I just sold my 01 1500 5.9 and just bought an 06 1500 HEMI, have a few questions comparing it to my 2001 I had:

1. Will I get better MPGs since I have the MDS?
2. Will the 06 Pull better with less effort, about 6k lbs
3. Is the trans stronger and better/more reliable?
4. Is Exhaust, Intake, chip (hypertech) worth it for more power and mpg?
5. Also, whats the difference between 06,07,08 models, are the headlights the same? They keep showing that 07-08 are the same

My 01 used to get about 9mpg when pulling 6-7k lbs, 11mpg(city) and 14mpg(HWY) will the HEMI be better, what should I expect from it?

Overall, what should I look out for in the new truck, TIA

 

i had a 99 with the 5.9, and have a 06 with the hemi now...so your answer to question#2 is yes will put alot better with less effort.
question#4- i have the diablo sport in mine, also exhuast, and intake, and it gets alot better mpg.

 

I read on another thread that the HEMIs with the MDS wont be a good idea to put an aftermarket exhaust because of interior drone, is it really that bad?

 

Questions you maybe should have answered before you bought the truck?

better mpg, better towing power, trans is reliable.

my 96 usually did 12 mpg city or highway stock or modified. my 05 gets me 15 city and 22-24ish hwy. I do have the benefit of living in a flat state though.

my 96 after a cam and all the typical bolt on parts (3.55 open) ran 14.40 best time. I wouldn't be surprised if my 05 does nearly the same after intake and programmer. (3.55 lsd) I estimate my 96 had around 310 fwhp but the truck weighed 3900 lbs. Off the bat the hemi is 345 but weighs quite a bit more.

 

How about the whole MDS thing? I read that some people turn if off for aftermarket exhaust, why would you turn off the MDS, isnt that a good feature? Does aftermarket exhaust really bad with the MDS?

 

I wouldn't expect any better mpg while towing. I get 9 mpg highway with that kind of load behind me.

Then again, I get 10 mpg in town because of my foot, so I may not be a great judge of economy I get 14 highway averaging 68-70 mph.

 

1. You'll get better mileage even without MDS. The 5.9 is a pig for gasoline.
2. Yes, a good bit more torque.
3. Yes
4. Depends on how you define "worth it". $800 will take a fair time to break even on the small difference those mods will produce.
5. Sorry, not buying the 11 & 14 from the 5.9 unless it was a RCSB.

 

I'm pretty sure 06 - 08 headlights are the same.
There are many posts with a lot of guys that turn off the MDS system. I guess it's really only beneficial if your roads are flat as a pancake, most guys complain about the MDS switching on and off a lot and most that post about it don't see any real MPG gains.

And MikeH, I get about 12mpg city and just over 14 highway, with a calculator, the overhead meter always seems to be .5 to 1 worse.

 

well thats good, because in ILLINOIS, its flat as a pancake, so exhaust sucks with the MDS because of interior drone?

 

Also, does HEMI require 93 PREMIUM gas or is 87 OK?