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Steve-O
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
10:26:10
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 Subject: honest opinion & questions
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I am considering buying a 2005 Dakota SLT, 4x4, quad cab to replace my aging Jeep. I am aware of the ball joint problem/recall. I am aware of the model design changes and actually like the Dakotas/Durango styling of a few years ago, but the new one is not that bad looking.
Is the part time 4 wheel drive engaged/dis-engaged at any speed? Some vehicles (Nissan) require that the vehicle be stopped to engage and drive in reverse to disengage.
Has the ball joint problem been fixed for 2004 and 2005 models?
Is this vehicle basically reliable?
Are there any other problems that I would need to be aware of?
Would you take this vehicle over a Toyota Tacoma or GMC?
Thanks for any input!
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ptschett
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
13:08:49
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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I ordered an '05 clubcab Laramie 4x4 v8 a few weeks ago. I think it's better looking than the '04's and I really like the new interior. Reliability is hard to determine on such a new design but I'd be surprised if it's very different from the previous design or from the Durango. The front suspension is significantly changed with a new spindle arm and coil-over-shock configuration (replacing the torsion bars). It still has lubed-for-life balljoints but since it's a new design there's a chance it won't have the same problems. (I may be biased toward giving the engineers credit though; I am an engineer and I wouldn't be happy with a design that had as significant chance of problems as the late-model balljoints.) My understanding is that the new truck uses the same part-time transfer case as before or a similar part and that 4wd can be engaged at moderate travel speeds and disengaged without reversing. I've driven the Colorado and Ranger and would take the Dak anyday over them. Import pickups have never impressed me so I ignored them.
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scott
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
13:42:12
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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the 4wd can engaged at pretty much any speed as long as the front and rear wheels are moving at the same speed. also this is the smoothest transfer case i have felt, you literally can not even feel anything when you go from 4wd hi to 2wd and vice versa. Many chevys i have ridden in feel like the transfer case just blew up when traveling at freeway speeds and engaged. The balljoints are supposed to be better, and the problem really wasnt the sealed design, many companies use a sealed for life bj and have no problem. i would assume the new ones are substantially better and shouldnt be a problem. would i choose it over a chevy/gmc? well yes and i actually did. i was looking at the colorado/caynon before i bought by 04. Buying it over the toyota would be tough, i honestly believe the toyota is a better built truck, just very ugly.
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
14:07:25
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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I test drove a 05 V6 stick. I went home and got
back on this site and did some checking in the
recall threads. From what I've read, the V6
develops a *missing* problem between 6k and 10k.
The dealers are stumped what the problem is
because the same engine (3.7) is just fine in
the Jeep Liberty. I guess the problem is the
computer software. DC has been trying to get this
problem fixed for months now.
So for now, no 05 for me. I have a 02 4X4 V8 Auto
right now and I dislike the *hunting* the auto
tranny does on trips where you're not on 100%
level ground. No more autos for me IF my next
truck is a DC product.
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scott
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
14:16:06
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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the v6 has that problem between 41-50 mph, it is due to the torque converter locking and tranfering the uneven firing of the engine through the drive terrain. It smooths out at higher RPm's and that is why it is not felt above 50mph. The Flash has already ben released for the v6/standard tranny combo trucks. So they are no longer a problem, us autos are just waiting for a flash to fix the problem for us now.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
15:32:02
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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Steve-O, I own an '00 QC Sport w/ 3.9 5spd manual(it's in the body shop, hopefully out soon). anyway I have been driving a rental(all of this @ no charge to me, her fault), an '05 QC SLT 4x2, w/4.7 auto for about 3 weeks now. The only real complaint i have are the very uncomfortable/ hard seats. i don't really care for the '05 looks. Wanna-be chevy door handles and tailights, the cheapy looking interior. and the humongous rear headrests that obstruct your view. I've put over 900 miles on this truck(it had 33 miles when i got in it). to be honest, i want my '00 back. i hate autos, even though this one is very smooth. the truck is totally different from the ground up than the Gen III's. i did notice a couple of times the '05 has hesitated or stumbled on accelerating but no MIL. MHO, I would look for a good deal on an '04 if i was looking. i think these '05's will still have the rotor warpage problem. the reason - smaller drums than my '00 with a heavier truck? doesn't make sense.
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EJ
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
15:37:29
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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Hey RadioMan.
Try keeping overdrive OFF under 60MPH or so.
That'll take care of a lot of the trans 'hunting'.
Does positive things to gas mileage, too.
Coming up on a hill, turn O/D OFF and let the torque converter lock up in 3rd. I think you'll be pleasantly surprized.
My 4.7L gets 16 around town and 22 highway by using this simple method. 'course, I don't have my foot in it, either.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
18:23:28
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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I liked my 00 CC so much I replaced it with a 03 QC. When I was shopping for a new truck I didn't like the styling of the 05's and decided to go with a low mileage 02-03-04. I couldn't justify buying a new truck I didn't like, when an 03 was almost 10K less.
I know what Radioman is talking about, my 00 45RFE was rock solid on the freeway and pulling up slight grades, never hunted through the gears. With the 03 545RFE the truck shifts on the slightest grade. I noticed that the RPM's are much lower at 75 though, 2.5K on the 00 and 2.1K on the 03. Guess it's shifting out of high OD. From what I'v heard the 545RFE has .75 4th and .67 5th, whereas as the 45RFE only has .75 4th. Well something like that, don't get in a flaming war if I didn't get a ratio right or something ;)
One grip I had with my 00 CC were the crappy brakes. My 03 QC has larger front brakes and discs in the rear, certainly better than previous years. I didn't look at the 05's brakes (didn't get that far since I didn't like the styling), but I hope they stuck with the larger brakes of 03-04 and hopefully rear discs too.
If you like the styling of the 05's go for it, bad ball joints are better then engine, transmission or electronic problems.
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Crow318
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
10:08:13
| RE: honest opinion & questions
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Message:
Hey Steve-o
If you like the 2004 and older style as much or better than the 2005 redesign, the you should look for a 2004 or even a 2003 with low miles. You will save a boatload of money.
I have been looking for a new truck also, and buying a 1 to 2 year old Dakota with low miles will save you close to 10k in the longrun (initial cost + interest on the loan + depreciation loss)
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