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ericj205
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
19:24:02
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 Subject: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
I've been looking for a new vehicle and I have it narrowed down to a Dakota Sport Quad Cab 4x4 w/ 4.7V8, or a Chevy Trailblazer. I wish the 4.7 put out more hp. The Trailblazer comes standard with an all aluminum I6 w/ 270hp/275ft-lb. Can the output of the Magnum 4.7 be improved to match the Chevy? If so how and how $. What about offroad capability? Resale value? Any recalls or common problems with the Dak?
Any comments are appreciated.
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BMan
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
19:43:49
|  RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
Put 'em side by side on a strip, the Dak will kick the Chevys ass.
The resale value I'm sure will be higher. I looked for a while to find a used V8 Dak and all I could find were V6's. I now own a '98 Sport 5.2 auto ext.cab. LOVE it.
Go to SpeedTweaks.net and you will find all sorts of power goodies.
Bad points, stock ball joints and upper control arm bushings.
The cure for the bushings is to make a heat sheild on the passenger side by the exhaust manifold.
The balljoints, take it in before the warranty is up and get them replaced with Moog ones.
Get the Dak and have fun.
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Kevster
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
21:02:05
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
I have a 2000 Dak 4.7 auto,CC slammed looks like an RT now. it now has 36,000 miles and no problems, i love the performance, the 4.7 revs up quick because it has No Pushrods, and has a great composit manifold which works well with the free flow aluminum heads. I just purchased a 2002 QUAD CAB 4X4 SLT+ 4.7 AUTO. AND kept my 2k Dak also. I love my Daks. great truck and performance...
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
1/04/2002
21:08:15
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
If you were to drive both I don't think you'd have to come to us with this question. ;o)
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
http://shakin-notstirred.tripod.com
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ericj205
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
21:23:54
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
Thankyou everyone for your helpful replies thus far. I have driven both and done some extensive research (I'm your typical anal engineer). I am skeptical about your dragstrip comparison though. The Trailblazer makes more hp/torque, yet it weighs almost exactly the same as the QC 4x4 and can be had with 3 different gear ratios, 4.10 is the max.
Perhaps I should consider the 5.9. I hear there are more mods available at lower cost than the 4.7?
I really like the Dakota and Ram, just wish their V8 engines had more output than the Ford or Chevy.
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Joel
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
21:32:24
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
Why get the 4.7 if your concerned about power? Forget MPG no matter which rig you buy. The 5.9 is a pushrod with more torque down low. No waiting like the OHC 4.7 plus more power.
Joel
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Lesley
GenIII
1/04/2002
21:48:40
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
BMan - that's the first time I've heard about the heat shield for the bushings problem - can you explain in more detail? Already did the Moog ball joints, uppers & lowers.
Thanks!
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Awaiting Installation: FMS fuel injectors
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greybeard
GenIII
1/04/2002
23:35:49
|  RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
First of all, you're NOT comparing apples to apples! The Trailblazer is an "SUV" with LESS passenger AND cargo space than a QC. QuadCabs are actually longer than full-size Yukons and awfully close to Suburbans/Expeditions! Plus the fact that the QC is a real pickup truck that can haul 5 people PLUS a load of manure (without offending the passengers!) which sets it WAY apart from the Trailblazer. Besides, why are you so concerned about horsepower & torque between the two? If you're considering steet-racing, get a Z-28! If you want to pull HEAVY loads, you'd do far better with a diesel in a FULL size pick-up! I suppose I'm confused about your indecision...
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greybeard
GenIII
1/04/2002
23:55:07
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Spelling correction and further comments... Yeah guys, I DO know how to spell "STREET"! Eric, you mentioned the torque specs, well the current "non-HO" version of the 4.7 puts out 295 ft. lbs of torque and let's NOT forget TORQUE is what gets all that weight moving from a dead stop! HP just keeps it going faster after the torque curve has "peaked"! As I said before, we're talking TRUCKS here, not Vipers versus Corvettes.
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DakAttack 4.7
Dodge Dakota
1/05/2002
00:10:37
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
It will end up being a love connection! Most of my family works or worked with Ford. All I ever owned was a ford. I wanted something different. So I ordered a 2001 Dak V8 cc. You could not pay me to get anything else in the future. Also the way I see it you have more option open to you with the QC then the chevy. Do yourself a fovor and go for the QC.
