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Franko
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2005
15:38:17
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 Subject: which engine??
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I have an offer on a good price for an 03 Dakota with the 3.9, but I'm hearing that its a real dog and gets worse mileage than the 4.7 .. Should I go with the 05 which has the 3.7? or is there no difference? Is that the same 3.7 that is in the Liberty??
thanks!
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DaknBlk
GenIII
5/18/2005
16:33:04
|  RE: which engine??
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Franko,
It depends on a lot of things...
First is that the '03 and '05 are really different trucks. I know this isn't a major factor for some people, but do you like both body styles? (Not that that's the only difference)
As for the 3.9, you'll get a lot of opinions on that. I'm happy w/the 3.9 in my Dak, but it's just a 2wd ClubCab and I don't do any towing. I've heard plenty of guys that have QuadCabs w/ 3.9s who are disappointed with it. The GenIII is just a heavy truck to begin with, so with the added weight of a 4x4, Quadcab, etc. the 3.9 starts to struggle a bit. Of course, if you're looking at the RC, I'm sure the 3.9 will be great. (I don't think there's a regular cab option in the Gen IV Daks)
As for the 3.7 I believe that it's the same as in the Liberty. I'm sure someone here knows for certain...
John
03cc w/ 3.9 V6
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hmmm
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2005
17:02:44
| RE: which engine??
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The 3.9 is a dog and I would avoid it.
Get the 4.7 if you can. The 3.7 in the Liberty is the same one in the Dak. It moves the Liberty pretty good but has it's limits in the Dak.
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2005
19:48:41
| RE: which engine??
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If you want power go with the v8. The 3.7 comes in the '04 model so if you don't like the '05 there's another opption, since the 3.7 is only lacking about 20hp compared to the 4.7. As for gas mileage I have a 2000 CC 4x4 Sport with the 3.9 and I'm getting about 5-10 mpg beter than my dad with his 02 4.7. I also like to lay into the gas alot more so that doesn't help my gas mileage and I seem to be doin ok. I got up to about 24mpg and worst is about 15-16. I only drive about 4 miles to work each day which is about a 15 min drive since I have to go through town. Hope this might help.
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J and J Auto
GenII
5/18/2005
22:56:50
| RE: which engine??
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With just a few easy bolt on mods the 3.9 which is
a real mopar engine they perform well and get
good gas mileage
The 3.7 and 4.7 are not mopar engines but dalimer
over head cam engines which rev higher to get
there power
22 to 25mpg with my 95 4X4
Ram air
48mm F&B
1.7 harland roller rockers
ported intake and heads very mild porting
Jet stage 2 chip
JBA headers
carsound high flow cat
11748 dynomax 2.5 single tail
A500 42RH TCI TransScat 220500 shift kit
3.55 with powertrax richman locker
PVI injection system
Halo plugs
MSD 8.5 wires
Larry
J&J Auto
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tc
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
01:28:43
| RE: which engine??
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The specs may only show a 25hp difference between the 3.7 & the 4.7 - but there is a HUGE difference. I've owned a Grand Cherokee w/4.7 and a Liberty with the 3.7 the 3.7 is a 2 valvle per cylinder motor and is barely adequate. The 4.7 is a multi-valve engine with a huge difference in torque - it is pretty quick. It was a blast in the heavier GC. the 3.7 will move your truck, the 4.7 makes it fun. Of course, the 4.7 is a gas pig. Mine was in the shop literally monthly so I dumped it. no probs w/the engine, just EVERYTHING else.
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onemark
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
11:59:57
| RE: which engine??
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hey larry,
I was told the 3.9 is nothing but a chopped 318? If thats the case it should run for while. How similar is this motor to the LA style 318 that is used in derbys alot? Thanks Al
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huh
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
13:13:24
| RE: which engine??
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"The 4.7 is a multi-valve engine..."
Where do you buy your crack? Two valves per cylinder on the 4.7.
