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Cal Dak
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
11:02:14
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 Subject: RE: who likes their truck?
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Absolutly love my truck. It's parked for the winter now, but I look at it everyday. It's a 2000 R/T CC I bought in May 2002. The only thing I've had to do is replace a couple of plug wires and dist. cap.
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Tnjones
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
11:54:36
| RE: who likes their truck?
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Anybody else notice how many of the posts in this thread are of the basic form "I love my truck even though I've had problems"?
I like my truck even though I've had problems. Unfortunately I spent every cent I could afford on a vehicle that I need to last me for 10 years plus. Since I only put about 10,000-15,000 miles a year on my vehicle, this shouldn't be unreasonable. However, I've also noticed that there are no 150,000 mile "I love my truck" posts here either.
This truck, for the price and features, really shouldn't be such a huge disappointment. It has multiple design issues and is backed by service departments that makes me want to go postal. I still like driving something that looks so good and has so much power. Too bad it doesn't have the service and durability to go with it.
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
12:20:57
| RE: who likes their truck?
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Tnjones
SO...should we assume you meant to post this in a different thread?
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RichD2001
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
12:31:47
| RE: who likes their truck?
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My 2001 SLT Quad cab has 51,000 and has been generally problem free. The dealer I bought it from has free lifetime oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles and I have not missed one. I had a concrete pad poured next to my driveway so I can park the truck outside - it is, after all, just a truck. There is not one drop of any fluid on the pad after almost 4 years of mostly daily use. I had a code P0442 and replaced the gas cap in August. The dealer replaced the upper ball joints yesterday under the recall. Other than that I change the air filter every 10-12,000, topoff the w/w fluid, rotate the tires, check fluid levels and top off as needed. Good daily driver, decent 4X4 off-road vehicle for hunting in Colorado, and was fine for trips last year to Taos, NM and Mesquite, NV.
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DakBear
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
15:42:09
| RE: who likes their truck?
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1997 V8 4x4 CC, bought at 72K, have 156K on it now. Front end was abused by prior owner, so a fair amt of $$$ spent on ball joints, Pittman arm, idler arm, alignments - but been solid as a rock the last 30K miles. Change the oil religiously, installed a K&N air filter which improved HP and mileage a bit, and barrels like moutain goat offroad with BFG AT's.
Besides the front end stuff, I've blown two headlight switches, and nothing else I can think of in 5 years. Looking to buy or lease another....
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
16:11:03
| RE: who likes their truck?
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Tnjones, no 150K mile trucks that responded? I had 141K, that's pretty darn close ;-)
I do agree with you about the dealership though, The 03 I just bought has bad ball joints (no big surprise I was expecting it) so I took it to the stealer Friday, guy said to bring it back Monday and they could have it done by the afternoon. Monday I arrive and another guy says they need the truck for 2-3 days,,, WTF I need this thing for work! Heck, I would rather spend 3 hours on Saturday replacing them, then have the truck at the stealer for 3 days.
I think a major part of my satisfaction with my 00 is that I bought it with 60K and I NEVER took it to the dealer!
DakBear, you mentioned blowing headlight switches. Do you tow a trailer with a lot of running lights? I heard that DAK's without the tow package are succeptable to this due to the higher current draw across the switch, guess the tow package trucks have a relay for the trailer lights so this does not happen. Just curious as I was concerned about this on my 00 CC and now my 03 QC, no tow package and towing a camper with 6-8 running lights.
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
12/29/2004
16:14:01
|  RE: who likes their truck?
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I like my truck
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DakBear
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
16:41:37
| DSW...
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DSW - actually, my '97 has the tow package. My trailer is a homebuilt jobber welded onto an old Ford Ranger frame, with very jury-rigged lights. Both times I lost the headlights, I wasn't towing. I think the switches just wore out - first was original, second was yanked from a '98 Durango in a salvage yard.
Sorry, no advice from me on this - except, I'm extremely leery of getting into another truck that doesn't have the tow package. My dealership has a nice red '03 QC 5.9 4x4, 29K miles, that I may look into. It's the only Dak (out of 20 or so, new and used) on his lot that has the tow package...
