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C177C5
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
15:22:59
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 Subject: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Planning on buying a new Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 to use as a small truck/car. Drove the V6 with a stick and found it adequate for my needs.( I have a Corvette to use when I want to go fast!) I am seeing a lot of negative comments on the V6 as compared to the 4.7 V8 however and am wondering if I should spring the extra for the 4.7..
Any advice would be appreciated.
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YES
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
15:42:09
|  RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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YES!!!
You won't be disappointed.
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
15:46:19
|  RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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I had a Quad cab v6; I traded it in on a Quad
v8. I think the extra two cylinders are a
worthwhile investment. The v6 has to work
really hard to get anywhere. I had done some
minor mods to it to improve it a bit (intake,
throttle body, relocated IAT and new exhaust)
and even then it had to work hard. You'd have
to do a lot more to it to bring it even close to
the feel of the v8; and even then, it will be
louder and less refined-feeling when you're
driving it.
In short, I think you should spring for the 8.
jim
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slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
16:35:42
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Notice that the previous 2 answers addressed SPEED only which C177C5 said was NOT a factor in the descision making process. As far as durability goes the V-6 if properly taken care of will last as long as any other engine that is currently available. The only so-called weak spot that I am aware of is that some have a problem with timing chains. But the problem may have more to do with the owner and the way the truck is driven as the 5.2 and 5.9 use the identical timing chain right down to the part numbers and do not seem to have very much trouble.
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
17:04:23
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
Slopehead,
I did not anywhere mention speed.
The v6 is fine in regular and club cabs (I had a
club cab before the first Quad). It's just barely
enough engine for a Quad.
Notice how DC never offered the v6 in the
Durango? If they weigh the same, why not?
Because the engine has to work too hard. I'm
not disparaging the engine one bit -- I've had
two of them and they were great engines,
never had any problems with either-- but this
simply tells you how impressed I am with the
4.7. Oh yeah, try turning the air conditioning on
with a v6 quad cab. You'll feel like there's a
fourbanger under the hood. That's with the
above mods I did to it.
I did a lot of stuff including some minor
offroading in the v6 Quad. It wasn't terrible --
the Magnum engines do their best work under
load. But this v8 is really impressing me with
how easily it handles. There's a reason I
turned a v6 quad in for a v8.
jim
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
4/15/2003
17:15:28
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
"Notice how DC never offered the v6 in the
Durango?"
they did offer one in a limited production for the first year but killed it soon after
Turbocharged V6
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
17:23:20
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
I stand corrected!
If I'm not mistaken there's some people with
the 3.9 in their Rams.
**shudders**
As I said, I like that engine. First one lasted
70,000 miles and was still going strong when
I turned it in. Second owas only around a year
and a half at 14,000 miles.
jim
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modain
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
18:08:45
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
my $.02
Get the V8. When I was looking for my truck I drove a V6 5-speed QC so I could get a feel for the tranny. I knew I wanted the v8 before I took the drive. After the drive I knew there was no way I could settle for a V6.
A big criterion for me was the "cruzing at 75MPH" test I do. What kind of pull (this was while empty and in 5th gear) does the engine have at freeway speed? I like to have some positive pull when I nudge the throttle when at cruising speed. I noticed immediately that it pulled no better than my wife's Taurus wagon (I quickly dumped later). Which to me was a disppointment, as I want to know my speed is noticably increasing. I want some level of power left in the engine to move the sled without downshifting and going to WOT.
After having my truck for a while and having towed with it I am extremely happy I have the V8 and not the V6.
If you don't want any discernalble acceleration while at cruising speeds, and aren't going to tow or carry a load get the V6 if you are so inclined.
If you think you will get better MPG out of the smaller engine you will get the same (at best) or worse (expect it) than the 4.7 V8. The 4.7 V8 option costs less than $600. I feel it is well worth the cost.
I know there are plenty of folks who will agrue the 3.9-4.7 MPG point because they have achieved different results. But this is after some modifications have been made. Search the endless posts where viewers have shown that in stock and normal usage the V6 eats more gas. Plus it makes less power.
-------------
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7 V8, 5-speed stick, 3.92 LSD, and loads o' fun...
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2003
18:56:29
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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The 4.7 will hold its value better. Should you ever decide to sell it, having a v6 could be a problem. From what I've read on this board, there are no significant differences in gas mileage and looking at stickers, the 4.7 costs an additional $500-$600. However, if you shop around, you might be able to get a killer deal on a v6 from a seller who is having a tough time getting rid of it. This could be private seller or a dealer.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
09:16:22
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
4.7.
