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JSSuper
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2005
02:31:39
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 Subject: Have questions on '05 Dakota "QC"
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I'm considering trading my '98 Chevrolet X-cab Z71, which is in MINT condition and I've grown super attached to it so I'm having a hard time with this...
Anyhow due to a new boy and growing family I decided to take a look at the new 2005 Dakota QC 4x4 Laramie as I really like the style and slightly smaller size. My questions are these:
1. Having a ultra torquey 350 Vortec now, will the standard 4.7L 235hp 295tq engine be enough for moderate trailering that I do? Or would I be advised to wait a little longer for the 4.7 HO 260hp/310tq engine?
2. This will greatly determine my choice in engines... Does the new 4.7HO require premium (91 octane) fuel? I have searched this here and found mixed results and the dealer site and brochure do not mention it.
3. My experience with Dodge trucks are poor mileage, especially when compared to my Chevrolet, Is the Maronie (Window) sticker lying to me or will I really see 15 city 20 hgwy?
3.a I tested a QC with base 4.7 and 3.55 gears and it felt a little lagging in take-off and low RPM power... above 3K it seemed to get going good, but I'd like a little more grunt. Thus I think I would opt for the 3.96-ls (I will test a truck with these by Monday) but going to the "lower" gearing will I loose significant mileage?
4. The 5-45RFE only showed D 2 1 and had the "tow-haul" button instead of OD-off I'm use to see-ing. Will tow/haul keep the tranny in D and out of OD the same as the OD-off did?
The truck package I'm considering thus far based on any comments and if it works well on my test-drive
'05 QC 4x4 Laramie, white, Khaki leather, 235hp 4.7L, 5-45RFE, 3.96-ls gear.
PS. I'm not really a die-hard anything, but I first thought the Colorado would be the ideal truck, but it felt too cheap and I know a 5-cyl is simply not enough "beef" for me. Honestly the Dakota hadn't even crossed my mind until a new '05 passed me on the freeway the other day and it caught my eye. After my initial testdrive I think a Dodge might be in my future.
Thanks in advance for the feedback
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JSSuper
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2005
22:48:19
|  RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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Wow this board was a big help! Complete waste of time.
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2005
22:51:59
|  RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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It's a holiday. Take a break.
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o k
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
10:32:31
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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yes the tow-haul will keep it out of od, plus be more aggressive than just shutting the od off(won`t hunt for gears as much).
get the 3.92`s, it won`t hurt your mpgs any, it`s going to suck no matter what gears you pick(expect 12-13 new, 14-15 after break-in).
the standard 4.7 has plenty of power for towing but I would wait for the HO, it`s a good upgrade.
Hey JasonB will the tow/haul ever be an available upgrade for earlier dakotas?
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Hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
10:43:38
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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Part of the low response rate can be attributed to the fact that there simply are not a lot of 05 owners that have found this board yet, and you've got some pretty specific questions too.
Here's what I can tell you, keep in mind I've a 2001 QC 4x4 4.7L with 3.55 gears and an automatic.
The 4.7 is a great engine in either std. or high output form.
I tow various trailers from 500 lb to 3000 lb about 7 times a year and have never compained.(that's usually with the wife , 2 kids and a bed full of cottage gear).
If you think the torque is not enough in 3.55 trim the get the 3.92.( In the 2005 the high output only comes with 3.92 gears)(there goes your gas mileage)
The smaller-than-you're-used-to Dakota will probably get about the same gas mileage as you're getting now.
The engines have the same HP and torque numbers.
Get the truck and be glad your family is more comfortable and they're safer in the 05 than in the 98.
Now you'll have better brakes(chevy brakes are crap as you know), ABS, more airbags,and nimbler handling.
That's my 2 cents worth.
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JoeK
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
11:50:38
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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Hammerdak - I disagree with your comment "there goes your gas mileage" with the 3.92 gear ratio.
Pat Goss of Motorweek claims that the gas mileage difference between the 3.92 and 3.55 is less than .25 mpg. I took Pat's comment at face value because I remembered from looking at performance curves that the difference in mileage is not the simple ratio of the lower to higer gear ratios; it's more complex.
The .25 mpg hit is acceptable to me because I need the low end to haul boats out of a creek and up a steep hill. However, someone who uses the pickup to commute 70 miles each way to work may have a different priority.
