| From | Message |
ggrant
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/28/2003
05:54:16
|
 Subject: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
I am looking at a 2003 Quad 4 X 2 with the 3.9 V6 with the towing package . Does this engine have enough you know what to push this vehicle around ok and tow a 3500 pound boat 4 times a year , has all the extra cooling for the tranny and engine . Is this engine under powered for this vehicle , i know it's basically a chopped 318 and I love the 318 engine in my full size van . I have driven the 4.7 liter and that's a great engine ,tranny combo with great acceleration . You would think Dodge would drop the new 215 hp V6 they use for the big pickups , i guess they are waiting for the next redesign in a couple of years . I guess the real question is will I be happy with the V6 after driving the 4.7 ? I know I should just drive the V6 and see but just looking for general comments from you V6 owners and also how is the reliability of the 3.9 , is it as good as the 318 ? I have zero problems with the 318 in the 80000 miles I have run it so far . Is the 42RE tranny that they use with this reliable also ? thanks for any comments .
|
wg34
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/28/2003
06:32:46
|  RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
If your planning on towing ,go with the 4.7,the gas mileage really isn't any different.I have a '03 Dak because I don't really plan on towing with it.My boss also has a '03 CC 4X2 V6 and tows with it ,but is always complaining.
|
adminvtt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/28/2003
09:30:29
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
I haven't been looking at the new dodges in some time after I got mine but I thought they offered the 3.7 now for the Dakota? If they do look into it, its the same engine in the Jeep Liberty and its not bad got great reviews gets 23mpg. Just a thought if you want to run a 6 banger cause I hate my 3.9. A 6er that big should produce at least 200hp and 250 foot lbs of torque but its not even close. I'll be getting a Cummins next truck. If they don't offer the 3.7 then go with the 4.7 for your dakota
|
frostbitte
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/28/2003
10:15:58
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Go with the 4.7. I have a 3.9 in mine and when I load mine with just camping gear it's pretty hard on the engine. Trying to pass on the highway is a nail biting experience. And it doesn't seem to get great mileage anyways. As far as dependability goes, I have no complaints. For a truck engine, it's underpowered and underdelivers.
Frostbitte.
|
Quad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/29/2003
16:30:43
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
I went with the 3.9 in my 03 Quad Cab. Did this solely on price factor as the 4.7's had all the options and the dealer was desperate to sell off all the 3.9 Dakotas. If I had the money I would have gone with the 4.7 or 5.9 motor.
|
dak2
*GenIII*
8/29/2003
22:37:20
|  RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Am pulling new 2500lb popup to Ky. this weekend
used to pulling 1000lb popup. Will let you know gas mileage whe I get there. But I do have 5 speed instead of automagic. On earlier trailer I averaged about 20 MPG.
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
|
grumpy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/29/2003
22:57:56
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Ive got a 93 3.9 magnum and it pulls my mediam size champion boat pretty good.but it is a bit of a strain. if i had to do it again id opt for the 318. gas milage has never been much of a factor when im going bass fishing.
|
jeremy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/30/2003
00:18:18
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
i have an 02 3.9, and i pull my buddies boat all summer with no problems. There is a pretty good sized hill on the way to our local lake and I can go from the stop sign at the bottom, up into 3rd gear pretty easily. If you only concern is being able to pull the boat 4 times a year, then I'd get it.
|
DODGE DR AGON
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/30/2003
01:15:26
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Go for the 4.7.....and if you can wait awhile...you should get the 5.7 Hemi ;)
|
J and J Auto
GenII
8/30/2003
10:50:28
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
I heard the Durango will have a hemi in 05 they
were talking about a hemi Dak by 07 when they
do come out I will race you to the dealer to get
one.
we have a 03 Hemi Ram 4X4 off road package with
3.92 gears and man that truck has some balls
crusing at 110 and it shifts at 5500 at WOT
can break the tires lose in second and the new
5 speed tranies work nice
Not bad on gas either on the highway getting 18.8
19 mpg
http://www.exc40.com/hemi
If you are going to tow a heavy trailer I would
go for a V8 the 360 is an option also in the Daks
There are a lot of aftermarket parts for both the
4.7 and 5.9 360
Larry
J&J Auto
|
plastics_guy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/01/2003
11:32:54
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
You are all making me nervous. I just got an 02 DAK with a 3.9 auto. From the looks of it here it's gonna be underpowered in comparison to my 91 Chevy S10 4.3L 5 speed.
I was already starting to think about adding a K&N air system when available (it doesn't currently look to be available) and a dual exhaust system. Any tips, cautions, or recommendations from any of you that have done these mods on the 3.9? Also anyone tried a hypertech chip or one of the chip reprogramers?
|
J and J Auto
GenII
9/01/2003
14:17:09
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
plastics_guy
You can just get a K&N drop in filter replacement
and it will help.
A bigger throttle body V8 or after market will
also help.
I know a lot of people don't want to do internal
engine mods while still under warantee but the
5500rpm 1.7 crower roller rockers help a lot, more
low end torqe and 15 to 18 hp at the rear wheels
On the exhaust side just get a diff muffler like
a dynomax or serious 50 flowmaster the rest of
the exhaust will work just fine you don't need to
spend all the money for a catback system that
will not help that much.
I have only seen 1 V6 so far with the hypertech
programer and they do work good, no dyno tests
but you can notice it. They say 5 min but it took
us about 20 reading the instructions and answering
the yes no questions that come up and than chosing
the 93 oct fuel option.
In my opinion they are worth the money, he says he
is also getting better gas mileage with it.
Larry
J&J Auto
|
wg34
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/01/2003
16:11:14
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Plastics guy ,
K&N part# 57-1517-1 is for a durango ,but it works on 3.9l Daks (even if you have Cruise control)
|
Deep Purple
Gen III
9/01/2003
19:08:05
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Your in the V6 forum, the V6 is no V8, but a lot of us have modified our engines to get the performance up. If you tow a heavy load a V8 would be better. With a V6 you may want to use a different gear ratio in the rear. A V8 throttle body. will help. Passing power can come from roller rockers. Headers and a cat back exhaust well help too. Make one change at a time and test the results. You should have got a V8, but you can make the best out of what you got. Good luck.
|
Ninerrider01
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/09/2003
14:54:53
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey ggrant,
I just bought a '96 3.9 Dakota last winter that had 150,000 miles on it. Since I've learned the gas mileage isn't that much different, I wish I got the V8 just for fun. I certainly wouldn't want to tow 4000 lbs of boat + trailer + beer 4x per year with the 6.
If you can't afford the extra money for the V8 in a new truck, then I'd just go one or two years older.
|
93Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/10/2003
14:24:04
| RE: general dakota V6 question
IP: Logged
Message:
In my opinion, you would be happier with the V8. However, a good running V6 will tow it. I have a 93 that I bought six months ago, and I have been working on it ever since to get it running better. At first, it struggled on even a slight incline with no load. But now it pulls my 1000 lbs Seadoo without much trouble at all. Mine is basically stock except for an aluminum billet belly pan.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