GL
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Wurst
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
17:53:54
| RE: who likes their truck?
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I'm with TNJONES. I really dig my truck, but from a quality and dependability perspective, it's been a major disappointment. My '01 QC 4.7 4x4, with 78K miles is on it's 5th heater core, has had a blower motor relay replacement, a tranny flash, front brake overhaul, and has bad ball joints (which I'm going to have replaced). Additionally,DC has got to have one of the worst customer service services I've ever encountered. When I asked them what the deal was with 5 heater cores, their response was, "we're sorry your vehicle is not meeting your expectations". Now, all this being said, I'm sure you have stuff like this with every type of vehicle. Unfortunately, this is the first new vehicle I've ever purchased, and it's left a bad taste in my mouth. I wish my truck wasn't so damn functional and cool looking!
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
12/29/2004
19:02:04
| RE: who likes their truck?
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a lot of the problems i read about seems to be shady dealerships. Sorry to hear about all your problems and even more sorry that you have lousy dealerships that dont take care of the problem very well.
The only problem i have had with my truck has been caused by me. I messed up my rack & pinion two weeks after i bought my truck. The 5 star dealer that i bought my truck (used) from replaced the r&p, the power steering pump, related hoses and a complete front brake job because power steering fluid got on them. I didnt have to ask for any of it.
now, of course, my trucks ball joints are bad but i am not gonna complain... my truck is almost 7 years old. I dont expect my b-j's to last forever.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2004
19:46:33
| RE: who likes their truck?
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I work as a field service engineer, if I treated my customers like DC treats thier customers I would be out of a job. I guess I am expecting them to give me great service as I give to my customers, guess i am expecting toooooo much!
5 heater cores?!? It sounds to me like the technician is horsing that thing into the truck.
DakBear, I towed a lot with my 00 CC 4.7 auto w/o towing package and never had problems, though I did add on the receiver hitch, tranny cooler and wiring harness/brake controller. Last week I bought a 03 QC, 4.7, auto, 30K miles, w/o the tow package since I couldn't find one with a tow package. Paid $16K OTD after searching high and low, dealers in Vegas think these trucks are made out of gold.
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
10:08:10
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I have to agree with Wurst and TNJONES. I like the way my'00 QC 4x4 4.7 auto drives, I like the comfort, the power, looks and utility of it. However I'm not happy with the overall build quality of it. It's been nickle and dimeing me since it was new(well, actually since it was out of warranty).
I guess IF this was the first truck that I've ever owned OR the newest vehicle that I've ever owned(as it seems is the case with a few on these boards)I wouldn't know any better and I would love this truck 100%. The fact is I've owned many many cars and trucks through the years and every Dodge product that myself and others in my family has owned since the mid 90's has been a disappointment as far as quality is concerned. To the point that we will never purchase another DC product. EVER!
As for my Dakota, I bought it based on my experience with Dodge trucks of the 80's which overall was good. I bought it new and as with all of my other vehicles it has been well taken care of and NEVER raced or otherwise abused. Since new it has had way too many build quality problems for a vehicle of it's price and utility. The worse thing is that all of my problems are COMMON to Dakotas, NOT one time defective parts types of problems. Again, I compare my Dakota to my previous vehicles, most notibly my GMC's which both went well over 200K miles(my '90 was at 290K when I sold it)WITH OUT ONE SINGLE PROBLEM(other than auto trannys at around 180K miles). Some say that I got lucky with my GMC's which may be true, but I can also say that some got lucky with their Dakotas. I'm not one of the lucky Dakota owners.
Like I said I do really like my Dakota, BUT COMPARED to my PAST EXPERIENCES with other makes of trucks, this is the worse built one EVER. I'm close to 100K miles now and I'm going to change my oil pump and valve lash adjusters in hopes of making it another 100K before it falls apart.
I'm not bashing at all! It is what it is and I'm just calling it as I personally see it. We should all be thankfull for dodgedakotas.com for being here to post our frustrations, problems & fixes!
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read first
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
12:35:05
| RE: who likes their truck?
