So far I have 70000 miles and my HEMI/Tranny are still going strong. I just got a DSP and changed all the shift points and got some stronger shifting. That was my only complaint about it, the tranny in it's stock form doesn't allow the HEMI to work at it's full potential.

Other than that, no major problems. Had to replace the EGR valve at about 60000 miles but that's it.

 

Thanks guys sounds like it is an awesome truck. All trucks are going to have some kinds of problems no matter what so it sounds like at least with the ram when you fix your problem and have it fixed the right way then you are set!

 

'06 Ram here I purchased new. The only annoying issue I've had with my truck is tie-rod ends...the factory ones are garbage. I had (2) sets installed in less than 40K miles. I installed Moog greaseable ones a while back...so far they are awesome.
The HVAC mode doors are also weak in these trucks...I don't change modes anymore when the HVAC blower is on high. Other than those items, these trucks are the most fun to drive. Great looks, awesome power.

 

Well i bought my 06 used 40K.. Next day i took it to the Mud, did really good considering street tires.. And ill tell you I have beat it up pretty Good.. I go Muddn,, pull trailers about 8K, i have pulled stuck trucks out.. I Cut Firewood with a cord in the truck and a 1 1/2 in a trailer, last season i cut over 60 cords with it. The Hemi pulls Good, and i was running Heavy *** 33" Mud Grapplers, and about 16 of those trips i had to climb a 6% grade for about 2 miles and average grade for 10, pulling second gear. Dont get me wrong I have broke chit, but 99% of it was my fault..
I drive a chevy for work, and the ground clearance is horrible, compared to the dodge, and my body has a 04 Ford diesel, and it sits really low to, and he just blew a head gasket, pulling about 7500 lbs.
Id pick the dodge again, anf again.. If i had the money i would bought the Cummings, bout the only thing id change.

 

How do you guys feel about the 4.7 vs the hemi. I know the hemi would be most people's first choice but sometimes when buying used and having to stay within a price range you can't always get exactly what you want. So, power wise would the 4.7 be enough to haul around a 900 lb trailer and a couple of atv's on it in the mountains or is the 4.7 just too small for that? I definitly wouldn't want to get the 4.7 and then not have enough power but at the same time, I may not be able to afford a hemi.

 

Spend that extra few hundred or grand go for the Hemi. Guaranteed you would kick your self in the nuts if you buy the 4.7 only top find it does not have enough juice.

 

The 4.7 is a nice performer in a single cab 4x4 and a QC 4x2, and adequate in a QC 4x4. Compared to my two Chevy 5.3s (one in an extended cab Z71, one in an Avalanche Z71) it actually moves the truck better despite a displacement disadvantage.

I've got the High Output (HO) version in my Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 and it's a beast! But it's also only moving a 4200 lb. vehicle. The HO boasts about 17 performance enhancements over a standard 4.7 including optimized air intake, exhaust (shorty headers actually), cam, forged crankshaft, modified tune, larger fuel injectors, etc, etc.
Unfortunately, the HO is NOT available in the Ram, so you'd have to look at the '08s or newer with the re-designed 4.7 to get similar performance.

The cool thing is ALL the components in the HO are available from Mopar, not to mention a lot of aftermarket support through places like Moe's Performance or Air Ram.
So the pre-'08s can be built up into very serious performers.

As far as longevity, I have 92k miles on my Jeep and it's still strong as hell, never had a problem to date, but I'm **** when it comes to maintenance!
I have two friends, one with a Grand Cherokee Limited, the other with a Dakota, who both have over 225k miles on their 4.7 engines.

That said, if you can find a Hemi in good shape in your price range, get it. I don't think there are many 4.7 owners who don't wish they had the Hemi. Especially considering MPG numbers are about the same...

 

Can you explain how to do this.

 

Are you sure about that. All the 5.3's we have owned in the past would lay a solid beat down on the 4.7 and as the 5.3 grew in power as new models came out 2008 plus they still could whip the power improved 4.7 also released in 2k8. Maybe you were not to the floor... lol.

 

check up top in the 3rd gen ram FAQs section. there is a DIY write up on how to do it. but it basically consists of raising the front of your truck, and tightening two bolts to increase the load on the torsion bars. really simple to do yourself.