Well, first off I need to say that this is an extremely informative site... I've been doing a little research in regards to a new truck purchase. I have a durango lease that is coming up in about 2 1/2 months and I figured I would start looking around. To my surprise I walked into the local dodge dealer and was given some great information/advice. They recommended that I order what I want as it would take about 2 months to get in... With that I was explained their current pricing on the 1500 quad cab and/or megacab. Both have $5500 rebates and to top it off there is a $2000 loyalty rebate... And to make it better their pricing is based on invoice. So I can easily walk away from my lease in two months and step into a brand new 2008 1500 quadcab or megacab for $7500 under invoice... Seems pretty good to me...

Anyways, after reading quite a few posts on this site I have a couple of questions that may or may nothave been answered...

First off, in regards to power, I already have an '05 3500 CTD so if I have to tow the horses, I have that already but still want to have the option of towing smaller loads.

Now for the big question that seems to be on the top of everyone's mind these days... Fuel mileage. I realize that I'm not looking at a toyota or honda, but seeing as the quadcab and megacab 1500 have two different hemi engines (MDS and not), which one seems to be a better performer? They both have the same EPA rating but the MDS is supposed to be a "gas saving feature"...

Personnally, I'm leaning towards the megacab even though I'm not too impressed with the mpg... But is the MDS hemi that much better?

Also, I keep seeing the posts regarding the gearing between the 3.73 and the 4.10s... Granted I do want to be able to tow somethings if necessary, but as for the performance, it seems like I've read a couple of conflicting posts. I understand that the 4.10 is better for towing, but it seems that for the megacab the 4.10 is possibly getting better fuel mileage? Is this true, or am I reading this wrong...

I figure if I'm ordering a truck, it's going to have everything on it possible... (DVD, GPS, sunroof(if I choose the megacab), laramie, best gearing, anything else that looks good...)

The only option that I'm curious about is if it is possible to order the 20" wheels that the quadcab has offered on the megacab? Or is this too big of a rig for that setup?

Sorry for the random questions, but I appreciate anyone's response....

Thanks

-jeff

 

it seems as though the QC and the MC get about the same mpg in town. but freeway the QC would get better because of MDS. but what im thinking is if you are looking at a truck, and from what it seems to me, you can afford whichever you want. top of the line. the whole 9 yards. then what it seems like is money isnt really too huge an issue. so id get the MC. question, why get a HEMI MC over a CTD MC? because its quieter or because you want a gasser for cheaper mpg expenses? last year in march, we bought our QC paramie and we got $10,000 off plus $2,000 more off for loyalty and another $1,000 because my mom hassled the dealer good. so im thinking why do you only get so little off now?

 

Okay, maybe I came off a little the wrong way after I re-read my initial post... In no means is "money no option"... The reason that I'm looking at all the options is purely because the discounts make a top of the line 1500 stay within my budget (either QC or MC)... I did debate the CTD, but in reading alot of the posts about the new 6.7 and even if they are getting 16mpg with the CTD, that's roughly $0.25 a mile at the current $4.0 price of diesel around here... Let's say the MC is $0.28 a mile at the current $3.38 for 89 octane. (Granted I'm guestimating based on a lot of posts claiming mpg...) The $6000 more for the diesel option at a difference of $0.03 per mile would take around 200,000 miles to be a wash...

If I'm off on my math, please correct me as I don't want to make an incorrect assumption... (Our '05 gets around 16mpg)

Also, since I already have an '05 3500 CTD, I can already "pull the butt out of a cat...". So it's not like I need the power... Just enough if I want to pull some small loads...

Thanks for the response!

-jeff

 

then i would say go for the MC. lol.

 

I'd get a 1/2 ton MC Hemi

 

I hear alot of people who got the mega-cab with the hemi say they should have got it with the cummins, the gas milage sucks and seems underpowered. After all it is a heavy truck, its built on the 2500 frame; just like the srt-10..I thought the only hemi option now is the one with MDS? I could be wrong though.

 

I thought the same about the hemi with MDS but in reading a few of the posts on here and talking with dodge, the mega cab is a hemi w/o the MDS...

Does anyone have any insight as to which gear ratio would be best with the megacab?

 

If you go with the Mega Cab with the Hemi, absolutely go with the 4.10 gearing, especially if you plan on doing any towing. Even though the 1500 AND 2500 Megas are built on 2500 chasis and have the same basic set up including brakes (the 2500 has a bit heavier rear springs), I would go with the 1500 mega since the rebates are better. Of course the advantage of the 2500 Mega is a little better resale.

 

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to the Dodge Forum!!

I had the same money issue when I ordered my '06 MC and went with the Hemi. I have 3.73s and math my mileage myself to 17 Hwy / 13.4 City w/out MDS. Of course I have exhaust, CAI, JetII, E-fan, Bed Cap& gently rolling hills where I travel. Between my electric wheelchair, the hoist to lift it, & other stuff i have in the bed & cab, there is probably an extra 950-1000 lbs I carry everyday.

I'd say if you haul everyday or have steep hills, go with the 4.10. If not the 3.73 will work fine for you. Remember the higher the gear ratio, the more rpms at any given speed, means the less mpg you get.

Speed Safely
AL

 

Appreciate the response. I'm thinking the 4:10s might be best. For the daily driving, I'm in the valley that is fairly flat, but surrounding us is nothing but mountains as I'm in the western side of montana... It might be better to go with that gearing just so I don't feel like I need to push this thing up the hills... Thanks for the info

As for the last question, are the 20" tires an option on the megacab? Or is it too big... Also, how badly does it affect the towing capacity? Not sure if I want to go with the 20's but they sure do look pretty good...

Thanks again!

-Jeff