The 4.7L runs like the 5.2L...and better. We have towed a near 5000#
payload with our 5.2L 4x4 sport CC, 3.55 gearing, and it was great.
The 3.92 would have been better in the mountains, but with 3.92 gearing
don't expect to run on the flat faster than 60 mph (you'll be in Drive,
and running 3500 rpm), whereas with my wife's 3.55 geared 4x4, we
pulled 65-70 mph in Drive running 2800-3000 rpm, and still got respectable
mileage. On the grapevine (a steep climb from central to southern
california), we dropped to 45-50 mph in 2nd gear running 3000-3100 rpm
with no problem.
The trade off between the 3.92 and 3.55 will get you better mileage when
empty w/3.55 gearing. The 5.9 is a pig (I have an RT), so the mileage
difference alone would make me go with the 4.7 (especially with some
people claiming 19-20 mpg highway-- a 5.9 will only see high 16's-17's
driving slower than 65 mph.)
Sam '00 RT & '99 4x4
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Boris Elpiner
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 1999 4:33 PM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: 4.7 vs. 5.9
>
>
> I'm new to the list, so please forgive me if I'm bringing up a
> topic that you had discussed to death earlier.
>
> I'm in the process of buying a 2000 Quad Cab 4x2 and I'm trying
> to make a decision on whether to get 4.7L or 5.9L engine. I will
> be towing a car trailer (about 5000lbs ) twice a month, but most
> of the time the truck will be used for commuting and regular
> day-to-day driving. Of course 5.9 has a lot better torque which
> is great for towing, but I keep hearing how smooth, responsive
> and efficient a 4.7l engine is. And 5.9's towing capacity is only
> 300lbs more than 4.7's I'm leaning toward 4.7, but I don't want
> to find myself regretting not getting the most power I could have gotten.
>
> I appreciate your feedback.
>
> Boris.
>
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