Is the Dodge 4.7 a Good Engine?

Braden Carlson
May 11, 2021

The Dodge 4.7 V8 may be smaller than many of its V8 counterparts, but its ruggedness and reliability will still leave you satisfied.

2008 Dodge Durango - Photo by Dodge

Dodge is not known for making small V8 engines. In fact, they are known for quite the opposite. With their illicit use of the supercharged Hellcat V8 engine and their lineup of big displacement and big horsepower Hemi engines, it’s easy to overlook other engines they have on the docket.

However, the Dodge 4.7 V8 is in a league of its own. This engine is the epitome of big things coming in small packages.

The 4.7-liter V8 engine found in Dodge vehicles is also known as the Powertech engine. It is the innovation of Dodge’s parent company Chrysler. It set out to replace the legendary 318 cubic-inch pushrod small-block V8.

The goals when developing the Powertech 4.7 engine were to increase both power output and fuel efficiency. Though this is a tall order, they came to a similar conclusion that Ford did with the 4.6-liter V8. They departed from their traditional camshaft in block pushrod V8 design. Instead, they turned to more modern technology with the use of overhead camshafts. This helped to achieve the goal of more power and efficiency.

The Chrysler/Dodge 4.7 Powertech V8 engine appears in numerous cars throughout the Chrysler parent company brands over its lifetime. However, the Powertech 4.7 was only ever available in trucks and SUVs.

The engine was produced from 1999 to 2013 and saw a few different variations over the years. We’re going to show you what variants of the Dodge 4.7 V8 you’ll find and what cars you’ll find them in. Additionally, we’ll give you a rundown of the engine specs, their efficiency, and their reliability.

2004 Dodge Dakota - Photo by Dodge

Dodge 4.7 Engine Specifications

Over the span of its life, the construction of the Powertech 4.7 V8 remained the same. It has a cast-iron engine block with a set of aluminum cylinder heads. It uses single overhead camshaft construction, meaning each cylinder head has a single camshaft in it.

All Powertech 4.7-liter V8s have two valves per cylinder for a total of 16 valves. Additionally, they all share the same bore at 93 millimeters. They share the same piston stroke, 86.5 millimeters, as well. Lastly, every Powertech 4.7 V8 is equipped with chain-driven timing and standard multi-port electronic fuel injection.

The standard Powertech 4.7 V8 engine has a compression ratio of 9 to 1 and produces 235 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. In its introductory year of 1999, this put it above the power rating of the equivalent year Ford 4.6-liter V8, which had 220 horsepower. Though, it does fall slightly shy of the 1999 Chevy 4.8-liter V8’s 255 horsepower output.

In 2002 a high output version known as the 4.7 HO or 4.7 Magnum was introduced. This variant of the Powertech 4.7 has a substantial leap to 265 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The increase in power comes courtesy of the increase in compression. While the standard engine is 9 to 1, the HO/Magnum variant has a compression ratio of 9.7 to 1.

Finally, in 2008 a revised version of the 4.7 V8 came out once again. This time the compression ratio is increased from 9.8 to 1. This compression increase combined with upgraded camshafts brought the power up to between 290 and 310 horsepower, depending on which vehicle it is in. Additionally, the revised 4.7 has a torque output of between 320 and 334 lb.-ft.

2009 Dodge Dakota - Photo by Dodge

Where to Find the Powertech 4.7

The 4.7 V8 is found in many Chrylser parent company vehicles. This includes brands like Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep. Some models after the 2008 revision retained the original version through the 2009 model year. So, it is important to know which 4.7 you are looking at when researching buying a used car.

Inputting the vehicle’s VIN into our free Vehicle History VIN research tool will give you the specific details of the vehicle, and the horsepower figure will identify which variant of the 4.7 it has. Furthermore, you’ll see the vehicle’s full VIN report, including any accidents.

