OK how does the 4.7 pull ?

[Mclovin]

Lookin at an 02 Ram 1500 crew cab short box at the local dealer, it has the 4.7 with an auto. Not sure on Gear ratio. Any input on how this will tow ? Its a good deal $3k under KBB. So if i can sell my truck im probably gona buy this one. ANY input on the 4.7 ??

[hellajeepster]

the 4.7 is a strong motor but the 3rd generation rams (2002-newer) with the auto trans are not geared low enough. Because of this they are constantly downshifting while towing. Chances are the truck has 3.55 or 3.73 gears, by switching those out to a 4.56 the truck would pull great, not search for gears, and get better gas milage at speeds under 70.

[Mclovin]

its got the OD kill switch.. im guessing that would cure the constant shifting ?

[DuffMan]

My 2000 Dakota Quad Cab weighs almost as much as a fullsize Ram and it tows great - a lot of low-end grunt. The 4.7L 2WD Dakota (with tailer package) towed my 22' Four Winns better (i.e. less gear hunting / downshifting) than the 5.7L 4WD Tahoe.

Unless it's dead flat (like most of SE MI) I do turn off the OD.

[hellajeepster]

Originally Posted by Muddinguy

its got the OD kill switch.. im guessing that would cure the constant shifting ?

It helps but doesnt completly cure the problem.

[Yetti]

DON'T DO IT!

My buddy at work just got rid of his fullsize with the 4.7 auto. he hated it towing for the shifting issues. he couldn't get it reflashed and the thing was pig on hills. he just got rid of it and got a hemi truck. its way capable then the 4.7 in the full size.
ps, the dakota 4.7 is flashed different so its a totally different ride.

[quicksilver]

I have a 2002 ram 4x4 quad cab with the 4.7 and it tows ok. It does shift alot if you use OD but I always turn it off when towing and always drive 65 or less. I have hauled a few very heavy things with it and did wish I had a super duty but it did pull everything I have hooked to it. It will pull my jeep better than my budies chevy 5.3 the ram feels alot more stable at 65 than his chevy or my brothers f-150. but I do out wiegh them both.

Jeremy

[Mclovin]

Well i think im gona buy it if my truck sells in time. Its a hell of a deal and a very nice truck. Like quicksilver said if i have to tow something heavy, ill just kill the OD and go a little slower..

[MoparMike]

towing with a 4.7 auto ram sucks.... we had one for our shop, the trans was about shot by the time we traded it in on a HEMI 2500...

[Bones]

I have a feeling anyone who says towing with the 4.7L is OK hasn't really ever towed with anything else

[quicksilver]

Maybe I said that wrong. I think it tows OK for pulling my jeep or whatever car I have hooked to it. For mine 65 is about top speed any faster and the poor thing sounds like it might kill itself. When I bought this truck I had no intentions of pulling anything with it but things change. So now I have about a year and a half left then it wil be payed off and will most likely be sold so I can get a 3/4 ton with a diesle. But for now I think it is doing fine I tow with it maybe 4-5 times a year pulling the jeep and maybe 10 pulling the boat. If I could do it over I would NOT have bought the 4.7 instead of the 5.9 (I think that was the option). And as far as never pulling with anything else well I have but mostly old POS trucks. my ram pulles better than any old POS chevy 1/2 I have ever pulled with but not even close to my old 92 chevy 3/4 ton with the 454ci engine.

[Mclovin]

Originally Posted by Bones

I have a feeling anyone who says towing with the 4.7L is OK hasn't really ever towed with anything else

ANYTHING tows better than a friggin Sonoma !
Besides this truck is just until i get a good job then i will finance a NEW one and i prob wont have a jeep til then either... :tonka:

[Arnie897]

Kill the OD and go slow....it's has power....but I wouldn't do it everyday.