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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
02:53:39
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 Subject: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
Hi, im VERY interested in getting a new dodge dakota and will hopefully be getting one in ~2weeks, i plan on doing some MODS to it as well, so heres my question.
If i order it, what are the most important things to get with it? In other words, the options that would be cheaper to have pre-installed rather than do it myself later. Or should i just fully load the thing, lol. any help is graciously thanked! :D!!
-Soon to be 4.7L 2001 DAKed out
Tony
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Josh10e
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
09:29:00
|  RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
Be SURE to get the V8. You will spend far too much $$ on the V6 mods for the same performance of a stock V8.
IF you want power windows and locks or cruise, get FACTORY installed ones, not aftermarket. Aftermarket ones aren't near the quality or good look of the factory ones.
Usually aftermarket sound systems are way better, but that is your call. Usually you can get away cheaper and better sound with an aftermarket stereo system.
Depending on 4x2 or 4x4, the factory "larger" tires are a decent idea, unless you are planning for custom wheels and tires anyway.
Limited slip or posi rear axle cannot be beat. Even if you are getting 4x4, nothing beats the traction of posi-traction. I have a 4x2 in MN with limited slip and did not get stuck anywhere last winter, and it was a tough winter finally.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
12:38:47
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
cool, yea i already have opted for the 4.7l v8. thanks for the advice :D
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
13:47:44
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
Ol' Josh10e gave some pretty sound advice.
I live in Indiana and the whole reason I bought a Dak to start with was the availability of Full Time 4WD. I will never own another truck without it.
I'd say always get the largest factory tires - it's usually a very cheap upgrade. If you do go with aftermarket tires and/or rims, you'll get a better trade in (My 33" BFG A/Ts cost me $45 each with the trade of the stock 31" Goodyears). Also, if you do switch to larger tires, the speedo and ABS are less likely to go out of whack if they're already calibrated for 31s.
I think the OEM Infinity stereo is awesome (and the sterring wheel mounte controls are pretty cool), but then I'm not a THUMPA THUMPA THUMPA kinda guy...
Get the 3.92 gears and I totally second the recommendation for the LSD.
The extra payload capacity option was only like $60 and it comes with much larger rear brake drums (a Dak weak spot).
The overhead trip computer is an endless source of entertainment and the sliding rear window is a gotta have. Ditto the extra capacity gas tank. The Heavy Duty cooling package is well worth it.
Just my 2 cents...
Good luck!
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
17:10:00
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
awesome! this is the kinda advice i was looking for!! thanks guys, keep it coming :D
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PhilD
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
17:18:42
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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You'll have to spend a little more than you would probably like to later if you don't get the fog lights from the factory. Be sure to inspect the paint job very, very close before you except delivery. The towing package will give you a bigger alt. and trans cooler.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
20:42:53
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
coolness, what about the 4 wheel anti-lock brakes? i would think thatd be a must... and should i get the factory bedliner? Thanks Alot for all the help!
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bjlindsey
Gen III
8/09/2001
03:23:35
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Tony.. I got everything except leather (sticky in Arizona and I wanted the 40-20-40 front seat w/ bigger console/armrest), didn't get power driver seat, cuz it takes to long to adjust from my wife's driving position to mine...manual is instant!! Didn't need block heater here in AZ, , but got 5.9, 3.92 gears in case I ever want to tow or get bigger tires!!!! I had a '97 5.2 w/ 3.55s and no limited slip and it would spin the tire...(singular!!)almost at will. My '01 QC 5.9 w/ LSD just GOES!!! My advice is get everything you MIGHT ever want..warranty coverage is king!!
'01 QC 4x4 5.9L 3.92 LSD K&N FIPK Clone Truck Tec bed cover
www.FreeGasForYou.com
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Me
Dodge Dakota
8/09/2001
04:24:42
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
I would look at a spray in bed liner vise a drop in. The weight is not a big factor. I paid $300 for my liner in a 2001 Dak Sport CC 4x4 v-8. Best investment as far as protection is concerned. I had a drop in liner in my previous truck from day one. Six years later the bed was almost completely rusted out.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
10:49:56
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
yea, sometimes winters get harsh in st louis, i just may need the block heater.. lol. Are the 3.92 gears better for only towing, or for speed/race applications as well? u guys are the coolest for helpin me out!