It is always important to know the history of the vehicle you are buying. So, proper VIN inspection, maintenance records, and visual inspections are key to buying a vehicle that won’t leave you stranded or with hefty repair bills.

The standard and lower output 4.7 V8 ran from 1999 to 2009 and was found in the following vehicles:

The Powertech 4.7 High Output or Magnum V8 was found in the following vehicles:

  • 2002–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2005–2007 Dodge Dakota
  • 2002–2007 Dodge Ram 1500
  • 2006–2007 Mitsubishi Raider

Finally, the revised higher horsepower version of the Powertech 4.7 V8 was found in the following vehicles:

  • 2008-2009 Chrysler Aspen
  • 2008-2011 Dodge Dakota
  • 2008-2009 Dodge Durango
  • 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 1500
  • 2008-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2008-2009 Jeep Commander
  • 2011-2013 Ram 1500

2008 Dodge Durango - Photo by Dodge

Powertech 4.7 V8 Fuel Economy

As one would expect, the fuel economy of this engine varies based on which vehicle it is in. However, given the engine and transmissions are identical in these vehicles across the Chrysler family, the EPA fuel economy ratings are not substantially different from one another.

To get an idea of the fuel economy of a Powertech 4.7 V8, we’ll take a look at the economy ratings of vehicles from various years equipped with each of the variants of the engine.

Fuel economy ratings of other cars equipped with this engine are similar and can be seen using the Vehicle History research tool by searching the year, make, and model of your preferred vehicle.

The 2003 Dodge Durango is equipped with the first variant of the Powertech 4.7-liter V8. In a four-wheel-drive format, it has a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. The rear-wheel-drive variant with the same engine retains the 13 mpg city rating but sees a slight increase to 18 mpg highway.

The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with the 4.7 HO/Magnum high output variant of the Powertech V8. Four-wheel-drive models have a fuel economy rating of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Additionally, rear-wheel-drive examples have ratings of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

The 2008 Dodge Durango is equipped with the revised and highest horsepower version of the 4.7-liter V8. These variants of the 4.7 came with dual spark plugs in an effort to increase efficiency. Though, the added power does balance this effort out.

As a result, the 2008 Durango has a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway on four-wheel-drive models. Furthermore, rear-wheel-drive models have a rating of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

2005 Dodge Ram 1500 - Photo by Dodge

Powertech 4.7 Engine Reliability & Capabilities

Like most vehicles and engines, the Powertech 4.7-liter V8 is very reliable as long as it has been taken care of. Regular maintenance and proper treatment go a long way with any vehicle.

However, the Powertech 4.7 has a substantial lifespan. A well-maintained 4.7-liter equipped vehicle is likely to last well up to and beyond 150,000 miles.

However, it is worth noting that timely oil changes are a must for these engines. Engine sludge buildup is known to cause failure on these engines in the form of blown head gaskets, which can result in detrimental overheating issues.

Ultimately, these problems can lead to complete destruction of the engine if they are not taken care of. If shopping for a used 4.7-liter V8-equipped vehicle, be sure to get the vehicle’s maintenance history. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a vehicle without proof of timely oil changes.

With the Powertech 4.7’s torque figures, you’ll find that the vehicles equipped with them are well-capable of towing.

While they may not be capable of pulling substantial camping trailers or hauling cars, you’ll find that many 4.7-powered vehicles have a towing rating between 3,500 and 6,000 pounds. This is more than enough to tow a boat or a small camper trailer.

In the case of the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram, the 4.7 is plenty of engine for hauling fairly substantial bed loads with payload capabilities between 1,250 and 2,000 pounds depending on the year and model.

So long as you’re not looking to move the world, the 4.7 is going to take care of your towing and hauling needs. If you’re in need of a light-duty work truck or just want to have a moderately capable weekend and off-road adventure vehicle, a well-kept 4.7 should have all the power and trustworthiness you need.

2000 Dodge Durango - Photo by Dodge

Is the Powertech 4.7 V8 the Engine for You?

