5.9L Dodge Motors, the good the bad and the ugly?

[JaySimon]

So, I think I am wanting to buy a new truck. I want a 3/4 ton extended cab, and I'm looking at an 03 dodge with the 5.9 (360)

So I'm wondering what this motor might lead me into? I want something reliable, and able to move the truck and 2 sleds on a deck fairly easily. I am talking gas here, as it seems that a diesel is out of my price range. What can I expect for reliability, and mileage out of the 5.9?

Thanks for your help, you cats know more about this stuff than I do.

 

[Red Mtn Riders]

Are you asking about the 5.9 Cummins? That would be the only 5.9 offered in 2003. The gas engine is the 5.7 Hemi.

Both are great engines. The Cummins is a legend. I would look for the HO version as the '03s came in two HP configurations. Look for the sticker on the valve cover that states it is a 305 hp version. The 305/555 version of the Cummins gets excellent fuel milage and is super durable.

The 5.7 hemi is a great gas engine but doesn't move a 3/4 ton truck like the Cummins. The auto trans has a BIG 2-3 gap that kills acceleration. My '03 Hemi quad cab 4x4 short box got 15-16 mpg, less around town. My '03 Cummins, same configuration would get 22+ mpg on the highway and had way more power.

If you are talking about the 5.9 gas, they quit making and selling that in the 2002 3/4 tons. That is the old body style, I would highly reccomend going for an '03 or newer.

 

[JaySimon]

From what I understand, they did the body change on the 1/2 ton in 2003, and saved the change for the 3/4 ton and 1 ton the year later.

In any event, I am talking about the 5.9 gas job. If I could find a cummins within my price range, that is choice 1

 

[Red Mtn Riders]

I have owned two 2003 1- tons, and one 2003 3/4 ton, 2003 is the new body, no 5.9 unless it is a Cummins.

The gas 5.9 and the body it comes in are the old school. Not bad trucks, not great trucks. The 5.9 gasser doesn't really have any major issues, just lower power and less fuel milage than the 5.7 Hemi. The old body has more front end issues and the old style quad cab body is pretty flexy.

 

[JaySimon]

Excellent, that's news I can use. Maybe they mis-labelled it and it has a cummins? That would seal my deal

Thanks for your help

 

[AreWeThereYet]

2002-2005 are the same body style, they changed in 2006-2008

The 5.9(360) was offered up to 2003 as an option in the 1500's, 3.6, 4.7, 5.7 and 5.9. Then in 2004 it was 3.6, 4.7, 5.7 and the 8.0.

It wasn't offered in the 2003 2500, it was the hemi

 

[Red Mtn Riders]

2002-2005 are the same body style, they changed in 2006-2008

The 5.9(360) was offered up to 2003 as an option in the 1500's, 3.6, 4.7, 5.7 and 5.9. Then in 2004 it was 3.6, 4.7, 5.7 and the 8.0.

Better check your facts, unless Canada had a completely different line up than the US, that is incorrect.

The 1500 trucks were the same body from 2002-2008, I do not consider new headlights in '06 a body change. The 2500 and 3500s wore this body from 2003-2009.

The 5.9 gas was never offered in the 2002-2008 1500 or the 2003-2009 HD's. The 8.0 V10 was never offered in these trucks either, except the SRT 10 versions.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Every time they change something on the body, it is a body change, as well as the front went to a coil over instead of a torsion bar suspension. It's the same generation(gen 3)but a body change, just because you say it's not cause of the lights doesn't mean you are right,.. plain fact,.. body change.

I was using stats from allpar.com

I will go dig up the proof,.. gawd!!

 

[JaySimon]

I really need to lay off the glue. It is an 02 either way. Do the 03 and newer 3/4 tons come with a solid front axle?

Sorry for a hundred posts, just want to find a truck that will work for me.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

I really need to lay off the glue. It is an 02 either way. Do the 03 and newer 3/4 tons come with a solid front axle?

Sorry for a hundred posts, just want to find a truck that will work for me.

All do except for Chevy

 

[AreWeThereYet]

2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 specifications

The main changes for the 2002 Ram 1500 were:
As of December 2002, much more power in the optional V8 as a result of the swap from the 5.9 liter (360) to the 5.7 liter Hemi. The 360 V8 was replaced in 2004 when the new Hemi line of engines came out with more power and better economy - and cheaper assembly costs.

It was offered up to 2003, then changed

 

[Red Mtn Riders]

What you have "found" is the 360 that you could get in a 2500 or 3500 truck in 2002, but that is the 2nd gen body.

