Hey Guys, and Gals,
Im a newbie here...(waves), but not a new Dodge owner, i actually have a 97 Dakota, CC, 4x4, 3.9, 5 Speed......I LOVE that truck!!!
Anyway, as much asI hate to admit it...im probably going to have to get rid of the Dakota soon... .I'm finally outgrowing it. Absolutely nothing wrong with it (130k miles and still runs strong) but its just too small for me. Soo....i need a bigger truck.

I wanted to ask you all for some advice on what to look for in a Ram. Don't know much about them except that I really like them.

What are the pro and cons of the 4.7 vs. theHemi? I doubt i'll really do any heavy towing so i dont really need a CTD...(but wont turn one down if i come across a good deal .

What kinds of things should I look for since I'll probably be getting a used one. Any kids of issues i should look for? For instance the ball joint issue with the Dakotas?

One of my huge limiting factors is thatI really want a Manual transmission....im pretty sure you cant geta Hemi with a manual unless its a 2500/3500 right? please correct me if im wrong.

Well i guess thats really all i have for now..im sure once a few peeps start posting i'll have other questions.
Thanks in advance,
Bryan

 

You are correct, the only manual hemi's are in the heavy duty trucks. The 4.7 you can get with a manual transmission. Seems to be a big selling point for the 4.7. If your a power loving kind of guy definately go with the hemi. The 4.7 is a great engine but if you get it and love power, you'll be kicking yourself a month later. The biggest issue with the trucks seems to be the dreaded c-clip problem. This will only effect you if you get a truck with a factory installed LSD though.

 

I just checked my build sheet and it list this;

DMDP - 3.55 Axle Ratio
DRBS - Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle

Is this the same as LSD or something else? Thanks. Red

 

Please forgive my ignorance..i'm not up to date on all the acronyms...but what is the c-clip problem, and what is the factory LSD?

Ya knowI was really leaning towards theHemi off the bat...but there is a 2003 Ram 1500 with the 4.7for sale really cheap locally so thats whyI was asking about it....but it has 183k miles on it already.

I really dont need the HD truck either...but i'll kick myself if i get an auto every time i see a Manual. Id rather drive a truck every day i love and never need to really "need" the HD aspects of it..than drive a truck i dont like daily and one day "need" to tow something heavy...I guess i'll just have to be patient for the right one/deal to come around.
Thanks!

 

Red -no neither of those are the LSD, it would simply say LSD on there if you had it after your axel ratio.

BryMac - Factory LSD is a limited slip differential. It basically spins both wheels rather than having a one wheel wonder. The c-clip isa part of the LSD that is known to commonly fail, most people are lucky enough to have it happen under warranty though.

 

183k.... that is VERY high miles.. look at it this way... you have a 97 Dak... with 130.... now your looking at a 2003 ram w/183.... that truck was run hard... i'd be very weary of it because you don't know if the previous owner's kept up the maintenance... and it is well out of any warranty.... From the looks of things you keep trucks for a long time... do your self a favior and get a Hemi with lower miles

Why do you want a manual so bad? I us to be JUST like you... every truck I’m ever owned has been manual untilI bought my Hemi. 5 Speed auto. It has the auto Lock-up torque converter so any myth about manuals having better gas mileage is out the window... the auto is just as good towing/hauling. It is not a weak tranny by any means. If your dead set on a manual though... get a 2500 hemi.... I've had 2 Dak's... a 1990 3.9 v6 and a 2000 3.9 v6. And I didn't think I needed the power of a hemi.... I'm glad every day that I didn't get the 4.7.... ESPECIALLY in a quad cab. you will definately notice a lack in power....

Just as a helping hand.... I went to dodge.com and build a decent NEW 1500 SLT 4x4 QC 4.7 Manual for 34.5.... I build the SAME option truck in 2500 SLT 4x4 QV 5.7HEMI Manual... 37.2... difference.... $2,700 roughly $60 in a monthly payment.... that 60 gets you more towing power, bigger engine and higher resale value..... and these are NEW prices.... get them used and the difference is minimal.... get the Hemi for the minimal difference.... that is just my .02...
-R

 

One Hundred Eigthy-three thousand miles on a four-year-old truck?!! Man, my '95 Ram Wagon had 80K and was two years old. It lasted me six years and another 100K, but you should keep looking! Unless that 4.7 has had immaculate maintenance, you wanna pass on that.

 

if you're not doing any heavy towing the 4.7 will work. i pull a 3500lb trailer with my 4.7 with no problems but the hemi is only $1000 more.

 

Thanks for the help on the Acronyms. I knew what a Limited slip was...just wasnt sure the acronym....thanks for the explination anyway.

I figured 183k was alot for that truck..but i really know nothing about the 4.7 so thats why im asking here....beforeI even bother looking at it....and the price reflects the high miles.

About the Manual transmission...i find my self being a very lazy driver when i drive an automatic. My wife's Liberty is an automatic and im always hammering on th breaks and stuff like that because i dont really pay attention...maybe its just in my head but thats what it seems like. When i drive my Dakota i never have issues.
Now im not ruling out getting an auto...i would just prefer a Manual. Really the only things the truck needs is to be a quad cab, and 4 Wheel drive. Other than that i can live without anything else. Heck..i've had my Dakota for 10 years and it has ZERO options....no power, no cruise, no tilt etc....haha its basically a Truck with 4wheel drive....soo pretty much anything will be an upgrade. But i will be sad to see it go.

Thanks again for all the info guys. Anything else you think of just send it.
Thanks,
Bryan

 

Hey guys I'm back.

Ok i mentioned in an earlier post about the 2003 1500for sale.... Well i mis quoted the miles. It doesnt have 183k, its 136k. Still more than my miles than my 97 Dakota.
That being said. The price has gone down. from $12.500, to $11.000. Still seems a bit steep for that many miles...but i wouldnt really know. Any thoughts?
Also...the sales sheet doesn't actually say its a 4.7L...but there are no badges on it so I assumed it was. Any way of telling otherwise...(besides calling the guy) if its a 4.7, or a Hemi? I dont want to call and bug the guy just to find out which engine it has.I know how much of a pain it can be to sell a car and get lame *** questions from non serious buyers.
Oh ya its a Sport 4x4 as well.

Thanks again folks,

Bryan