On level roads without towing anything I can milk (driving very softly) 21 to 22mpg out of the pickup (2004 - 4.7 - 5 spd manual - qc - 3.92 4wd).
I agree with your comments on towing with the 4.7; my experiences have been similar.
I had always been a Ford person, but they didn't, and maybe still don't, have a qc option for their Rangers. This is my first Dodge product and I am very happy with it. The sense of having lots of interior space in the cab is really amazing; it sure doesn't look that way from the exterior!
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
12:07:02
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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"Hey JasonB will the tow/haul ever be an available upgrade for earlier dakotas?"
Do I look like a dealership service advisor to you? Oh yeah, I am...ok.
As a factory add on? I doubt it, but have not heard one way or the other.
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ok
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
12:29:30
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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thanks Jason, I am hoping that a flash will be available someday for my 03.
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solbes
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
09:00:10
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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Yeah, I think the 4.7 is a pretty good motor. I have an '02 4.7 QC 4x4 w/ 3.92 gears. I don't really notice my boat much when towing (maybe 1500 lbs). I also haul a 5000 lb camper twice a summer and it handles ok, though milage really drops (~ 9-10 mpg). If you do any towing, get it setup right with the tranny cooler and lower rear end.
Can't comment on the 4.7 HO, but I have also heard it get's best performance with premium gas. I think it has knock sensors though to retard timing for 87 octane.
BTW, my milage with the auto tranny is usually 12-16 mpg depending on weather and conditions. Good luck.
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
10:50:35
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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JSSuper, have you checked out the Nissan Titan QC? I think that is the next truck in my future. It's full sized with 300HP and is about the same price as a Dakota.
I was in the same boat as you back in '00. I had good luck with GMC's and was ready to trade up my '96 to a new '00. Next to the GMC dealer was a Dodge dealership with a couple of Dakota QC's so after the sticker shock of the GMC I walked next door and bought the Dakota. I too had a growing family and liked the idea of a smaller truck with the full 4 doors. I have the 4.7L 4x4 with the 45rfe tranny with 3.92 lsd rear. I have to say that I feel it's more powerfull than my 96 vortec 350 was. I tow quite a bit and could really tell the difference on the highway(off the line it does lug a little though), although my GMC had almost 300K miles when I got rid of it.
In anycase, I started to really miss having a full size truck bed after having 3 previous full sized trucks. My GMC 4x4 got almost 20 MPG on the highway as opposed to my 16 MPG TOPS with the Dakota. The GMC rode better(the new ones ride even nicer!)and almost right off the bat I missed the reliablilty of my GMC's. Too many annoying problems with these Dakotas!
I was considering trading back up to new GMC Sierra x-cab last year, but the Dakota has the worse resale/trade in value of anything I have ever owned SO rather than take a HUGE bath(I know how to work the #'s with the dealers also!)I decided to stick with my Dakota for another year or so. I'm glad I did because I got a chance recently to check out the Nissan Titan 4 door and I REALLY like it! Not crazy about the interior, but overall I think it is the best truck value out there.
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Mat
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
17:53:44
|  RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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JSSuper I have a 05 Dakota SLT QC 4.7 392 gears 265x16 tires,5spd auto and love it.I'm get about 12 to 14 in town and a little high way miles. I have 1,500 miles on it.Chrysler said it will pull 6,300 lbs and I believe that.
No one makes a snap cover for the bed or no Husky floor mates at this time.
I had the muffler taken off and straight pipe in its place (dam thing still has 2 resonator mufflers on it,it sounds just great for me know,not to loud and not to quite.
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Hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2005
19:32:14
| RE: Have questions on '05 Dakota
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JoeK;
My comment about worse gas mileage was based on comparing 3.55 gears with the standard 4.7 mileage to that of the 3.92 gears and HO 4.7 engine combination.
I'd expect the latter to be worse.......but in your defense ....I have no proof .
Just to add , my neighbour gets a new and free Silverado to drive every 6 to 10 months ( GM service manager ) and I've driven all of the last five he's had.
Sometimes for 10 miles.Sometimes for 200 miles.
I still like my 2001 QC better
It's better ergonomically inside, rides better, tracks better, looks better.
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