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Damien
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
22:23:01
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 Subject: buying 04 dakota
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Hi Everyone! I am looking into buying a 04' Dakota Quad Cab. I am using it as a daily driver. I will be doing some light work with it. I am going to get 4 wheel drive. I dont know wheather i should get a v6 or v8. I am also getting an automatic. I drive 120 miles a day and need a good fuel economy. My question is are there any options that you would suggest. What kind of fuel milage is everone getting? What engine would you suggest. What kind of aftermarket products are ther to boost fuel economy and how much of a boost do they give. How does the truck ride. Please help me in any way you can. I will take any suggestions. I figured this is the best place for them. I made the mistake of getting a stock Jeep Wrangler with a 4cyl.auto three years ago and regret it. Although i love the jeep i need more room and a more comfortable ride. Thankyou.
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V sux
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
22:32:26
|  RE: buying 04 dakota
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if you get the v6 get the 5 spd and you might be happy it's a dog with the auto, and get the 3:92 gears
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
22:55:53
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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Well I preface this by saying I live 12 miles from work and no more than a half hour from ANYTHING I normally need to drive to day to day.
My last pickup was a 4-banger. I vowed I would never have the smallest available engine in any truck I ever owned again. So the V6 was never an option. And the 5.9 was no longer available when I bought my Quad, though I probably would never have bought it anyway since it never seemed to me to have a particularly good output for its displacement.
So the 4.7 was the only way to go for me.
But keep in mind, my commute is about 10 minutes and I can afford the gas. But the only reason I would have gotten the V6 would have been if the initial cost of a V8 truck was outside my budget. Otherwise, if you speak to people with both engines youll find the fuel consumption isn't that different but the acceleration most definitely is.
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Zach
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
23:25:27
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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I would go for the V8. It has a lot more power for stop and go driving, and also gets very similar mileage. Since you drive 120 miles a day, I would suggest the 3:55's as they will get slightly better highway mileage over the 3:92's. The usual air intake and exhaust are good ways to get better mileage, although they will only help slightly. Some also would suggest using synthetic oils in the engine, transmission and differential as they reduce friction slightly over conventional dino oils.
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
01:13:20
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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From V6 owners you're likely to hear things like 'adequate' and 'good enough' and 'suitable for my needs' at best. A V8 owner is more likely to tell you how much he loves his engine. That should tell you something.
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
11:06:17
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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I've got a 2003 4.7AWD with the 3.92 and everything heavy duty. It gets 18mpg on the highway, 16 all around. Drives like a fast sports car and can pull or haul with the bigger 1500 trucks. 30000 miles and I've only added (Rhino liner, tonneau, Fipk) never fixed anything. Rain, snow, mud or dry, a great all around vehicle. I drive 60 miles a day minimum from house to farm in the mountains.
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Wil Hannes
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
12:16:57
|  RE: buying 04 dakota
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I just took delivery of my 2004 4.7 slt plus 4x2. My last truck was a 99 Dakota SLT 5.2 v8 extended cab 4x2. It was fully loaded and had 55,000 miles on it. never had any trouble with it and I thought it was pretty fast. My new Dak with the 4.7 is unbelievebly faster. Has all options and 3:55 posi rear. I think the 5 speed automatic is what makes the difference. Get the 4.7 v8 it sure is fun to drive. I also like the Infinity sounds with the 6 disk changer, and the power seat.
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99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
15:19:08
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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"I drive 120 miles a day and need a good fuel economy."
Damien-
Since I assume you've seen the EPA mileage ratings for this truck then you must consider 16/20 (and that's optimistic) as being "good fuel economy" If fuel consumption is your primary concern then you should be aware that a quad cab 4x4 automatic is a substantially heavier truck than, say, a club cab 4x2 manual, and you'll pay for all that extra weight in gas. You might pick up 1 or 2 mpg with some intake mods, but don't expect much more than that.
The new 3.7L V6 should be a little more efficient (maybe 22mpg hwy?) but although it has 35 more HP than the 3.9 it only has 10 lb/ft more torque, so the QC 4x4 is probably still too much truck for the V6 (and I wouldn't take that gamble on the relatively unproven 3.7).
The ride is firm but nice, arguably one of the best riding/handling trucks of any size.
Good luck on your purchase.
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
17:58:10
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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YEah Id definitely have to agree with that last comment. My Quad's ride makes me think of a good sports sports sedan. Taught, but not jarring.
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Omen
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
19:31:16
|  RE: buying 04 dakota
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WHO THE HE11 WOULD NAME THEIR KID DAMIEN !
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Omen
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
19:31:16
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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WHO THE HE11 WOULD NAME THEIR KID DAMIEN !
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damien
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
21:10:42
| RE: buying 04 dakota
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thanks for you help. picked up my Dakota Quad cab on monday. v8 5spd auto sport. I love it so far
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