The Powertech 4.7 remained largely the same throughout its production run. This means that the majority of the engines share parts and are interchangeable. So, even if you experience small engine issues like failed gaskets, accessories like alternators, water pumps, and other wear items, the prices are fairly reasonable.

Furthermore, being a domestic brand means that parts are readily available at most auto parts stores throughout the country. Therefore, the maintenance and upkeep of one of these engines are fairly straightforward and affordable. This is obviously a major factor for many used car shoppers.

Overall, the Powertech 4.7 is a great engine option for a smaller displacement V8. If you are in the market for a light-duty truck or SUV at a moderate price, shopping for a Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep SUV equipped with a 4.7 may be exactly what you need. There are plenty of options for vehicles equipped with this engine in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.

Once again, it is always important when shopping used to ask the seller for documentation of the vehicle’s history and servicing. Additionally, you should always run a VIN check on a vehicle. If you can, having a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection is a great idea as well.

Photos: Dodge

Frequently Asked Questions

Apr 10, 2022

Is the Dodge 4.7 a Hemi?

The Dodge 4.7L V8 engine is not a Hemi but it does have some of the features of the legendary 5.7L Hemi and that has led to people affectionately referring to it as the "Semi-Hemi". The 4.7L motor can be found in the Dakota and the Ram 1500 series and produced 310 horsepower in each of them.

A Hemi motor has a hemispherical combustion chamber in it. This is where the head of the cylinder is spherical inside and that allows there to be a higher compression ratio usually than a flat head. The downside to a Hemi is usually they only have 2 valves per cylinder because it is more difficult to fit the valves on the curved surface of the head.

Dodge has become famous for developing Hemi engines and that goes back to their muscle cars where they were known to be able to get extra power out of the motors. The 4.7L V8 is a great engine for a small truck, but it is not a Hemi.

How much horsepower does a 4.7 V8 have?

Dodge's 4.7L V8 has 235 to 310 horsepower depending on the vehicle that it is installed in. The horsepower difference is primarily due to the different intake and exhaust designs that are used depending on the size of the engine bay.

The 4.7L V8 is capable of producing 295 to 334 pound-feet of torque which is pretty good for a smaller V8 like that. One place that the 4.7L V8 is not great is with fuel economy, they average about 14 miles per gallon in the city and 17 on the highway. That means if you choose a truck or SUV with this engine it will need to be filled up pretty frequently.

You can find the 4.7L V8 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, the Dodge Ram 1500 series, Dakota, and Durango, Chrysler Aspen, and even the Mitsubishi Raider. The engine was produced from 1999 through 2013 so there are a lot of cars on the road that have them.

How durable is the 4.7 V8 engine?

The Dodge 4.7L V8 is a good, but somewhat boring, choice in the world of Dodge engines. They should have no problem lasting over 150,000 miles but they can become very finicky if you do not keep up with the maintenance on them. It is important to make sure that you get your oil changed every 3,000 miles and use thin oil in the engine.

The engine has a cast-iron block that holds up very well and it has a timing chain that should last the life of the motor. That said there were some issues with the hydraulic lash adjusters. If any of these had any faults it could lead to the rocker arms getting moved and damaged.

