Mopar 4.7 pickup V8 decent little engine or crap ?

[1967coronet]

My old bomb, 2000 ram 4x4 with a 360 is going to snow plow duty this fall.
Im looking at a 2005 ram 4x4 with a 4.7 V8 for everyday driver and don't know much about the 4.7
I know its going to be less power but are they a durable engine if taken care of.
I do not tow a car trailer ect its just for running around and a menards trip now and then.
Thanks

 

[Slap Stick]

I see a lot of trucks on CL with blown 4.7s and not with super high miles. Early ones formed mayo in the crankcase.
I am kinda looking for a replacement for my 92 Dakota and from what I have seen I wont have a 4.7. In fact Dodges dont look too good from what I see. YMMV.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Avoid the 4.7. Get a 5.7 hemi instead.

 

[JB400]

I believe they have oil pump issues.

 

[WP29440SE]

nothing good to say about them either. lots of them with early failure in these parts. mine has the magnum 318 , great little engine

 

[5.7 hemi]

They’re a good engine, just not much power compared to the Hemi. With the 4.7, constant oil changes at 3k are mandatory, also keeping good clean radiator fluid all time.

 

[toolmanmike]

Good until they pop. Nothing like a 5.2 (318)

 

[67440chrg]

I have never had one but knew several who had bad sludge in the crankcase problems. Keep good oil in it and change it often.

 

[moparedtn]

I have one sitting outside right now (2003 4.7) issued to me by the company.
Let's just say I'm glad I don't own it.
I have two 5.7 hemi critters (one is my 2004 Ram SLT 4x4 bought new). Night and day difference.
There's too many hemi's out there not to get one instead of the 4.7. More power, better built engine,
heck even better on gas.

 

[Kern Dog]

I had a 4.7 in a 2002 2wd regular cab Ram 1500. It was a reliable truck but I sold it with 163,000. I was good about maintenance. They are not powerful by any stretch in a 2wd, I can only guess how gutless a 4wd or a quad cab would be.

 

[1967coronet]

Well that's what I needed to know, I had no experience with the 4.7 and thought this was the best place to ask about them.
I will continue my search. I only put aprox 5,000 miles per year on my pickup so I do not mind a older model { I hate car/truck payments } lol , wife calls it { cheap }
I will find a mid 2000s ram with the hemi.
Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Slap Stick]

Early hemis had valve spring problems and holed pistons from what I understand.
Truth be known they arent hemis. They are polys.

 

[BeeKool]

I have an '11 Dakota 4×4 with a 4.7L
Good truck I've put 50k on it.
Good daily driver, is good for pulling small trailers. I pull an '18 ft boat with mine.
Should do you well.

 

[scot]

My last truck was a '06 Ram 1500 2WD with a 4.7. I had no issues with it, but it did get regular maintenance. I got decent fuel mileage with it, but it was pretty weak. I would shy away from a 4.7 powered 4x4. I upgraded a few years ago to a Ram 2500 4x4 with a 390 HP 5.7 Hemi because that 4.7 could not pull much more than a snowmobile trailer.

 

[OH71RRunner]

I've got 2 4.7s. One in a 2000 Durango 4x4 and a 2005 Ram 4x4. The Durango has 190k miles original engine. The Ram has 118k.
Oil changes are a must with the newer motor. I get some lifter tick if it sits too long. I've pulled a couple vehicles and hauled quite a bit with it. It does its job.

I drive the Durango hard offroad. I abuse that vehicle and it's still strong. I'm surprised that it's lasted so many miles.
Like any other vehicle, proper maintenance is needed. But, if you have an option, get the hemi. A lot more power and tons of aftermarket upgrades if you desire.

 

[Bb70charger500]

I've worked on a ton of 4.7 they are junk . I would rather buy a old Ford 7.3 truck and drive it till it dies .
My 03 ram 5.7 is great only real issue was the valve spring s in the early models newer models had upgraded valve springs . I had to rebuild my heads and replaced everything .

 

[moparedtn]

I've worked on a ton of 4.7 they are junk . I would rather buy a old Ford 7.3 truck and drive it till it dies .
My 03 ram 5.7 is great only real issue was the valve spring s in the early models newer models had upgraded valve springs . I had to rebuild my heads and replaced everything .

I remember some rumblings about the valve springs in the early 5.7's but didn't know anyone personally with the issue.
Mine certainly has been drop dead reliable all these years; I did what I usually do with a new vehicle, namely get them on the Mobil1 diet from the get-go.
Always the Mopar oil filter, too. 165k on her now and she's a keeper after 14 years.
What model years were actually affected by the issue?

Truth be known they arent hemis. They are polys.

Yes, Captain Obvious, everyone walking the planet knows the 5.7 isn't a true hemi....
It's actually pretty darn close, though:

 

[Slap Stick]

No, not everyone does Private Smartass.
Many people who arent really car guys think its the same as the 426. Heck, how many people call the 440 a hemi?

 

[Daves69]

My 4.7 was dragging this around till the '02 Durango got totaled. About 3500 pounds total back there. It labored just a touch to get moving. Found I didn't use the "tow" mode very often. I was happy with it.

 

[BeeKool]

I've worked on a ton of 4.7 they are junk . I would rather buy a old Ford 7.3 truck and drive it till it dies .
My 03 ram 5.7 is great only real issue was the valve spring s in the early models newer models had upgraded valve springs . I had to rebuild my heads and replaced everything .

I have both.
A 7.3L is a good working truck. But a bit much for a daily driver.
A pia to work on ( clearance is about like an A-Body with a 440 shoehorned between the fenders) and smoke like an old barwhore.

If I want to pull a 28' gooseneck I'll grab the F350.
If I want to drive to town I'll use the Dakota.