Opinions on V-10 Dodge trucks?

[JGoss]

A buddy just got a 99' 2500 4x4 with the gas guzzling V-10 with a 47re. He picked it up real cheap and it only has 67,000 miles, the truck is in VERY good shape. He is averaging about 10 MPG's and he has seen some programmers that claim to raise it 2-3 MPG's. I figured someone on this site has traded a V-10 equipped truck for the Cummins (smart move!!!) Maybe someone had some advice as to get a little better MPG's other than no right foot, or to get a Cummins. Thanks!

 

[JDiepstra]

Better MPG's on that V10 - only go down hill, and coast.

 

[Jong]

I'll second that... no matter what you do, it is not gonna get good mileage. Especially when towing heavy (8-12000lb). I used to love fueling the thing up (32 gallons usually) and looking up to the trip computer and seeing 200 miles DTE. Plus it sounds funny even with an exhaust system on it.

 

[Garlic]

Loved the truck, hated the fuel mileage. I did the K&N thing (Filter only) Built my own cold air package, Gibson exhaust, Aurora wires. I could get 14 on the highway empty, (No fancy do-dad (Lie-O-meter) to tell you what you wanted to see). Towing - I could pass just about anything except the fuel station. If the wind was blowing, you might as well wait for it to quit. I understand that there are a few chips for it but it needed 92 octane and NO TOWING!! Like I said - Love the truck but hated the fuel mileage.

The low fuel light would come on with 8 -9 gallons still in the tank. I have 170,000 on the truck and the engine and transmission have never been touched except servicing them.

 

[InfernoB]

Having had a V10 DroF, and a couple of notes above state the same findings I had with the DroF.

I would make sure the tire size is stock, and leave the paper filter in it. If your lucky you'll get the mileage Garlic says on the Dodge.

You already know what he's going to get with "no right foot. "

 

[Garlic]

The 'No right foot' is definitely a chore when you tow. I always drove in OD and tried to keep it in lockup. Mobile 1 in the trans is what I attribute the life to mostly, but driving it conservative and putting it away dry is the key. The plug wires were a dare, the folks at BD said they had a set of wires that would make 15 HP??. On a dare I took them and ran the truck on the dyno before the wire swap and behold the 'after' results were 15 HP higher so I bought them and have had them on since 11. 000 miles. The tires that have been on the truck for the last 70K are 285's (D) by Bridgestone, Haven't had any issues with them or the front end that I could not say was just high mileage on the truck.

 

[JGoss]

Thanks for the tips. Theres just not much info out there for the dodge V-10. My buddy was wanting a Cummins, but for $9000 for this one it was hard to pass up, compared to probably $18000 for one with a Cummins under the hood. I'll relay this info. today. Thanks guys.

 

[MLimpert]

I had two before I saw the light. The first was a 96 and the second was an 02 I ordered new. They were both really good trucks, but 8-10 mpg just didn't make sense when the fuel prices went up. I had no trouble with either of them. I sure wish I'd ordered a Cummins in the 02 - I lost major money trading that beast in.

 

[WDixon27]

i passed a srt10 crew cab pulling a good sized bumper pull travel trailer last summer in the interstate, bet his gas card company loved him with the viper motor sucking down fuel faster then you could pour it on the ground

 

[RHestand]

I'm just curious, is the Dodge v/10 an odd-fire engine or do they have the off-set ground crank/rod journals like the v/6s?

I've heard it both ways, and I'll bet someone on here knows.

Thanks, Ray

 

[RRees]

I had a 99 V10 before I trade in for my 06 CTD.



It was a good truck, but when fuel prices starting going up, I had to do something. I was paying almost $75. 00 a week just to commute to work each week. And that was back in 2005.



If the truck isn't going to be a daily driver, then it would be ok. It did have the grunt to get things moving. I think my truck was rated 310/450 (hp/tq).



Good luck.

 

[BILLVO]

I'm just curious, is the Dodge v/10 an odd-fire engine or do they have the off-set ground crank/rod journals like the v/6s?

I've heard it both ways, and I'll bet someone on here knows.

Thanks, Ray

The V10 fires 2 cylinders at once. I had a 99 and hated it, 9mpg overall daily driving and 5-8 pulling, Traded it in on my 02 cummins. My 95 with 360 and 3. 90 gears would pull just as good as the v10 with 3. 54's and did better milage.



In my opinion I say pass up the V10 and find a 360 with 3. 90 gears.

 

[Hammer]

The V-10 Dodges is a tough hombre and can hold its own with a stock Cummins in the torque department. However as already noted it will not get fuel milage at all,period. Its doesn't matter what you do,what parts you throw at it or what tuner you use the milage remains the same. It will net you between 8-10 mpg no matter if your running empty or towing a trailer,its how they are and how inefficent the design is. One has to remember this motor design was built for all out performance and not to be detuned for fuel milage originally. It was an afterthought of Ma Mopars to detune it and throw it into a truck to become a workhorse motor. The V10 Dodge truck had terrible issues with valve guides and failures due to that. If you can not afford a Cummins truck,then you can not afford a V10 truck either. Thats because if the inital setback of cost difference between a Cummins and a V10 is the reason for the gasser purchase then you will not afford the extra layout for weekly gas purchases. In the long run what you save initially on the purchase over a Cummins,you will spend twofold on gasoline due to milage.



I agree with Bob here. .

If a gasser had to be bought then a 360 with 3. 90 gears would have been the best purchase over the V10... ... Andy