I would take the 4.7 over anything else. The 3.9 is a dog and a mistake from Lee Iacocca who needed a cheap truck motor fast. It outlived its usefullness long ago and should have been dropped with the K-Car.
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Eric
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
14:17:43
| RE: which engine??
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huh,
The 3.9 can be a dog yes in newer ext. cab trucks. Couple that with 3:55 gears and unfortunately u have a slow truck. However the gearing makes all the difference, most people complaining that their truck is slow have 3:55 with a newer model ext cab dakota. On top of that your trying to move around that extra weight.
Is the 3.9 Junk? NO, look under the hood of a 3.9L and 5.2L about the only difference you will see is the valve cover shorten obviously due to the more cyl on the 318. Pretty much the same motor though. When Mopar introduced it, they described it as chopping half of the front and back cyl off while shortning the crank.
These motors are very reliable and can go 200k+ easy. People give the 3.9L a bad name (like huh) when in reality its a damn reliable motor, you just have to get it in the right truck with right gearing.
The 4.7 HO has alot to live up to the tried and trusted Mopar 318.
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huh
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
17:12:48
| RE: which engine??
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Eric,
The 3.9 is a dog. I have one. I had a 5.2 4x4 before I bought the 3.9. I know of what I speak. The 4.7 has been out in the real world long enough to prove it's usefullness. Couple that with the billion or so test miles Chrysler did during testing and the 4.7 is proven too.
Contrary to what Larry says, the 4.7 is a Chrysler design, not a DaimlerBenz design. It was designed before the merger of equals/outright takeover.
The original question was one of the 4.7 over the 3.9 to which most sane and sober people would reply, "hell yes!!!!" There are alot of cheer leaders for the 3.9 and a lot of people who delude themselves into believing that the poor choice of buying the 3.9 was not a life altering mistake.
I am just helping Franko o not make the same mistake alot of us made in buying the 3.9.
Thanks for your input, you are a valued member of the team.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
17:52:30
| RE: which engine??
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I also have a 99 3.9 and it's a dog. I've done alot to wake that engine/truck up and have partially succeeded. I would never buy another one though. Hideous gas mileage is another problem. And I've done it all to improve it. But don't listen to me, buy one for yourself.
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lol
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
18:26:30
| RE: which engine??
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and "anothermark" would be huh replying again who has had little to no experience with these engines.
These arent race cars there built to haul, tow objects. If you want to race go out and buy yourself a damn car joker.
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Mopar
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
18:31:43
| RE: which engine??
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What part of this simple equation do you not get huh:
239 = 318-2cyl
318 = One of the best derby engines as well as one of chryslers best engines.
One of the best derby engines as well as one of chryslers best engines = RELIABILITY
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Eric
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
18:41:03
| RE: which engine??
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Ok back on topic...to answer your question.
Im not at all means, telling you to get the 3.9 or 3.7
I own the 3.9L myself, it can be a little sluggish but unfortunately my 3:55 and add ext. cab weight doesnt help. However its been a really reliable truck to me, I feel comfortable hopping in it now and driving all the way down to Florida and not worry one bit even as it has 136,000 miles.
If your going for a newer truck as you have already said, I would personally opt for the 4.7L or 5.2. If you tow alot then definitely get either. It may only get 3-5mpg less then the 3.9 or 3.7
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2005
22:54:27
| RE: which engine??
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this isnt a difficult decision to make. 3.9 is reliable. but its a god damn v6. if you want power, obviously go for the v8. if your doing mild towing, or no towing, and you dont have a heavy foot, then the well proven 3.9 is the way to go. especially when gas is about $2.40 a gallon.
my experience with the 3.9 has been good. i had a 97 ram 2wd auto 3.9l. farm truck. we used to haul a sh~t load of stuff with it. we overload the crap out of it, and towed way more than the rated capacity almost as a daily routine, so much that we blew 3 transmissions, and the bumper stretched to the ground almost ripping off.
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