With all of the hoopla that the PW has stirred up, a lot of talk has been about whether the Hemi is the best engine for a truck or not. Now, the PW is stock, so that's a plus, but, we've all seen off-road rigs set up before. What's the best engine that you've seen in an off-road 3/4 or 1 ton truck with a lift and big tires? I think that the best performing motor I have seen in a truck like this was a 460, but it was far from stock. Stock, I'm probaboy going to say the 6.0 PSD. They're a little heavy, but with big enough tires, it's not usually an issue. What do y'all think the best engine would be to start with if you were building an off-road 3/4 ton?

 

I'd try a v-10 it revs good

 

yeah last i remember that V-10 is high revving and does it FAST. Stab that pedal and it hits redline before you know whats goin on.

 

Define "off-road" - there's a type of engine for almost every type of off-roading - rockcrawling, mudbogging, racing, blah blah blah. There is no best engine, unless you're blind.

 

Off-road as in lifted 1 ton truck that will go anywhere, be it rocks, mud, straight up and down hillside, whatever, just any off-road application. If you think there's different engines for different appications, then what engines do you think would be best in a 1 ton truck used for those applications?

 

In the older, pre '97 ford trucks, I'd say it would be a 460, with the exception of a 351 depending on the weight of the vehicle. In the newer ford trucks, I'd say the 5.4L in a half ton, and the V-10 in the 3/4 ton.

With that said, I've seen some OR 7.3s that do very well..but they tend to be on the really heavy side.....I'm more of a light and tight person...

The problem with the PW, imo, is that while the hemi is a fine motor in a half ton truck, it marginally performs in the heavier 3/4 chasiss, and there is not a larger gas motor or diesel option at this time from dodge.

So if you want to tow something really heavy while not on the trails, say a large skidsteer or bigger, you've got a $44,000 + truck that will barely do it, and need a fuel truck to pace you at the same time.

my .02

 

Aren't 1 ton and 3/4 ton vehicles a little heavy and big for anything serious off road vs. something lighter and big tires?



I mean afterall if I'm going to do that kinda offroading - I'll just unload the 4-wheeler of the back of the truck and use that and save on the car wash bill.

 

Then what's the point of the Power Wagon and why is it such a big deal? Not all job sites are easily accessible. Try building a dam on the side of the mountain, you're gonna need a lot of trucks to haul and tow equipment/materials up there. Pics in my gallery of that very job going on right now in my hometown.

 

For hauling heavy stuff off road I would have to say the PSD. Maybe the V10 if you're not concerned with fuel economy... My boss has a 7.3PSD Excursion with 4" exhaust from the turbo and a supertuner program set to 80hp and this truck is awesome... No problem pulling 9000lbs. He gets about 18-20 mpg empty and about 10-13 loaded... I wonder what the 6.0 would do with the same mods... He also has a Banks trans-command which acts like a shift kit...

 

Interesting how many of us like the diesel, even though it has obvious weight disadvantages.

 

Well if you take the time to use a 3/4 or 1 ton for off roading i would HAVE to go with the Ford V10 any day of the weak.

 

I wouldn't take anything else, unless it was a Jeep, and then, I'd prefer the big truck.

 

Have you ever drove a 6-oh?

 

i would take a 460 first. thats what i have what a shock. especially if you stick it in a smaller vehicle. idle up and ever just about anything. plenty of holding power going down hill (I'm talking auto of coarse) easy to work on. easy to get fuel injection for. plenty of torque on tap when needed. Hmmm i think i just talked myself into going out weelin' and about that dodge power wagon thingy. any thing with no front hubs should probably just stay on the pavement.

 

Yes, I like a 460, too, but mine has a carb.