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TIM
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
18:25:08
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 Subject: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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JUST PURCHASED NEW DAKOTA SLT 3.7 V6 4 SPD AUTO. HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH OLDER DAKOTAS TRANS, ENGINE, SUSPENSION ECT... DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE AN 04 THAT IS GIVING THEM PROBLEMS YET AND DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE NEW DRIVE TRAIN FOR04 IS IT JUNK OR BETER THAN WHAT WAS OFFERED BEFORE? I LOST INTREST IN GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS I HAD WITH A 99 MONTE CARLO AND DECIDED TO TRY DODGE,GOD I HOPE THIS WAS NOT A MISTAKE!
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TOY MAN
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
18:39:02
|  RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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u should have got a toyota !!!!!!!
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firereddak
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
18:57:29
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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tim, I have an 03 slt quad 4.7 5 speed auto limited slip and have been very well pleased. I now have 21000 on it and no problems, before I had a 96 ram 1500 ex cab with 5.2 sold it at 167000 and no problems even though a lot of people say to have trans problems.
I dont know why some have more problems than others.
I test drove an 04 with the 3.7 because i was curious about the 3.7 because untill 3 weeks ago i also had a 2000 with the 3.9, and i was very impressed with the 3.7 performance.
Did you make a mistake? In my opinon I dont think so, have fun with your new toy and enjoy it.
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Shannen
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
19:03:06
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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RELAX TIM. MOST OF THE POSTERS ARE IDIOTS AND TROLLS LIKE STS. DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY.
THE 3.7 IS A BEAUTIFUL ENGINE AND THE BALLJOINTS ARE COVERED FOR 10/100,000. jUST RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRUCK.
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firereddak
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
19:10:22
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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yeh tim what shannen said, and another good place for info without all the negatives is dakotausa, people there are more willing to help you with your questions and not do all the bitc@ing and stupid posting
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Justi
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
19:55:59
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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I can say this about online fan sites such as this one. GENERALLY, you only have two types of people that use them. All out whores of the product that LOVE their X, in this case Dakota. And people that have problems so they go online to research/complain about their problems.
Not that this is necessarily bad, but it means you have to take most oracles that you find on these sites with a relative grain of salt. People that are simply content with their purchase and have no complaints, nor an infatuation with their truck, don't surf to these sites GENERALLY.
There are a few common problems with the Dakotas, i.e. the balljoints, but otherwise there are a lot of hit or miss problems that are amplified here by the sheer amount of people that come here looking for a solution to that problem. Just remember that what you read here is not NECESSARILY a porportionate representation of ALL Dakota owners.
That said, there is some down right excellent information to be found here, I learn new things every day without exception. I love my truck (03 SLT+ 4x4 QC with the 4.7L/auto tranny)and haven't had problems yet. But I will, as anything man made is destined to, and when I do, I KNOW I will find a reference to that problem here. I appreciate this site and it's users for that simple reason. But you can't get worried about every complaint you see listed here because there's a good chance you'll never experience it, and if you get worried about all of them you will NEVER enjoy your truck. That doesn't mean to ignore the posts, simply browse and keep it in mind to check for yourself later or maybe keep an eye out for it. Use the site as the information sharing portal it is and ignore the extreme pro and extreme con posts and pay attention to everything in between. :)
Oh, and I don't know jack about the 3.7's but I've HEARD it's a reliable engine. I am pleased with my 4.7L, but truth be told since I don't haul much and a good 6cyl would perform well in my limited off road, I probably could have bought one and been fine. But alas, there is always something to be said for a V8. :)
Enjoy!
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
22:31:19
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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04 dakota Qhad cab: 4x4, 4.7, 5 speed auto. Not too many miles yet, 3000, but absolutely not one single squeak, rattle, or hickup. The only thing that pisses me off... we have 3 years in a row with snow so deep my 2wd Ranger won't even make it up my own driveway, and now of course I go get a big bad 4x4 and all we get is occasional flurries. I think I may have to go out lookin for mud pits.
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JT
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
00:06:20
| RE: 04 DAKOTA SLT
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Tim, the life of any vehicle is the maintenance!!Transmission problems are generally caused by a lack of periodic maintenance and/or overloading - towing or carrying too much load. The trans fluid not only pressurizes the clutches, but also serves as the lubricant for the trans. The harder it works, the hotter the fluid gets and the quicker it wears out. Keep it fresh and use the right stuff. Owners that keep the trans serviced generally don't see much major problems.
I don't care what the book says - service it every 30k or so, or if you tow - change it at 15k.
Same with the engine - change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and the engine will enjoy a very long life. Use a good quality oil and a Mopar filter.
Maintenance is really cheap insurance.
Bottom line - use it for what it is intended - don't overload it, and keep it serviced. The 3.7 so far, is a bulletproof engine. The RFE series trans is just as bulletproof.
Enjoy your new truck!!!!
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