5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD

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5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/8/2008 10:12:19 AM    556fmj   Posts: 108 Joined: 5/25/2006 Status: offline Hi guys have a few questions that I'd like to get opinions on. I currently have a 1999 dodge ram standard cab short bed 1500 with a 5.9 and automatic.  It tows my 18' car trailer and race car fine around town, but I've got a move to Nashville soon, and want to get a 3/4 ton truck with a little more wheelbase for a bit more stability and safety for the move, and for daily driving/towing the car around duties once I'm in Nashville.  Here's my question... do the 3/4 ton rams have more power (5.9 gas to 5.9 gas) than the 1/2 tons?  My truck is alright, but it's only that.  Just alright.  It's got gibson short tubes, flowmaster exhaust, and a modded kegger with hughes kit, and MSD 6A ignition, and, even after all of this, it's just alright.  If the 3/4 tons have a bit more oomph in them, I could transfer all of my crap to it, and be happy with it, or if I go with a little newer truck, I could do the Hemi, and that's always an option too.  Really, I guess what I'm looking for is practical, real world facts from dudes that have these trucks.  Obviously the CTD is going to tow the doors off of the other choices, but they are typically 5-10K more expensive, and diesel is 40-70 cents more a gallon, and its tough to find one without a jillion hard miles on them for a decent price.  Is the V10 a practical choice, or will the daily driver mileage be bad enough that it's a better bet to go with the CTD?  Oh yeah, and I'm really trying to stay away from the automatics.  Dodge builds a great truck, but the auto trans leaves a bit to be desired, so did dodge even make the 8.0L with a stick?  I haven't come across any. Thanks in advance Post #: 1

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/8/2008 10:31:55 AM    dillonjm   Posts: 244 Joined: 9/26/2006 From: Omaha Status: offline The 5.9 was the same in the half and 3/4 ton versions IIRC.  The hemi really isn't that much more powerful torque wise than the 5.9 (only about 35-40 ft/lbs in stock form), so I'm not really thinking you're going to notice a huge differnece between the two.  As far as diesels go, the initial cost difference is where you're really going to lose out on, you'll never really make that up unless you put a ton of miles on it. The difference in fuel price you can make up in the difference in fuel mpg (calculating current cost of about 4.15/gal diesel @ 15mpg = 27.6 cents / mile VS 3.45/gal gas @ 10mpg = 34.5 cents / mile). However, the ease of towing might make that initial cost worth it to you.  How heavy are the loads you haul? < Message edited by dillonjm -- 5/8/2008 10:41:39 AM > _____________________________ 2001 Ram 1500 4x4 360 - K&N / HPP3 on 87 Octane Setting Taurus Fan with home-fabbed shroud Flowmaster 50 Tom Woods 35* Front Shaft 5" RC w/AAL in rear 35x12.50 BFG Mud Terrain''s on 15x8 Black steelies (in reply to 556fmj) Post #: 2

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/8/2008 6:19:29 PM    CaptCameltoe Posts: 8 Joined: 2/7/2008 Status: offline The 5.9 gas 3/4 tons would be even doggier then the 1/2 tons due to the extra weight and more power robbing axle/trans. The chrysler tranny problems are over exagerated and if people stuck with mopar trans fluid, good coolers and didn't run monster tires with hwy gears, you'd hear a lot less about them. I sell used parts and get far more calls on GM and Ford trannys then I do Dodge trannys. IMO the 5.9 gas and 8.0 will get about the same mileage in a 3/4 ton but the 8.0 as detuned as it is will blow the doors off the 5.9 gas and a stock cummins (later year over boosted cummins do rock and roll pretty damn good). The 8.0 was available with a stick, so they are out there. With the price of diesel fuel and the extra cost of the trucks themselves it will be awhile before (if ever) it makes up the difference in fuel savings. I don't know much about the Hemi's, but I hear they are only marginally better on fuel then the 5.9 gas motors and don't have near the torque of the 8.0. Avoid the 4.7's at all cost IMO, they are too weak for a Ram and they are blowing up out there in the real world.  (in reply to dillonjm) Post #: 3

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/11/2008 2:45:20 PM    THEGOLDPRO   Posts: 422 Joined: 10/29/2005 From: southbury CT Status: offline look into the v10 for sure, there isnt anything i have put behind mine that made it struggle. it just seems to have endless power. also my v10 is stock i have heard with some mods you can get upwords of 500tq. also note i tow heavy loads so im speaking from experiance. ie: my skid steer,my 8k pound tractor, my 31foor camper which weighs right at 10k fully loaded. and so on. _____________________________ 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 5-speed (blue) 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 8.0 V10 (red) (in reply to CaptCameltoe) Post #: 4

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/11/2008 3:15:31 PM    V10   Posts: 169 Joined: 7/17/2005 Status: offline The Hemi isn't a very good choice for hauling real loads. Nice car engine though. With fuel prices the way they are it's a coin flip, pay the $5-10K premium for the Cummins and even with the better diesel mpg, you'll have to drive a lot of miles to recoup that premium.   _____________________________ 1998 Plymouth Neon Expresso Coupe DOHC 2.0 MTX 1999 Ram 2500 Sport 4x4 8.0L V10 (in reply to THEGOLDPRO) Post #: 5

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/11/2008 9:11:35 PM    556fmj   Posts: 108 Joined: 5/25/2006 Status: offline excellent guys.  thanks for the replys.  I'm looking into a few options, and I'll let you guys know when i make a decision. Goldpro, what kind of mileage do you get towing heavy loads?  Mine will be in the 7K range, with my car/trailer/race stuff. (in reply to V10) Post #: 6

RE: 5.9 gas vs hemi vs 8.0 vs CTD - 5/12/2008 2:09:42 PM    THEGOLDPRO   Posts: 422 Joined: 10/29/2005 From: southbury CT Status: offline  ummm honestly i never really checked the mileage while towing, i wouldent be a fair assesment as i live in a VERY hilly area and am always pulling up mountains and hills. but i can say it gets the same if not better mileage as my blue 5.9 litre gets while not towing. so id assume it prolly gets better milage as my blue 5.9 litre while towing as it doesnt have to work as hard. _____________________________ 1998 DODGE RAM 2500 5-speed (blue) 1999 DODGE RAM 2500 8.0 V10 (red) (in reply to 556fmj) Post #: 7

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