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mopar4u
Dodge Dakota
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9/03/2004
13:41:31
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 Subject: best year for the dakota?
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Just curious if there is a particualry year of the dakota that was better than the rest from a reliability standpoint (based on facts). I know I picked out my 2002 because consumer reports gave it good ratings across the board. Prior year dakotas didn't do so well according to consumer reports. I'm speaking of the same chasis dakotas as my 02. Any factual data out there?
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AM
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2004
07:12:42
|  RE: best year for the dakota?
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Message:
Check out the reliability ratings online at "carpoint"
This is what I guaged alot of my decision on.
It gave me reliability ratings, problem areas, gas mileage, towing capacity etc.
Based on that I bought the Dakota and am hoping the 3.7 is more fuel fuel efficient and more pwerfull than the 3.9. I am still on my 2nd tank of gas so I don't know yet!
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matwood
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2004
16:56:53
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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92-95, no ball joint problems. not a lot of plastic.
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Anthony
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2004
18:15:18
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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Message:
Hey Mopar4u,
Check in the next year or so and see where the 02 stands. It will be the same as the rest of the pervious years.
The best years I think are the 2000-2001 after that Dodge did a lot of cut backs.
Anthony
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Pittdawg
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2004
19:21:11
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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Message:
2003 and 2004 are better what are you guys talking bout? 1997-2003 all have ball joint issues, but at least in 2003 the brakes were dramtically improved, furthermore, many 5.2's and 5.9's have extensive tranny issues as well as the first year the 45rfe was introduced, in 2000. P.S.---92-95 don't have ball joint issues but in my opinion the gen III body is infinitely better looking,and I'm pretty sure they're brakes suck also.
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matwood
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2004
00:16:07
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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The body is an opinion thing. and im not sure about the brakes cuz ive never driven a gen 3 but you may be right. But i still like the gen 2 body more.
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Landon
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2004
14:29:41
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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I have a 96 which is still gen II I live in duluth MN which has hills like san fran and have owned the truck for a year and a half. It's a 5.2 stick and my left front caliper has locked up twice, was going to fix it then it free'd up and haven't delt with it since. My front tires wear on the inside cuz of the usual ball joints. I drive wrecker for a living and just don't have time or patients to fix it.. i'm bad about that stuff i'll let it break and tow it back to shop...
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tlc361
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2004
17:29:04
|  RE: best year for the dakota?
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Message:
I know I'm favoring my own trucks year.
2001 QaudCab 4x4 4.7 - after 2001 the bean counters (MBA Types) started major cost savings resulting in performance and quality losses.
However almost any year truck and preventative maintainence will result in a good year truck.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2004
18:51:48
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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TLC, or the lack of, is the main factor. My '92 5.2 RC had 217K on the original drivetrain. My '01 4.7 RC 5-spd is closing in on 92K now, a rear pinion seal the only factory-related issue.
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mopar4u
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2004
08:39:30
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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went to carpoint.com, the reliability ratings had no issues with steering and suspension for any year? they also showed no issues at all with the 2002's, but some issues with all other years of this chasis????? I guess it goes to show it's all opinion.
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Trent
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2004
16:34:06
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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1990 4x4
Baught it at 114,000 miles for 2k sold it 3 years later with 192,000 for 2k, 6 years later over 250,000 miles, not sure how many exactly, but i still see it around pulling a fairly large boat. MOPAR!
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Jag
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2004
21:04:23
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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Message:
From what I have seen, Gen II is the more reliable truck. 98-99 had some tranny problems, but they definitly got worse with time. The same problems with the RAMs too. I don't like the 4.7 - too much emissions. It will be a problem, just wait and see.
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/08/2004
18:23:48
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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Too much emissions ? The older trucks with EGR have more emission equipment. What are you referring to ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Unknown
Dodge Dakota
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9/11/2004
15:27:19
|  RE: best year for the dakota?
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I have voice in my opinion here. A fellow Duluthian spoke up earlier and I can attest to the San Fran like hills here in town. I drive a 2000 4x4 3.9L Magnum Sport with a 5 spd man and 15" 31X10.5 BFG ATKOs. My only complaint about my Dak is it has a little trouble highway hauling a fully loaded four place snowmobile trailer with another sled in the bed!! She needs to stay in 4th gear, just doesn't have the power to do fifth. Other than that,...never had a ball joint problem, never gotten stuck, never been stranded, notta, zip, zero problems with the girl. The brakes will warp sometimes but thats due to driving habits. You're not supposed to haul six sleds with a V6 Dakota afterall!! My vote goes to the 2000 Sport!!
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Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2004
14:16:43
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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I think the emissions issue was directed at the number of cats and O2 sensors on the GenIII trucks. When you are talking about 2-3 cats and 2-3 O2 sensors, compared to a GenII with an EGR valve, 1 O2 sensor and 1 cat.
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Hurl
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2004
16:01:44
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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2003-2004... Rear disk baby.
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Anthony
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2004
16:52:05
| RE: best year for the dakota?
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97-00 GenIII Daks came with 1 cat and 2 sensors.
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