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Dave Hitz
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2004
22:37:37
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 Subject: How good is a Dakota?
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I do not yet own a Dakota, but I hope to in the future. As of yet, the other big two companys that produce midsize pickups have not yet come out with a V-8 in there trucks. Dodge is the only one that has it. My question is for those that will help me is how good is the dakota? Is the new 4.7 engine snappy? How about it's off-road performance? I am not a hardcore wheeler, but I do like to do some minor wheeling here and there. Is the quad cab roomy, or would a guy or gal about 5-8 be comfortable sitting in the back seat? In July I am shipping out for Army Boot camp, and when i get back i am looking to find a Truck. If you guys tell me what I want to hear, I just might be driving a Dakota Next year this time! Thanks for all those who helped me!
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Sgt.
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
07:08:43
|  RE: How good is a Dakota?
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Lots of military guys with Dakotas on www.dakotausa.com
They'll tell ya everything ya wanna know!
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bb
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
10:09:28
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I have a 2000 Club cab 4X4 with 4.7.
Like the truck, but its had more problems in 4 years than my Toyota had in 7.
I will never buy another Chrysler product just because of the way they do business. They try to force you to get parts and service from them.
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wondering
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
10:46:56
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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Really? What parts did they try to force you to get from them?
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CThomp
*GenIII*
2/13/2004
10:55:55
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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2000 4.7L CC 2wd 5spd. Replaced stock rotors @ 25000 miles. No problems since. Now at 50,000. They forced no parts or service on me. Must have been your dealer bb.
Dave Hitz: Dakotas are roomy, comfortable, and powerful. From the way it sounds you'll be getting out of boot camp right around the time the 2005's come out. I'd wait until then. The new dak will have an available 6spd for the regular 4.7L's. Thats cool.
It seems as though most of those with automatics have most of the problems. I've seen the same problems in most American made vehicles with automoatic transmissions. Save yourself the problems and go with a manual.
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
11:13:44
|  RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I've got a 2003 4.7, 5spd auto,3.92 rear, AWD,LSD,5900 GVWR, hdl pkg, reg cab and think its the best truck I ever owned. I use it for general farm work, hauling and pulling a three horse trailer. I have over 30000 on mine with no failures of any kind. Handling and acceleration are more like a sports car than a truck(0 to 60-8 sec). Average mpg is 16.5 with 18.5 on the highway, 13mpg pulling 7500lbs (rated at 6300lbs). A very versitale truck that does everything my Chevy K1500 350 did and more.
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EBL
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
11:34:59
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I'm not sure how helpful this post will be since I own a 92.
I have had a wonderful experience with my truck. It is an auto, as all V8 (5.2) trucks were that year, and I have had no major problems with the truck or transmission. I have 151,000 miles on it.
Repairs other than normal maintenance are as follows.
Radiator
Water Pump
battery (replaced starter, but the problem ended up being the battery.)
Radio (After 9 years I deserved a new one anyway.)
Had A/C recharged. After 6 years of owning the truck the shraeder valve started to leak. I replaced 2 oz of freon.
Normal maintenance items replaced:
front pads and rotors. Regreased front berings.
oil and filter
transmission fluid
headlight and taillight bulbs
antifreeze
plugs, rotors and wires
windshield wipers
tires
shocks
etc
Well, you get the picture. It's been a good truck. All of the repairs I have done can be explained as normal wear and tear/age of plastics and rubbers.
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Jake
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
13:56:56
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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One of the problems on a board like this is you'll hear about problems but seldom successes.
If you search the archives you find a lot of posts related to problems,fixes and of course,generally PO'd owners. The only time you'll find positive comments is when someone asks a question like your's. Most ofter dealer service plays into the mix. We have a local dealer here that goes the extra mile to help customers and their service is some of the best I've seen in almost 40 years of driving.
I tend to keep a truck for at least 10 years or more and my 94 will be 10 years old next month. It currently has 111,000 on the clock and honestly the only required repairs were two lower ball joints at 92K. The other work was only normal wear and tear items like tires, brakes, belt and etc.
