Gen 4 build differences

[Sidewinder]

Just curious if there are any significant differences or upgrades if you will, between 08-09-10. I have an opportunity to purchase an 08 with 1/3 the mileage of a 10. Is that good?

[Ninjazx71]

Just curious if there are any significant differences or upgrades if you will, between 08-09-10. I have an opportunity to purchase an 08 with 1/3 the mileage of a 10. Is that good?

This will probably need to be moved to the Gen3/4 forum, but until then... If I recall, the main differences between the "Non-2010" Gen4's were related to the 5th gear ratio which was changed. I think the oil swing arm was put in place to reduce oil starving in hard turns (may have been all G4's but not positive), and I think the rear half shafts are hollow vs. solid which actually makes them stronger. Engine-wise there aren't any differences. Of course the 2010's are much faster and cooler though, but that's only b/c I have one. LOL!

[13COBRA]

Biggest difference is the 2010s were the "last Viper". lol

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

This will probably need to be moved to the Gen3/4 forum, but until then... If I recall, the main differences between the "Non-2010" Gen4's were related to the 5th gear ratio which was changed. I think the oil swing arm was put in place to reduce oil starving in hard turns (may have been all G4's but not positive), and I think the rear half shafts are hollow vs. solid which actually makes them stronger. Engine-wise there aren't any differences. Of course the 2010's are much faster and cooler though, but that's only b/c I have one. LOL!

You pretty much nailed it !!

[BlknBlu]

08 was 40 lbs lighter as a safety standard added 40 lbs more weight to the frame. Gearing and short throw shifter on the 2010 and the ACR got a different wing.

Bruce

[Ninjazx71]

And the stripes on the 2010's start out narrow on the front bumper and widen as it goes to the tail. :-)

[commandomatt]

And the stripes on the 2010's start out narrow on the front bumper and widen as it goes to the tail. :-)

The boldest stripes ever put on a viper. Looks great. I like how they go through the license plate recess as well

[Vipermann]

Biggest difference was '08s were flooded with dark red and green colors. Car had not been produced for a few years before '08, and demand was huge. But Dodge rolled the colors out in stages, with dark red and green being first - so many people ordered dark red or green vipers.

And I believe the PCM was changed starting with the '09s.

I just put my '09 up for sale, btw.

[1of1TA1.0]

If it's an ACR, the rear wing is different

[SilverACR]

2010 no Cars built in Q4

[Fulltilt]

I might be wrong but I thought the wing on 2008-2010 were the same, only the wing end plates changed.

[SilverACR]

I might be wrong but I thought the wing on 2008-2010 were the same, only the wing end plates changed.

The wing itself is also different. Easiest to see closest to the wing plates is a little flare. I have a friend who I cruise with regularly with an 08 and side by side you can see the subtle difference. It was all for more yaw control and not for more down force.

[str5010]

As far as the ACR wing change is concerned, I once asked the aero engineer about this in an interview and was interested to hear him say the difference is "measurable but not significant."

[Heysie]

Maybe he did know that you owe a 2008.:witless:

[str5010]

Maybe he did know that you owe a 2008.:witless:

Haha it's not as though my feelings would be hurt.

[Sidewinder]

This is all great feedback folks and very much appreciated. I had a 2010 Final Edition roadster that I was forced to part with so I’m looking for something to replace it with. The 2008 roadster I have my eye on has much less mileage (about 18k Km’s It has white racing stripes on red. Any thoughts?

[SilverACR]

This is all great feedback folks and very much appreciated. I had a 2010 Final Edition roadster that I was forced to part with so I’m looking for something to replace it with. The 2008 roadster I have my eye on has much less mileage (about 18k Km’s It has white racing stripes on red. Any thoughts?

If the price is good and you like the color then go for it. The differences between the years are minimal and it comes down to what you want. I specifically went for the 10 ACR because of the subtle differences and the short production run, but if a red stripe ACR from 08-9 would have popped up I probably would have gone for it when I was looking. I tried like hell to get a voodo 1, but only came across salvage cars.

