Hi, new here.
I'm considering a reg cab short box ram. I'm not a dodge guy, but like the ram styling.
Right now I have a mildly modded 2002 4.0 Ranger FX4 (same as 03 level II) It's a good truck, but I miss 3 things I'm used to. A reg cab (and TWO doors) a full-size truck, and a V8 engine (w/the nice sound!) Not sure if I would want 4x4 or not, but think that I would since I have a 4x4 now.
Question is, would it accelerate as good or better than my Ranger?

-my truck; 4.0sohc, manual, 4.10 w/torsen diff, modded air box, flowmaster super 40 SI/DO with all 2.5" tubing. (31x10.5 BFG's)

-possible ram; 4.7, manual, 3.92 LS, 4x4(?) on 17's (no 20's for me) Would probably do the same mods to this truck.

Do 4.7's have the HO option in rams yet? Think they ever will?
I like the hemi, but I see some problem's mentioned here and there.
Also I have to have a stick, and I don't need a 3/4ton truck.

BTW- do they still have throttle cables? I tested a GMC 1500 w/4.8 stick and it had an electronic throttle! Had a split-second responce delay and that sucks in a stick!![:@]

 

Umm......... okay........does anyone on here even drive stick?!?!?!?!?!?[sm=hia.gif]
Most talk seems to rotate around hemi-automatics.
I've read the treads on 4.7's and all the people seem to either have auto's q-cabs or both.
I have tested a q-cab 4.7 5-speed, but never a reg cab. Thought maaaaayyyybeee some one on here might know/ have one/ have tested one. The 4.7 I tested seemed responsive for it's weight. A dakota is no longer an option for me, don't like the new ones. I was raised a ford guy, and for the most part I like them, but dodge seems to have the best back-to-basics truck options out there. Just not sure on the power of the 4.7 in a reg-cab.

If nothing else, would you please tell me if dodge has gone electronic on there throttle cables? I heard the cummins has an e-throttle, wondered if the rest had it too.

 

The 4.7 still has a cable on it, The hemi does not. Hope this helps!

Joe

 

Thank you!! Yes, that does help. If it was e-throttle I would not want it!

Guess this is not a "stick" oriented site. Oh well.......to each his own.
Usually a stick gives more performance "potential" with some good skills.[sm=smiley20.gif]
And I posess those skills. And now DCM is going 6-speed!

I'm going to assume that 4.7HO is not a ram option, not good for hemi sales, is it?

Guess I will have to patiently wait till someone gets a new 4.7 stick reg cab on the lot so I can see if I like it.

PS-thanks jgralka

 

side note on the cummins.

even though it is an electronic throttle, the thing rev's instantly without hesitation unlike the GM's. at the shop I work at one of the work trucks is a chevy 2500 with the 6.0. even though it is a cable driven intake, theres still a delay for some reason. any other truck, electronic or not, doesnt have this delay, only the chevy's.

now my truck is a 6spd. and I love it. my little yoda on my pic there is a 5spd and like it as well. however, just from the power of the cummins, theres no need for 1st unless I'm pulling a load. The New Venture tranny's that dodge uses are being fazed out and are going to the GETRAG tranny's.


now back to the subject at hand. the only setup you can get that I know of with a 5spd and hemi is in the 2500 and 3500 trucks. the 1500's dont. But what you can always do is slap some benjamins on the table and get the SRT-10 and go for some bling that way

 

I have no throttle delay with the Hemi, and would not recommend the 4.7 if you have any desire to use for towing. My Hemi gets better gas mileage than my friends 4.7. You will be much happier with the power of the Hemi.

 

Ahhhhh, now I'm getting somewere!

Drew- Thank you. I have been doing the research thing but paper and numbers are not everything! That GM has throttle-responce woe's is new's to me, but then I'm not a GM fan now am I? You have single-handedly helped me rule out GM trucks as a possibility! Wew! (it would have been a gmc, not a chevy)(I cannot own a bow-tie as I grew up hating them). For some reason though, even though I was always pro-ford, I always thought dodge was good too. My dad used to have a 76' 318 snowcommander, it was a good truck.

I have test driven 3 hemi's. 1-auto, 2-sticks, all 2500's, reg-cab, long beds. (and no throttle delay)
The auto was nice around town, but on the open road I thought the tranny (3rd) held it back. Then I drove the exact same model (work) truck with a 5-speed! Wow!! Very impressive!! It was a putrid color with black trim. [sm=smiley21.gif] Too bad, sounded awesome! This was 2003. This summer I tested the same thing (stick) in patriot blue.[sm=smiley20.gif] Did they change things or what? The exhaust wasn't loud! And the power didn't seem as impressive either. I now bring my g/f Samantha with me on test drives. She LIKES speed and power, so this is fun! More importantly, she will say if a truck we are testing feels faster/quicker than my ranger on acceleration. Sometimes you can get caught up in niose and the thrill of something new, and forget that what you have can get-up-and-go too. I thought this blue hemi just didn't "have it", and she confirmed it.