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The heading on the post is "WHO LIKES THEIR TRUCK?", maybe you guys should be posting on the, "who doesn't like their truck post".
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DakBear
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
15:34:31
| RE: who likes their truck?
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DSW - out of curiosity (if you're still lurking this thread) what does it cost to aftermarket a hitch, lights and a tranny cooler?
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
19:14:53
| RE: who likes their truck?
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I like to refer to it as trolling, my wife on the other hand would love me to give up fishing and this board ;-)
I bought my receiver $80 and wiring harness $10 from TrailerTech a local trailer supply house, you can get them from AutoZone, Pepboys, etc, but they are more expensive. I picked up the tranny cooler somewhere online for around $50, it was a nice stacked plate cooler, think the dimensions were around 12"x12". I also got a Tekonsa (sp?) brake controller (supposed to be the Cadillac of brake controllers) plus all the breakers and plugs to wire up a 7 pole plug for the camper from an online camper supply store for around $125. Wire came from Home Depot.
If you can get a truck with the towing package do it. I would have easily paid $300 for a tow package so I didn't have to spend $200 in parts (minus the controller) and many hours running wires and turning wrenches. Plus, I think the tow package trucks have lower gears, though my 00 did just fine towing with 3.55 gears.
The one thing good about getting a truck without the tow package, it probably hasn't been towing or you can see if they had a ball on the bumper. You know a lot of people buy these trucks and use them for grocery getters.
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kg
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
15:45:57
| RE: who likes their truck?
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jsut got a 03 QC 4x4 slt 27 k. i love this truck. traded in a 98 silverado reg. cab 4x4 100k. for it . 11,300plus trade out the door. got dealer to certify and give me 8/80 on powertrain.just installed aftermarket hitch and plug in wiring this morning(120 bucks for both 45 minute job)no ball has been on this one before.truck is tight and quiet, can't wait for those goodyears to wear out so i can strap on some michelin ltx m/s.tires suck,but i am used to the michelins as i replaced the same goodyears on my silverado. what a difference a tire makes. just priced a new set 705.00 but worth every penny.had a 305 vortec in chevy and this 4.7 is every bit as strong.haven't checked mileage yet but have gone 200 miles so far and still at 1/2 tank. i feel just like the chevy once you hit halfway on the feul gauge it drops like a rock.btw had a 88 dak.4x4 sold to brother in law years ago for hunting truck has 140k on it and the only problem with it was i lost an oil pressure gauge. a brake caliper locked up and the front left was loose. ,put a couple of spacers behind nut at 70k and it's still handing on. it won't die . only problem with 88 v6 you cant pass anybody.
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01dakota_355
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
17:41:41
| RE: who likes their truck?
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Overall, I like mine - 2001 4.7 CC 4x4 45rfe, perfect size, lots of power with the 4.7, fairly roomy. Very reliable so far.
The downside(s)?
It drinks gas.
The fuel light comes on too early- with 6-7 gallons left, so you don't get much range on a tank.
The quality/engineering of the brakes is lousy at best. Also, I wish the club cab had rear doors that opened.
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Kowalski
GenIII
1/03/2005
18:02:26
|  RE: who likes their truck?
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I like mine.
My 4.7 is good on gas - about 15 mpg. I had a GM 350 that made less power and only got 12 mpg.
Nice engineering on the fuel light - I know I can keep pushing if I must; but the light reminds me its a good thing to have some fuel in there - helps to cool the fuel pump so it will last longer.
OK - you're right about the brakes !
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Ol Crank
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
18:32:55
| RE: who likes their truck?
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It's kinda cute and it gets you from A to B. But, this vehicle is nothing to write home about. Small inside, feels like a coffin, uncomfortable on trips, can't really put anything in it because the bed is so small, what you can get in it will dent it, that you can do with only your thumb pressing on it. All that before you even talk about quality. It is a toy truck only suitable for hauling a little garden mulch. I thought I could get by with a smaller truck, but have regretted the purchace from day one.
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so
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
21:58:35
| RE: who likes their truck?
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OI Crank, the question is "who likes their truck", shall we take that as a yes since you answered?
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