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Sinx
Dodge Dakota
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11/30/2006
15:33:19
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 Subject: Info on buying used Dakota
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I am in the market for a new truck and I currently have a 96 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 supercab that is a little to small for my growing family. Looking for a truck that will fit in my garage, has enough room to put a carseat in the back and has a V8. A Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 will fit the bill. I was just wondering if there are any problem areas I should look at when looking at used Dakotas? Is there any major problems associated with 01-04 Dakotas? Thanks for the help.
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71firebird
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
10:48:20
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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I bought a 2000 QC for the same reason as you 3 years ago. I moved from an extended cab Silverado that was built before those handy half doors back there were thought of and I feel like I have plenty of space in there. I really don't have much input to the problem areas ,i guess I've been pretty lucky.
Most guys complain about the lack of brakes but a good set of ceamics will take care of that. Also check that the ball-joint recall was taken care of on yours before loading up the young-uns.
The biggest complaint by everybody is gas mileage. My 5.9 gets 16 at best if I drive like grandpa, I usualy get 14. I expect the 4.7s are better but probably not much. Maybe someone with a 4.7 will chime in here.
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modain
GenIII
12/01/2006
11:49:40
|  RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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Our trucks are far from econo-boxes. But considering my QC weighs in well over two tons and it gets 18MPG, I'm very pleased. Of course, I drive it very conservatively. If I drove it like it could be driven I wouldn't be getting 400+ miles to the tank.
My $.02 - don't settle for a V6. It's not big enough to push a truck this heavy around satisfactorily in all cases. With the added weight and powertrain losses of the 4x4 the extra power provided by a V8 is more than welcome. And, according to most reports here and on other boards, the 4.7L V8 gets better MPG than the 3.9L V6 equipped trucks get. More power and better MPG - what's not to like?
What's your left foot doing?
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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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71firebird
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
16:55:45
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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yeah I actually heard from a guy that was getting about the same mileage as me with his 3.9. It may have been just plain old and worn out, needing a tune up or whatever but it made me happy, helps me enjoy my 5.9 a little bit more.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
17:50:48
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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I used to have the OHC 287 and got the same millage as my 318... 16.5!
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
17:54:28
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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With my CC weighing in at close to 4500 lbs I get 14-17MPG with my 3.9, my dad's got the 4.7 and on a road trip he got 19. So there ya go. If your going for a QC there's no way you'd be happy with the 3.9
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modain
GenIII
12/01/2006
18:13:02
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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When I was in the process of shopping for my QC I test drove a V6 QC just to see how the manual tranny "felt". I had no intentions of going with a V6, and after my test drive there was no way I'd make a conscious choice for that engine in that truck.
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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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
20:04:48
| RE: Info on buying used Dakota
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The number one/expensive fix that's very common is the rear differential bearings. Been a problem in Dodge trucks for many years. They last somewhere between 60K and 80K miles.
Reach under there and grab the driveshaft. If you can turn the driveshaft by hand more than a few degrees, it's time for a rebuild. A rebuild with LSD is about $850'ish.
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