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Marti
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
09:15:37
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 Subject: Should I buy??
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Just totalled my 5.4L 4x4 F-150. I like the size of the Dakota quad, am seriously looking at the 4.7L 4x4 SLT package. Don't know anything about Dodge,& a friend tells me they have too many transmission problems. I'm female (sharkbait at a dealership) and would appreciate any technical info on this truck!!
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S. Allen
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
09:36:18
|  Tranny woes? (how about Ford trannies!)
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ANY Dodge tranny would be better than the auto tranny in my wife's 95 Explorer.
Ford is no peach in the tranny dept either! Ask anyone that owns an automatic Explorer or Ranger.
The good thing is that the Dodge has a 7yr/100K mile warranty on their tranny, so if its junk, THEY eat it for 7 years or 100K miles...not you.
Don't be afraid of Dodge. I too was a die hard Ford driver (still own a Ranger and the above mentioned Explorer and both have well over 150K miles on em!), but I have known enough relatives and neighbors that have owned Rams, Dakotas and Durrangos that have not had any more troubles than I have with these two Fords.
Yeah, the ball joints and brake rotors are a problem on the Dakota (or so I have gleaned from this site - my neighbor has had no rotor problems in 40K miles on his Quad Cab Sport), but the rotor problem is no worse than the Ford front ends that will not stay aligned to save your life!
Remember, the Germans merged with Chrysler a few years ago and if you look up Dodge or DaimlerChrysler's corporate website, you'll notice most of the names of the people runing the company have German last names, nowdays. I really think the merger was the best thing to happen to Chrysler, for the Chrysler products I have ridden in the past year or so have seemed MUCH better built than the crap they put out years ago.
Look at the 4.7 engine - this engine (designed AFTER the merger with the Germans) is a radical departure from their old designs that still basically use 1960s technology. I have to believe that the German influence at Daimler had something to do with adopting such a radical design and ditching old stand-bys like the pushrod 318 V-8. Chrysler was NEVER that innovative or daring in its designs in the past.
Besides...why would they offer such a long warranty on the powertrain if it was a junky as thier older stuff? I doubt it - they'd be eating it on everything they sold.
Buy a Dakota...I have looked around FOREVER and driven everything and for the money, the Dakota Quad Cab has the most to offer. Its just about the right size and is a great compromise between utility, power and size. Theres literally nothing in its class, except MAYBE the Tundra, but the Tundra's price tag, shorter warranty and horribly small back seats really cancel it from the running.
I will be buying a 4.7 Quad Cab SLT 4x2 in a few months and I cannot wait! My brother has a 99 Durrano and two of my cousins have 1500 Rams and love these trucks.
-SA
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Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
10:14:44
|  RE: Should I buy??
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if you had a 5.4L in your old truck, I'd say get the 5.9L, the 4.7L is nice and "revy" (I have one myself) but the 5.9L is more powerful, I don't care what anybody says, plus with more available mods it that much more fun
good luck with the buy,
Don't let anybody talk you into anything, in fact go to 4adodge.com and build the truck you want print out and tell them this is what you want and shop around
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SnoViper
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
11:02:00
|  RE: Should I buy??
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I am coming up on 170,000 on my 94 dakota. It did have a tranny rebuild at 100,000. They can have tranny problems but like any of the big three. I have beat on mine pretty good, so I really can't complain about the tranny. Other then that the only othe major thing was a fuel pump. I think as far as reliabilty in trucks they all are about the same level nowadays. I am thinking now whether I want to get another dakota or switch to the full size. I want to do some offroading so I am thinking maybe the fullsize because the suspension would be easier to lift, also to carry more stuff.
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don94
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
11:14:10
| RE: Should I buy??
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i would go dodge, u cant beat the warranty that is now offered. and if u do run into troubles this web site will gladly give u info on how to handle problems with dealers. chrysler is ready willing and able to help customers get good service from their dealers if u just advise them of any problems. so dodge is my pick. i have a 94 dakII v6 that i bought new and the ride and power of the truck is great. just my humble opinion.
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don94
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
11:17:13
| RE: Should I buy??
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also for more info ck on the post of what made u buy in this forum. good luck no matter how u go :)
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Marti
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2002
17:43:10
|  RE: Should I buy??
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Thanks to everybody who replied-it helped to hear your opinions. Going to the dealership tonight!
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