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Gary K
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
16:07:18

Subject: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Has anyone ever had a 4.0L Jeep Cherokee? I would like to compare the performance of it and a 1998 Dakota CC 3.9L 4x4. I really like the truck I'm looking at, just not sure if it has enough get up and go. I won't be pulling trailers, mostly back and forth to doctors, just want it to have good pickup when getting out in traffic. Cherokee is just hard to get in and out of with a bad back. Any help would be great.



steve o
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
16:20:31

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Esp with 4x4 you'll regret the 6. I bought a 98 3.9 initially because I didn't need the power. The 3.9 is OK it will get you where you want to go. But the 8 will put a smile on your face while your getting there. I traded for a 2003 4.7 cc auto 4x4. Absolutly no regrets.



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
16:30:55

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Adding my opinion here, the 4L Engine beats the dakota v6 hands down > It's not a fair comparison at all. Two differant designs. Just my opinion.

So many problems .... So little time



allpar
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
18:24:37

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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The 4L is quicker especially since ur comparing to a newer, heavier dakota and 4x4. That dont make it a better engine, the 3.9/5.2's are known for their longevity and are very reliable.



95to03
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
18:36:31

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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The 3.9 is a good motor for to and from. I had a '95 and it ran strong. But when I test drove an '03 w/3.9 felt like a 4 banger. They tried to get better economy out of it and made it lifeless. If you're looking at reg. cab should be fine.



2003flrt
R/T
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2/01/2006
18:47:24

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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had a 93 grand cherokee. The 4.0 was great and could take alot of punishment.gave me consistent 16-17mpg no matter where i was or if i was towing. moved from Mi. to Fl. i towed a 12foot trailer down 75 through the mountains and still got 16.5mpg. Ishould have kept it as a 3rd vehicle instead of trading it in.



OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
19:16:49

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Sorry I said that wrong. I wasn't saying the v6 was bad quality wise. The statement was saying the v6 does not perform as well as the in line 6 and it is a well known fact that in line sixes are capable of reasonable fuel millage and good torque for there size and displacement > In line sixers are also well known for there long life as is the v6 dakota. Dodge lost a lot of potential business droping the slant 6 engine > It was one of the very best in line sixers ever developed. nuff said

So many problems .... So little time



jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
19:33:58

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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why they didnt put the 4.0 in the dakota is beyond me. it seems like DC is allergic to the smart path sometimes.



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2006
06:57:43

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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The 4.0 I6 is a spin off of AMC's 4.2 (258) I6.
Most in line engines will out torque a V type.
That is why inline six's were used in jeeps.

It's my understanding DC is phasing out the
inline six's real soon.

I've had the 3.9 V6 in a 90 Dakota. It is a great
engine. It's nothing more than a cut down 5.2
318 V8 that was also a great engine.

Neither the 5.2 or the 3.9 were even meant to be
a hot rod engine, just dependable and they
lived up to that.

The I6 is also a VERY dependable engine and very
fast I might add.




Peter
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2006
17:29:42

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Gary,
Most of the people you will talk to that have a V6 will tell you they wish they would have held out for a V8, I'm one of them. I have a 97 cc auto, and I thought I'd be getting better gas mileage, but I'm only getting 15-18, along with most other V6's. I have noticed that the people with the 5sp transmission tend to have better luck with the gas mileage. The power isn't too bad with the 3.9, but the pro's for the 5.2, or 4.7 heavily outweigh the cons. Just my .02 I know it's different and lighter, but the Jeep Comanche truck I had felt like it could have pulled a whole lot more than my dakota could.



Kowalski
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2/04/2006
08:02:11

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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The 4.0 Cherokee will walk away from a 3.9 Dak, won't be anywhere near the same acceleration - largely due to the extra weight. A Cherokee will almost keep up to our heavier v-8s; while the 3.9 I test drove didn't feel any quicker than a 4 banger Toyota pick up. Look for an 8.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

seanferner
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2006
08:37:48

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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i own a 94 3.9 magnum dak i love it it will take a hell of alot of abuse so much in fact a blew my diff to pieces... On the same note i drove a 94 jeep 4.0 high output and also beat the hell out of it, i broke the pinion on the snaped it right in half while power braking and the dak pulled it home

but i raced my friends escort (not anything special) in both vehicles and the jeep launches much harder but is like trying to move a big wall of air at top end that where the dak goes strong




Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2006
13:29:32

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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I have a 99 3.9 magnum. I love it. I drive on the high way alot, and I have no problems getting up to speed fast to merge on. So far no major problems at 87,000.



jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2006
19:53:32

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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unless your towing over 5000lbs regularly, there is no reason for a v8 except to put a smile on your face.



GraphiteDak
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2/05/2006
21:53:10

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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"...there is no reason for a v8 except to put a smile on your face."

That is almost like saying there is no reason for sex!

V8 all the way. How many of us have EVER said "oh, I wish I had held out and got a V6"... NEVER! :)




jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2006
09:18:27

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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I agree with Graphite. Go with the V8 and you will not be disappointed. With a couple bolt-on parts I'm getting 21mpg highway on my 4.7L when I am light on the pedal. That is better mileage than my 3.4L Toyota got. I have no problem just going back and forth to work, but have AMPLE power to pull out an S10 stuck in a ditch. =P

If you must go with a 3.9L though, I will agree that they are reliable and will probably last you a long time.



Mike Allen
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2006
10:06:28

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Just throwing my 2 cents in. I worked for Chrysler (and GM). My specialty was Jeep. The 4.0 has a lot of power, mostly d/t the gear ratio in the Wrangler and Cherokee. There were a few problems with the 4.0, but very few notable ones. I drive a 3.9 4x4 Dak now. The power of the two are not comparable. The Cherokee beats out the 3.9 Dak hands down! Gas mileage is about the same. I can't say my Dak is easier to get out of than the Cherokee though. I think they're about the same.



GraphiteDak
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2/06/2006
15:23:17

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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The 4.0 is completely HISTORY now isn't it?

If you count it coming from the 258 form AMC, it's been around since at LEAST the early 60's.

Back in the early 80's my mom bought a '64 Rambler form some reason. 258 inline six.
Still running. Had fun polarizing them generator/regulator systems :)

Anyone here ever adjust one of them relay style voltage regulators? Boy that was fun. (shortly after I learned to just slap the later 70's GM altenators on anything old).

I was like 14 working and driving that thing. Engine ticked a bit on the top end, but still quiet on the bottom end!







jayb
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2006
15:47:55

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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graphite, i love my v8. so im not trying to say its a bad thing. it puts a smile on my face. but if i didnt tow, there would only be that reason. its fun.



jerry
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2006
22:10:53

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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Which would take more abuse the 3.9 or 4.0? That would be a tough one, but id have to say the 3.9, being basically a 318. The 318 is probabley the longest lasting gasoline motor ever, alont with the 225 six.



toolfan
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2/07/2006
00:04:03

RE: Not Sure About The 3.9
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my dad own's a jeep cherokee. the jeep is great to 60mph and im pretty sure its in the 7sec range. race my friends s10 4.3 vortec in it and had him by a car lenght to 60mph. i have a 318 or 5.2L dakota. the dakota is faster but not by much. the jeep engine is a great motor and some make it to the 300k mile mark. i have seen one blow an engine in a little over 100k for no real reason. 3.9 vs 4.0 would be a good one but if the 3.9 is as strong as the 318 than the 4.0 would have one hard time.

how bout 318mopar vs 350chevy & 351winsor





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