3.9L or 5.2L?

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3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/5/2008 4:23:22 PM    extreme93   Posts: 10 Joined: 11/23/2007 Status: offline I'm looking to purchase a dak. somewhere between a '97-'99.  Haven't made up my mind whether to get the 3.9 or get the 5.2L. Is one more reliable than the other?  I know I'll be getting in the mid teen's on mpgs with both of them.  Just want to get the most reliable of the two.  Thoughts?? Mark  Post #: 1

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/5/2008 4:25:18 PM    jnellydodge Posts: 851 Joined: 1/14/2006 From: North Dakota Status: offline They are both good, but u'd probably be happier with the V8, the 318 is a very tough motor. _____________________________ 2004 Dodge Ram QC LARAMIE 4x4 HEMI Lots of chrome 2006 Honda Aero 750-no mods needed 1995 Polaris Xplorer 400 4x4-2 stroke, not stock, unstoppable (in reply to extreme93) Post #: 2

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/5/2008 5:40:54 PM    extreme93   Posts: 10 Joined: 11/23/2007 Status: offline Are there any problems that might come up with the v8? Mark (in reply to jnellydodge) Post #: 3

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/5/2008 8:05:03 PM    libbs12128 Posts: 18 Joined: 10/5/2007 Status: offline ive got a '99 5.9 V8 and i havent run into any serious issues yet...at least i hope not *knock on wood*. ive got a squaling belt that hopefully will be fixed tomorrow. i bought my truck with only 29K miles on it (bought august of 2005) and it presently has 69,800 on it (or there abouts). i dont drive a heck of a lot with it, my work commute is only 36 miles round trip, but occasionally i will drive to my parents house which is approximately 300 miles round trip. i get regular oil changes (about every 3,000 miles). it sucks in the snow, but then again, the only weight ive got in the back is my hard top tonneau cover, my spare tire and some iced up snow. i wish i could tell you my exact gas mileage, but i dont honestly know it. i get pretty decent mileage though..at least i think i do. (in reply to extreme93) Post #: 4

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/5/2008 8:19:27 PM    Truck Dude Posts: 381 Joined: 12/25/2007 Status: offline ive got the 5.2 litre in my 96..its got almost 120,000 miles. ive always thought a V8 would normaly last longer then a V6.  I believe im getting about 13 MPG's city and im not sure highway because i pretty much only drive city....and thats with some hot-roding around _____________________________ 1996 Dodge Dakota 4x4 extended cab 5.2 V8 - muffler delete http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2975410 (in reply to libbs12128) Post #: 5

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/6/2008 12:46:52 AM    geoffb123   Posts: 300 Joined: 11/11/2007 Status: offline 98 5.2L V8 with 350k, no problems yet , I get alteast 16-18mpg (in reply to Truck Dude) Post #: 6

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/6/2008 6:08:48 AM    extreme93   Posts: 10 Joined: 11/23/2007 Status: offline Thanks guys for your imput.  Sounds like the most logical choice would be to get the v8.  Hope I find one soon so I can be an active member on here. Mark (in reply to geoffb123) Post #: 7

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/6/2008 7:44:31 PM    bbcrack   Posts: 79 Joined: 12/3/2007 Status: offline u will b happyer with the v8. i hav the 4.7 in mine and im lookin 4 mo power.mpgs not really gona b that bad _____________________________ Black 03 Dakota Standard Cab 4.7 5speed auto 4x4 33s (in reply to extreme93) Post #: 8

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 1/7/2008 8:12:47 AM    Brymac76 Posts: 64 Joined: 9/10/2007 Status: offline I've got the 3.9 in my 97 Dak...just shy of 130,000. Runs like a champ...but i always want more power...go for the 5.2, or 5.9 if you can...but if you have to settle for the 3.9 it will last a long time...as long as you take care of it with oil changes etc... good luck! _____________________________ 1997 Dakota CC, 3.9L(wish it were a V8) 5 Speed manual(of course) 4x4(of course) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2148733 (in reply to bbcrack) Post #: 9

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 2/20/2008 4:29:02 PM    95dodgesport   Posts: 27 Joined: 2/12/2008 Status: offline both are great motors..i think u will be satisfied with what ever one u choose (in reply to Brymac76) Post #: 10

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 2/21/2008 11:40:42 AM    scandal669 Posts: 318 Joined: 1/16/2008 Status: offline id go with the 5.2...the horsepower is about 50 more and torque is about 75 ft/lbs more, power to weight is better, and milage is close to the same on both. _____________________________ 99 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 Extended cab PB3 - Intense Blue, Pearl Coat 5.2L 318 5 speed manual 31x10.5x15 http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f295/scandal669/010.jpg (in reply to extreme93) Post #: 11

RE: 3.9L or 5.2L? - 2/21/2008 9:46:34 PM    pitkanen44flyers Posts: 583 Joined: 1/10/2007 Status: offline like everyone said both engines are really reliable the 3.9 V6 is basically just the 5.2 V8 with two less cylinders and their both really reliable. the 4.7's are proving to be very reliable to especially the ones with the newer tranny so if you can find one of those in your price range i would serioulsy think about it i love mine and can get in the 20's cruising on the highway. the transmission is more to worry about than the engines on these trucks. and i have the lsd rear end with 3.92's and the few times i've driven in snow its done great barely had to use 4wd so if you get that set up it does really good in the snow at least a few inches. _____________________________ 00 Dakota 4.7, 5 spd, 4x4, 9.25 rear/3.92 LSD, HF Cat, Aerochamber Duals, Hurst Shifter, 105k 96 XJ, 4.0, auto, 4x4, HF Cat, 40 series, K&N, Accel, M/T, 186k miles! (in reply to scandal669) Post #: 12

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