen.
As for the two rating, for 97 it was higher than Chevrolet's, but according to trailers.com the 97 F-150 with the 5.4L had a 7800lb tow rating while the 97 Ram 1500 with the 5.9L had a 7600lb tow rating. So not sure that argument holds true either. They 2nd generation Ram's just weren't very impressive trucks. Then nor now. I have sentimental attachment to mine and I've made a lot of memories with mine, while it does what I need for the most part, especially since I rarely drive it. This makes me keep fixing it instead buying something else. However, if I used it more often, I'd buy something else. If I didn't already own it, I'd definitely not buy a 2nd gen Ram. I get that this is a 2nd gen Ram forum, so most owners are going to defend what they own, but they just really aren't that great of trucks.
https://www.cars.com/research/compar...,USA70DOT113B0
Chevrolet offered the following:
5.0L - 230HP
5.7L - 255HP
Ford offered the following:
4.6L - 220HP
5.4L - 230HP
Dodge offered the following:
5.3L - 220 HP
5.9L - 230 HP
So while, they were very comparable to the Ford motor's, they still were making less power than Chevrolet's offerings.
Dodge did make a huge improvement with the hemi motor, but again it's offered in a second generation Ram. The 3rd gen steering, dash, etc. were also significantly improved over the 2nd gen. Unfortunately we're talking about 2nd gen Rams in this case, not the 3rd gen.
As for the two rating, for 97 it was higher than Chevrolet's, but according to trailers.com the 97 F-150 with the 5.4L had a 7800lb tow rating while the 97 Ram 1500 with the 5.9L had a 7600lb tow rating. So not sure that argument holds true either. They 2nd generation Ram's just weren't very impressive trucks. Then nor now. I have sentimental attachment to mine and I've made a lot of memories with mine, while it does what I need for the most part, especially since I rarely drive it. This makes me keep fixing it instead buying something else. However, if I used it more often, I'd buy something else. If I didn't already own it, I'd definitely not buy a 2nd gen Ram. I get that this is a 2nd gen Ram forum, so most owners are going to defend what they own, but they just really aren't that great of trucks.
#36
That's false. It had the least power out of the big 3.
I'll compare 2001's since that's what I have.
2001 Dodge Ram
5.2L:
- HP: 230
5.9L
- HP: 245
2001 F-150
4.6L:
- HP: 231
5.4L:
- HP: 260
2001 Chevrolet Silverado:
4.8L:
- HP: 270
5.3:
- HP: 285
Here are the sources:
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-SLT-4WD/Specs
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-XLT-4WD/Specs
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-Cab-4WD/Specs
As you can see, both Ford and Chevrolet use smaller motors that are more efficient resulting in more horsepower and better gas mileage.
The transmissions absolutely are bad. With the posts you've made about your truck and all of the piecing together that's been done on it, there is no way to know how many miles are on that transmission. I highly doubt you have 400k miles on it. Even if there is one out there somewhere that's managed to last that long, the majority of them don't.
I'll compare 2001's since that's what I have.
2001 Dodge Ram
5.2L:
- HP: 230
5.9L
- HP: 245
2001 F-150
4.6L:
- HP: 231
5.4L:
- HP: 260
2001 Chevrolet Silverado:
4.8L:
- HP: 270
5.3:
- HP: 285
Here are the sources:
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-SLT-4WD/Specs
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-XLT-4WD/Specs
https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2001...-Cab-4WD/Specs
As you can see, both Ford and Chevrolet use smaller motors that are more efficient resulting in more horsepower and better gas mileage.
The transmissions absolutely are bad. With the posts you've made about your truck and all of the piecing together that's been done on it, there is no way to know how many miles are on that transmission. I highly doubt you have 400k miles on it. Even if there is one out there somewhere that's managed to last that long, the majority of them don't.
#37
I can vouch for this!
The dodge transmissions got a bad rep. Some folks can't even get 50K miles out of them, other folks are WELL into six digits with 'em. I regularly see 47/48 transmissions pushing 300K miles. (one of the reasons I bought one.....) I suspect a lot of it is 'luck of the draw', coupled with how it has been treated, and what folks are doing with them. If you tow in overdrive with a 46, no, it simply isn't going to last very long. Take care of it though, and you can easily get 200K miles out of it.
Surely this guarantees the transmission will die tomorrow....but even if it does, it doesn't owe me a thing. 200,000+ miles on an automatic transmission in a 5500 lb truck is outstanding.
I know lots of people had issues with their 46re...but like HeyYou said, I think it had a lot to do with how it is driven and maintained. A co-worker just dumped his 2004 F-150 after his second replacement transmission crapped out. But guess what - he never changed the fluid. Imagine that.
In my opinion, it's all about how you take care of your equipment.
#38
Bought mine 2 years ago for 5K. 86K (still) on the odo. Things I've done for maintenance and upkeep. New, rebuilt by me, performance transmission, $1500. New crappy paint job by me, Hammerite, it was sun baked (chalky) since new, $200. New headlight assemblies and fog lites, $100. 4 new O2 sensors, NTK (I was down there) $100. Mopar Crank Position Sensor, $45. Smog Headers, Pacesetter, $200. All new synthetic oil, eng, Xfer case, axles $150. $2295 so far. Needs: New belt and hoses, original still in there. Coolant flush, New radiator cap (just because), Belt tensioner. Needs:$300. Up to now $2595+$5000=$7595, for an almost new truck.
Wants,1.7 roller rockers $380, Cat back exhaust, Flowmaster, 3 inch single, $200. Volante CAI, $240, 52mm TB, $200. Not going to lift it but going with 285's when these tires go. As for new vehicles, I have a 2018 Jeep Trailhawk 5.7L, $51,000 and a 2018 Jeep Renegade /w Altitude package, $33,000.
Wants,1.7 roller rockers $380, Cat back exhaust, Flowmaster, 3 inch single, $200. Volante CAI, $240, 52mm TB, $200. Not going to lift it but going with 285's when these tires go. As for new vehicles, I have a 2018 Jeep Trailhawk 5.7L, $51,000 and a 2018 Jeep Renegade /w Altitude package, $33,000.
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