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nhsd
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2006
10:55:52
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 Subject: looking at new trucks
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I have a 2000 4x4 quadcab with the 4.7 V8. I will be wanting something new (or a late model "new to me")in the reasonably near future. I don't particularly like the newer Dakotas, but I am not sure what alternatives I should be considering. Some details:
1. I really like my Dakota's rear seat which actually has a little leg room and the seat back has a little angle to it. Others that I have looked at seem to be very straight backed.
2. While I think I need the towing ability of the V8 (about a 4,000 lb. or so boat)I really don't want the vehicle size of a full size pick-up. My Dakota seems about the right "comfortable" size. Might have to consider a 6 cyl. if the towing capacity is near the 4.7 Dakota's.
3. I don't like a lot of plastic exterior BS.
I know that this is a Dakota group and you guys (like me) like your Dakotas. However, I think you are a group that will understand the quandry of the "little bigger than mid-sized, little smaller than full sized" issue better than any non-Dakota truck owners I can ask.
What are your opinions of the current truck models I should be considering? (Flame suit on)
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2006
13:30:01
| RE: looking at new trucks
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I havn't seen anything in the last couple of years that makes my socks go up and down. I don't like the styling of the new Dakota, but I do like the engineering.
I plan to keep my truck for a few more years yet; mostly waiting for a good diesel option. But if my truck exploded today, I'd be at the Dodge dealer tomorrow for a new one.
'01 QC Sport, 4x4, 5.9, 3.92 LSD.
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Kowalski
GenIII
12/13/2006
14:29:00
| RE: looking at new trucks
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The six option in the new trucks is now 3.7; no longer the 3.9. Neither would tow as well as your 4.7, why would you even consider the six over the 4.7 ? I plan to keep my '00 4.7 for a while yet; what would make you want to get rid of yours for a six ?
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2006
15:31:24
| RE: looking at new trucks
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If you want good advice just keep your 2K modle intill the tires fall off!! Because the 07 does not look to promising.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
06:31:48
| RE: looking at new trucks
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I think the most comparable truck to the dakota is the nissan frontier. Have you seen the new 07's? I've not been inside one yet, but they look to be a little bigger than the dakotas.
- Dan M
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Kowalski
GenIII
12/14/2006
07:10:18
| RE: looking at new trucks
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If they are, they would have to have grown quite a bit. Frontiers that I've seen are definitely smaller than my Dak, and don't have nearly as much low end torque.
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Blakdak
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
11:07:16
| RE: looking at new trucks
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I don't see anything out there either that's super appealing. I like my GenIII Dak, but just can't get used to the front bumper & styling on the GenIV's.
My 4.7 has been very reliable so far, and the tranny (knock on wood) is also good. I've towed my boat and my 29' camper (29' is probably too long for Dak, but 5000# is fine) without any problems. The four door is perfect and I don't mind the 5'3" bed size because this truck barely fits in my short 20' garage.
Because of the garage length constraint, I can't really consider a full size, even though we use it like a full size truck.
I like the new syle Tacomas and believe Toyota is a good brand as well. I wish you could get the Toyota 4.7 V8 in it though. Colorado seems silly, 5 cylinder please! The Frontier doesn't do it for me in the styling dept, although otherwise nice. Not a big Ford fan so the Explorer P/U is out. I haven't checked out the Honda, but I believe it would be too long and probably doesn't have the necessary ruggedness. Guess that's it.
I'd be in the truck buying market when they release a new Dakota with better styling and most importantly a turbo diesel with good torque and good fuel economy. Why not drop the Liberty D4 in there, it has close to 300 lb-ft and gets mid 20's for hwy mpg. I don't need a fast truck, I need a strong truck!
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DakKink
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
12:32:59
| RE: looking at new trucks
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If i were you i would go with the I5 isuzu truck. You dont see a lot of them out there but they are pretty much a colorado but like 3 to 4K less and offer more rebates. Even more they come with double the warranty that the colorado has. Check into it. They dont look that bad either.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
13:12:53
| RE: looking at new trucks
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the 2007 frontier...
http://www.nissanusa.com/frontier/specifications_crew.html
I've seen some of the QC 4x4s sitting at the dealer I drive by on occasion and they are bigger than ones from years past. I have not test drove one though.
the 07 has an optional long bed for the quad cab. Toyota does, not sure if ford does or will. Last I spoke to a dodge rep about this they had no plans to make the QC in a long (6') bed.
the 07 frontier has 33.6" leg room while 07 dakota has 36.4" .. 2.8" longer. Both dakota and frontier have 38.7" head room and 58" hip room.
From a creature comfort stand point for the back seat, they are very comparable.
- Dan M
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deerridge
GenIII
12/14/2006
14:49:00
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Mines got 96000 on it, so I've been looking around. NOTHING being built is even close to my RC 4.7 AWD. I have a 1850 bed load capacity too, 4 wheel discs, handling. Everything is two feet longer and 500 plus pounds heavier or like the Tacoma and Frontier not enough torque to pull with. They all sit to high to get into the bed too. Pain in the ass. To many car people driving trucks.
Real Horsepower
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
16:12:25
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Go the GMC route.
4.8LVortech, 285HP 295ftlbs toruqe,3.72 rearend 22MPG,
Now that was a perfect trade.
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nhsd
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2006
16:48:10
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Thanks for the info so far guys.
Kowalski - I don't "want" to go to a 6, but looking at non-Dakopta mid-sized trucks it seems most don't offer an 8. So unless I stay with the Dakota or go full size, I may have to bite the bullet and get a truck with a 6. Luckily, I am in no hurry so I can consider all options. Thanks again.
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Kowalski
GenIII
12/14/2006
18:12:09
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Ah, light dawns over Marblehead ! I thought you were considering a 6 banger Dak.
Probably a good idea to check actual tow ratings if that's important to you. A lot of smaller rigs post similar peak power #'s but don't have as good low end torque, can be deceptive.
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Tacoman
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2006
15:49:24
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Tacoma 4.0L V-6.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2006
16:16:59
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Again, there's nothing wrong with the Toyota,Nissan midsize trucks. Of course I haven't seen the toruqe chart of these engines but I'm sure they are very strong pulling motors. Not to mention you have true 4speed transmission with O/D (5th).
As a matter of fact I wouldn't mind selling my '94 Dakota or even my 01 and going for a Silverado Vortech max V8.
Of course I been thinking of going the diesal route like Ram 2500 6 speed.
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Kowalski
GenIII
12/16/2006
08:26:58
|  RE: looking at new trucks
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STS, how could you possibly be sure those are strong pulling motors if you haven't seen the torque charts ? Those of us who've looked them up have noticed that low end torque was sacrificed to make the kind of high rev peak numbers that fool people like you; and you've been told this before on other threads.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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12/16/2006
08:48:22
| RE: looking at new trucks
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to emphasize the point kowalski brings up about needing to see the torque charts. I was beating people in my 02 QC dakota 4.7L auto pulling a 1700 lb uhaul trailer. See my post about 3.9L vs 4.7L towing. Stop light, bottom of hill .. it's about the torque.
Dan M
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CJ
Dodge Dakota
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12/16/2006
09:50:40
| RE: looking at new trucks
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Yeah, I also find it interesting that we just were hit with new mid
sized trucks by EVER competing manufacturer (besides Ford), and
yet I don't like a single one of them....
Something's wrong.
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