I'm wondering about this getrag switch. I have read that mopar went from getrag to NVG in the early 90's because the getrag's where weak! I hear nothing but good as far as NVG goes. Hope the new getrags are strong enough!
Oh, and I understand about granny 1st. My 1st truck was an 89' F150 302 with a borg-warner T-18 4-speed.

I really don't need a 3/4 ton truck, heck, I don't need a full-size at all. But, I miss my F150, and the new ones leave me cold. I miss the V-8, the reg cab, and the back-glass being right behind me. Now even reg cab F150's have little back doors, I don't like that![sm=icon_flaming.gif] No sticks either!

I don't tow anymore, and hualing is the exeption, not the rule. I don't expect I'll be dragracing with a loaded truck anyway. A 1500 hemi would be great if sticks were an option, but their not. I can't afford an SRT-10, and even if I could, it would not be good in the snow. Also, I want that V8 rumble, and V10's while awesome, don't have it.

While looking at the new dakota I noticed how tight a fit the 4.7 was, and that it had restrictive looking exhaust manifolds. I wondered if maybe the ram 4.7 was better since there should be more room for better manifolds. BTW- 05' dakota+4.7+auto=BLAH!! Not saying it won't move, just saying that what I already have moves quicker. Now if it had the HO, or a stick, the story would be different.

That's why I'm asking about the ram w/4.7 stick. I know it's heavier, but it gives me the configuration that I want. Is the ram's 4.7 better than the (standard) 4.7 in the dakota?
I usually get a truck that is a "jack-of-all-trades", "multy-pupose" if you will, but I like enough power to enjoy spirited driving too!
But I'm starting to get the impression that the 4.7 ram, while okay, is not thrilling, that's the hemi's job. I hope I'm wrong about this though.

 

I've been watching this post for a while,and had to put my two cents worth.You can get a 5 speed dakota that will pull and haul almost as much as a full size ram. If you want a 5 speed ram,you have to get a 2500 series,but only with 4 wheel drive , or at least this is true down here where I live. I have asked about a 5 speed 1500 and have been told it is not available with a v8 only available as a 2500.I've driven a dakota with a 4.7l and let me tell you ,it will run.However,the 2003 pickups have a slight delay with the throttle.It was so bad at first,there was a flash update for them .In 2004 the problem has been fixed.I guess it depends on how much you want to haul, or how fast you want to haul.

 

I wouldnt say that a 4.7 can't handle towing that is a load of cr#* from a hemi owner. Let me tell you that I have the 4.7 in standard cab and regularly tow a cargo trailer two full size sport quads, with full fuel, plus an extra 30 gallons of fuel, tools, extra tires, and camping gear. sometimes I also have two dirtbikes in the bed. I am towing well over 6000lbs at any one time. I have never had any trouble towing up steep grades or any where else for that matter. I dont know what you are talking about towing maybe a travel trailer or something. I also tow a strictly offroad rig with all the gear as well. still no problems.

 

Well........and I thought this thread had died.
aberhammer.......any truck can tow, just a question of how well it's equipped, and realistic expectations. But we're forgetting something here.....I'm not asking about towing. I expect that a full-size ram can do the occasional bed-full-of-whatever-to-where-ever. If not then that is just sad!! I'm not downing anyone, just clarifying.
What I most wanted to know, and no one seems to know, is this.........
WHAT IS ACCELERATION LIKE (empty) IN A 4.7 reg cab 5-SPEED RAM??????!!!!!!!!!!!
As far as I know, 4.7 manual is standard equipment on 1500 4x4's, But most opt. for automatic. I am not most people as I truly enjoy shifting! I will be pushing on a clutch untill I am no longer able to.

grayghost-are you auto or stick? And either way, what is you acceleration like? I mentioned the 3.92 tow gears because I know they would be quikker, not because I wanted to tow. And I see that you have them. Also, what is your throttle responce like? I prefer a "touchy", as in sensitive and quik throttle.

My intent was to see if a normal looking ram (read not exessivly flashy) could be optioned in such a way as to give me a stick, V8 (that means 4.7 per dodge), reg cab, and short box, and end up with a truck that is a bit of a sleeper. I do not go drag-racing, BUT.....If I get-on-it....well.......I want the truck to $hit-and-git'[sm=badbadbad.gif]