Dodge truck

[pete]

Thinking about buying a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab to pull a 17 Lund ProSport. Anyone have any opinions on the truck itself, the 5.8 Liter or the 4.7 liter engine?

[tbarthel]

I have a 2001 Dodge with the 5.8 and pull a 18' Pro-V just fine. I also drove the Ford crew cab with a 5.4 and didnt like the power compared to the Dodge. The Ford would get better gas mileage, but I installed a K&N air filter the day I bought it and get 11-13 miles to the gallon on the road and in town. Good luck and enjoy the truck.

[Hawgeye]

I rode in a Quad cab 2002 this weekend with a 5.8 litre and that was a real nice truck. I think you would be much happier with that 5.8 litre for towing that boat. I had a 4.3 Litre in an S-10 pulling a Pro-V and that was not enough.

[Smokin J]

Hi, I have a 2001 Dodge Quad 1500 with the 5.2 liter. Get the 5.8!! I tow a 16 ft Sylvan Expedition (light boat) and it stuggles in hills and heavy wind. Love the truck though, the ride is nice and get between 14-17 mpg without the boat. Down to around 12-13 when towing.
Smokin J

[Smitty]

I've got both a 2000 Quad Cab with the 5.9L and a 1999 Durango with the 5.2L. I've pulled my 1800 Fisherman with both (as well as previously a 1700 Pro Sport), but I will say I like the extra power of the 5.9.. I've had no problems at all in either instance, but have no experience with the new 4.7L.

The only additional advise I would give is get the towing package and make sure you get the tranny cooler.. I will also say neither is great on fuel mileage, but I guess I didn't buy 4-wheel drive for gas mileage.

Good luck..

[targa2]

I have a 2001 Dodge with 5.9 litre pulling a Targa 2000 and with the 3.73 rearend it will pull 65 -70 mph reving 3000 to 3300 rpm in drive.Ive talked to guys with the new 4.7 and it is not enough for a job this size when you include hills etc.Talked to Dodge today actually and the 2500 series is available in the new body style in September. It will have solid front axle in 4 wheel drive and steering box instead of rack and pinion. That new interior design in the 4 door is awesome.

[GR8WTHUNTER]

I have had 2 5.9 1500 dodges. Both with the towing package. No troubles pulling my triton over the mountians. If I buy another dodge it will be the 5.9 or the deisel

[LIZRD]

COOL, thought i stumbled onto a Dodge truck site, the 5.2 would pull
any alum. boat around fine but i don't think they offer it now. go
with the 5.9 (360cu.in.)mag. / tow package and trans. cooler definitly.

[Skunk]

I have a 2001 with the 5.8, wish I would have listened to my buddys and bought a Chevy. That piece of crap has been in the shop more times than you would believe, mostly transmission stuff but there has beeen several other things to. I can't wait till she hits 36,000 miles, thats when the warranty is up and I'm getting rid of it . The Dodge trucks are attractive because of the price but you sure get what you pay for. I should of spent the extra money on the Chevy or GMC. Just my opinion, but I sure as ##### won't buy another one.
Good Luck

[steve]

Skunk, I was really wondering how you got hold of a 5.8 liter when they don't make one, was it a special order for you. A big part of the problems with tramsmissions is caused by the owner not switching the over-drive off when towing, as it tells you to do in the owners manual, just a thought.

[SPARTY]

I have the 2002 4.7l 1500 quad cab. It pulls my 19ft. and gear like it's not even there. Took the 4.7l better gas mileage and dealership said 10 hp difference is not that much so don't spend the extra on it.
Great truck though.


Chris

[Svenny]

I have a '95 with the 5.9 and 3.73 gears and it has worked well for towing my buddys '95 1750 pro-am. I would suggest if you go with the 4.7 get the the lower 3.92 for towing. Dodge is coming out with a new 5.7 in the 3/4 & 1 tons this fall and the 1/2's will get it in 2004.

[dave]

sparty, not sure why your results are so different then mine, but they are. I've got a 4.7l in my durango which is fairly new, it doesn't pull that well at all, the engine has decent hp but lacks torque which is what you need for pulling. Now I've recently added a chevy pickup with a 5.3l engine and the diffence in power is night and day. So for those of you that think the undersized 4.7l in a full sized truck can pull are disillusioned, get the big v8 and be done with it.

[Iowaeyes]

Dave,
I have a GMC Sierra with the 4.8 liter and it pulls my 1800 Pro-V like it isn't even there. Now is there a big difference between the Dodge 4.7 and the GMC 4.8? Not trying to be a smart$%^, just wondered if anyone knew because my truck can pull almost any alumunum boat around.
Thanks,

[joewalleye]

Buy a chevy if you want to bottom out going over a curve.

[Esox Warrior]

I got my '02 Quad Cab with 5.9 & 3.92 gears. Can't wait to tow my Crestliner 172TSC with it. I think you'll be working the 4.7 in that big vehicle and towing pretty hard. Probably get less mpg.