With anything mechanical,it alway the luck of the draw is you get a good or bad one. I recently read some info on Toyota engine sluge problems ,brakes and transmissions. Everyone builds a dog now and then.
Would I buy another Dakota. You bet. The only reason I would change is to go to a full sized which may be a F-150 or a Ram, don't know yet. I hate to trade off the 94.
To your questions, I'm 6'0 252 lbs and fit comfortably in the rear of a Q-cab. I can't help out with the 4.7 since I don't have one but I'm sure there are plenty here that do and will give you some straight info on it. Like you, I'm not a hardcore off roader , but haven't been real kind to it at times either,but so far its done everything I asked it to do without a hitch.
My best advise it to keep asking questions and whatever you decide on, find a quality dealer where you make your purchase. Like I said, every manufacture has problems. Its not the problem I worry about, its how it resolved.
By the way...A big THANK-YOU for your military service too !
Jake
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
14:51:20
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I bought a 2000 auto 4.7 CC Dak 2wd 2 years ago with 60K on it. After replacing the brakes and balljoints, after I bought it, it's been a great truck. Switched to all synthetic fluids and have 115K on it now with no problems at all, just normal maintenance. 18-20 MPG on the freeway and pulls my 3000# boat real nice.
Yeah the Dak's have some problems, but what truck doesn't. Some of the imports have less failures, but the towing power, comfort and styling isn't there. The Dak does a great job wrapping up all of these features into a mid-size truck. I would purchase another Dak, but would go for the Quad Cab. I just wished they offered the QC with a longer bed.
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98DAK 318 4BY
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2004
18:21:47
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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96000 miles, solid (replaced water pump, lower ball joints, inner tierod ends) the only problem is the front brakes but that may be fixed on the newer models. I wheel about 4 or 5 times a year. My buddies all have jeeps or fullsize trucks and I can go more places than the fullsized guys can (but the jeeps have obvious advantages). I don't regret my purchase and if I were given the choice again I'd get another one.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2004
08:46:32
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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No parts or service forced on me either. No problem with auto tranny - and I plow and tow with it - 2000 4.7. I wasn't aware there are 2 other mid size pickups - what are they ?
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Observer
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2004
09:53:35
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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When I bought my '98, 2WD, 318, 5 spd., reg. cab, I bought the 7 year/75000 warranty. I just turned 66k mi. Most of my driving is highway, it is bone stock except for a Hurst shifter. I run Mobile 1 and mostly Baldwin filters. I don't race it or abuse it. So far, on the extended warranty, I've had the belly pan gasket replaced, O2 sensor replaced, I've had the 9.25 rear rebuilt twice since August (bearings), yesterday I took it back to the dealer. They are now going to replace the steering rack, all four control arms with ball joints, both wheel bearing cartriges, and the rear seal in the transmission. This will cost me another $50 on the extended warranty. I hate to think what this truck would've cost me if I had to pay everything out of my own pocket. Be very careful if you're considering buying a used Dakota. I'm certainly going to think twice about buying Chrysler products again.
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Dakotaman
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2004
14:48:51
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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2001 dak CC 4.7 SLT Plus 4X4 automatic with tire and handling pack, 3.55 limited slip rear
No problems or repairs since delivery in November 2000.
Use K&N air filter, much more low-end response. I am very surprised to hear of these problems. My Dak has been a dream. I had a '89 that treated me very well also. In fact it's still on the road. At this time I would definitely buy another. Sounds like the problems might be poor treatment from repair shop.
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i think
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2004
05:37:42
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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chevy colorado, and nissan titan!
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kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2004
08:26:46
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I thought the Titan was advertised as full size ?
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2004
18:05:34
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I've owned Dodge trucks straight through since 1977. My '92 5.2 RC Dak had 217K on the original engine/trans/rear when I got my '01 4.7 RC 5-spd, that now has 74K. A rear pinion seal and one O2 sensor are the only problems to this point. To paraphrase, "They'll take my Dak away when they pry my cold, dead fingers from the wheel."
