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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2003
18:09:20
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 Subject: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Hi everyone,
I am looking into buying a 2004 Dakota. I am planning to have it custom built. I have read the threads on 4X4 ft/pt transfer cases already. Maybe y'all can help me make a final decision on the engine and transmission. This is my first 4X4, and I have never driven off road - just the occasional country dirt road in my camaro - whoopee! I do alot of hiking and plan on ruffing it when I get my truck. I don't plan on doing any serious off-roading on my excursions, but I do have property in the mts that requires a short climb on rocky, somewhat loose dirt (enormous water erosion holes) that definitely requires a 4X4. I want to go up there in the snow too.
I also like power to pass trucks on the freeway but I will commute to school in it so I would like a decent mpg rating.
Would a V6 with 3.92 axle ratio ft 4X4 be good??? Or should I get the V8 with 3.55 ratio ft 4X4 or V8 w/ 3.92 ft 4X4 - gas guzzler :(
Should I even get a ft 4X4??? Should I carry snow chains in the back too??
I appreciate any advice you guys can give, I want to make the right decision and enjoy 4x4 driving!
Peace!
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NONONO
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2003
18:17:29
|  RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Don't waste your itme on a V6, get the....
4.7 V8.....I would get a stick but that's me
3.92 axle ratio with limited slip diff.
If you want great mpg don't get a 4x4
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Kindig
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2003
22:22:59
|  RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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SON,
Go with the 4.7 4x4 and 3.55 gears it you want decent MPG. This is what I have and I get 17-18 MPG on the highway.
Dodges trucks have NEVER been known for good MPG. Trust me, I have owned 4 Dodge trucks and they all got so so MPG.
If you want great MPG, but a VW.
Just my two 51 year old cents.
p.s. If you live in hot climate, the HD cooling is a must
01 DAK CC SLT 4X4 4.7 AUTO 3.55(I trashed my K&N drop-in)
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
11/10/2003
23:02:29
|  RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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From your description I would NOT get the FULL TIME 4X4. I've got the PART TIME on-the-fly 4X4 and I love it. If you start to slip you just flip a switch and there she goes!
My 2003 4X4 4.7 3.55 is ALL STOCK as far as suspension and wheels go. The wheels are WHISPER QUIET on the highway, even at 115 MPH. And boy does this truck corner at higher speeds in the mountains! And I have taken it up some VERY STEEP loose dirt hills where people slip all the way with their ATV's and my truck hardly busts loose the tires!
I swear, when it comes to getting new tires, I'll probably just buy the same as the stock ones. I don't want to take a chance on getting noisy ones.
I get approx 18 MPG highway (that's normal) and when I removed the clutch fan and drove with only the electric my MPG went up one or two.
And oh yeah. Like he said, GET A V8 and the TOW package.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2003
23:11:04
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Kindig is right, Dodge trucks have never gotten good mileage. But they can sure take abuse. Avoid the V-6 like the plague. It's grossly underpowered, with very poor torque numbers. And low end torque is what you really need for the kind of work you're describing. That engine would have to work so hard to do the same job that it won't save any fuel.
Get the 4.7 since that's the only V-8 available. The old 5.9 made lots more torque and only cost 1 mpg. Anyway, with a 5.9l, 4x4, and 3.92 LSD I get 17-18 mpg depending on how I drive it.
I've driven through some deep mud and snow on fire trails, up steep hills, and through deep sand without difficulty. The 3.92 in 4-L will get that 4.7L engine right in to it's narrow power band at the speeds you'll be driving.
And don't forget the extra $250 for the LSD. I don't understand why you would build a 4x4 without it.
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ErnieQuad03
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
15:33:55
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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I got a 2003 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 4.7 V8 with 5spd manual and 3.55s with anti-spin diff. Loaded all up.
Definitely go 4.7 and the 3.55s are good and will help your gas mileage. Go with anti-spin diff and part-time 4wd. You'll like the setup.
I prefer the 5spd manual for towing/off-roading and everyday fun, but that is strictly personal preference. Both trannies are good.
Enjoy!
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BrianLocke
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
16:10:59
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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I love my 2000 Quad FT4x4 with 3.92LSD. I get 13mpg in stop and go traffic. I also have to sell it :(
I need a 3/4 ton replacement.
Brian
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.booB
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
16:21:29
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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The 4.7 is the engine you want, BTW, it does not have a narrow power band, it makes decent torque down low too.
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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
01:47:37
|  RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Hi everyone,
Several of you replied to my original post and I wanted to thank you all for helping a young lady in need. I got a headache doing my research on PT/FT 4x4! Anyhow, I ordered my Dakota just before Thanksgiving. The dealer said it was scheduled to be delivered around Xmas time. Well, you are probably wondering what I decided on - I chose the PT 4x4; V8; 3.55 axle ratio; 5spd auto; tire/handling group; heavy duty service and cooling; skid plates; two-tone gray/silver; quad cab.
Here's the one thing that has been itching at the back of my mind, I ran across a more recent thread about how Dakotas are getting a bad rap from previous owners and current owners. I am a little worried- I know American cars are put together very shoddily. I have owned a 91 Camaro for 12 years- I know the "quality" of American cars hehehehe. But it has a great engine!!!! The body and interior are put together with spit and glue but the engine is great and it still sounds good. I have never owned a Japanese car, but every one I have ridden in feels just as cheap and shoddy as my Camaro- and their engines sound like sewing machines.
