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07:41:32 - 11/17/2024
General Dakota Board
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TreyZ28
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
00:11:03
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 Subject: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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i'm moving to michigan- sadly the camaro must go :(
i ws just about to start a 383 stroker, nitrous and high compression project to get her into the low 11's/high 10's
well after a long talk with mom- she will gimme soe money too and i should have about $18000-$19000 for a dakota
I REFUSE to get the V6 and need 4x4 for michigan winters
I have an aunt that works for dodge so i get like 5-10% off too, and there is a regional discount of like $1500 from dodge too
so what do you guys think? are they reliable? good with warantee?
any weak points? my nighbor ha one and i love it. but all i did was the plugs with him
how is the 5spd tranny? good? bad?
any options or tips? should i get teh higher gear ratio option?
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SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
01:38:40
|  RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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I'm not sure where the price ranges hit but you may have to sacrifice a number of spiffs to hit that price range for a brand new 4x4 - depends on what sort of cab configuration you're looking for.
The 4.7L/5-spd/3.92 posi combo is the best you can get from the factory.
If you can afford it and want the features, get the overhead console - not that it's a major option, but if you don't get it from the factory it's virtually impossible to add it later.
Dakotas are quirky... Some people have great stories about their trucks, but others have nothing but trouble. As with all vehicles there's a number of consistent problems that can be taken care of when they pop up. Nothing really glaring though, the Dakota is a good strong truck.
SinCity R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
 
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B1llyw
GenIII
5/20/2002
06:56:30
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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I love my truck. I've got what you might be looking for. I would suggest getting the part-time 4wd transfer case if you like performance so you don't have that constant driveline loss. I did and I'm happy with it.
Bill White - 2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92's w/LSD, Airaid, MBRP Super Single, Hurst T-Handle, BFG A/T's, IAS Shocks, 180 T-Stat, Jet Chip - Stage II
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Halo3
GenIII
5/20/2002
07:05:10
|  RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Well, the volume on this forum speaks to the popularity of the Dakotas. As Sin City stated, there are a couple of recurring issues with the Dakotas, including:
- Front brakes - warped and/or glazed rotors, noisy braking, "odd" sensations from the brakes
- Sway bar bushings - no grease zerk on them so they will eventually go dry & start squeaking
- Power windows - there are a lot of people that have had some failure of a power window. One of mine "died," but came back to life while troubleshooting it.
- Fuel economy - This is arguable, but compared to some of the competition, our V8's don't get as good of fuel economy. But, in my opinion, you don't buy a TRUCK with a V8 if you are concerned about fuel economy!!
As for purchasing a new ride, I would look into a Quad Cab. You probably aren't going to get one in the price range you quoted, but, it provides the best family solution. Hell, most cars don't have that much room in the back. If you do have a kid you'll immediately see a benefit. Or, if you plan on starting a family, you will already have the space. Plus it is just nice to be able to load some friends up, and head out for a night out.
As Sin City stated, try and get the digital overhead (if you are interested in it) because it is virtually impossible to add after the fact. The other thing I would suggest is to get the bucket seats. The 40/20/40 split bench is pretty comfortable for the driver & passenger, but the center section isn't really suited for a third front seat passenger. Might as well get better seats for yourself & let extra passengers sit in the back....hence the suggestion for the Quad Cab.
As for engine, the 4.7L & the 5.9L engines are both great engines. The only thing I can say is that the 5.9L, having been around longer, has a huge list of after-market parts for it. However, the 4.7L isn't going unnoticed...there is a growing world of parts for it as well.
Hope that helps! Good luck! Let us know what you end up getting!
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
Halo3's Dak
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Todd W
GenIII
5/20/2002
07:28:16
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Why would anyone move to Michigan?
I had my Dakota for two Michigan winters before I moved to Florida for school. It's just a simple 2wd Regular Cab 5-speed V6, and once you through 200lbs of sand bags in the back, it was next to impossible to get stuck...
Come to think of it, I never got it stuck. Even pulled an S10 out of the ditch once, that was fun.
Of course, ice storms were a little hairy. But 4wd doesn't help in an ice storm, you just get all four wheels spinning. :0)
If you can get a club cab or quad cab, get it! The regular cab is a bit lacking in storage space. Thats the only reason I'm considering a new Dakota when I graduate.
I'd personally recommend a stick for snow/ice winters. I was always able to drop the truck into a higher gear of the tirest started spinning on launch. Autos generally had to just get off the gas and try again. There was at least one time I did a 3rd gear start do to ice. I had -no- business on the road that night, especially with -no- weight in the back.
