What's up everyone.. I am thinking about getting a Dodge 1500 (2004-2006). I currently own a 2003 Ford Ranger FX4 4x4. The reason I'm looking to upgrade to a full size is because we recently had a baby and she can't ride in my truck..

I went and test drove a 2005 1500 w/ Hemi today. FREAKING LOVED it.. Was all gung ho about getting one then I came here.. The thing I'm most worried about is gas mileage. Right now I've averaged 15.58 MPG for the three years I've had my truck. I live about 3 miles from work and don't drive too much other than there.. The question I have is will I notice it at the pump that much?

I drove past the gas station Tuesday of this week and gas was $2.85.. Wednesday it was $2.99.. Today it was $3.19! [:-]

Also, how big is the MPG from the 4.7 to the 5.7 Hemi? Is the MPG difference worth the performance difference?

The only other thing that bothered me was seeing some complain about the A/C sucking in the quad cabs..

I appreciate any advice and help.

Thanks

 

MPG is actually quite similar between the 4.7 and 5.7 depending on how you drive. The 06/07 models have slightly better mileage compared to the earlier hemis due to MDS, but for the performance gain the hemi is worth the slight difference in mpg in my opinion. I also have no complaints about the A/C in my quad cab. You might still be able to get a left over 06 really cheap compared to that 05.

 

The average Ram owner gets about 13 MPG in mixed driving
with a span of a worst tank of 8 and best of 21.

Below is an old post with official info on how the different engines differ...which is not really all that large because the large weight of
all the trucks dominate city driving MPG, and the large frontal area
and blunt aerodynamics dominate highway speed MPG.
------
below is an old post with more info on the subject of
5.7 vs 5.7MDS vs 4.7 vs 5.9
fuel economy
---------------
At least this month (Jan 2007)
Chrysler has been offering the 5.7V8 with MDS as a
"no cost upgrade"
over the 4.7 on Rams
and pointing out to customers that
the 5.7MDS has better EPA MPG test results by about 1.
When evaluating this, keep in mind that you are comparing a 5.7V8 running on 4
cylinders (and dragging along 4 not being used) at a speed of 55 mph to a
4.7V8 running on eight cylinders also at a speed of 55 mph.

At speeds of 70-79 mph the MDS on the 5.7 Ram will not kick in unless you are
going downhill, or have a wind at your back. Here at higher speeds the 4.7
might regain an MPG edge.

The UAW workers at Mack I/II engine plants in Detroit are feeling this and
worried for their jobs building 3.7 and 4.7 engines:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...701300367/1148

Even before MDS was introduced on the 5.7V8
the unmodified EPA lab results were showing
that the 5.7 was within 4% of the 4.7 V8
in fuel efficiency.
The actual test results are available online from the EPA at:

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/data.htm

to see the actual results go to this link:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/tcldata.htm

These are not the 'Window Sticker' numbers,
these databases have the actual city and highway test results down to a tenth
of a mpg. This makes it easier to compare. Since 1985 EPA has applied a
'fudge factor' to these actual results to get the number that you see on the
Window Sticker. This happened because citizens complained the EPA city and
highway numbers were TOO HIGH compared to 'normal driving'. Next year EPA
will apply an even greater 'fudge factor' because citizens are still
complaining that they can't get at 79 mph the MPG that EPA measures at 55 mph.


If you look at the 2003 year numbers
you can compare the Magnum
5.9V8 to the 5.7V8 (without MDS back then)
and to the 4.7V8 and 3.7V6

3.7V6 2wd had 25.4 MPG highway with 45RFE and 3.55 diff
4.7V8 2wd had 24.2 MPG highway with 45RFE and 3.55 diff
5.7V8 2wd had 23.3 MPG highway with 545RFE and 3.55 diff
5.9V8 2wd had 22.0 MPG highway with 47RE and 3.55 diff

Chrysler's official press release on the 5.7 Hemi said that it was 8-12% more
fuel efficient than the 10 year old Magnum 5.9V8 design. But notice
in the above that in the 2003 Ram pickup the 5.7 Hemi was only (23.3/22) 6%
more efficient at highway speed. This may be because the 545 automatic
transmission has more internal friction when in overdrive (where it has two
planetary gearsets turning) compared to the older 47RE auto that only had one
planetary gearset turning.

For comparing the 5.7 with MDS to the 4.7
look at the 2007 year numbers.

4.7V8 2wd had 23.7 MPG highway with 545RFE and 3.55 diff
5.7MDS 2wd had 25.4 MPG highway with 545RFE and 3.55 diff

Adding MDS to the 5.7V8 at a steady 55 mph improved it by
(25.4/23.3) or 9%
This matches what Chrysler said in their press release about MDS on the 5.7V8
where they wrote the most gains were below 60 mph, with maximum gain of 20%
around 45 mph.

