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23:56:01 - 12/19/2024
Off Road
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SnoViper
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2002
15:03:01
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 Subject: Ram or Dak ?
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I am shopping around for a new truck, I currently have a 94 2WD Dak. I want to go fourwheeling, Muddin....Not rock Crawling. I have been considering both the full size Ram and Dak Quad Cabs. Probably a 2000 or 2001. What would you consider the pros and cons. I like the simplicity of being able to lift the rams but the size would make it harder on tight trails. Not sure which one really has more clearance or would handle the Mud better. Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks in advance. BTW I live in Central New York
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arthur
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2002
15:37:34
|  RE: Ram or Dak ?
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Well the huge pro for the older Rams is the solid front axles they carry. The solid front axle is what you'll find in most seriously used off-road trucks, and a huge plus for durability. They run with either a Dana 60 or 44 in the front which are both very strong and well liked axles. The ram are also very easy to lift.
The huge pro for the dakota is the power to weight ratio. The dakota comes with nice V8 engines and have tons of power, especially with the 3.92 gear choice for the axles. The dakota is also smaller and easier to trail drive in.
The huge con to the Ram is the utter size. It's a huge truck, and the other con is the V8 engine for the size truck it's in. Needs the V10 or power adders on the V8, and that costs money and MPG. Also costs more to pick up a ram.
The huge con to the dakotas is the aftermarket following. We have very few quality lifts available to us(make that none), and the front axle in dakotas are new and odd ones, so gear choices and lockers are not available. Plus the axles in dakotas are a little on the small side for the truck(Ford Rangers weight 800 pounds less and have bigger axles :( )
Ground clearance is relatively the same once you factor in the wheelbase.
All in all, i like the dakotas size and power, and i like the sensibility of the rams. A good choice either way.
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4wDakota
GenIII
10/22/2002
16:32:52
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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The ram isn't that much bigger or more difficult to maneuver. If I had it to do again I'd get the ram to have the solid front axle.
When shopping for Dodges remeber the tranny is the weak link. get a truck with a tranny cooler and that has been serviced. Or buy a manual.
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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Bill
GenIII
10/22/2002
21:06:53
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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Just to add my two cents in here, if I could do it right now, I would sell my Dakota and get the Ram 2500 with the Hemi in it. That's not exactly possible right now, but if I had the financial means, I wouldn't even need think about it.
Bill
Bill's Truck Page
ARE Tonneau Cover
Wet Okole Seat Covers
Homebrew Intake and Other Mods Coming Soon!!
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dweishaar
GenIII
10/22/2002
22:12:46
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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I'm waiting till the 5.7 comes out in the 1500 and 4x4, then i'm getting one of thos so i can get my little dak beast off the streets.
One Eyed Fox
The Baja Dak
Have you jumped a dak..........lately?
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Clevite 77
GenIII
10/23/2002
08:52:50
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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have you guys been to car-truck.com lately?? they said something like the 3rd of December the dealerships can start ordering the 1500's with a Hemi. Here's the link, scroll down to the second paragraph under the pick of the HEMI badge. Gimmie a year or 2 and I'll be getting one to.
http://car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b101802.htm
Line-X Over The Rail Bed Liner
Home Brew Intake
Dual Exhaust
3923 Autolite Plugs
Krypton 4300K Blue/Whites
Euro Clear Corners
Grille-Tech Grill Insert (Silver)
TPS Set At .705
Removed Rubber Flap
I've used Mobil -1 Full Synthetic Oil And Filter Since I Had 6,000 miles
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
10/23/2002
09:41:13
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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If the Gen IV Dak is ugly, I will get a 1500 HEMI 4x4 and put a 6" lift on it the same day I bring it home with 35's:) Who needs the extra 4-5 mpg anyway? its just money, at least I can actually have a lifted truck again and be able to spend all my money still having hundreds of aftermarket mods I can save for. I am noticing that the new Ram 1500's are a dime a dozen lately though, they must be outselling Cheby and Ford, in my area at least.
Flowmaster cat back w/15 inch chrome tip, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
3 inch body/1.5 inch Block Lift, 305 70-16 X-Terrains on AR Terons, Pro Comp ES9000's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6) Hella's, Custom Manik Nerfs, Hard Work and $$$$$$$$$$
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UWGriz
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
10:04:06
| RE: Ram or Dak ?
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Personally, I have a '99 Dak with the extended cab and if I could do it again I would go to a 3/4-ton extended cab. Strong axles and a usuable backseat (mine is only good for storing stuff or a dog - not really for people) more than offset the bigger size.
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SnoViper
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
10:18:22
|  RE: Ram or Dak ?
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Thanks for the input. Looks like most of you lean towards the fullsize ram for offroad ability, any more comments would be appreciated. I am really on the fence. I was originally leaning towards the Ram, but looking at some of the nice Daks here I was impressed. Thanks again.
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
11:09:02
|  RE: Ram or Dak ?
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I have both, 2 Dakotas and a Ram and I agree with Authur. Power to weight ratio, the Dakota has it hands down. My 96 CC Dakota with a 5.2 and 3.56 gears is a hell of a lot quicker off the line and top end than my 2k Quad Cab Ram with a 5.9 and 4.10 gears. In a drag race, my Dakota will walk away from my Ram every time. Plus, my Dakota gets better gas mileage, and the IFS vs. Solid Axle gives it a better ride quality on the highway. My Ram tends to wander a bit at 75mph. I have a 120-mile commute to and from work everyday and I prefer driving the Dakota to the Ram that distance. As far as size goes, there really isn’t that much difference. I’ve noticed my CC Dakota isn’t that much smaller than my Ram overall. A couple of feet shorter and a foot or so narrower, but overall, they are fairly close. Obviously, if I have to carry passengers in the back seat, the Ram is the choice. The Dakota’s back seat is barely a seat. But if you’re comparing a QC Dakota to a QC Ram, there probably isn’t that much of a difference in the interior. If you’re looking to build a custom truck, the Ram is the choice because of the aftermarket accessories availability. The aftermarket vendors just don’t cater to the Dakotas like they do to the Rams. If your pulling a trailer or pushing snow, the additional size of the Ram gives it an advantage over the Dakota, though, I have had no problem pulling my car trailer with my 96 Dakota and will be having a plow installed on it shortly to do my driveway this winter. Off-Road, my little ’88 Dakota Rocks! Even though I have done a ton of modifications to it, I still believe it is as capable as the Ram even back before I lifted it. I used to wheel with friends with full size Chevy’s, Fords and Dodges and was always able to keep up. Though the V6 was underpowered in open areas, I still think it was just as capable as the bigger trucks when on the trails. I have not wheeled my 96 yet, but have no doubt it would perform as well. One thing that pisses me off with my 1500 Ram, if I drive over a curb, not at high speed, just at an idle. The front end of the truck will bounce off the bump stops. The dealer has told me repeatedly, that is normal. Even was able to do it in a friend’s 1500. Neither of my Dakotas do that.
Personally, if I had to choose just one, I would buy the Dakota with the V8.
Walt Felix
Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
President – Mopars in Motion Ltd.
Webmaster@MoparsinMotion.COM
http://WWW.MoparsinMotion.COM
http://WWW.CruiseNights.Info <- Coming Soon!
   
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