That's what I'm thinking. Especially since I'm gonna be towing quite often. About 2,000-2,500 lbs when you include boat, trailer, gear, a couple buddies, and a full tank of gas. And I'll be going fishing once or twice a week.
Even unloaded, like you said, I'm thinking the better power (and therefore it will move the weight better) of the V8 will come close to negating the V6's 2 less cylinders because it'll have to work harder.
Heck, the (2wd- the model I'm looking at) V8 Dakota has an EPA rated 15 city, 21 highway. My 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee (with the good 'ol 4.0L straight six) is rated at 16 city, 19 highway.
Using this (with the same driving style as I am now), I should be able to achieve roughly the same fuel mileage that I am now, give or take a MPG or so.
As long as I don't get worse than I am now, I'll be a happy camper.
I have a 4x4 2000 QC Dakota with the smaller V-8 and my mileage SUCKS..It has a 392 gear ratio and I cant get over 12.9 mph on the highway with it at 75 mph..
I put new plugs in it and it did'nt help.Guess I'll have to live with it?
Yeah i agree with reconstrucktion I have friend who has a 99 V6 dakota cc and I have the 95 V8dokota cc and we often get about the same mpg, with normal driving.
I get an average of about 16 mph (about 40% stop and go and 60% 55 mph cruising) and often get 19 mpg on longer highway trips, I also occasionly pull a smaller popup camper about 1000 pounds + a full bed of camping gear (a huge load lol) and on the same highway trip I got about 17.5 mpg.
So if you like performance and will be doing some towing then i would strongly suggest the V8
That's what I was thinking. I've heard that a Dakota with a 4.7 is slower than one with the 5.2L. In either case, A 4.7L Dakota probably will still have more power, low and high end, than my 6 cylinder Grand Cherokee. It does me fine now since I only am towing a little jonboat. However, my grandpa just gave me his bass boat (an old Javelin Cobra). It's about 19', fiberglass, a fish/ski combo. It needs some TLC, though. It's done nothing but sit in the sun for about 5 years and sit in a barn for a couple more recently. The engine is a 100 HP 2 stroke (has 100 hours on it TOPS), so maintenance should be nice and simple. After all, it's just an overgrown weed-eater. And the engine doesn't have much wear and tear, either (aside from time)! It needs some cosmetic work and the engine needs to get up and running, as does the bilge and livewell pumps, etc...
Anyways, I'm done gloating. Soon after I get it running, I'll be looking for a new truck, and that boat is a heavy SOB (for my Jeep, at least).
And a Ram just seems too big for me. (though I will look at a HEMI Ram). The Dakota is lighter though, so it should get better mileage than a Ram.
I have a 2003 4.7 quad cab 4x4. No joke...I only get around 10 mpg in the city, and around 14 mpg on the highway. It all went to crap when I put bigger wheels and tires on it[8D]
Hopefully when I get a superchip, intake, and a new exhaust that will all change...I hope!
Gas mileage for V8 Dakota vs. V6 Dakota?