2wd 5.7 Rams will be able to go a little faster in MDS mode and get better MPG
than 4wd Rams because the extra driveline friction and weight of the front
axle loads the engine down more.
=======
Torque in the important 1500-2500 rpm range
is much greater on the Magnum 5.9V8 than on the 4.7V8

See these rear wheel dyno curves
and look at the 'stock' torque numbers for each engine:

for the 5.9
http://www.hypertech-inc.com/dynodgtrk.html

for the 4.7
http://superchips.com/~superchips/prod_imgs/makepdf-822.pdf

 

old post about long term pickup tests
------
In their 2nd report of their long term test of the
5.7MDS 545RFE in a 2006 Ram TRX4
Fourwheeler magazine says mostly good things
about the Ram's reliability and road manners:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/roadtests...ram_1500_trx4/

sample quotes:

1st report

Long-Term Numbers
Miles to date: 4,796
Miles since last report: First report
Average mpg (this report): 13.28
Test Best tank (mpg): 14.8
Test Worst tank (mpg): 12.13

2nd report

Long-Term Numbers
Miles to date: 14,010
Miles since last report: 9,214
Average mpg (this report): 14.0
Test best tank (mpg): 16.6
Test worst tank (mpg): 9.0

In the most recent issue of the magazine
(April 2007) on the newstands
they give the 3rd report at 25,000 miles
and the fuel economy is only a few tenths better at
14.4 MPG

So the 'break-in' improvement to be expected
is about 1 MPG
over the mileage from 4,700 to 25,000 miles.

Another way of lookin at it is that the improvement is about
1 divided by 14.4
or about 7%

The 'worst tank' (9/14.4) is about 38% down (towing?)
and the best tank (16.6) is about 15% up

Another long term test of a 3rd Gen 2002 Ram
this one with a 5.9V8 engine and 46RE auto
by Car and Driver magazine over 40,000 miles

http://www.caranddriver.com/longroad...ort-page3.html

Although the C&D 2002 Ram
might have towed a bit more of its miles than the Fourwheeler Ram
this earlier model showed an overall MPG of 12
so perhaps the 5.7 with MDS is about
16% more efficient.

The Car and Driver article does not show 'break-in' for fuel economy
but it does show 'break-in' for acceleration performance
which is also in the 7-14% range.

Originally Chrysler said the 5.7 without MDS was 8-12% more fuel efficient
than the older 5.9V8, and with MDS on the latest models of the 5.7 this may
have gone up a bit more, but not all the credit should go to MDS. Other press
releases have bragged about the 'Tailgate Thingie' improving aero slightly,
and 'lower rolling resistance' tires were standard some time in early 2005.
The revised headlights of the 2006 Ram may have slightly improved aero too.

For a review of a 3rd Gen Ram with 4.7V8 check this link:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/...0-ram.htm#more

where no break-in low mileage model year 2002 4.7V8 Ram
in 2wd showed 13.1 MPG
and 4x4 version showed 11.8 MPG

For a heavier weight 2500 Ram check this weblink:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...fications.html

where the long term average MPG declines to 13 MPG.

to compare to other pickups:

Silverardo Hybrid (15 MPG)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...verado_hybrid/

GMC 6.0L V8 Denali 2500 4 wheel steer (11.8 MPG)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._sierra_denali

Nissan Titan 5.6 (14 MPG)
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....;page_number=3

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._se/index.html

Multi pickup comparisons:

year 2007
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=119281

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ta-tundra.html

year 2006
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

year 2002
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...ron-page5.html

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.. Yea, I don't know how I only avg 15.83 in my Ranger. I don't take it over 3,000 that often..

I LOVE the feel of a truck this big. I drove it yesterday and it felt like I was taking up two lanes.. If was awesome! Here are a few I am looking at if someone doesn't mind giving me their opinion.

2005 5.7 - 22,033 Miles - $22,988:
http://66.219.164.66/temps/details.c...rchvkid=129072
Thing I like about this one is the dual exhaust. What I don't like is that it doesn't have a bedliner or tonneau cover.

2004 5.7 - 24,481 Miles - $21,950:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&certified
This one I like because it has a beliner and a tonneau cover, running boards, power sunroof, the infinity sound (even though it doesn't list it), but no dual exhaust.

2004 5.7 - 22,000 Miles - $22,900:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...model2=F150PIC
I think this one is pretty much stock. It does have a bedliner though.

One at a local dealer.. 2005 5.7 with 20,000 miles but he's asking $23,900..

I am "hoping" to get one of these @ $20,000. I don't know if that is a pipe dream or not.. If anyone can give some thoughts I those I would appreciate it.

Here is my current truck just for grins. I've done TONS of mods to it as well including a Carputer that I'm not exactly sure if I will put in the 1500.























Airbox Mod - Auto Dimming Mirror - Auto Up / Down Windows - Blinker Mod - Carputer - Clear Corners - Cruise Control LED Replace - EATC - Explorer Full Length Console - Fog Light LED Replace - Fog Light Mod - Glow Gauges - Head Light 4X4 Switch LED Swap - Lights Behind Grill - OHC - Remote Starter with LCD (Crimestopper RS999FM) - Security Keypad - Sprayed On Bedliner - Tonneau Cover (LeBra)

http://test

 

Bargain hard on the used trucks you list above
and you should be able to get them for considerably less
than your $20,000 goal

 

I agree with HankL, bargain and get a deal. A bunch of people are dumping their Hemi's because of the gas prices so it's a buyer's market. Do the math and figure out how much more you'll be paying monthly in gas using the numbers HankL gave you. If you can live with it, do it.

 

bargain. I got an 05 dodge ram reg cab with 24000Miles on it for 13500 from believe it or not carmax

 

See that's the thing.. I TOTALLY suck at negotiating. So far it's all been done via email to these dealers. I offered $20,000 on both the first and second trucks. So would that be a bad price if they accepted? How much do you mean by "considerably less"?

I'm already going $2 - $4,000 less then their listing prices..

Man.. I wish I had the ***** to go back and forth with one of these guys but I just am not that kind of person.

 

Side note question. How good is the infinity sound vs the stock?