Need recommendations for a replacement 4.7 liter engine for 2002 Ram 1500

[Dakota]

After almost 230k miles, it looks like the engine on my truck is on it's last legs.   I'd appreciate any recommendations folks have for where to go (or where to avoid) buying a reman crate motor (4.7 liter).   I see a number of companies offering them online, but my trust level on those sources will be low absent any other information.   

New and used truck prices have just become crazy the last couple of years so hopefully I'll find a way to keep the one I have.

Thanks!!

[303 Mopar]

@MoparDave can get you any new crate engine at a good price if that is the route you you decide to go.

[Chryco Psycho]

Hemi 

[Cudakiller70]

Would a salvage yard engines work? What year range engine would fit in your truck?

[A.Gramz]

Budget and current condition of truck?

[Dakota]

The truck is still in good shape.   It's no longer my daily driver, but it's likely I'll do some cross country trips with it eventually.  The online vendors along with Autozone are all in the $2800-3000 range for a 4.7 crate motor (long block), so let's call that my budget.  I am primarily interested in getting something reliable so the junk yard motor isn't something I want at this point.

[Dakota]

Hemi 

I would've been disappointed if you suggested otherwise CP 

[Dakota]

Would a salvage yard engines work? What year range engine would fit in your truck?

Not sure if the exact cutoff for years but I think it's in the range of 97-03.   I'll have to do some more checking to be sure. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I seriously wonder how hard he swap would be , probably easier & cheaper to find a good one not sure on the trans compatability but mounts must be available 
What about a wrecking yard 4.7 & just have a trusted shop go through it , these new engines don't significantly wear the block maybe lightly hone the cylinder walls , install new rings & brgs  , rebuild the heads & reseal it & you may be good to go 

[MoparDave]

are you sure on the year and truck- Dakota maybe ??  I don't see a 4.7 listed in the BE or BR 2000, 2001 or 2002 they were all 5.2 or 5.9
But 1999 to 2002 4.7 long blocks from FCA I can sell to you for 3800.00 + freight.

[Dakota]

are you sure on the year and truck- Dakota maybe?

Dave - yes, absolutely sure about this being a '02 Ram 1500 with a 4.7 liter engine as I bought the truck new.  Thanks for the price info. 

The oil level dropped low enough to trip the "check gauges" dash warning light when braking. Last oil change was in Sept 2018 with maybe 2k miles driven.  I only recovered about 1.5 quarts of oil out of the pan when I changed it yesterday.  Normal capacity is 6 quarts with a filter change.  No signs of leakage externally, so I'm thinking it's getting burned.  I'm driving the truck and checking the oil level daily it to see how much it changes with time. 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Being the "resident auto recycler" I'm going to chime in here. Many of these 4.7's never make 200k so I think you did very well. It's my job to promote quality recycled parts that's for sure. Maybe you could get lucky and find a wreck where someone already spent the money on the reman and totalled the truck? That would take some legwork tho. But at least it would be a "proven" unit. A low milage original.... (not saying it couldn't happen)... but your better off buying a lottery ticket. The issue is always the tone wheel where it comes to interchange. Direct interchange is '02 only. broad interchange is 01-02 or 03-04 but then it's got to be from a Grand Cherokee. Beware of 3 and 4 plug PCM's if memory serves correct you would need one from a truck with the 3 plug. This being said, I've seen a bunch of "junk" remans so beware. 

[Dakota]

At least for a little while longer, this story has a happy ending.   It turns out that the oil pressure sending unit had a crack in it, which was allowing oil to leak out onto the power steering rack. I incorrectly thought the wet spots on the rack were a problem with the rack.   

The sending unit is about 4" long, not including the wire harness connection that's on the end.   It's only supported by the threads that go into the block, so a semi-educated guess is that the sender was bouncing like a mini diving board over the course of its 17 years in service and eventually fatigue cracked.   It was still mostly in one piece but hanging at an odd angle when I noticed it during an oil change.   One nudge with my finger was all it took to break into 2 pieces.

I mostly use the truck for short hauls of lumber and such from the local home center and tend to change the oil on time more than mileage, but last Fall I drove it to Massachusetts (about 7 hours of highway driving each way) which is probably when most of the oil loss occurred.

It turns out that there's a special socket for replacing the oil sending unit (long, thin-walled) as there was nothing in my toolbox that would fit.    Between the sending unit and the socket, I probably spent about $40 fixing this.   Considering all the other ways this could've played out, I've very fortunate.

The engine still has lots of squeaks and groans, so it's probably on borrowed time.  I'm glad to accept it.

I tried to run a compression check on the engine but the loan-a-tool available from Autozone didn't fit in the spark plug hole (the fitting for the tester took up most of the space in the spark plug hole such that I couldn't get a socket on it).   From what I've read, I need a "long reach" compression tester but the ones I could find all had bad reviews because a check valve of some kind needs to be part of the tool to get accurate readings.   If anyone had any suggestions on a compression tester that's worked on a 4.7, I'm all ears.

[RUNCHARGER]

Well that's good. My understanding is that oil changes are important with that engine.

[jimynick]

Crosstown Engines in Toronto 416-691-2355 list a '00-'06 4.7 long block rebuild for $3450cnd which, today, translates to $2567usd, so fire that old truck up and get across the Rainbow for the 2 hour run into Toronto and save yourself somewhere near 40%. I've used them before and they've been in business a long time. They're even swap it out for you if you desire. Give 'em a call, what've you got to lose? Hope that helps!