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JimB
GenIII
1/05/2002
08:28:47
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
Coming to a Dakota room and asking, "should I buy a Chevy or a Dodge." Hummm..... I don't think you're going to find too many pro-Chevy people in here for a truly balanced response to your query. Why don't you ask the same question in a Trailblazer forum. How much you wanna bet they tell you the Dodge sux?? My father-in-law recently bought the Yukon-On-Steroids "Escalade," had a tranny leak develop after 300 miles (made a mess in my garage). And this is GM's top of the line. Personally, I think the Trailblazer looks like an Aztec on steroids. I did see one the other day, however, nice color dark green. Too bad there was more plastic than paint on the exterior to truly appreciate the color. As far as power goes -- a 5.9 Durango will pull anything and go everywhere -- the 3.9 Dakota does well with a 2900 pound pop up, and is great for camping. Resale on both sux. Check kbb.com and compare Chevy, Dodge, Ford, whatever. Don't worry about gas mileage - it isn't a pretty picture in anything V8. Jim
99 SY 3.9 Dakota Sport
99 PB 5.9 Durango SLT
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Exocet
Dodge Dakota
1/05/2002
15:28:43
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
It looks like you are comparing apples to oranges. If an SUV is more suited to your needs, then compare the Trailblazer to the Durango. If you need the verastility of a truck and need to carry 4/5 people, go for the Dakota Quad Cab. I have a friend who bought a 4x4 Trailblazer last spring. Excluding the recall for a steering problem and one trip to the dealer for a transfer case/drivetrain problem, he has been very happy. The 4.2L I6 has plenty of power, although you have to tend to "unwind it" to make use of it. With the stock final drive (around 3.40 I think), he gets around 21 MPG on the highway at 70-75 MPH. I bought my 2002 4x4 Dakota Quad Cab (4.7L, auto, 3.92 LSD) this past fall. After 2700 miles, I've been very happy with it. The fit and finish are very good, it is quiet and comfortable, and carries the whole family and all our "stuff"(with a cap on the back, it carries more than twice what most SUVs could carry). The 4.7L has more than enough power for my needs. If you are performance minded, another advantage of the Dakota is the availability of a 5 speed with the 4.7L. The Trailblazer is only available with an automatic. Also, I don't know if I would be so concerned about the published HP numbers, as much as the "seat of the pants" feel when driving. Just my two cents worth.... Good luck.
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YJ
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
19:14:31
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
The dragstrip comparison is accurate. The 4.7L QC would smoke the trailblazer. That's that. :-)
Good luck.
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Crusty
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
20:19:44
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
Buy a Dakota period. Chevy is notorious for overrating their horsepower numbers. A brand new 5.3L Chevy truck puts about 200 horsepower to the rear wheels. When the stated horsepower is 285hp. Now figure the 20% for driveline loss and the Chevy should be putting about 235hp to the rear wheels, gee were they lying about the 5.3L? Dodge's power claims are far more accurate and occasionally overrated. My best friend has a Trailblazer, I have ridden in it and all I can say is they paid way too much for that much plastic, not worth $30,000. The Dakota pretty much suits everyones needs, from a mother with kids to a work truck you see people everywhere enjoying them. Hope you make the right decision.
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Mar
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
20:56:47
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
HP means nothing when it comes to trucks. I have a close friend that owns a trailblazer. Its brand new. I own a dakota 5 speed 3.92 rear end CC 4.7. Also a 2002 1500 ram 5.9 and just traded in a durango 5.9.
Here are my reasons not to buy the chevy.
1. If you spin the tires on pavement you have a 1 in 3 chance of destroying your anti spin rear end.
2. Dodge does not hang there spare tire down angled to catch rocks like a aircraft carrier landing.
3. The sound of the trailblazer is very 6ish and wimpy. The dodge sounds way better.
4. Dodge truck trannys belive it or not have a better record in the warrenty period.
3.5 units out of 100 fail within warrenty. DODGE
6.1 units out of 100 fail within warrenty. Chevy.
I have also raced the trailblazer with the dodge 4.7 and theres no race there. The dodge is much faster. My durango would have beat it.
Dodge makes more torque 294tq vs. chevys 275tq.
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bigdakota87
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
21:45:58
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
T H E Y ' R E J U S T T O O C O O L!!!!!!
THATS WHY
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Kevster
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
21:53:07
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
I am sure glad some of you guys have two Dodge vehicles like I, I was givin a bad time that i now have my 2K DAK CC 4.7 AUTO, AND A 2002 DAK QUAD CAB 4X4 SLT. I guess people dont see a reason for two trucks, but i do. the 2K is paid for it looks like an RT and is droped with Hotchkis only 36 k miles and loaded up. 17x9 RT wheels, now I purchased the Quad Cab, and i love it also, so I have the best of both,, a Sport Truck for summer cruising, and a 4x4 for the winter. That is not so bad is it??
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Mopar8
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
22:07:20
| RE: convince me to buy a Dakota Sport!
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Message:
My company has had em all over the last 3 years, Chevies, Fords, Rams and Daks and by far the best all around trucks are the Dodges, Best ride, power, and they lasted!HTH
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