You can alway pick up a short throw shifter which I recommend to make you feel back at home from your 10.

[JPL]

...... but if a red stripe ACR from 08-9 would have popped up I probably would have gone for it when I was looking. .... .

My feelings exactly, I was lucky enough that this bone stock, (except for the radio, K&N and smooth tubes), '08 with 16k did pop up when I was looking and I did end up getting it, It was at the end of the season so I only put on 150 miles before the first snow, but wow, what a first 150 miles that was. Can't wait for the spring!

[str5010]

Same experience for me. Ideally wanted a 2010 but the 2008 popped up with all the right upgrades that made it more capable on track than a stock 2010 anyway. I've been very happy with it.

[SilverACR]

My feelings exactly, I was lucky enough that this bone stock, (except for the radio, K&N and smooth tubes), '08 with 16k did pop up when I was looking and I did end up getting it, It was at the end of the season so I only put on 150 miles before the first snow, but wow, what a first 150 miles that was. Can't wait for the spring!

Great looking car!

[JPL]

Great looking car!

Thanks SilverACR! Let's see some pics of that silver ACR! :)

[SilverACR]

Here are a couple 3651836517

[SRT_BluByU]

Great lookin cars fellas!

[JPL]

Here are a couple 3651836517

Whoa! Stunning! Thank you!!

[Sidewinder]

Gosh guys thanks for all your help and wisdom with this. It has mage thing much easier. If I knew how I would post a pic of the beast! Cheers!

[70mopars]

Biggest difference is the 2010s were the "last Viper". lol

Correction, the 2010's were the last factory convertible Viper.

Production numbers decreased, 2008 - 1579, 2009 - 659, 2010 - 507 (** Disclaimer - not to start a discrepancy war as numbers varies according to source)

I also think the PCM changed to make eliminating the skip-shift more difficult on 2010, maybe some 2009 as well.

[13COBRA]

Correction, the 2010's were the last factory convertible Viper.

Production numbers decreased, 2008 - 1579, 2009 - 659, 2010 - 507 (** Disclaimer - not to start a discrepancy war as numbers varies according to source)

I also think the PCM changed to make eliminating the skip-shift more difficult on 2010, maybe some 2009 as well.


Correction, the 2010 Viper was touted as the "last Viper"....just like the 2002s...until Dodge came back out with them in 2013.

That's why I put it in quotes. Applause for the correction attempt though.

[William craun]

This will probably need to be moved to the Gen3/4 forum, but until then... If I recall, the main differences between the "Non-2010" Gen4's were related to the 5th gear ratio which was changed. I think the oil swing arm was put in place to reduce oil starving in hard turns (may have been all G4's but not positive), and I think the rear half shafts are hollow vs. solid which actually makes them stronger. Engine-wise there aren't any differences. Of course the 2010's are much faster and cooler though, but that's only b/c I have one. LOL!

May i ask when you refer to the rear half shafts being hollow rather than solid is that just for the 2008 and if so was it for the whole year or a certain production date in that year?

[William craun]

This will probably need to be moved to the Gen3/4 forum, but until then... If I recall, the main differences between the "Non-2010" Gen4's were related to the 5th gear ratio which was changed. I think the oil swing arm was put in place to reduce oil starving in hard turns (may have been all G4's but not positive), and I think the rear half shafts are hollow vs. solid which actually makes them stronger. Engine-wise there aren't any differences. Of course the 2010's are much faster and cooler though, but that's only b/c I have one. LOL!
May i ask when you refer to the rear half shafts being hollow rather than solid is that just for the 2008 and if so was it for the whole year or a certain production date in that year?

- - - Updated - - -

May i ask when you refer to the rear half shafts being hollow rather than solid is that just for the 2008 and if so was it for the whole year or a certain production date in that year?

