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Gary K
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
13:15:34
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 Subject: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I currently have a 2000 Cherokee. Just looking for something with more front seat and leg room. Is the Dakota a better choice and like any vehicle, what are some of the more common problems and things to look for. Thanks!
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
13:44:50
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I have a 02 club cab 4.7L. I have plenty of lrg room. I haven't had
any problems yet. You'll just have to go out and drive one. I am
thinking about getting a new 1/2 ton ford. Just because of the
towing I am doing.
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ObieWonDakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
13:49:05
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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Gary,
I'll give you my experience, but like everything in life, others will have different experiences.
Bought my 01 Dak V-8 4.7L in March of '03 and it had 33K on the odometer. Right now, I have 90K on the odometer. I have done the following things to it.
a. Replaced rotors and brake pads once.
b. Replaced one O2 sensor (about 50 bucks I think).
c. Replaced the blower motor resistor (about $8).
d. Replaced ball joints under warranty (no cost).
e. Replaced gas cap with aftermarket one because it kept throwing a code of P0442. Gas cap fixed the erroneous code (about $7).
The only addition was a drop in K&N air filter. I use 5W30 Synthetic Blend and change the oil religiously.
For what I paid for the truck and the little hassle it has given me, it has my blessings.
With that said, you'll get more good reviews and you'll find some people on here who would rather have syphilis than buy another Dakota.
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Peter
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
13:55:00
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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Gary,
That's kind of funny, because I am looking at getting a cherokee. What don't you like about yours other than the legroom? I had a jeep comanche truck for a little while, and the ride was pretty rough for a little truck, is the cherokee a rough ride?
Let us know which year and which engine you may be looking at, that way we can tell you what to watch for.
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Gary K
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
14:09:33
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I really like my Cherokee but I injured my back in 2000. It just is a little hard twisting around. I'm 5'8'' and I have the seat all the way back which is ok for me, again it's just trying to swing around that's a little tight. The Cherokee has been great besides that. It's a 2000 with 57,000 miles on it. Before it I had another 2000 that had 140,000 miles on it, with only minor problems. I think the Cherokee's are better than the Grands (more problems).
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Billy Bob
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
15:18:19
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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i test drove a pt cruiser a while back and was surprised at how much room there is inside (head, leg, sides, all spacious)
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
1/30/2006
15:22:00
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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When he said he wanted more leg room, I pictured him at over 6'0" :) I am 5' 9.5" and I can say there is way more legroom left in my Dak. Or about anything I drive as I feel I am of average height.
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Gary K
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
16:17:27
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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What were the good years? I know in the cherokees which were the better years, but new to Dakota's. Probably looking at the 4.7 or 5.2 if older. What kind of mileage do you get with the 4x4's? My wife's Hemi Ram is getting around 13 - 14 mpg. It has 3.92's.
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novadak
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
16:44:58
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I'm almost 17, and I'm 6'5" @ 310LBS and have plenty of room left. I don't even have to have the seat all the way back to be comfortable. You should see me try to get into my brother's mustang. It's quite funny.
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Kowalski
GenIII
1/30/2006
17:12:29
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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5'10" and enough room in the RC. 4.7, 15-16mpg.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
19:03:03
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I'm 6'2" and have enough room in my 2001 QC.
Seats all the way back but it just happens to be perfect there.
I love my 4.7L too!
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modain
GenIII
1/30/2006
20:18:14
|  RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I'm 5'9.75", 185lbs. Plenty of room for me in all my trucks. Plenty of room left for the second row occupants. 2002 QC - 17.5MPG, 2001 Durango - 16mpg.
My suggestion is to get a 4.7L V8 in a QuadCab, available 2000-2004. The 2001 and later have a little larger factory throttle body than the 2000, but also 3 cats instead of one for some states. The additional cats cost about 5HP. 2001 brought a change for the dash/interior. Some like the older layout, some like the newer one.
The 3.7L V6 was introduced in 2004. It has more power than the 3.9L V6 it replaced. Most people's experience is that the 3.9L V6 is not enough engine for the QC or 4x4. I test drove a 4x2 with the 3.9L and was not happy. The 4.7L yields much more power and can (usually) get the same or better MPG as the 3.9L depending on your driving habits.
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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Fishful Think
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2006
22:14:19
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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I have a 2000 Cherokee Sport and a 2002 Dakota SLT 4.7 V8 4 x 4 Club Cab. The Cherokee rides like a "brick wagon", is noisy but has been mechanically excellent. The "old" engineering of the Cherokee doesn't even compare to the 02 Dakota. I find the Cherokee tight to get in and out of, the back seat is very uncomfortable (ok for kids). I am six feet tall and would have appreciated one more noch on the seat adjustment. The 02 Dakota is my third Dakota (95, 98 & 02). The 02 is by far the best vehicle I have every owned in 36 years of driving. It rides very well, is tight, powerful and comfortable to drive and park. The 4.7 V8 gives me about the same gas mileage as the 4.0 six in the Jeep on the highway run. I also tow a 4,000 lb boat with both vehicles. The brake problems on the Dakota can only be described as unacceptable. In 90,000 miles, I am ready for my fourth set of rotors. My ride to work is over and down a mountain pass. The Dakota has been outstanding in the bad Connecticut winters. I have both vehicles serviced at the Dodge dealer. Good luck, Fishful Thinking (boat's name)
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
10:39:03
| RE: Thinking of buying a Dakota?
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Personally, I love my 00 4.7L CC Dak. I've owned Jeeps, Fords, Toyotas, but I would have to say I like my Dak the best out of all. I'll admit, my 04 Tacoma was a dang fine vehicle, but my being 6'1" it felt like I was getting in and out of a clown car. The Dak has the most comfortable interior (by truck standards) I've used short of getting leather,etc. With a Airaid Quickfit Intake and a Poweraid TBS, I've managed to get my mileage up to 21mpg flat highway (better than my V6 Tacoma). There is also nothing better than a 4.7L (or 5.2L) Dak with a good exhaust. If you like that "teeth in the back of your skull" acceleration and don't want to pay an arm and a leg on truck, I recommend a Dak..
As far as "common problems" go, the only one that is a regular problem are those delightful factory ball joints. Fortunately I haven't had to replace mine yet. Then again, they may have been replaced before I bought the truck.
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