to me long run the 5.7 HEMI engine is a no brainer. They have the free HEMI upgrade promo running a few times a year. I love my HEMI!

 

I just read today that the 2012 Ram will be offered with the 3.6 Pentastar V6. Perhaps that might be better for me and give better in city mpg. Anyone hear anything about the pentastar in the ram?

 

I just did a search and it seams that it is true...but I don't think a v6 in a truck is a good idea...granted it may be better on mileage but if you ever want to pull a trailer with a self propelled mower on it say (2000-3000lbs), you will be wishing for a v8 with a higher amount of low end torque.

Thats the trick with these fords v6, yes it might make 28mpg but as soon as you want to pull anything...you cant! these 6 cylinders are maybe making 270ft-lbs of torque. The v8 Hemis are pushing 407... this 130ft-lbs difference of low end torque make a BIG difference!

I mean its a great idea for people who haul tools and stuff just in the box, payloads less then 4-600lbs. Anything over that im sure you will start to see power drains and a SEVERE loss in mileage. SOOO your just better getting a HEMI and be able to put 800lbs of payload in and maybe make 2 mpg less. AND be able to pull a trailer when you need it!

Not to mention I don't think I would like to try out a new motor that has only been testing and not put out to real work for more than a year. Yes its under warranty and everything but I still wouldnt want to "test" it if it has not been on the road for under a year.


JUST MY HONEST OPINION....but im just a true truck guy, and I like knowing when I need the power its under the hood!!!!

 

I've heard that the pentastar V6 is an improvement over the previous V6 in the new Wrangler, but still doesn't have a ton of power. So I'm going to asssume if it is insufficient for a Jeep wrangler that it wouldn't be a great engine in a pickup.

 

If you're just hauling around a few pieces of lawn equipment then I think the 3.6 V6 will be all you need. I haul a canoe from time to time, my atv, snowmobile, building supplies. For ME the HEMI is way overkill. I had an 89 Toyota with the 3.0 V6 that did all this and more. That being said I LOVE my HEMI. And the mileage is the same or better than my 89 Toyota. That HEMI power is amazing!

 

The Hemi engine will have better resale should you ever decide to sell the truck. I drove both the 4.7 and the 5.7 engines and felt that the 4.7 was quite powerful. But for the price difference, I'd go with the 5.7 engine.

 

Since you guys are talkin V6, I left the F150 scene back in 09 when the new Hemi in the 4th Gen came out. I still really like this truck and IMO nothing available is worth trading it for, but if I was getting another truck, and for what the OP is looking for, I would seriously consider getting an ecoboost. The torq curve on that twin turbo V6 is amazing for a full size gasser and you get the gas mileage of a V6 when you stay out of boost. Plus, the MDS on the Ram would drive me nuts in city driving. You guys that say it only comes on with highway driving must mean Dodge changed it for the 2011's because mine would dump into MDS at about 30 mph. That's why it stays disabled now.

 

Mine comes on less then 30 mph in right conditions. Doesn't bother me at all. Before the MagnaFlow muffler it was a totally seamless transition. I play sometimes trying to see how slow or how long I can keep in 4 cyl. mode.

 

I'd get the Hemi with the 17s and 3.92 gears that will help with the stop and go mileage with the added torque leverage.

 

I can't tell you how many threads i've seen where guys had the 4.7s and only to later wish they had bought the 5.7