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Hubba Bubba
Unregistered
4/30/2001
15:11:52
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 Subject: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
I just traded my Jeep Cherokee 4x4 in for a brand new quad cab Dakota 4x4. My Jeep could really perform off road. I live in Southern California and I would punish the Jeep in the desert and mountains. I will have to compare the off road ability of the Dakota. I got higher profile tires rather than the stock ones. I now have pretty much the same ground clearance as the Jeep. I think a desert trip to Arizona is in store for the weekend. So far the Dakota is a much smoother ride than the stiff suspension of the Jeep. I am looking forward to comparing the two. Anybody got any opinions on the off road capablity of the Dakota?
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Jay
Unregistered
4/30/2001
18:33:27
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
Hubba Bubba: I'm interested in your finding. I have a '90 cherokee and its a tuff little bastard! Thinking of getting a new quadcab soon. Have fun with your new trucks and tell us how it does in the dirt.
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tommygun
GenI
4/30/2001
20:20:04
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
This is an interesting post, i thought with the cherokee's front solid axle, i would put my money on the cherokee... but i can't wait to hear real world experience from a owner of both vehicles
Gunner
92 RegCab Dakota 4x4, Locked Rear
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Python97
R/T
4/30/2001
23:00:48
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I had a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. Ill tell you that
nothing is better of road then a jeep. They are
the pioneers of 4x4. I had a 3inch lift with a set
of BFGoodies 31 x 10.5 x 15 and that truck
never got stuck, at the beach or the snow. I
never got stuck and I got in some shit!!! If you
know what Im talkin about. Dont drive your
truck like you used to drive your jeep off road. I
have the 2001 QC 4.7 and I thought I could do
the same stuff in the snow that I used to do
with the jeep and forget it. I almost lost it. :)
The dodge is one meeeeaaaannnn TRUCK. I
love it for the power.
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Hubba Bubba
Unregistered
5/01/2001
14:22:53
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
There is no way I will be driving my new shiny truck like I did with the scratched and battle scarred Jeep! It wasn't like I would 4x4 in my Jeep like the Baja 2000! I like to go slow and steady off road. I got stuck once out in the desert in a creek bed that had active springs underneath the sand. That was it though. The jeep was a monster on the off road. It lacked power when climbing though.
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sandman
Unregistered
5/05/2001
11:05:23
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
Well I am the proud owner of a 2001 Dak Quad-Cab. I am very happy with it. It is built realy stoutly but it is not designed for 4 wheeling as it's primary purpose. It is designed for mostly highway driveing and grocery getting. My 86 Toyota 4Runner is much better off road then my Dak Quad Cab. I will list what I belive to be the Dak's short comeings as follows:
1) Sway bar attached directly to lower control arm.
2) Low ground clearance and low rocker panels.
3)Aluminum front diff and axle tubes.
4)Semi floating rear end.
5)Little suspension articulation at the front end.
6)Auto locking hubs and electronic t-case not the most reliable.
7)Small front prop shaft and universal joint.
8)Over agresive bump stops/suspension limiters.
9)My 2001 QC Dak did not come with real skid plates.
I realy like my Dak but I do not think they had serious off roading in mind. I think it would be fine for baja style running but poor for rock crawling or trail use.
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Ralphp
Dakota Enthusiast
5/06/2001
15:10:40
|  RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
I have never owned a Cherokee, but I have to say that during this past Elk season in Oregon, My step-father (2000 Dodge 2500 Diesel) and I took his truck and my 2001 Dakota places that I truly never thought that they would have been able to go. It's kind of hard to compare the two rigs, as one is short wheelbase and the other long. Seems like they both have certain advantages over one another.