My family has owned only BMWs and GM (one Ford but junked after it knocked), so, I have driven a few beemers in my life, and have a good idea what quality can be in an automobile. I have to put this into perspective - I test drove a Toyota Tundra 4x4 V8 Quadcab, and then test drove a few Dakota 4x4 Quadcabs - the Dakota felt right every time. The Toyota felt wrong the first time. The Toy dash is terrible all the way across. The Dakota dash looks like a TRUCK. The Toy had no guts, the Kota did :) The Toy felt like it was 4x4ing on surface streets, the Kota did not :) But when I took the Kota on the dirt, it did the job :)
So, if anyone can tell me just how bad a Dodge Dakota can be, I may say ok but then sit back and remind myself that I own one of the most unsafe and poorly manufactured (old Van Nuys, CA plant made) cars of the 90's - and it has been good to me for 12 years. Maybe because I take care of it??? Or maybe it was made on a Wednesday??? Better yet, maybe the whole "foreign is better than domestic" is just a myth after all.
Well, I ordered the truck and at least I can find out what to expect as far as common problems with the Dakota 4x4 Quadcab - through you guys of course! :)
I will keep y'all posted on the arrival of the Kota (I like the sound of that).
Happy Holidays
Wolfy
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Beaver
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
03:51:37
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Foreign being better than domestic a myth? I dont think so. I dont see how you can look at the statistics and call it a myth. That Tundra may not have felt right to you, but I GUARANTEE it would've lasted longer. Not to bash the Dakota or anything. Honestly as far as appearance goes, I think the Dakota has every truck beat. It sure is one helluva nice looking truck. As far as reliability goes, its a coin toss. Some people end up putting hundreds of thousands of miles on there daks with no major problems, some put only 10,000 and....well you've heard the stories.
I dont mean to discourage you or anything, in case you cant tell, I never had much luck with my Dak. But like I said, there are many who have had better. I wish you good luck with yours.
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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
04:17:58
|  RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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The funny thing is I see just as many old American cars and trucks driving around as old Toyotas - and other assorted foreign makes. It has gotten old hearing about how the Toyota lasts longer than American trucks. My boyfriend has a Chevy S10 with 250,000+ miles on it, all original. The baby won't quit and he has probably spent $800 on it in the past 6 years he has owned it! My brother had a BMW that was a lemon! My neighbor down the street who was a devoted Honda fan lost all faith after he complained of having to take his Civic to the shop too often. Yes, there are some good cars in every make and there are some bad- this is not a pissing contest of point of origin but probably more a matter of driving skills, maintenance, and perhaps karma!!
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Funny
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
06:04:15
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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The Tundra is designed and built in America yet it's foreign because Toyota is Japanese (49%owned by GM BTW) and the Dakota is designed and built in America by a 100% German company yet it's a domestic.
Is it semantics, denial or outright bigotry?
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got it
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
11:11:11
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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So basically you are saying all vehicles are created equally.
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GreenGoblin
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
16:24:00
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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I've been hanging around a lot of truck boards lately. I'm pretty sure my next truck is going to be the Titan (just want to see if there are any major issues once there are some on the road and being put to everyday use). Because the Titan has no history, you don't see any complaints yet.
But if you look at the Tundra boards, they are complaining about brake rotors, which Toyota replaces under warranty with BETTER parts! They complain about a little bit of wind noise at 70mph. They're not complaining about ball joints, transfer cases, heater cores, water leaking into the cab, etc...
You look at the 4-Runners that are for sale and it is a lot more common to see vehicles with over 200k miles selling, than any Dodge. It is not a myth. I'd never thought I'd buy a car with a Japanese name, but the evidence is undeniable; A Toyota or a Nissan will last me longer than a Dodge, and give me fewer problems.
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Mr. Fujimoto
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
19:00:03
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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That's because in Japanese business practise, the emphasis is placed on building a quality product to attract and keep buyers. This is more important than offering the lowest price by offering inferior and poorly built products.
Dodge and the two American truck makers offer nice looking but poorly built products for cheap prices. This is because American business practises demand that all emphasis be placed on profits. That's why millions of American manufacturing jobs are being exported to third world countries and that's why the Dakota is an inferior product.
It's amazing how a country of 125,000,000 people that's smaller than California can have a GNP second only to America's and build better trucks.
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Mrs. Fujimoto
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
23:36:14
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Don't listen to my husband, he's been hitting the saki again!
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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2003
20:35:00
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Why the hell would you buy ANY vehicle that has 200K miles on it!!!!!!
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
19:27:26
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Just depends how much you want it. I bought my Dakota with 142K miles and it still intacked.
The Dakota does have it's plus and minus
The 4x4's are tough but they do lack ground cleance. And Dodge didn't design them for field use. I don't see to many Farmers are Construction workers use them.
But its the only midsize truck that can tow a 3 ton trailer or boat and not lug out going up hills.
I like mine. Its a 318 V8 SLT 4x4 and a 3.55:1 gear.
And still pulls great in muddy or snow coverd roads while pulling a boat or a flat bed loaded with hay.
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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
19:44:36
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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So, how many of you here are driving Toyotas, and ones with over 200K miles on it ???
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Used2havDak
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
14:40:14
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Well, my Tundra doesn't have 200K on it, yet. It's still too new, having traded my 2002 Dak in on it just last July. I've got almost as many miles on it as I had on the Dak, and I haven't experienced any of the little freaky things, like suspension noises, power windows that wouldn't work unless I shut the truck off and started over, nor have I had to bail water out by the bucketfuls from my passenger side, like I did on the Dak, all with less than 10K on the clock. I just figured, who needs the aggravation? So, I cut and run while the gettin' was good.
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Wolfy
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
18:30:36
| RE: Deciding to buy a Dakota
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Well, I will keep a good eye out for the bad stuff on my Dakota. I haven't gotten it yet, but I appreciate all your bad news (especially AFTER I talked of getting a new one) Thanks for warning me ahead of time HA! BTW, where were you Dakota haters when I first posted????
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