Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge D250 or the Dodge D250?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge D250 is cheaper to maintain — about $6,379 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 5.9L I6 and the 5.9L V8?

Across 30 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Dodge D250 or Dodge D250?

The Dodge D250 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge D250 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1978–1980 Dodge D250 vs 1993 Dodge D250 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1978–1980

1993

Engine

5.9L I6

5.9L V8

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

—

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

230hp

Torque

—lb-ft

330lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

—

5,400 lb

Max Towing

—

10,000 lb

Max Payload

—

3,050 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,978

0.12 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$13,357

0.22 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge D250 — Saves you $6,379 over 5 years (91% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

5.9L Gas V8 Bottom-End Failure

— hrs

— hrs$3,250 / 5yr

Oil & filter change

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

46RH/47RH Automatic Transmission Failure (Cummins models)

— hrs

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

Front Axle U-Joint and Ball Joint Wear (4WD models)

— hrs

— hrs$748 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

12V battery

0.4 hrs$260 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$260 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.0 hrs$162 / 5yr

5.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure

— hrs

— hrs$293 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

Alternator

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Fuel Lift Pump Failure (12-Valve Cummins)

— hrs

— hrs$244 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

Dash Cluster and Gauge Failures

— hrs

— hrs$158 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.4 hrs$80 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Thermostat

0.8 hrs$56 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

Killer Dowel Pin (KDP) - 12-Valve Cummins

— hrs

— hrs$79 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Dodge D250

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant14.00 qt · ASTM D3306

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.50 qt · Dexron-II compatible

rear_diff5.50 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case4.50 qt · Dexron-II

transmission_auto17.00 qt · Dexron-II

transmission_manual7.00 qt · API GL-4

washer4.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Dodge D250

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant17.00 qt · MS-7170

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SG or higher

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.50 qt · MS-9602

rear_diff4.50 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · MS-9602

transmission_auto14.00 qt · MS-9602

washer4.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1978–1980 Dodge D250

5.9L I6

Dodge D250 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$6,379 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.