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Hubba Bubba
Unregistered
5/07/2001
13:35:03
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I went to the desert to test the new truck this last weekend. I was quite pleased. Granted my new Dakota is not the same as my previous Jeep Cherokee but it went on the same trails I normally go on in Arizona. Advantage that the Dakota has over the Cherokee...Torque. I was able to climb up hills and on sand without hitting the gas much. The Dakota crawled up the hills and rocks like a spider. The Cherokee I had to hit the gas to achieve good torque. The disadvantage of the Dakota vs. The Cherokee is manueverability. I could turn around easily in the Jeep in 4wd where the Dakota takes a little more to turn around on a tight trail. The Dakota wanted to fish tail around corners on the flat areas. I could never get goin that fast to fish tail in the Cherokee because it really rattled on the washboard roads! Bottom line is they are different. Four wheelin is mostly how you drive and approach a situation. I saw no problem goin to the same areas in the Dakota that I went in my Cherokee. Both are fine vehicles off road. The Jeep probably has a little better advantage on tackling difficult terrain. The Dakota can do the same but will have to be approached differently.
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Patrick ODay
GenIII
5/09/2001
12:39:34
|  RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
Ralphp
Are you in the NW or just come out here for hunting.
Patrick
Patrick ODay
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andrew
GenII
5/09/2001
21:09:23
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I love hunting!
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Ryan Kane
Unregistered
5/13/2001
13:25:58
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
It depends on what your plans are for "offroading" are and where you decide to go. If your plans are for crawling over rocks, go with the Jeep straight axles.
However....
I work for a desert racing organization in Nevada, and we do 300+ miles of desert racing all over the state, and I can say that any straight-axle vehicle, be it a Jeep or Explorer or whatever, either doesnt finish the race or comes in dead last. You will need IFS to carry you over the mean, grueling terrain of the desert. In fact, those IFS super trucks get 30+ inches of travel, not to mention the 500+ HP's. I'd bet my stock Dakota would kick some Ace over any beefed up straight axle during any race.
So if you like speed and offroad racing, go with the Dakota!
www.bitd.com
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Steve Reill
Dodge Dakota
5/23/2001
15:05:44
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
I just sold my 90 cherokee when I bought my Dak..I had it in the snow and on the beach and it performed great...So far the Dak hasnt been in the sand, but it did see some snow towards the end of the winter and I must say that the jeep was better and so is my 2000 blazer..I think it has alot to do with the balance too...The bed of a pick up isnt very heavy, and there isnt much wieght over the rear wheels
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
5/23/2001
17:27:58
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
Steve, I'm still thinking of selling my 90 cherokee for a quad cab. How many miles was on your cherokee and how much did you sell it for? What body style did you get on your dakota? I'm sure that the quad cab with the extra weight in the middle would perform better in the snow than a reg cab. Thanks
Jason O.
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
5/24/2001
09:56:28
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
I've never driven a Cherokee (nor do I want to) but I have been taking my 01 Dak up stuff I never dreamed of in a stock mid-sized truck. In snow, I have never had trouble but comparing trucks to SUV's is kind of like apples to oranges. Compare the Dak to any other truck its size in snow and the weight certainly pays off.
Check out my site for some hill pics. They certainly don't do the hill justice, but you get the idea.
www.eventbubble.com/4x4.html
MikeC
01 CC SLT 4.7
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HUBBA BUBBA
Dodge Dakota
5/24/2001
18:33:43
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
MIKE IS CORRECT. COMPARING THE 2 IS LIKE APPLES AND ORANGES. SINCE THESE ARE THE ONLY 4X4 I HAVE HAD I WANTED TO COMPARE THEM. JAY I SOLD MY 91 CHEROKEE FOR A 01 QUAD CAB WITH THE BIG ENGINE. I HAVEN'T REGRETED MY PURCHASE AT ALL. YOU WILL HAVE TRADE OFF'S. THE DAK CAN'T TURN AROUND AS QUICKLY BUT MAN IT HAS TORQUE. IT WILL CLIMB STRAIGHT UP A WALL WITHOUT GASING IT! THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THE DAK HAD A MUCH SMOOTHER RIDE AND YOU CAN GO FASTER. THE LONGER WHEEL BASE YOU GIVE UP TURNING AROUND BUT YOU GET A SMOOTHER RIDE. I AM ABLE TO GO OFF ROADING ON THE SAME TRAILS I DID WITH MY CHEROKEE IN ARIZONA. YOU JUST HAVE TO HANDLE HOW YOU TACKLE ANY PARTICLAR OBSTACLE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE A TRUCK IS DIFFERENT. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THE QUAD CAB. THE ONLY BITCH I HAVE IS WHEN I GO TO THE GAS STATION! BUT IT IS SMILES PER GALLON NOT MILES PER GALLON!