Smoother, quieter, better... More towing capacity, heavy duty rear-end... you get the idea, that $600 buys a LOT of things not jsut 2 cylinders....
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
09:59:47
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
The 4.7 has a heavy duty rear end? I thought
they were the same no matter what engine,
varying based on the gear ratio- mine is 3.55.
plus, it isn't just $600 -- if you want the
transmission that was designed for that
engine you need to dole out another $1100.
So it's more like $1700. However, I still think
it's worth it!
A note. When entering an expressway, you
had to mash the pedal down and really rev the
engine to get it up to merging speed -- this
isn't racing, just getting on the e-way speed.
The v6 engine races, it's loud and rough. I did
the same thing with the v8 last night and it
was smooth and quiet. I'm no racer, I just want
something that will get me from point A to
point B without me thinking how much better it
could have been.
jim
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JimC
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
10:13:50
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
Go with the v-8. I've had 3 Dakotas (currently have 2) with both the v-6 and v-8. Like everyone else said you get a lot for your money. If you plan on doing any towing definately get the 8. If you're going to do a lot of towing go with the auto tranny. I have a 5-speed QC 4.7 and it tows excellent but the clutch seems kind of weak. Mileage is not an issue. I just bought the wife a RC 4.7 5-speed and the listed mileage is only 3 MPG less than the 3.9 v-6 model. There is an appreciable power difference. Another issue nobody has mentioned. The QC is a relatively large truck. I can't begin to tell you the number of idiots (accidents) I've avoided simply due to the extra power and my ability to get out of the way. The v-6 is a great motor but after about 6 months you'll wish you had spent the extra $500-600 dollars.
01 QC Flame Red 4wd 4.7 5-speed on Super Swampers
03 RC Dark Garnet 2wd 4.7 5-speed
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
10:31:11
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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The 4.7 has the 9.25" corporate rear end while the 3.9 gets the 8.25". That alone jsutifies the added cost to me.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
11:21:32
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Consider that the V8 is rated for BETTER gas milage than the V6. Also, I believe that the 4.7 is more reliable, and is smoother than the 3.9.
There, arguments for the V8 w/o going into performance :)
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
11:41:50
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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One thing against the 4.7 is try finding one with a 5-speed and any options on a dealers lot. You won't so you will have to special order it. But this is also totally worth the 7 weeks it took mine to come in.... both times...
Chris
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
12:00:47
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
Chris,
I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.
jim
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BarelyDoesIt
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
14:23:08
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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I HAD a QC V6. I had to trade it because highway driving became an exercise in risk management. I'm not talking about going 120+. I'm talking about pulling out to pass and merging with traffic.
The 3.9 in a QC is a gutless piece of sh1t. End of story.
In my humble opinion, DC should kill all V6's in their truck line and offer only the 4.7 or the 5.7Hemi. That's it, take it or leave it. Any pickup I've ever driven with a V6 has been about as useful as tits on a bull.
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Don
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2003
20:33:18
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Had a 87, and have a 95 now. The 87 had 120,000 on it when I sold it the 95 has 110,000 on it with no problems.
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BradC
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2003
08:58:15
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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One other thing to consider is the 3.9 is going to be replaced with the 3.7 out of the Liberty's. So getting the v8 will definitely help in the resale department. I think the 3.9 has run its course and just waitng for retirement.
Unfortunately I don't think the 3.7 is that much better. But that's for another post.
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dakotaster
Dodge Dakota
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4/19/2003
22:17:16
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
I agree with everyone who says go with the 4.7 only to add just go for it and get the 5.9.i just bought my 3.9 quad cab in sept of 02 and just as the new issue of consumer reports i have to say it is a anemic gasguzzler. It cant get out of its own way. I get the same gas milege as that of a 4.7 4x4 and my father in laws 5.9 full size ram. i was fullishly talked out of the 4.7 because of gas milege. what a expensive mistake.
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Dylan
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2012
14:24:29
| RE: 3.9L V6 vs 4.7L V8
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Message:
I'd go for the 4.7l v8 its a very good motor. I currently have
the 3.9l v6 its a good motor but it just lacks in power I am
looking into droping a 4.7 in my dakota.
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