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
10:51:59
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Also, i plan on getting a kenwood mp3 player, seeing as how i have over 1,000 mp3s on my computer... so if i got the steering wheel controls would those work with that?
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
13:12:36
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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The 3.92s improve both acceleration and towing performance.
Unless you are an electrical engineer, the steering wheel controls are just for the OEM unit. You could always use some format translation freeware and burn some of those MP3s into mix CDs...
BJ makes a very good point - it's pretty cool to have as much of your truck as possible under DC warranty. I've done a lot of "enhancements" to my Dak, and I have used almost all Mopar Accessories and Mopar Performance Parts. Mopar add-ons are covered under the vehicle's warranty (at least, that's how my Dealer sees it) - which is way better than the typical 60/90/180 day aftermarket part warranties.
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
13:40:46
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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I would strongly advise against the factory bedliner unless its a spray on. I have one and I hate it. Its too slick. I have to use tie downs to hold my dirt bike ramp in place when loading. It also scratches up the top of the tailgate.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
16:16:06
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
yea, i got soooo many mix cd's. but i gotta have all the coolest gadgets, lol, seeing as how for a living i work with computers all day - everyday, mostly web desgign and graphical design, too bad the oem controls wouldnt work with the kenwood cd player, oh well. thanks for everything guys, soon ill be posting a saying how i got my new dakota and its awesome im sure! :D
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J. C. Brandon
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
18:01:33
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
My 2000 4x4 Sport 4.7 has every factory option except for the 3.92 gears, 1800-pound payload, and a block heater. I really wanted the bigger brakes that determine the higher payload but could not find a truck with them.
I don't regret paying the extra money for any of it. Lots of things I thought I didn't want turned out to be really useful. The power mirrors are a great example. I used them many, many times earlier this week on a trail up in the Sierra. It's pretty cool to be able to adjust your mirrors so that you can see your own rear tires while negotiating a tricky obstacle.
I second the earlier opinion that the full-time transfer case is the way to go. The 4.7 and automatic accelerates and climbs hills just fine with the standard 3.55 gears. If you are going to tow a heavy trailer the 3.92s would be a better choice.
The heavy duty service group (750-amp battery, 136-amp alternator, bigger cooling, transmission cooler, power steering cooler) are fantastic. I've driven my truck over the Grapevine from LA at 70mph, with the air conditioning at "max" in 100-degree weather and never had the temperature needle get over 210. And when I turned the key after spending a below-zero night in the Sierra, it started on the first crank.
Get everything, man.
cheers,
-J.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
18:17:32
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
:D im beginning to think a fully loaded, 4.7 4x2 cc SLT. only time i get scared is when i look at the recal forum and some of the threads with people stating horrible things, lol.
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J. C. Brandon
Dodge Dakota
8/10/2001
19:08:24
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
Only recall notice I've had was to secure the transmission filler neck. Perhaps I've just been lucky. New cars are complicated devices. My truck seems more reliable than many others. I've got over 45,000 miles on it now and still think it's the best purchase I've ever made.
Regarding the choice of Sport or SLT: Once you start to load up on options the differences get narrower. Nearly anything standard on one model is available on the other. Big differences are the chrome versus painted bumpers and grill, plus the hard badges on the SLT. At least in 2000. I think that is still true on current models.
-J.
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Swampdak
Gen III
8/10/2001
19:13:23
| RE: New Dakota Help Please
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Message:
Hey Tony dont let that bother you to much, there are a lot of guys who have had no problems with their Daks that you will never hear about you only get to hear the bad news.My Dak has 40000 miles on it and no problems no recalls and no regrets.And I agree with the rest of the guys make sure you get everything you want!(not need!)on your Dak you will only regret it later if you dont and then it is to late.
Y2K CC 4.7 AUTO 4X4 3.55 TRAC-LOK SLT K&N 16.35/82.41
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