Never had any problems with sludge build-up. Besides with a 7/70, I really don't care. I do my oil changes every 3k miles and hopefully at 69k miles, my engine and tranny will blow and I can get a new one before I lose my warranty. As good as this engine seems to be though, I seriously doubt that will happen!

 

The engine may be fine in the correct application, but imho pulling the weight of a full-size truck, even a short-bed, regular cab, is too much for it. If getting it, I suggest a stick to avoid the 'puter from hunting and pecking between gears trying to find the correct one for the load.

All the best.

 

I have had my 05 Ram 4.7 since March and I LOVE IT !! I WOULD NOT get the hemi unless I used it as a work truck or extensive hauling. I had the 360 5.9 before and it was a waste because I did not use the towing it offered. I was driving down the interstate a few weeks ago and I wanted to see what it would do. As I hit 108 mph with plenty of pedal left, it shut off. I have learned they all have a computer chip that controls speed. So, if the 4.7 and the hemi both shut off at 108 mph, then whats the advantage? I will not do all that crap some people do and reprogram that chip. I will say that one other reason I got the 4.7 was because the 360 I had before was a gas guzzler. The 4.7 is not much better. That is the only negative I have. Also . the research I have done says the 4.7 is a better motor. If I were thinking about a hemi, don't do it until they get the kinks worked out and it proves itself to be as reliable as the 4.7. It may be a few years to improve.

 

I've had my 03 QC 4.7L for a couple months and love it. I originally wanted the power of the Hemi but test drove a 4.7L first and was impressed. I plan to add the usual bolt-ons, work the heads a little, and maybe add a supercharger down the road. I've researched the motor and have read very positive feedback with what I want to do with it, so I'd say it's one of the best truck motors out there for reliability. Got to hand it to Chrysler to design such a good motor and have it almost perfect right from the start.

 

My dad has the 4.7L in his 03 dakota and he has been very pleased with it. Excellent power for a mid sized truck. On the other hand i've got a hemi in my 05 QC ram 4x4 and it flat hauls....! If you wanna blow the doors off all the fords and chevy's get the hemi otherwise the 4.7 would do just fine.

 

Forgot to add, the key to a 4.7 being a responsive enging in suck a heavy truck is....................................














the suspense killing you yet?................................
















Oh man do I suck.............................................. ...[&:]














And the answer is, GEARING! Opt for the 3.92's or taller. It makes all the difference in the world.

 

I like it! I had a '98 F150, reg. cab, short bed, RWD V6. I became one those people that we all cuss because they drove into the back of someone and backed up the morning rush hour traffic, and totaled it. I was fine, but the repair cost totaled it. I know have an '02 Ram, Quad cab, with the 4.7L and 3.55 rear end. My Ram now has about 45K miles, and it runs stronger and quicker than my ford. The mileage in my Ford was lowsy, I was getting between 15-16 MPG with the V6 in the smallest, lightest full size Ford truck. I'm getting 14.5 MPG in the Ram. I have a bigger engine, larger and heavier truck, quicker truck, and have lost 1 to 1.5 MPG. That's a very fair trade and acceptable loss in my opinion. I have never driven a Hemi, and right now, would not own one if the mileage is worse than my 4.7L. I know to expect poor mileage in a truck. But, my common sense told me to get what I need and what I am willing to pay for. Right now I'm not willing to pay for the gas a Hemi would consume.

So, to recap, I love my 4.7!

 

these guys said it doesnt have the power of the hemi but it also doesnt lose as much power as the hemi does through the drivetrain,,i bought an 02 4.7l rc auto like 6months ago cause im pour and couldnt afford a hemi and i like my 4.7l alot it has more potential then my 96 rc 5.2 auto,,with a flowmaster on my lighter 96 i ran the same 16.4 as my 02
if you want a v8 just to have a v8 or for mild towing opt for the 4.7l if you want the extra horsepower go for the hemi. but i get good gas milage around 14.5 city and like 18-19 hwy and decent performance 16.4 bonestock and still learning to launch this thing
and have not had any sludge i use mobil1 also,,i think the 4.7 just needs to breathe more on the top end and it does downshift slow but ive hung with some qc hemis and some chevys i wasnt supposed to so i think its a good motor

oh and i only have the 3.55 rear gears

 

The Hemi might lose more HP, but it also has more HP to lose. I'm not making fun of the 4.7L, I'm just pointing out that they use the same 545-RFE tranny and I'd expect the percentage loss to be the same. Now if you are comparing the auto vs. 6spd, well, the manual has the edge in overall power transfer and least amount of HP lost.

 

The Hemi might lose more HP, but it also has more HP to lose. I'm not making fun of the 4.7L, I'm just pointing out that they use the same 545-RFE tranny and I'd expect the percentage loss to be the same. Now if you are comparing the auto vs. 6spd, well, the manual has the edge in overall power transfer and least amount of HP lost.