'00 RC Sport Forest Green, 3.9L, 5-speed 3.55, Hurst Comp-Plus Shifter, Clear-Corners, Speed-Glo gauges, Airaid Intake with relocated IAT, Autolite 3923s, Ported Throttle Body, Borg & Warner Cap/Rotor, Accel Coil, JBA 9mm Wires, JET Stage II
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MightyDakSXT
GenIII
5/20/2002
10:16:27
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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I see more 4x4 in the ditch than anything in the winter. Perhaps they're overly confident, I don't know. I live in Wisconsin and opted against getting a 4x4. Our winters are pretty bad, but I didn't think it was worth the added expense to get something I'd only use once or twice a year. If I went off-roading on a regular basis, then it'd be a different story.
2002 SXT, 3.9 Liter V6, RC, 5-speed, 3.55 rear
-={ Second place is the first loser.} =-
Extang Tonneau, Autolite 3923 Plugs, Borg Warner Cap & Rotor, K&N Filter, Gibson Catback Exhaust, Robert Shaw 180 Degree T-stat, Custom Grille, Modified V8 TB. Coming soon: Quick D Air Intake
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TreyZ28
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
10:23:20
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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are they any good in snow with 4x4?
i'll be going snowboarding alot so i need to get up the mountains in the snow
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SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
11:09:19
|  RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Here's the first rule of thumb when it comes to nasty weather:
A 4x4 will help you a lot in SNOWY conditions.
When it's ICY outside no matter how many wheels have power you're going to slide.
Naturally a 4x4 will be better in bad weather, but nothing helps you more when it's crappy outside than just plain driving safe and smart.
I moved from Colorado to Nevada so I wouldn't have to scrape that crap off my windshield at 5am in the morning anymore. Now my only weather worry is whether or not we need to turn on the pool heater for midnight swims in November or December ;)
SinCity R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
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Quad47
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
11:17:21
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Just my opinion but if the only reason you're getting a 4x4 is to get you through the snow then save your money. Not saying that they're bad in the snow just that if the roads are bad enough to where you think you need 4x4 then you don't need to be on the roads anyway. I personally live in Florida but have spent many winters in the northern states as an over the road truck driver and I'm sure that the people that live in those areas can tell you that all 4WD will do is get you into trouble. It's great for getting you out of alot of situations but it is also great for getting you into them also. Save your money and spend it on performance mods as they will bring you great joy.
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Joel
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
12:08:19
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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How about this: Keep the camaro, kill the 383 project for now and find a winter beater.
Once you get settled in, pickup the 383 project.
Joel
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dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
12:34:49
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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What SinCity said is true, ice IS a different story. I have a 4x4 Dakota and it's GREAT in snow. If the roads are bad enough you need a 4x4 then that's what they're for then right? You don't have to stay off the road, just drive smart and safe but the Dak pulls through without a sweat. At least this way you are never "snowed in." You can get places regardless of snow. I live in upstate NY and the winters here can get pretty hairy too. But I LOVE my 4x4. Runs right through without problems. GET THE 4x4. You won't regret it. You may if you don't get it. A Club Cab will run ytou a bit over your range but it's well worth it if you need storage space or want the option of trucking along a couple of your buddies.
P.S. For ice, use 4Lo. It may be slow going, but at least you'll be going.....
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fourgivn1
GenIII
5/20/2002
14:03:40
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Yeah, I'd have to agree. I WILL say that we had a big fat snowstorm around here last winter, and to be honest, I never got stuck. About the *worst* that happened is that I had to sort of rock it forward once to get a bit of momentum up, but with a 2" lift kit and some bigger tires I don't foresee any problems in the future. BUT then again, we didn't get more than about 8" of snow....in Michigan, y'all get a bit more than that, so I'd recommend it.
Current mods: A MUFFLER. That's it. (For now.)
Future mods: Tonneau cover
Underdrive pulleys
Removal of clutch fan
K&N FIPK
17
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
5/20/2002
14:50:20
|  RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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Hey, watch the anti-Michigan cracks, Todd W. ;o)~
Mine's been in snow, slop, ice ... whatever. It's true you can get around in a 4x2 with sandbags in the back, but nothing beats slapping it into 4x4 mode and just driving. Granted, you can't stop any faster than anyone else, but you sure do get going better!
Do a 4x4 ... then you can always go play at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes ... THE highpoint of living in Michigan!
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
shakin-notstirred.tripod.com
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CANTONDAK
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
15:53:41
| RE: Buyin NEW dakota please help!
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You know what us Ohio State Buckeye Fans have to say about Michigan : Go West till you smell it, and go North till you step in it, then you know you're in Michigan. Just kidding, it's a great rivalry. Oh yeah, Ann Arbor is a wh*re. LOL
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