Is it worth the extra 500 bucks to get the High Output (HO) engine in my new Dodge? Does it get better or worse MPG? Will it last longer? I will use it to tow my boat, about 6000 lbs. How about resale?<br>Thanks

 

For me it was worth it. Not sure about the difference in fuel consumption but from what I have read here don't think there is much of a difference. Suspect that you will get your money back at resale. I like the idea of the extra oil on the pistons on the HO, specially if I bomb it later. The extra power is great! ;D

 

I feel it would be worth the extra 500. You are getting a higher rated engine with factory upgrades. Resale should put the HO above a standard diesel of equal miles and condition.

 

Get the HO. The performance from the HO is worth every penny. And I'm guessing the resale value for the HO will be much higher than the SO. And if your planning to go with a manual transmission the HO comes with the much stronger 6spd vs. the 5spd for the SO.<br> Right now I'm getting about 17-18mpg city and 21-22mpg highway with my HO with the 3.73re.<br><br>MikeyB

 

The HO's oil change interval is 7500mi for severe use, and 15,000mi for light duty use. What is the SO oil change interval? Wouldn't take long for you to make up your $$ just in oil changes alone. Also, IMO you would make up the diff in resale if not more. My truck has plenty of get-up-and-go!

 

Don't forget, the HO also gives you the 11.5 rear and I think a beefier transfer case.

 

I'm new to this stuff and have a question. What is the difference between the 11.5 rear end, and the SO rear end? Will the 11.5 raise or lower your RPM at highway speeds?<br>thanks

 

The SO 2500 comes with the 10.5 inch rear.<br>The Ho 2500 and all 3500's come with the 11.5 inch rear.<br>This refers to the size of the gears, not the gear ratio which will affect your RPM's.<br>

 

Get the HO!!!!!!<br>I got the 24 valve auto and really really wish I had gotten the HO 6spd. Not that I don't love my truck anyways <br><br>Get the HO.<br>

 

Another vote for the HO. I really like it a lot more that the SO. I don't know if it's my imagination, but I could tell the difference right away after driving both. Hope that helps.

 

I doubt that there are a lot of HO owners out there that wish they had the SO.

 

I agree Nevada, it's like the ole sayen, &quot;it's better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it.&quot; I know my dad has the SO and even as frugel as he is he likes my HO better ;D. And he isn't one to admitt that someone else made a better choice.

 

I opted for the H.O. because I figured that more is better. What I mean is that I tow a 4500# boat, and though the S.O. would do fine, my thinking was that if I had an engine that pumped out more HP and torque that it would then work less when it had to. I may have proven my point already, as with just 1800 miles on my new ride I am getting 19.8mpg combined city and highway.<br><br>When I towed for the first time, I was averaging 16.1mpg after towing 700 miles. I am sure that this helped with the break-in as before I was getting 18.4mpg combined when she was new off the hauler with no weight being dragged along. I am very happy with my choice, as I filled up the other day and jumped right on the highway and was seeing 22.5mpg at 68mph for well over 100 miles...and she isn't even broken in yet...so it should get a little better?<br><br>I also figured that the extra $500.00 is chump change when you look at the overall price of these trucks. For $500.00 extra dollars you get performance that would cost far more if you wanted to go aftermarket to make up for what you did not get the first time around.

 

Last year I had a 2500 SO 47re, this year its a 3500 HO 48re. I drive and tow the same this year as last and there really is not a lot to compare other than in all aspects the Ho and 48re combo is to me at least, far better than the latter. It seems to be about the same improvement jump as from the 5.9 gasser to the SO the year before. I would be willing to bet that I keep this truck for a lot longer than the last two. Who knows, I may choose to be burried in it.

 

If you don't get the HO you will for ever be kicking yourself for not getting it. You end playing the game of I coulda, woulda, shoulda. Never be ashamed for buying the best first. $500.00 on top of what you are going to pay anyway isn't that much.