5.2 vs 5.9

On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:47:44 -0700, ".boB"
<noneofyourbusiness.RemoveThis@goaway.net> wrote:

>GordG wrote:
>> Long time lurker here, with a question.
>>
>> I currently have a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.2, 2 wd, auto, 150 k kilometers
>> (93 K miles), basic truck with air and cruise. I'm pulling a 4800 pd. dry
>> weight travel trailer and finding it's really underpowered for hills and
>> windy conditions.
>>
>> I have a line on a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.9, 4x4, auto, 120 k km, with air
>> ,cruise etc.
>>
>> Assuming the standard gear ratios are the same, can I expect to see a
>> relatively favourable increase in towing capability???? Both trucks are
>> in very good condition.
>>
>>
> The 5.9 is slightly bigger, so you'll see the a
>slight increase in power.
> Unless the 5.9 truck is otherwise better than what
>you have (more options, better condition), it's
>generally cheaper to increase the power of what you
>already have. As long as your truck has been taken
>care of, there's still plenty of miles left in it.
> Anytime you buy a used vehicle, you could be
>buying somebody else's problems.


Good advise on possibly buying someones elses problems. You would be
money, time and power ahead if you simply regeared the rear axle to a
deeper ratio. You do not need a bigger engine as your 318 will do the
job for you with that weight with some 3.92 or 4.10 gears behind it.
Since it is a 2WD it will not be too painfully expensive because there
is only one axle to change and you will feel the difference without
doubt. You likley have a 3.21 or at most a 3.55 now which would lack
towing that amount of weight.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:44:24 GMT, "GordG" <ggreig RemoveThis @shaw.ca> wrote:

>Long time lurker here, with a question.
>
>I currently have a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.2, 2 wd, auto, 150 k kilometers
>(93 K miles), basic truck with air and cruise. I'm pulling a 4800 pd. dry
>weight travel trailer and finding it's really underpowered for hills and
>windy conditions.
>
>I have a line on a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.9, 4x4, auto, 120 k km, with air
>,cruise etc.
>
>Assuming the standard gear ratios are the same, can I expect to see a
>relatively favourable increase in towing capability???? Both trucks are
>in very good condition.
>
YES!

We have a TT with your exact dry weight, about 6,000# with water, food and other
stuff you "just have to bring"...

Pulled it for a while with a neighbors 99 ram with 5.2, auto, 3:55... Barely did
the job, IMO..

Bought a 99 ram QQ 5.9, auto 3:55 and the difference was very clear, especially
in the torque..

From what I understand, the 5.2 has almost the same HP but lower torque and is a
great all purpose engine, but the 5.9 is was the towing engine if you had to
drive a gasser..

Quite a few friends that have the 5.2 have driven our 5.9 and noticed the
difference when not towing, but when we took a trip from CA to WA and pulled
those grades, the torque difference in the 5.9 was really appreciated! YMWV


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

GordG wrote:

> Assuming the standard gear ratios are the same, can I expect to see a
> relatively favourable increase in towing capability???? Both trucks are
> in very good condition.

I had a 2000 Ram CC with the 5.2L. It was a dog. It struggled to pull
my 5000lb trailer. Even when not towing I had to turn OD off except on
perfectly flat highways or downhill. It had trouble keeping up at
75mph, not towing, with OD on if there was even a very slight uphill
(interstate going up and overpass).

I got rid of it and went with a 2001 Ram QC with the 5.9L. Huge
difference. Far more power. It easily towed my trailer in all conditions.
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

"mac davis" <mac.splinters RemoveThis @bajadavis.com> wrote in message
news:ck2ub3pta5eb9rbja5c1e7sajeqdkcjujp@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:44:24 GMT, "GordG" <ggreig RemoveThis @shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>>Long time lurker here, with a question.
>>
>>I currently have a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.2, 2 wd, auto, 150 k kilometers
>>(93 K miles), basic truck with air and cruise. I'm pulling a 4800 pd. dry
>>weight travel trailer and finding it's really underpowered for hills and
>>windy conditions.
>>
>>I have a line on a 1999 Ram 1500 with a 5.9, 4x4, auto, 120 k km, with air
>>,cruise etc.
>>
>>Assuming the standard gear ratios are the same, can I expect to see a
>>relatively favourable increase in towing capability???? Both trucks are
>>in very good condition.
>>
> YES!
>
> We have a TT with your exact dry weight, about 6,000# with water, food and
> other
> stuff you "just have to bring"...
>
> Pulled it for a while with a neighbors 99 ram with 5.2, auto, 3:55...
> Barely did
> the job, IMO..
>
> Bought a 99 ram QQ 5.9, auto 3:55 and the difference was very clear,
> especially
> in the torque..
>
> From what I understand, the 5.2 has almost the same HP but lower torque
> and is a
> great all purpose engine, but the 5.9 is was the towing engine if you had
> to
> drive a gasser..
>
> Quite a few friends that have the 5.2 have driven our 5.9 and noticed the
> difference when not towing, but when we took a trip from CA to WA and
> pulled
> those grades, the torque difference in the 5.9 was really appreciated!
> YMWV
>
>
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing


Ok thanks. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking.
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

GordG wrote:

> Ok thanks. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking.

The 5.9L is a big gain over the 5.2L for towing. Just as the 5.7L hemi
is a good step up in power over the 5.9L.
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

You'll be getting a bigger engine but adding the 4x4 you'll also be gaining
alot of weight. I think it's a wash.
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

miles <nope.DeleteThis@nopers.com> wrote in news:yuPvi.81949$6K3.2618@newsfe10.phx:

> GordG wrote:
>
>> Ok thanks. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking.
>
> The 5.9L is a big gain over the 5.2L for towing. Just as the 5.7L hemi
> is a good step up in power over the 5.9L.

It's all about torque...
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9 

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:35:32 -0800, "Quintin" <sauerquint.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

>You'll be getting a bigger engine but adding the 4x4 you'll also be gaining
>alot of weight. I think it's a wash.
>
IMO, 4x4 and towing go together like military intelligence or feminine logic,
but the torque difference between the 2 engines isn't going to be nullified by
the weight or friction of 4 wheel drive..

(gonna burn in hell for the F L comment)


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing
 >> Stay informed about: 5.2 vs 5.9