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How Good?
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2004
22:52:26
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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Good as any P/U on the road.
If you ask me.
A P/U is made for hauling crap to the dump, not a fashion statement....like they have become.
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Dave-O
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2004
01:51:36
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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Yeah I'm enlisting in the Army this thursday, I wanna leave for boot camp around July or August and after I get my sign on bonus I want a truck. I'm stuck between a dakota and a ram. I drove my buddies 92 rc,rwd,straight pipes,3.9 v6 5 speed and it was badass!
I really want a stick shift so I'd probably get a dakota 2wd, rc, 4.7, 5 speed,lsd with the stampede package. But the Ram is really tempting with it's aggressive styling, comfortable interior, and the Hemi engine. I reccomend sticking with mopar, my brother has a 2002 Ram 4x4 rc swb with a 4.7 and says it's one of the best vehicles he's ever driven.
Now whether or not to get a dakota, well I'm still trying to decide that for myself.
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2004
17:45:38
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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Well, I'm one of those guys that will be dismissed as an angry owner who has had problems and only comes here to gripe about the vehicle. The truth is, I have been coming to this board since 2000. I have a '98 Dakota 4x4 5.2 5-speed tranny, ext cab. At first, and for the majority of the time that I came to this board, it was because I wanted to see what other owners were doing to their trucks. I wanted to put a little work into mine, keep it running right, and know what problems to look for. There was a lot of knowlege to be found.
After all is said and done, I would NOT buy another Dakota. Firstly, because I feel that a full-sized pickup might better fit my needs right now. My next truck will be a full-size. More importantly, I don't want to put the money and effort that I have had to put into repairing it. I've had the ball joints replaced twice (all of them), the drive shaft, the brake rotor warped prematurely (although, you will probably find rotors to be a weak point for any truck), and the transfer case rebuilt. I still don't have 60k miles on it. I've also found (on this board, as well as all over the internet) that my issues with the vehicle are not uncommon. I also don't think Daimler Chrysler is being as responsive as they should.
I bought the truck because it was smaller, had a v-8, and a 5-speed tranny. It's performance has never been an issue and in that respect, I've always been happy with it. I also love the styling. I just feel that I'd be happier spending money on enjoyment rather than repairs. There are plenty of people that have gotten plenty of trouble-free miles and will quickly accuse me of neglecting maintenance, even though that is not the case. Many people will be happy with this truck, but their happiness doesn't make up for my problems. I feel I have been burned, and I will take my money elsewhere.
I apologize to anyone who takes this personally, but I feel that if someone asks about "how good the truck is" They should hear the good, as well as the bad.
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2004
10:47:51
|  RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I bought my Dakota new in 1997. It now has 100k miles on it. I had the automatic transmission rebuilt twice (under warranty), had to replace the heater core/evaporator coil, and the front brakes were shot after 40,000 miles because of cheap pads from the factory.
Those are the out-of-the-ordinary things. Everything else was just typical maintenance as things wore out (shocks, tires, batteries and stuff like that)
The regular extended cab is pretty small in the back. The stretched 4 door would be a LOT better for passengers in the back seat. I like the truck a lot and am very happy with it except for the automatic transmission and heater core/evaporator coil problems.
The 4 wheel drive ability off-road is about as good as other similar pickup trucks I have owned and driven. Just don't thrash it too hard cause its easy to break stuff. I cracked my exhaust by driving too hard off road ;-) At least it was a good excuse to upgrade to a cat-back exhaust system with dual pipes !!
Dan
1997 extended cab, 318ci, 4x4
Dual exhaust
K&N filter
Optima deep cycle battery
Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo tires
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CHUCC
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2004
00:43:29
| RE: How good is a Dakota?
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I work @ a ford dealership and , I own a Dodge Dakota and you knew what some of these ford owner go through at a dealership... Oh brother.
yep go with dodge I am not sure about the rest of you but I update my services as they come up, some at a dealership most I do myself because i like to get my hand dirty.
DODGE FOR LIFE.
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