my opinion is don't put a v6 in it. you'll have to run it so hard you'll probably end up with worse gas mileage than the 5.9. If your up to the time and energy and patience challenge i think a simple stock rebuild on your 5.9 would be a good father/son project. it wouldn't cost too terribly much, and your son will learn stuff he'll always remember. If you don't want that big of a project i'd recommend a stock long block from Jasper or similar engine company.

 

Screw a 6. I got a 5.9 and I'm damn glad it's not 5.2 I'm thinking about supercharging it actually...
He's right too the difference it gas mileage is really minimal, it'll probably take a few years for the gas mileage to make up for the price of the conversion.

 

To add to what dhvaughan said ... it's a golden opportunity to build valuable memories that'll last a lifetime. Rebuild that 5.9.

 

yea i would rebuild the 5.9 or even buy a replacement but wat dhvaughan said is also very true the amount of work the v6 would have to do would probaly get the same gas as your 5.9 because it would have to work a lot harder.

 

Yeah I've heard in 2500's and 3500's the V10s get better gas mileage than the V8s just cause it's got an easier time hauling the truck. especially if there's a load.

 

no replacement for displacement

 

Dont do it, my 97 has the 5.9 and my 2000 has the V6, granted mine are both 2 wds but you will hate the V6 the moment you take off with it. The V6 takes so much more power to get the truck moving, I am not sure why they even put it in a full sized Ram.

 

christ swap a cummins in. ud get the best milage and assloads of power. id do that LOnggggggg before i ever even thought about a v6 for mpg reasons

 

Yeah the cummins is the only kind of 6 cylinder motor I'd evergo withagain.

 

Rebuilding the 5.9V8
to a semi-340 spec
with the 3.31 stroke crankshaft
and boring out the to the maximum a sonic test of the bore walls allows,
and increasing the compression ratio to a 10 to 11 range
is a worthwhile thing to consider as a project.

The internally balanced engine will be a bit smoother and could rev higher,
the fuel economy would be a bit better,
and you and your son would have a unique engine you could take pride in,
and recall the memories years later.