Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge W300 or the Dodge W300?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Dodge W300 is cheaper to maintain — about $1,372 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 318ci V8 and the 5.9L V8?

Across 25 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 W300 or Dodge W300?

The Dodge W300 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Dodge W300 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1974 Dodge W300 vs 1981–1993 Dodge W300 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1974

1981–1993

Engine

318ci V8

5.9L V8

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

manual

—

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

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

Horsepower

150hp

—hp

Torque

255lb-ft

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

85 mph

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

5,200 lb

—

Max Towing

7,500 lb

—

Max Payload

3,000 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

$6,525

0.11 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$7,897

0.13 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEDodge W300 — Saves you $1,372 over 5 years (21% 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.

Oil & filter change

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

— hrs

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

— hrs

1.8 hrs$195 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

Ignition coil

— hrs

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Dodge W300

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant16.00 qt · Ethylene glycol 50/50 conventional green

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.50 qt · Dexron or Type A

rear_diff6.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case4.50 qt · API GL-5

transmission_manual7.00 qt · API GL-4

washer1.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Dodge W300

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant18.00 qt · ASTM D3306

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF/SG

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.50 qt · GM Dexron II

rear_diff5.50 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case3.50 qt · API GL-4

transmission_auto16.00 qt · Chrysler MS-7176 or GM Dexron II

transmission_manual7.00 qt · Chrysler MS-9070 or API GL-4

washer3.00 qt · windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1974 Dodge W300

318ci V8

Dodge W300 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$1,372 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.