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RollingMammal
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2002
23:29:02
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 Subject: Looking to get a Dak, a few questions:
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Sorry - I hope you don't mind this is also posted on the Raised truck board.
Hey all . . . this seems to be the place to come for all things Dak so maybe you can answer a few of my questions. I just bought my first truck (first vehicle actually) in late August. Last weekend my friend and I were caravaning and he kind of forgot to stop when I stopped at a stop sign, so the back of my super clean '94 Toyota 4x4 22re Std Cab is . . . well, um toast.
Anywho . . . I am now in the market for another truck as soon as the insurance pays up. I was thinking perhaps an upgrade aka a Dakota might be nice.
First Question: I'm probably going to try and find a '97 V8 (Possibly will settle for V6) def 5spd and def 4x4 preferably extended cab. Anyway, what should I look for when checking out trucks? Any common problems I should check for? I've heard problems with ball joints but am still not clear on exactly why or how the problem occurs.
Second: How do these trucks perform offroad? I don't do anything super hard core but will be doing a bit more than fire roads. I know any V6 or V8 Dak will out-perform my Toyota in the power dept but how about articulation? I assume a bit more ground clearance (bigger tires) is necessary. Is it worthwhile to go with a suspension lift for the added articulation? Or . . . does the suspension do pretty well stock - requiring only a body lift in order to fit larger tires? I'd like 33's but 32's will probably do pretty well in most situations. Can I fit 32's under a 3" body lift with no rubbing? Also what is the width of the stock rim? I'd like to go 10.5 or wider.
Last: How is maintenance on the V8 and V6? Is the V8 pretty easy to work on or is there a lot of computer diagnosis and whatnot? In 97 only the 4.7L V8 was available right? Thanks much for any info.
-Dave-
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Jeffro
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2002
13:30:22
|  RE: Looking to get a Dak, a few questions:
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Just my $.02 (I've got a '99 club cab 4x4 5.2 V8 w/auto)
1. Go with the V8 (5.2 up to 2k, then 4.7). The added power is great, mileage isn't that much worse than v6.
2. Some people have even been able to fit 32" tires on stock vehicle, with 33" w/ 3" body lift. (although I' no fan of body lifts)
3> Had ball joints replaced at 37k miles, under extended warranty, no more problems.
4. Get a unit with limited slip differential, or swap in a locker.
5. Have fun, Dak is great truck, from my experience!
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2002
21:49:08
| RE: Looking to get a Dak, a few questions:
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Speaking of the articulation subject, 4x4 dak's have IFS suspension, which has very limited articulation. I believe old toyotas had an axle up front so their articulation ruled over dakotas.But if you are serious about your truck's flex, remove the sway bar :) i did that and it flexes much better...just be prepared for some constant aligning. :(
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arthur
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2002
00:04:39
| RE: Looking to get a Dak, a few questions:
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Ok, i know a pretty good deal about 4X4s, so i think i can give you a good idea of what to look for.
Dakotas are great trucks for towing and being work trucks, but they lack for off-roading. The average dakotas weights about 500-800 lbs more than a ranger or tacoma. Here's what you want to look for...
A Tacoma with the TRD suspension would be a great choice. They have the best articulation of any 4X4 truck with IFS and some come with the electric rear locker. They have 3.93 gearing all around and a potent V6 engine for the trucks weight. The axles in the trucks are great axles for the little trucks and they have tons of aftermarket backing. They are also among the only trucks that can get 13" of travel when a suspension lift is installed. Only downfall is they are a little on the expensive side and they are very small inside.
If you want something inbetween the tacoma and the dakotas the Ranger is a great truck. The 96-98 rangers have a great rear axle choice coming with a 8.8" rear and they have a very potent V6 engine also. They come with 4.10 gears when you get the off-road package as well, and a LSD rear axle. The power to weight ratio of the trucks are a little worse than the dakotas with the V8, but with 700 pounds free, the trucks out-perform the daks in the off-road section.
But don't get me wrong, daks are great trucks, and they do off-road well, just not like the competition.
If you want a solid front axle, the toyota with the solid front axle is an 85 or older truck. The rangers in 1993 when the body style switched over to the newer one still had a solid axle in the front too.
Anyways, if you want my opinion on dakotas, get one with the newer body style and the V8, not the V6. If you can stay as far away from the V6 as possible, the better. You will like the truck more if you really look for one that has all the options you could want, don't settle for less.
2002 SXT Dak CC 4X4 3.9LV6 3.92LSD
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