[jphillips01]

Hi, I'm new to the forums and will soon be purchasing another truck. I am looking at 2002-2005 Ram 1500 Off-Road Edition and am trying to decide between the 5.9 or the 5.7. I dropped a 5.9 into my Dakota that I currently drive and have never had a problem besides a Crank Sensor (@177k miles). However the 5.7 has 100 more horsepower and is probably more efficient as it's a newer engine. I am going to be buying a Ram with 80-120k miles on it so I am curious if the 5.9 is as durable as the 5.7?

Thanks

 

[ArmyofOne]

Its no more effecient, but it is ALOT more powerful. You get 100 more HP and ooodles more TQ.

5.7 FTW.

 

[jphillips01]

Well obviously for performance factors I would rather have the Hemi, but I'm wondering if it's as durable as the Magnum? Any thoughts?

 

[GTyankee]

Putting a Hemi in your truck is not impossible, but very costly, different engine setup, computers, automatic transmission upgrade. If you decide to go that route, you would want a Hemi out of a non MDS Hemi, like in the Heavy Duty Rams

There are many 4.7 & 5.9 Magnums still on the road today & they are easy to modify, i think that speaks for itself

 

[jphillips01]

Well thanks, but I meant to say that I am trying to decide between a Ram 1500 with a 5.9 or a Ram 1500 with a 5.7, I am in the market but can only afford high mileage, so which is more durable?

 

[ArmyofOne]

Theyare equal in terms of durability, but the 360 has more long term results, simply because its been around since the late 50's.

 

[jphillips01]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, thanks.

By the way I notice you have the 4.7, how is that engine? Because before I was looking at Rams I wanted a Quad Cab Dakota but the 4.7 made me nervous due to the fact that it is a new design and a SOHC so I was leaning towards the 5.9

 

[jfeary17]

i would get a hemi i was a dodge tech for over 10 years the 360 is very dependable but they get cracks in the cylinder heads between the valve seats quite often and the most i saw with a hemi was a broken exhaust valve spring i have owned both the 5.9 and hemi and 2 diesels i just bought a new 2011 ram with a hemi . so i say hemi or nothing

 

[jfeary17]

and the hemi has a far better transmission than the 5.9 . the 5.9 has a 46re with many problems and the hemi has a 545rfe that is bullet proof

 

[jphillips01]

Alright awesome then, I guess I'll be specifically looking for a 2003-2005 Ram 1500 Hemi with the Off Road Package, thanks a lot

 

[mttviper]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, thanks.

By the way I notice you have the 4.7, how is that engine? Because before I was looking at Rams I wanted a Quad Cab Dakota but the 4.7 made me nervous due to the fact that it is a new design and a SOHC so I was leaning towards the 5.9

One of my old 98's with the 5.9 is sitting at, 199,832 miles and still going strong.

 

[2011lilred]

Its no more effecient, but it is ALOT more powerful. You get 100 more HP and ooodles more TQ.

What??? The 5.7 is a smaller engine with better fuel mileage and more power, how is that NOT more efficient???
:doh:

Theyare equal in terms of durability, but the 360 has more long term results, simply because its been around since the late 50's.

:smiledown:

The 360 is an LA (Lightweight A) series motor that was introduced in 1971 - I had one in a 1971 Plymouth Sport Fury. The LA series as a whole was introduced in 1964 with the 273. Granted the LA gets it's name from the A-series motor (also referred to as the "Poly-series" motor) which was introduced in 1956 but the only things they actually share are the distributor and the timing chain. Saying the 360 has been around since the late 50's as a durability testament is way misleading - you might as well base the new 392 Hemi's durability on the 57-58 392 early Hemi. In fact, the A and LA series motors were built back in an era when cars as a whole weren't designed to last more than 100,000 miles so neither were the engines - when is the last time you saw a 70 Dart (owned one of those too) going down the road that hasn't been completely rebuilt? If it hasn't, it was blowing smoke and falling apart with 110,000 miles on it.

That being said, the 360 has been around since the 70s, have benefitted from alot of refinements in the Magnum series (roller cams, moly rings, swirl port valves) and some are getting 200,000 plus miles but the technology involved in the 5.7 Hemi is lightyears ahead of the LA/Magnum 5.9....it's like asking should I get an old CRT based TV or a used flat screen?

 

[snrusnak]

Definitely get the hemi! The 5.9 is pretty reliable, but the 5.7 is at least as reliable, but probably even more reliable. Also has much more power and better mpg. Also the trans behind the hemi is far superior to the one behind the 5.9.

You asked about the 4.7L, it is a good reliable engine. The 2007 and older ones don't have a lot of hp though. They have decent torque, and are still great engines, but won't have near the hp of the hemi or the later 4.7L. IMO, knowing what I know now that I have a ram, I would not buy an older 4.7L, but would get either the older hemi, newer hemi, or the newr 4.7L. I want to go fast though....if you just want a good truck engine, they will all do fine realistically.

 

[jphillips01]

I appreciate all the responses, I personally love my 5.9 (@178k miles) and believe it is a great engine, but I am looking for more performance but did not want to sacrifice durability, but from all of you who have said it is just as durable or more so coupled with the upgraded transmission I'll defiantly have to go with the Hemi.

Also that's good to know the 4.7 is reliable, the reason I questioned it's durability is because I had heard a lot of people who towed or hauled had issues with the heads cracking at high miles (75k +). My dad's mechanic bought a brand new Ram and it's head cracked a year later and Dodge (or Ram now I suppose) did not cover it under warranty.

 

[snrusnak]

I've known a few other people with 4.7L's (both 2007 and older, and 2008 and newer) and none have had issues. These have all been daily drivers though, not heavy tow rigs or racing or anything. Mine has nearly 60k miles and I run it pretty hard racing it at times and it runs perfect.

I've known several people with 3rd gen hemi's that raced at the track dozens of times a year and had no issues even after 100k miles...hemi is a great engine for sure, you'll love it!

 

[ArmyofOne]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, thanks.

By the way I notice you have the 4.7, how is that engine? Because before I was looking at Rams I wanted a Quad Cab Dakota but the 4.7 made me nervous due to the fact that it is a new design and a SOHC so I was leaning towards the 5.9

I love my 4.7. In 2008, the new one debuted with 15HP less than the 03-08 Hemi.

What??? The 5.7 is a smaller engine with better fuel mileage and more power, how is that NOT more efficient???
:doh:

:smiledown:

Wow guy...I was referring to Fuel Economy. I had a 2000 Ram with a 5.9, I also had a 2005 Ram with a 5.7. The hemi was only slightly better. Calm yourself brother. It's not that serious.

 

[scarbucket]

I wish I could afford the hemi when I bought my 5.9 but I do like the 5.9 engine so idk lol

 

[jphillips01]

Yeah that's the only thing I can say, the 5.9 is cheaper than the Hemi, by the way the Hemi has 345 HP not 315, the new (2008) 4.7 has 302 hp, so it's 43 less.

Not trying to be a dick, just saying it has 345

 

[snrusnak]

^The new 4.7L (2008 and up) actually has 310hp, so your both wrong it's shy of the old hemi by 35hp. It has 330lb ft though and I think that's a closer gap to the old hemi.

 

[jphillips01]

My apologies on the horsepower of the 4.7, I am unsure of it's torque, but I would imagine it is betwen 320-335 ft. lbs.

The old Hemi (2003-?) had 375 ft. lbs.