Ram van with 3 speed transmission
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
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Ram van with 3 speed transmission
Hi Everyone
Looking to buy a 2003 Ram Van 1500, 3.9L Auto. Just wondering if the 3 speed is ok for the highway. Just seems that it may have higher RPM's than a 4 speed which would equate to higher gas mileage and louder sounding engine when driving at 70mph or so.
Also does anyone know the towing capacity of the 3.9. I have a tent trailer that loaded would be about 3200lbs, then an additional 350lbs of family in the van with gear
Cheers
Alastair
Looking to buy a 2003 Ram Van 1500, 3.9L Auto. Just wondering if the 3 speed is ok for the highway. Just seems that it may have higher RPM's than a 4 speed which would equate to higher gas mileage and louder sounding engine when driving at 70mph or so.
Also does anyone know the towing capacity of the 3.9. I have a tent trailer that loaded would be about 3200lbs, then an additional 350lbs of family in the van with gear
Cheers
Alastair
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Ram van with 3 speed transmission
Howdy. I've put about 3000 miles now on my 2002 1500 Ram Van w/ 3.9L and 3 speed so I can tell you a few things...
It handles fine on the highway, I average about 15-16 MPG now over the 3000 miles, and actually I havent been able to detect much difference between highway and city MPG. About 2/3s of my 3000 is highway and 1/3 city. I dont know if an overdrive would improve this or not, but I am satisfied with it.
THe engine is definitely pretty loud at highway speeds.... I can also hear the water pump cycling on and off... beware... it can be hynoptic over an hour of boring highway or so! They are not bad sounds, but they are there and much louder than a passenger vehicle. My solution is quite simple for this... I am installing a mega stereo. Other people might not have this option
Overall the van handles fine up to about 75-80 when I start thinking about slowing down, but it can def go faster. The cruise control is responsive. Good tire pressure helps it handle acceptably in gusty winds.
I was actually under the impression that my van had a 4 spd in it, simply because it has an overdrive off button on the shifter stalk. It took a good bit of researchin to realize that the button was for every other configuration of the van except this bottom line one. Im not dissapointed at all, heck its one less thing to break! And most of driving I intend to be under 60 MPH. If most of driving was going to be over 60MPH I might think differently.
It handles fine on the highway, I average about 15-16 MPG now over the 3000 miles, and actually I havent been able to detect much difference between highway and city MPG. About 2/3s of my 3000 is highway and 1/3 city. I dont know if an overdrive would improve this or not, but I am satisfied with it.
THe engine is definitely pretty loud at highway speeds.... I can also hear the water pump cycling on and off... beware... it can be hynoptic over an hour of boring highway or so! They are not bad sounds, but they are there and much louder than a passenger vehicle. My solution is quite simple for this... I am installing a mega stereo. Other people might not have this option
Overall the van handles fine up to about 75-80 when I start thinking about slowing down, but it can def go faster. The cruise control is responsive. Good tire pressure helps it handle acceptably in gusty winds.
I was actually under the impression that my van had a 4 spd in it, simply because it has an overdrive off button on the shifter stalk. It took a good bit of researchin to realize that the button was for every other configuration of the van except this bottom line one. Im not dissapointed at all, heck its one less thing to break! And most of driving I intend to be under 60 MPH. If most of driving was going to be over 60MPH I might think differently.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 2
From: Nashville
RE: Ram van with 3 speed transmission
station71,
As you can see in my signature, I tow a full size TT (travel-trailer). Dry weight is 3000#. Loaded, about 4000#~4500#. The 3.9L will tow it. The 3.9L was our only vehicle to tow this TT for two years until we got the 3/4-ton 12-passenger. (Six children and many car seats.
)
Well, if you live in area that is relatively flat with slight grades, you'll do very well towing with the 3.9L. If you live in the back hills of PA, TN, or WV you'll be looking for another vehicle to tow with or just pack a lighter. I once towed the TT out of a low lying up-hill grade 4. Oh my! We went up from the bottom doing 45. 1/4 mile up, we were doing 30. 1/2 mile up, we were crawling at 20 in second gear. At the 3/4 mile mark, I had enough shoulder to pull off onto and allowed everyone behind us to pass. Then it was back to 20 crawling to the top. Once out of the pit and at the top, I made the interstate and the remainder of the trip was eventless. BUT, it was one of those "white-knuckle" events. The 3.9L never over-heated, nor did the tranny buck. Everything worked well, just not enough horse-power for that steep grade.
Oh, I do have "Lube Guard" ATF additive to protect the tranny from overheating too. It's a widely known product to RV'ers. NAPA and other places sell it. It prevents the trans fluid from foaming up and raises the flash point (boiling point) of the fluid. Something every RV'er should use. Lube Guard even helps with the Dodge Caravan tranny problems too that use ATF+3. Lube Guard will --NOT-- work with AFT+4.
These Ram Vans came standard with a tranny cooler since the Cargo van types and the conversion van types needed them the most.
As for the 3.9L being noisy, it's no different than a GMC ASTRO. I think the ASTRO is louder with it's V6. That's one good van too for towing, but costly in repairs. The 3.9L seems fine for rpm revs. Yes, if Dodge offered an OD option for this engine, production life would have been longer with better mileage. BUT, now welcome the SPRINTER.
OK, enough rambleing from me.
Peace!
Stev
As you can see in my signature, I tow a full size TT (travel-trailer). Dry weight is 3000#. Loaded, about 4000#~4500#. The 3.9L will tow it. The 3.9L was our only vehicle to tow this TT for two years until we got the 3/4-ton 12-passenger. (Six children and many car seats.
) Well, if you live in area that is relatively flat with slight grades, you'll do very well towing with the 3.9L. If you live in the back hills of PA, TN, or WV you'll be looking for another vehicle to tow with or just pack a lighter. I once towed the TT out of a low lying up-hill grade 4. Oh my! We went up from the bottom doing 45. 1/4 mile up, we were doing 30. 1/2 mile up, we were crawling at 20 in second gear. At the 3/4 mile mark, I had enough shoulder to pull off onto and allowed everyone behind us to pass. Then it was back to 20 crawling to the top. Once out of the pit and at the top, I made the interstate and the remainder of the trip was eventless. BUT, it was one of those "white-knuckle" events. The 3.9L never over-heated, nor did the tranny buck. Everything worked well, just not enough horse-power for that steep grade.
Oh, I do have "Lube Guard" ATF additive to protect the tranny from overheating too. It's a widely known product to RV'ers. NAPA and other places sell it. It prevents the trans fluid from foaming up and raises the flash point (boiling point) of the fluid. Something every RV'er should use.
Lube Guard even helps with the Dodge Caravan tranny problems too that use ATF+3. Lube Guard will --NOT-- work with AFT+4. These Ram Vans came standard with a tranny cooler since the Cargo van types and the conversion van types needed them the most.
As for the 3.9L being noisy, it's no different than a GMC ASTRO. I think the ASTRO is louder with it's V6. That's one good van too for towing, but costly in repairs. The 3.9L seems fine for rpm revs. Yes, if Dodge offered an OD option for this engine, production life would have been longer with better mileage. BUT, now welcome the SPRINTER.
OK, enough rambleing from me.
Peace!
Stev