barkleyfan:
I actually have a ram, not a dakota(I know this is the dakota section...but like I said in an earlier post I chimed in because I have the 4.7L, and that's what this thread was about). The Ram RT only comes with LSD and 4.10, not other options. I hear you about the reasons for lack of 4.7L support, I've heard they will soon discontinue the engine as well. I disagree about not gaining much from the aftermarket, all I have on my truck currently is a superchips 93 tune and drop in filter and removed the resonator hat of the intake for a smooth tube. The SC takes care of the TM and adds a ton of torque and hp to this engine, I think my 1/4 mile time dropped by over a second with the SC alone. I think I can hit 300 rwhp(or very close to it) with shorty headers and full exhaust, my intake plus ram air, the tuner, and some other miscellaneous things like removing the mechanical fan, doing a 180 tstat, etc... I'm probably at about 275 rwhp right now. Certainly not the biggest baddest fastest thing ever, but I like the engine and it performs exceptionally well for it's size, so it sucks they will be getting rid of it. My truck with the tune is faster than the past hemi(stock). The best part of it all is that my full size quad cab truck gets 17-18mpg city and 20-23mpg hwy (depending on speed). That's no bs, it's hand calculated and that's honestly what it gets. The only times I've gotten worse is cases of extended idling or something else off the wall(like leaving a parking lot after a fireworks show on 4th of July and sitting for nearly an hour in the lot...)

 

Your mileage is similar to mine. Not bad at all fora 2k+ ton truck. Gears will affect that mileage tho.

 

snrusnak, what do you run in the 1/4??

 

I posted before, the last time I ran my truck it ran 16.2 in the quarter mile. It was almost 100 degrees out, and i have large/heavy AT tires. On cool nights it'll run high 15's. If I were to get some lighter/smaller tires it should drop nearly half a second, and once I put my new converter in I'm hoping for another near half second drop. My goal is to reach 15.0 with the converter, tuner, intake, exhaust, and smaller/lighter wheels/tires if need be. Like I said, it's not a record setter, but a fun 5,000 lb truck for the street. I'm pretty impressed with the little engine. I should be able to get to 300 rwhp or near it with bolt ons(the last hemi was about 280 rwhp I think, and the new hemi is about 300 rwhp I think).

 

oh ok, sorry i either forgot you said that or missed it.

 

No problem. I'm surprised you only dynoed at the under 200 rwhp mark or whatever you said it was, if you run a 15.5. I think the dakota's are pretty heavy, so I'd think you are more at like 200+ rwhp.

I don't think 4.10 will be too bad. Less than 2,000 rpm at 70mph. I was going to do 4.56 but I'd be at 2,200 rpm at 70mph and I think that'll hurt mpg (really though that's not even too bad....my old F100 with no OD and 2.42 rear gears ran 2,800 rpm at 60mph lol)

 

well that 181 was with my old motor stock. i now have the HO. i just ran a 15.45 with passanger and a sub 7second 0-60 in 4x4 launch, b.c i dont have drag radials. i bet ive got over 300 at the crank.

 

2200ain't horrible, until you look at fuel. Also about where cabin drone was the worst, iirc. My08 exhaust is stock because with my commute, i don't want my cabin resonating like that. Too bad third I'd my daily, so many things I pass up on because of it.

 

On my 01 Dakota the biggest killer of gas mileage was the 2400 stall (dropped it 1-2 mpg), the 4.56 gears really didn't change the average gas mileage which was a terrific 11-13 mpg. lol Could barely reach 200 miles before it was bone dry, but launches were incredible with that setup.

 

the 4.56 gearing would only hurt mpg above 70mph if at all. City mpg should improve.

What converter did you have? I've heard a good converter will not hurt mpg as long as the stall rpm is not crazy(like above 3000 rpm). Also been told a cheap converter, or a "loose" converter will hurt mpg somewhat.