Hi

I'm looking to buy a truck for my company. I need a 4x4 truck and at least a quad cab.
My current vehicle is a 97 Dodge Dakota 4x4 v6 3.9L and it's getting old.

I was thinking about getting another small truck like a Toyota Tacoma buy I prefer getting something bigger in case I need to carry my ATV and the Ram 1500 is my first choice.

I can afford a used 2002-2008 Ram 1500.

My primary concern is MPGs. I want the most fuel-efficient engine for this model. Is there a V8 or V6 that drinks less than my 3.9L dakota?

What engine should I look?

Thanks

 

i think its just the 4.7 v8 and the hemi. i have 4.7v8. coming from a car this thing drinks gas but thats not a fair comparison

 

My 2002 Quad cab 2wd has a 360, the last year before the Hemi was available. At best I get 14 mpg on the Freeway and 10 to 12 mpg combined average. Dodge and good mileage donn't go together. My Dakota had a 318 and it averaged 17 on the Freeway.

 

Honestly I would say all the gas engines get fairly similar MPGs. On the highway for a 4x4 1500 you can expect a solid 18-20 on a stock truck unloaded depending on the speed (that's what I used to get with my 5.7 before my mods). If you want a 3rd Gen with the most MPGs though you'll want a Cummins

 

I agree!! Sometimes i wish i had went with the Cummins myself.

 

yup---for mpg, cummins, but not in a 1500. Would have to move up to a 2500. For your money in the gas world, 5.7. You won't regret it, and you won't look back!

 

I kick myself on a daily basis for not getting a cummins, but i didnt want to put the extra 10k down on a truck.

I got my 1500 at cost thanks to GF dad owning the dealership at the time.
I should have priced a diesel thru him.
Not to mention i get "free" diesel at work.....

 

my old 2002 dodge ram quad cab 4.7 that was a standard I could get 14-16 in town driving conservative of course and that was with a 275 60 20 cooper zeon tire so no big mud tire. My brother that has the truck now just put 35's on it so we will see how much they effect his gas mileage and I will let you know. I have a 08 hemi quad cab and before I put 35's on I would get 12.5 to 13.5 in town but now that i have 35's on it I cant get more then 11 it sucks

 

hemi and 4.7 will get you similar mileage, I would go with the hemi personally, better engine and more fun

 

The 3rd gen engine lineup gets almost exactly the same MPG across the board. The V6 was far too underpowered for this truck, and you can't get a 4x4 with the V6 anyway, for that very reason. If getting a 2008, the 4.7L can hold its own, and is much closer in specs to the 5.7L due to a redesign. However, any other year, I would only consider the 5.7L Hemi.