[steve911]

All gen 4 had solid shafts. 08-10

[SilverACR]

This post indicates earlier 08s had hollow shafts https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/16243-Half-Shafts?highlight=Shaft

[Steve M]

All gen 4 had solid shafts. 08-10

I found that to be incorrect.

[Stealth78]

This post indicates earlier 08s had hollow shafts https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/16243-Half-Shafts?highlight=Shaft

My 08 was a very late build, 5/2008, and still had the hollow shafts. I will say I drove the Hell out of my car and never had an issue with them though! I believe there are rumors that even some of the earlier 09's had them.

[Sidewinder]

Hey guys, Sidewinder here. Quick question. I have an issue with my front end on my 2008 Roadster. Sometimes when I turn corners I get a bit of a wonky sound up front. I thought it was just the 2010 I had previously had but now I

[Sidewinder]

Regarding my recent post I had the same issues with my 2010. It mostly happens when I turn medium to sharp corners especially on a sloped surface. But as mentioned it seems to go away after a bit of driving. I thought it was tires but they

[13COBRA]

What?

[Ninjazx71]

May i ask when you refer to the rear half shafts being hollow rather than solid is that just for the 2008 and if so was it for the whole year or a certain production date in that year?

Sorry man, haven't been on the board in a bit... I can't recall exactly where I found the info, but it was pulled together from a number of threads on this forum. From what I understood, the first set of Gen4's had solid halfshafts and then at some point they switched them to hollow which is actually stronger. I thought this switch took place on the 2010 MY, but some others stated here that it was after the first runs of the 08 MY's. Can't say exactly when this happened b/c it doesn't seem to be documented very well anywhere. Thought one thread had a side-by-side comparison of the 2 different versions too, but might take some digging to try and find that thread again.

[Steve M]

The weaker hollow axles (a.k.a. half shafts) were carried over from the Gen 3 production line...they had some unknown number of them left over from the Gen 3 builds that were used during the 2008 production run until they ran out at some point. My car was an early 2008 build, and it had the hollow Gen 3 axles. Some with later 2008 builds also reported having the hollow shafts, but at some point they switched over to the stronger, solid "double hump" design. When that was, I have no idea, but I'm under the impression that the 2009 and 2010 cars should all have come with the solid axles. Both designs can be seen in this thread here: https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/18997-2008-Viper-CV-Question

I was going to replace my shitty OEM axles with the stronger Mopar solid axles until I realized I could get a set of much stronger aftermarket axles for less than what they wanted for the Mopar units. The hollow axles were a known weak point, and there were quite a few reported failures, some of which weren't even during drag racing where you would expect them to fail. I wasn't taking any chances with mine.

[Ninjazx71]

The weaker hollow axles (a.k.a. half shafts) were carried over from the Gen 3 production line...they had some unknown number of them left over from the Gen 3 builds that were used during the 2008 production run until they ran out at some point. My car was an early 2008 build, and it had the hollow Gen 3 axles. Some with later 2008 builds also reported having the hollow shafts, but at some point they switched over to the stronger, solid "double hump" design. When that was, I have no idea, but I'm under the impression that the 2009 and 2010 cars should all have come with the solid axles. Both designs can be seen in this thread here: https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/18997-2008-Viper-CV-Question

I was going to replace my shitty OEM axles with the stronger Mopar solid axles until I realized I could get a set of much stronger aftermarket axles for less than what they wanted for the Mopar units. The hollow axles were a known weak point, and there were quite a few reported failures, some of which weren't even during drag racing where you would expect them to fail. I wasn't taking any chances with mine.

And all roads of knowledge always lead back to Steve M. LOL! Thanks for setting me straight on that. Not sure why I thought the solids were the weaker ones and the hollow are stronger... Either way it's a slight difference between the G3 and G4, but likely not a deal breaker when making a decision between which Gen to purchase.