98 dodge 1500
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
98 dodge 1500
3.9L's were in general good engines if not highly smooth. They had good output for their size and reasonable fuel economy. Most had a noisy timing gears until this was fixed around '98 or '99 (forget). Most had slight valve knock that is not fixed by high octane gas (don't waste your money) but this was fixed eventually too.
They are a good match for a 2WD Dakota but I wouldn't have one in a 1500, too small and underpowered. They lack the low-end torque of the old Slant Six which, while slower, would haul and two better than any same-size V6. A V6 can rock in a car but Inline Sixes are always better truck engines, too bad Jeep, Dodge, Ford, etc. have decided to put inadequate V-6's in their place. 4000 RPM horsepower doesn't matter much when the engine stalls off idle. In a truck I'd rather have guts than revs.
They are a good match for a 2WD Dakota but I wouldn't have one in a 1500, too small and underpowered. They lack the low-end torque of the old Slant Six which, while slower, would haul and two better than any same-size V6. A V6 can rock in a car but Inline Sixes are always better truck engines, too bad Jeep, Dodge, Ford, etc. have decided to put inadequate V-6's in their place. 4000 RPM horsepower doesn't matter much when the engine stalls off idle. In a truck I'd rather have guts than revs.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: daly city CALIFORNIA
98 dodge 1500
thats somethin you gotta give chevy credit for, the in line six they put in the trailblazer is a good engine. Hopefully, they maya put it in the full size line to replace the 4.3. And ford should bring back the 300 inlinesix.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: York, NE
98 dodge 1500
From the little I've driven the new Trailblazers, I think that the new I-6 is really lacking in low end grunt. Those motors have to rev to build power and rev as high or higher than the V-6's that are used by everyone else. Notice that it gets 275 HP but it's at 6K RPM's, not what I would want in a truck. It's all about how the motor is set up. The straight design does seem very smooth.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 3
From: Cloud USA
98 dodge 1500
A friend of mine had a dodge Dakota with 3.9 and it had 357,000 miles on it and still ran pretty good. I wouldnt want one in a full size. 318 is a good motor, 360 just sucks gas, not very impressed.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
98 dodge 1500
I've got a friend who owns a 3.9 Dakota X-cab 4x4, he's had it for around 4 years and its been a really good truck. He tows a small boat, which it seems to do fine, and I don't think the fuel economy is too bad either.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
98 dodge 1500
I like the Dodge 3.9 V6 it makes good power and lasts a long time if you take care of it. I have not seen a whole lot of mods available for the 3.9. The 318 is an outstanding small block, last a long time and will handle all the abuse you can dish out. The 360 is a pig.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Joshua Tree, CA
98 dodge 1500
I don't know about the 360 being a pig in the newer trucks, but i've got a 73 3/4 ton with a 360.
it gets 12 miles to the gallon, empty, loaded, towing, whatever, and it will go up any grade at any speed I choose even with a trailer and camper installed.
And best of all, here in Calif. it is smog exempt.
it gets 12 miles to the gallon, empty, loaded, towing, whatever, and it will go up any grade at any speed I choose even with a trailer and camper installed.
And best of all, here in Calif. it is smog exempt.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
98 dodge 1500
I have a '02 2500 with the 5.9L 360 and a 46RE automatic. I can get 14mpg on the highway with it. I declare it a gas-pig. The HEMI's are much more efficient of engines. Dodge waited too long to unleash them. We had a '03 twin of my '02, and it gets 17 on the same territory.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
98 dodge 1500
Well it may not be the fastest or most powerful motor Dodge ever made, but the 318 (second would be the 225 slant six) is still on the top of my list. I can't say much for the hemi I have not seen one in action.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