[mikie]

I have had a lot of strange problems with my 97 Dakota. This is to the point that I do not think Mr. MoPar will be getting any more of my business. Their stuff looks good, rides great, lots of creature-comforts, but at least for me the equipment did not hold up. Maybe run it for a couple years and trade it in!
I got mine used in 99 with 75K miles, (now with 120K). Since then, the steering gear box, all 4 ball joints, a/c compressor, washer pump wiring, power steering pump and just last week, front brake hose (during a fishing trip out of state, no less), went bad on me. You with the Durango, you'll have the same ball joint problems I had, too. Good luck with your decision. m

[Bo]

Hi Guys, I just bought a new Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4 x 4 with the 4.7 litre. I'm pulling my new 2025 Pro V with no problems at all. Doesn't even seem to be behind me. Doesn't seem to be much difference in fuel economy either about 15mpg. It's a great truck and I, also, have it in my Durango and love that, too. Bo #582

[LUCKYHOOK]

great to hear that.
I just bought the same but havent pulled my Targa 2000 with it.
My 1998 pulled it with the 5.9 no problem and all reports said the 4.7 no problem either but after reading some posts was not sure any more. Gas mileage with the 98 was only about 8-9 pulling the boat.Hoping the 4.7 will be better

Great truck/


GOOD FISHIN
JIM

[Tim FRick]

I have a 2000 dodge dakota, 4.7L and tow a 3600 lbs. boat(19' sea ray) with no problem. It has great pick up even going up hills. Not sure the weight of the other boats, but no problem here! I use to tow the boat with a V-6 3.0L nissian pathfinder. Now that was balless, did the job but struggled. I'm happy with my truck, but my brother had a 2001 grand cherekee and that was a lemon. Like all car manufactures, the lemons are out there.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[Andy K]

That is interesting. I've got a buddy with three Dodge trucks in their family, and all had to have balljoints replaced shortly after 50,000 miles. I don't think I'll be looking at Dodge for a truck.

[esoxbug]

You wouldnt have to ask this question....if you bought a chevy!!!!!! lol..... good luck!!

[sunk-one]

How do you bottom out going over a curve??? Never heard of that before.

[CarpetBagger]

Chevy, GMC, and Fords are all great trucks. Im quite happy with my GMC, have had no problems with it at all almost 70,000 miles on her. I never ever will even look at a Dodge truck. I have a buddy who had a ton of problems with his older one. Again mostly transmission problems (i think the half tons are notorious for bad transmissions) If you buy one make sure u get or put a cooler on the transmission especially if you plan on towing something that has a little weight to it.

Any1 else think the new dodges look weird?

CB

[joe]

I also have a Dodge Dakota, 318 V8, extended cab. Bought it new in 97 and everything was ok until the warranty ran out - then troubles. Everyone I talked to has had trouble with their brakes. They look ok but then suddenly everthing needs replaced, brakes rotors, etc. Very costly I might add. Just in the last week I replaced shocks, wheel cylinders, air conditioning seals and lines. By the way, I only have 40,000 miles on it. Gas mileage also sucks.

[Stinger WI]

I run a 2001 Ram Quad with a 5.9l. I pull a 1800 Pro V Lund with no problems at all. I take it out of overdrive when I pull, I no there are some people who don't but I do.

Good luck


Craig A
#663

[targa2]

I'm actually surprised that you got 40'000 miles out of your brakes on a 97.My first 1500 was a 99 and I got 30'000 KILOMETERS consistently out of pads.I now have a 2001 and they have addressed the brake problem. I got 110'000 K's (70'000 miles) out of the first set and they were still not too bad when I changed them.

If you have tranny problems with a Dodge I can bet it is a problaem with the throttle position linkage under the hood. Get your mechanic to show you how to adjust it yourself. The dealer did mine once and that was all he did. He saw that I was a dirty old constuction type and figured I would probably not mind a little hands on lesson so the tranny mechanic showed me the adjustment.Unfortunately the Dodge truck trannys are not "shift point programmable" through the diagnostic port.They are electronic/hydraulic and must be adjusted manually or you will get slippage. The cable that controls this adjustment will stretch over time ( as any cable will) and needs to be tightened. Mine never screws up now and it pulls like a madman.

The adjustment is so easy it's laughable but if not done will often appear to be serious when it may not be at all.Tow in "drive" and "arrive".

[joe]

Sorry, forgot to mention that I have had to replace everything three times already....

[GR8WTHUNTER]

There is not that much difference in the prices of full sized trucks when they are equiped the same. Actually the new F-250 I picked up this week cost me about 3 grand less than a similarly equiped dodge or chevy. I hope that the ford is as reliable and trouble free for me as my dodges have been.

[Jess]

My pop and I both have Dodge 4x4 1500s. And we are both in love with them. No problems what so ever.

[Kare53bc]

I've owned 2 Dodges, a 98 and a 2000. Definetely get the extended warranty with the Dodge. I got the bumper to bumper to 100,000 miles on both, and the warranty cost less than the repairs needed. I Had problems with the Transmissions, 5 speed manual, and track bars primarily. Loved the interior, really comfortable to drive. Don't know about the 4.7 or 5.9, I had the diesel in mine. With the Cummins, pulling a boat, I got 17 mpg.

[Mr Webster]

Look in Websters Dictionary for the Word Dodge,
The definition is "To Avoid"