I can say that the 4.7 is enough for weekend do it yourselfers, and towing the boat to the lake. I commute with mine and average 20 mpg, and yes I have the tickets to prove I use the pedal. I have just the basic bolt ons and a computer reprogram from Kenne Belle. So I say go with it if you dont want to pay for the gas and get good performance.

 

The first time that I drove the 4.7, the salesman told me it had the hemi (debadged because of aftermarket fender flares) Well I yawned and then told the slaesman that this thing is slower than dog poopoo. I asked where the ponies where???? I got out popped the hood and sure enough it was the 4.7. After taking my frustration out on the salesman, I demanded to drive the hemi. Hold on, because the horse show is in town and all 345 of them are under the hood. Damn, I am still wearing the smile from that day. As for fuel economy, drive what you can afford. Yes, my hemi is thirsty, but if you work as hard as a hemi you should be able to drink whatever you want. I have found that just buying based on whats practical will never reward you with what you want. If you never reward yourself with what you want, then you will never be happy in life.

 

Ask yourself
What am I buying a truck for: Daily driving, is it a work truck, does it need to haul/tow and how much, or are you buying it because of the looks and what others will think. If your only concern is gas milage then get a 4 banger car. Trucks use gas and the small difference in milage doesn't really matter because they all suck down the gas.
My friend has a 2002 QC 2x2 and manual tranny and he is happy with it but he only is using it to drive around.

04 1500 QC 4X4 short bed and average 12.8MPG when not towing. 6MPG when towing 8000lbs.

 

I've got an 04 4.7l QC. I love it!! I bought it slightly used with 23k and got an awesome deal (imo). Would I get a hemi? sure....did I drive a hemi? no - when I see the hemi emblem, am I jealous? no. again.....I LOVE MY TRUCK!!

 

I agree with Todd. I think the Hemi averages about the same and even the EPA estimates are the same. The Dodge salesmen are ****** when it comes to selling these trucks because it is a highly competive segment. Go at the end of the month to a guy you have walked out on a couple of times and you will get your deal. Use the dodge website to find the truck you want at your specific dealer. There is no reason why you cannot get the truck you want at invoice with all the dealer cash to go around. 1000 dollars extra for a hemi is about 15/mo at 60months. I bought my 04 4x2 qc slt hemi in October for 15k after trade(I still owed 7k) and 21k before trade on on 30k truck. If you are not a negotiator go to carsdirect.com for a decent deal.

 

If gas mileage is an issue, I do not think you should be looking at any truck. I chose the 4.7 and used $$ saved by not buying the hemi to upgrade the things I needed or wanted. With the overdrive lockout tow/haul package, 3.92 rear end and the 4x4, I am very happy with this setup. I recognized each of those items added would lower my gas mileage. I burn a couple of cords of firewood each year. The 4x4 is needed as the rule of the woods is: if you go into the woods in 2 wheel, 4 wheel should always get you out. With the box full and pulling a 6x8' trailer also full of wood, the 4.7 handles this without problems. Under those loads (about 1800 lbs. extra), once I get out of the woods and onto the highway, I average about 12.7 mpg. My best mpg was 16.7, a road trip without no load.

 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Surfcali365

I know the HEMI is the american bad boy for these Rams witht he 5.7 V8

Actually the Hemi is the mexican bad boy![sm=WTFsgign.gif] Damn Republicans!

 

If you're worrying about a few measly dollars a month or 1 mile per gallon difference then you need to go to your local used car dealership and speak with them. It's apparent that you don't have the financial security to afford such a vehicle. Buy what you want and nothing less. The few cents saved will go to what....a couple cheeseburgers, a few movie rentals? I'll get the truck I want and spend the few extra dollars.
No offense to anyone...many of you are happy with the 4.7 and thats all that matters. You buy your truck for your enjoyment...nobody elses. However, when I see 03+ rams with no hemi emblem on the fender it makes no friggin sense to me and it never will. But again, that's just me....and everyone else around me.

 

You do realize that your diving a HALF ton truck right?

OOPS, just re-read man. 1800 pounds in tow. Gotcha.

 

I have been fortunate to own both. I had a 03 with the 4.7 [QC 4x4]. City driving I got about 12MPG, highway about 17. I took two long trip with this truck and found that the 4.7 was adequate for weight of the truck, but did require frequent downshifting on grades and even the slightest increase in throttle. I never towed with this truck, but feel that towing anything with any weight would be a slow go on any grade.

This truck was stolen by some thieving AHOLES..... [another story for another time].

I replaced it with a 04 HEMI [QC 4x4]. After break-in I am getting about 11 in the city and 17 on the highway. I have taken one long trip with this truck. Obviously the HEMI is much better on the grades with minimal downshifting and great passing power. I have towed with this truck and had no problems on the grades.

From a MPG prospective, I experienced nearly the same mileage. Some may argue this, but this is what I have seen.

An interesting note, I have always heard that your milage will improve after break-in, but this is the first truck that I saw a noticable difference. Early in the game I got only 8 MPG in the city.

Had