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
5/29/2001
22:16:25
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
That's what I thought would be the results from my
test drives of the quad cab. Its longer and does
not have as good angles or articulation but does
have weight, power and size on its side. Did you
get the 5.9l or the 4.7l Bubba?
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hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota
5/30/2001
16:03:15
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I got the 5.9L! A whole lotta power. I really like the torque at lower speeds. What it lacks in turn around it makes up for in the torque. I never go hauling through the desert very fast even in my Jeep. The Dakota can climb slowly over just about anything. It is especially good on steep climbs with rocks. The Jeep would just spin the wheels and not get traction. The Dakota slowly climbs up and over. I must say that overall the ride is better in the truck. I would rattle my teeth going down a washboard road going slow in the Jeep. With the truck I have to watch the speed to avoid a fish tail around a corner. For me and my needs the Dakota is better. I literally out grew the Jeep. I was running out of space even with a roof rack. Can't beat it for camping in remote inaccessible by conventional vehicle spots. I do not regret my purchase
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
5/30/2001
17:58:01
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm happy uou like your truck so much. Its personal exp like that wich is making me want to buy a quadcab even more. I think I will get the 4.7L, just from the test drives I think it is a bit quicker and the (little) gas it saves will be nice.
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hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota
5/31/2001
15:26:53
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Jay
The 4.7l is fine. I test drove that truck as well. It still has the power. It would save you a little in gas. The 4.7l has good torque but it spikes out. The 5.9l has more torque at both high and low rpm's. I just figured that $400 between the 4.7l and the 5.9l why not go with the extra? The quad cab has more room in the backseat than in my old Cherokee. It's like a sore one....you can't beat it!
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Steve Reill
Dodge Dakota
5/31/2001
15:56:28
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Jay,
Sorry for the late response..Ive been busy. My Cherokee had 130,000 and I sold it for 2700. The paint was getting fadded and it had a little blow by, but all in all, the truck was still in good shape.
I got the Clubcab with the 4.7...I wouldnt trade it for a new cherokee in a million years..I loved my jeep, but this truck has so much more power...I love the throttle response on these trucks...as I said, the 4x4 wasa better in the cherokee, but I believe that was a weight issue...Im not knocking the Daks capabitlities at all though...
Go for the 4.7...Its a peppy engine...I would say its "quick" if ya got a few extra bux..get the quadcab...the club has decent space, but the quad is a much better buy...Its my only regret
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
5/31/2001
16:28:37
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for your info guys. My Chrokee has 139,000 miles and the clear coat os getting bad. I'm thinking of trying to get about $5K for it and get into a 4.7L quad cab. From what I have read and from my test drives I'm sure I'll love it! My only hesitation is that they may release the 5.7L hemi in the next few years.
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DANo
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
17:44:57
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
I have used my 01 Dak and my Dads j33p and between the 2 ill take the dodge any day.Probly cause i have the V8 and he has the sixer.More power and decent gas mileage to, on those long trips ill get around 18 mpg and he got about 16 with the roof box.I'm looking at caps its down to the ARE and leer any one got anyything to comment on caps.the ARE is a hunded more for some reason.
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Jason O.
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
18:24:05
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Well I bought a new truck but it was not a dakota. Found a great deal on a sweet 5.9L grand cherokee. I will miss my old cherokee but this things hauls A$$! Can't wait to put some performace mods to it.
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hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota
7/10/2001
18:25:48
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Dan o
Have you seen the Leer cap on a Dakota? They have about a 1" gap between the cab and the cap. Too me it looks funny! Have you looked at Snug Top? I want to get my Yakima roof rack incorporated into the truck cap. Supposedly Leer and Dodge worked together on developing the cap for the Dakotas.
