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Alan W.
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
11:40:47
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 Subject: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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Hi everyone, I am new to this board, but I am a Dodge fan & have been active on the Allpar Dodge Daytona board for several years, owning 2 old turbo Daytonas.
I recently totalled out my old faithful 1987 Toyota 1-ton pickup that I pulled my Fish & Ski boat with. I now need to buy another truck capable of pulling & stopping a 2,600 lb. boat/trailer with no trailer brakes. My wife & I cannot afford a new vehicle, or I'd buy a new Dakota with 7 yr./100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.
I am used to good gas mileage in my old Toyota, and would like to get a truck that had reasonable power to pull my boat, heavy enough to stop it OK, and still not get too bad of highway mileage when not towing.
The Dakota I think I would like to get (& afford) would be a new body style extended cab, 1997 model thru as new as I can afford, probably up to year 2000 models. I need to get an automatic transmission because I have to back my boat into 1 side of the garage going up a steep driveway, and it is a bit_h with a manual & clutch, and hard on the clutch.
I am thinking the V-6 would give adequate power for pulling & better gas mileage than a V-8 on the highway not towing. I realize the V-8 would get better mileage when towing, but I can live with that in exchange for better highway mileage.
I have heard the 97 models have had some problems, so I am probably looking at a 98 to 2000 model Extended Cab 2-wheel drive V-6 with auto trans. I would also consider the 4-door cab truck if I find one I can afford.
I have already seen a few post on here about transmission problems with the autos. I would get a transmission cooler installed right away. Tell me about the trans problems & experiences, please.
Tell me any other opinions & experiences you people have had with Dakotas, and any advise based on my requirements that you might have.
Tell me the things to watch out for, etc.
I might be swayed to a V-8 engine if everyone insists I really need one. Thanks in advance!!!
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Joel
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
11:50:51
|  RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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What is your budget? I'm going to hit the used market too in the next couple of months. An extended cab,00-01,V8 w/tire and handling package would go for 15k. That would tow the boat no problem. As for keeping a legal speed down a grade, with functional brakes at the bottom I don't know about. A stick would come into play there as you could gear down before decent. However, if your not ancticipating any grades it wont matter :)
BTW, the new 4.7 V8 gets better gas milage than the V6. No reason to get the V6 inless its stricktly a financial decision.
Joel
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Alan W.
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
12:02:50
|  RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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My budget is under $13,000 (us) at the very max, must include the sales tax our state has on used vehicles.
What year model did the 4.7 come out?
how many V-8 engines are there?
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Joel
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
12:17:46
| RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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Hmm, thats a hair tight. You could find a high milage single cab truck, maybe a 97 or 98. Not sure what year the 4.7 came out in the dakotas. It was after 98. I had a 98 5.2l pushrod that was great but it was thirsty. They are tough trucks, for sure. My old truck
Also visitAnother dakota site
Joel
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Jon Lawson
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
12:35:53
|  RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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Hi,
I just got a 98 SLT CC with the 3.9 and 41K miles. It is FULLY loaded,6" pwr mirrors ,locks, windows, alarm cd and factory tow.
Its in excellent cond. I looked for awhile, there are alot of used trucks since they did that 0%.
I paid 12K, I am very happy because it has the tow(don't have to install)and HUGE power mirrors.
The power mirrors sounds weird but I had a ford ranger with a 4cyl, The mirrors always got knock out of postion from wind and towing was a pain when to can see. I towed a livestock trailer for 2 yrs with the 4 banger, still going strong.
I just hope the gas miliage is OK, so far I'm not so sure.
Take your time you can get one from $9K on up.
Goto autotrader.com and search, pretty good listings.
Jon
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Graphite
DakotaEnthusiast
1/14/2002
12:40:02
| RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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2001 for the 4.7. Other v 8s are 5.2,and 5.9
Joe
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
14:57:01
| RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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The 4.7L came out in 2000. I have one. If you get the 4x2 it will still get decent milage and pulls a boat just fine. I picked mine up brand new for 18,000. The full specs on it are:
2000
4.L
4x2
Club Cab
3.92 gears
5spd
Limited Slip Dif
I live in Florida so towing is a breeze. I've pulled a 20ft aquasport with it several times and I didn't get any worse than 13-14 mpg. On the highway my best has been almost 20mpg. Strictly city driving my worst has been around 14mpg with an average of around 16-17.
hope this helps
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slamology
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
19:08:43
| RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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The V6 and the V8 get the *SAME* gas mileage (crappy). So it is a waste to get the V6.
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Joel
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2002
20:09:58
| RE: Buying used Dakota-need advice (long)
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The 4.7 get 1 mpg more on the highway.
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Alan W.
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2002
09:40:28
| What about Auto Transmission horror stories????
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As a current & previous Dodge owner, my biggest concern is about the automatic transmission in these trucks. What is the model designation of the 4-speed overdrive automatic transmissions that come in these trucks??
No horror stories over them like the infamous A-604 autos?
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