In general, the 4.7L is average in terms of reliability. I would not expect these to be long-lasting 300,000+ mile engines. That said there are millions of them on the road and they are pretty easy to work on so if any issues come up they can be fixed affordably.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle D. Alvar on October 27, 2022
Good little engine
In late 2006, I ordered a new 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT. I wanted a Hemi and 6-speed, but I also wanted a short-wheelbase truck. Turned out that combo was not available, so I settled for the 4.7. I also spec'd out a limited-slip rear end with 3.92 gears. After 15 yers, I still love this truck. With the 6-speed stick and 3.92 gearing, this is a peppy and fun truck to drive. There is a gear for every situation. My only problem was traction in the rain, so I upgraded to 305-50-20 tires. That made a considerable difference in stability. Now, I must mention that my previous truck was a Dakota R/T, with the 5.9 and auto trans. The Ram has proven to be superior in every way...Performance, handling, braking, load capacity, utility, and fun. Surprisingly, the little 4.7 turned out to be a much better performer than the old 5.9. At age 75, I am still a bit of a hot-rodder and this truck still does the trick.
accountCircle Ray on March 22, 2022
Consumer
In 03 I bought an 03 Dakota,quad cab,4x4 with 15,x*x miles on it from Executive Leasing. Fast forward to 2013. I never abused or hotrodded this truck. One day I'm out running errands I shut the engine off to go into a store,come back out,fire it up and it starts ticking like a bomb. Turns out 2 rocker arms rotated off the push rods. At that point I opted to install a new 4.7 not rebuilt. It came with a 3 year warranty. 4th year head gaskewt blows. Replaced head gasket. That brings us to 2022. Guess what's sitting in mydriveway with another blown head gasket. Yeah the head gasket eating 4.7. All you experts with your"you have to change oil every 3000 miles and keep up on your maintenance" just know you can do that and it will still eat your head gaskets!!!!
accountCircle Donald J Trump on February 27, 2024
Blown head gasket 123,000
Poor fuel economy, low on power for V8, and frankly an utter disappointment. We maintain or vehicles religiously. I've never had heed gasket issues on any of my vehicles and I'm 43 years old. So when this Jeep Commander decided to give up the ghost at a measly 123k miles I was shocked. Hopefully it's only saving grace will be cost of parts and ease of service.
accountCircle Jay Leno on March 20, 2023
Bleed cooling system prevent blown headgasket
The 4.7 is a good engine if you keep the oil changed, the headgasket problem happens mostly when you don't bleed the cooling system after service. There is a Allen bolt to remove on the coolant neck. Many YouTube videos on how to do it. It will cause them to run hot at a stop etc. The same applies to the 3.7l v6. Bad mechanics blow most of the headgaskets.
accountCircle Doug on October 18, 2022
Been very reliable
I would not be afraid of this engine at all. My 2002 Jeep GC has 302,x*x on it and still going strong. Valve guides could use replacing at this point. Regular maintenance, never had a major issue since purchased new in 2002, and drive it nearly every day.
accountCircle Matthew Kaler on October 18, 2022
Decent power but not a 1 ton.
2002 dodge dakota 4.7!liter had it since new. No oil use runs great ,truck is rusting away from itself engine still runs. Will pull heavy trailers doesn’t like hills with heavy loads. Change trans fluid regularly because chrysler fluid is thin.
accountCircle J T Simpson on July 31, 2023
Very reliable vehicle.
206,000 miles. No major repairs. Change oil between 3000 to 6000 miles . Recently began throwing codes for evap and camshaft sensor. Replaced the cs sensor, still throws the code . Looking at wiring next. Other than that no issues .
accountCircle Michael DeLuca on June 15, 2022
2006 Ram 1500 Thunderoad
Mine 4.7 is literally indestructible. It’s got 235k miles. Everything is OEM (except the lift kit). I love my truck. We’re in the process of fitting a turbo in there
accountCircle Jennifer M. on September 27, 2022
2007 Ram 4.7 L
My 4.7L has 285,000 Miles. I have replace a radiator and water pump in its lifetime . That’s it. Still going strong. I pull a camper regularly. I love my truck!
accountCircle Robert Woods on September 5, 2022
Bulletproof 4.7
I have a 2013 ram 1500 4x4 with 4.7 that has 245,689 miles and going strong!! I change oil regularly and add Lucas. Mopar or no car!!
avatar Braden Carlson
An automotive journalist for over six years, Braden Carlson has contributed to a variety of auto websites, including Team Speed and LS1Tech. When he’s not writing or under one of his project cars, you’ll often find him producing video and photography for his "Cursed Forever" YouTube channel.
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