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hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota
7/10/2001
18:50:38
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
Jason o
I had a Cherokee and I looked at getting a Grand Cherokee. For what I do when offroading I needed more hauling capability than what the Cherokee can offer. As it was I hauled alot of my camping equipment on a roof rack. As for hauling people the Cherokee was HORRIBLE in the backseat. The Dakota quad cab eliminated all my problems. I can now easily take all my camping equipment and throw in my mountain bikes or a kayak with no problem. I can now take passengers without getting cramped in the backseat. The new Grand Cherokee's are no better for backseat room. As for Grand Cherokee's I hate to say it but the Nissan Pathfinder is better! It is a better more reliable SUV. I got tired of costantly repairing a made in Mexico part that broke on my Cherokee.
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Jason O.
Dodge Dakota
7/11/2001
11:19:42
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
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Message:
True the cherokee's back seat was crappy. The grand cherokee is abit better and has adjustable head rests. I'm not really sure that the pathfinder is a better SUV. Yes it may be more reliable but then again japanese trucks are overall. In the same breath you can say that the toyota tacoma is better than the dakota for the same reason. I like the grand cherokee and the dakota better than the imports because they have more power, better styling, etc. Its all a matter of what is important to you. I personally like having one of the fastes SUVs ever made.
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hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota
7/11/2001
12:11:01
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
The Grand Cherokee does have a little more room than the Cherokee. However the Dakota quad cab has more room in the backseat than the Grand Cherokee. Also I was less than impressed with Jeep's overall reliability. Mine was always in the shop for something. It is not good having a malfunction in the desert. I seriously considered buying a new Grand Cherokee but did not want to take a chance. I have not heard glowing reports that Jeep has improved quality. According to my research the new Pathfinder has 240 hp and 295 ft lbs torque. It beats the new Jeep Grand Cherokee that comes in at 235 hp and 295 torque! The Grand Cherokee wins though on cargo space with 37 cu ft vs the Pathfinder's 33 cu ft. I hate to say it cause I like the the styling of the American vehicles but I almost bought the Pathfinder. In my opinion the Pathfinder has surpassed the grand Cherokee. I cannot say how the Pathfinder does offroad though! It would be hard to beat a Jeep!
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Jason O.
Dodge Dakota
7/11/2001
17:16:24
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Now way in hell the pathfinder makes that much TQ. It makes 240 or 265 TQ depending if you have a stick or a auto. I have heard people say that the pathfinder feels not even close to the Grand cherokee in power. Remember its only a v6 vs. a v8. I have heard the same things about the new grand cherokee reliability. My old cherokee was in the shop more than I liked but overall it was a great truck. I bought '98 5.9L GC limited. It was the last year of that model and most of the problems were worked out. Plus it has the 5.9L, moster power!
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chewie
Dodge Dakota
7/13/2001
00:33:58
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
For what it's worth, I own both a Cherokee and a Dakota. Have for ten years. An I6 and a V6.
Like it was said before, they are two different animals. Some places one will go where the other won't. I have driven these things up and down mountains and through swamps. Always take a bumper jack and a come-along as they've both been stuck. Never stranded.
One thing is for sure, I haven't replaced anything except a fuel pump on the truck and a thermostat on the jeep. Knock on wood. Twice.
IFS may be nice riding, but stock won't take the punishment of desert slamming. Be careful.
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Jason O.
Dodge Dakota
7/13/2001
11:59:24
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
Well put Chewie. Its too bad they don't offer a solid axle on the dakota/durango. I know that alot of people are not very happy with the 2002 ram having a IFS.
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mudslinger
Dodge Dakota
7/13/2001
20:35:48
| RE: Dakota vs Cherokee?
IP: Logged
Message:
i have had the privilage of owning bothe a cherokee and a dakota. my jeep was an 88' with the 4.0. and let me tell you that the jeep was unstoppable. i had no lift, only stock sized mud terrains and i could mud with the best of them. i live in florida so there is no rock climbing, but we know how to mud. i have yet to truly test my dakota off road, but plan too soon. it has a 318, but i serioulsy doubt it will come close to how my cherokee performed. i will always drive a dodge, but for serious off road action, NOTHING beats a jeep
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