Hello Ram users… I’m looking to grab a 3rd gen Ram truck what year of the 3rd gen Ram 1500 has the best engine for gas mileage and dependability?

I’m thinking of the V6 is that a reliable engine? The V8 is it a better choice? What model V6 or V8?

I’m a city truck user not off-road or 4X4 I’m looking for reliability and economy in a base or higher model Ram 1500.

Any suggestions are appreciated my truck now is a 98 Dakota with the small 2.5 engine that I love but I’m wanting a little more room and power.

I hope the larger text doesn’t bother anyone but I’m half blind the larger text help me see it.

 

The v6 is fine for just putting around town, but I've never been a big fan of them in the 1500 because it's just too heavy of a truck for the v6 to move. I would imagine the v6 in the Ram would feel pretty similar to the 2.5 in the Dakota.

I'm not sure the mileage that you drive, but I have the 4.7 and engine the engine very much. It gets a squirt better mileage than the 5.7 but takes regular gas, instead of the 89+ (recommended) of the 5.7.

I know very little about the v6, but if you use the bed of the truck at all, I'd recommend against it. At least until they put the Penstar engine in it.

 

Since you're a city user and probably don't see much snow in AZ, I'd first go with 2WD. Not sure what kind of mileage you'd get with the V6, but either the 4.7 or 5.7 Hemi will give you around the same mileage. Keep in mind, these are big, heavy trucks, so the mileage ain't gonna be great to begin with. As far as reliability goes, I've had mine for 3 1/2 years and 30k miles (it's at 70k now) and I haven't had any problems whatsoever. As long as you keep up with the recommended maintenance, and don't do anything too crazy mod-wise, it should last a good, long time without any problems, regardless of which engine you get.

 

I own my 2nd truck with a 3.7ltr and i can tell you there bullet proof! gas mileage varies between areas, as does all vehicles. I drive it on the highway and without mods it gets roughly 360-370 mpt. If this was a V8 i think the milleage would be better concidering the valleys i drive through on CapeCods rt 6