If it has a 360 gas, it is in a 2nd gen body, same goes for the 8L V10 except in SRT 10 trucks. The 360 gas was NEVER fitted to a third gen truck.

Try and keep up here, I know it can be confusing.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

What you have "found" is the 360 that you could get in a 2500 or 3500 truck in 2002, but that is the 2nd gen body.

If it has a 360 gas, it is in a 2nd gen body, same goes for the 8L V10 except in SRT 10 trucks. The 360 gas was NEVER fitted to a third gen truck.

Try and keep up here, I know it can be confusing.

K, I got 2nd gen and 3rd gen mixed up, not sure why I started with 1500 either,.. hmm.

 

[Cyle]

What you have "found" is the 360 that you could get in a 2500 or 3500 truck in 2002, but that is the 2nd gen body.

If it has a 360 gas, it is in a 2nd gen body, same goes for the 8L V10 except in SRT 10 trucks. The 360 gas was NEVER fitted to a third gen truck.

Try and keep up here, I know it can be confusing.

Wrong. In 2002 1500's you can get the 5.9 360 GAS. The hemi wasn't offered until 2003. In the 2003 2500/3500 the V10 was still avalible in small supply because of leftover engines, you WILL find them in the newer body style. But you will NOT find a 360 gas job in a 3rd gen 2500/3500.

The 360 is a good solid motor, it is a bit lower on power pushing a 2500/3500 but so is the hemi.

 

[medler]

I had a 01 half ton Dodge 4x4 with the 360,3.55 gears and it was a gutless wonder...,,cold air intake, exhaust, and a hypertech tuner ,run on premium, and it would barely pull my trailer .I would not buy a 360 for hauling anything .The Hemi is much more powerfull.

 

[koda9192]

Wrong. In 2002 1500's you can get the 5.9 360 GAS. The hemi wasn't offered until 2003. In the 2003 2500/3500 the V10 was still avalible in small supply because of leftover engines, you WILL find them in the newer body style. But you will NOT find a 360 gas job in a 3rd gen 2500/3500.

The 360 is a good solid motor, it is a bit lower on power pushing a 2500/3500 but so is the hemi.

Thank you, i was starting to get frustrated.

 

[Red Mtn Riders]

Wrong. In 2002 1500's you can get the 5.9 360 GAS. The hemi wasn't offered until 2003. In the 2003 2500/3500 the V10 was still avalible in small supply because of leftover engines, you WILL find them in the newer body style. But you will NOT find a 360 gas job in a 3rd gen 2500/3500.

The 360 is a good solid motor, it is a bit lower on power pushing a 2500/3500 but so is the hemi.

Show me ONE of either. 2002 is the first year for the 3rd gen 1500, show me one with a 360. 2003 is the first year of the 3rd gen in the HD, show me one with the V10.

PROVE ME WRONG, I dare ya.

 

[Cyle]

Show me ONE of either. 2002 is the first year for the 3rd gen 1500, show me one with a 360. 2003 is the first year of the 3rd gen in the HD, show me one with the V10.

PROVE ME WRONG, I dare ya.

Sigh misimformed people. I will show you tons of 2002 1500's with 5.9 gassers. The 2003 2500/3500 V10 is rare but out there....Gimme a few mins.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Show me ONE of either. 2002 is the first year for the 3rd gen 1500, show me one with a 360. 2003 is the first year of the 3rd gen in the HD, show me one with the V10.

PROVE ME WRONG, I dare ya.

2002 Dodge Ram 1500, specs - New-Cars.com

The Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Truck is equipped three engine choices. First up is a next-generation 3.7-litre Magnum SOHC, SMPI eight-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. A next-generation 4.7-litre Magnum SOHC, SMPI eight-cylinder engine that produces 235 horsepower follows, and the third is a 5.9-litre Magnum eight-cylinder with 245 horsepower.

You are wrong

http://www.new-cars.com/2003/2003-dodge-ram-2500-3500.html

Performance
In a move that surprises no one, manufacturers make 2WD and 4WD configurations available with the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Three engines are offered. The standard is a 5.7-liter Hemi Magnum V8 that generates 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft. of torque. The first optional engine is an 8.0-liter Magnum V10 engine with 305 horsepower and 440 lb-ft. of torque. The final engine is an all-new, high-pressure, common-rail injection, High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The new High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel is the most powerful turbo diesel engine available in the 2500/3500 segment, producing 305 horsepower 555 lb-ft. of torque.

You are wrong

 

[Cyle]

Thanks, and here's the proof for the V10.

2003 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive