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Kelly
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
10:51:38

Subject: Shifting Problems
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I just bought a new 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V6 and it's shifting real hard. It gets worse when driving in the mountains. When I punch the gas it down shifts real hard and then when it shifts back up it slams again. Could this be due to the computer needing to adjust (only 200 miles on it) or could there be something wrong with the truck?

Also it really bogs down up the mountain. Is the V6 a big enought engine for the Quad Cab. Any thoughts are appreciated!



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
13:57:40

RE: Shifting Problems
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i don't know about the auto. i have an '00 QC Sport w/ 5 spd & 3.55 gears. the 3.9 is big enough. pulls pretty good. if it's that new take it back and make them fix it.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
15:32:41

RE: Shifting Problems
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I have the 03 Quad with 3.9/auto trans. I understand they (computer) require a period of time to "learn" your driving habits. Mine has never shifted hard during normal driving. When it kicks down it is noticable but not real hard. It's never "slammed".

I live in the plains so I don't need the v8 power. The 4.7 v8 is a better all around engine choice, especially if you tow or drive in mountainous areas. With 4,000 on the odometer my overall mileage (mostly city) has been 16mpg. I understand the v8 will get about the same if driven right. Having said all of this I did get an excellent price on my Quad SXT. The 4.7 v8 would have cost me $2,000 more as they were all loaded with options that I didn't want.



kelly
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
15:33:26

RE: Shifting Problems
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Thanx much daddio. I was beginning to think the V6 would not be powerful enough. I don't plan on towing much, but I need power for the mountain driving.



kelly
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9/08/2003
16:47:09

RE: Shifting Problems
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Quad:
Have you done any towing with your truck. If so, what and how did it perform?

Thanks



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2003
17:17:40

RE: Shifting Problems
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Kelly, funny you should ask that today as I just got back from getting a hitch mounted on my truck. I sure wouldn't want to tow anything heavy with my Quad. Passing power is just not there so I imagine towing power will also suffer. I won't be towing anything over 1,000 lbs. and won't be towing until I put some more miles on it. I would have gone with the 4.7 had the price been in my reach.



kelly
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9/08/2003
17:23:46

RE: Shifting Problems
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I'm not really knowledgable in weight. What could you tow under that 1000 # max your going with? I'd like to have the 4.7 as well, but I can't seem to find any left in Denver. I am also very limited as I had a crappy trade-in. I have a definite budget and a v8 looks like it will exceed that. I don't need the toughest truck anyways. Thanks for your help.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
09:48:43

RE: Shifting Problems
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Kelly, I'll be pulling a fishing boat and a small utility trailer. The boat/trailer combo weights in at less than 600 lbs. Using the utility trailer to haul scrap to the landfill. Total weight will be shy of 1,000 lbs. on that. Don't want to haul the scrap in the truck.



xmr
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
10:37:42

RE: Shifting Problems
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My 98 extcab v6 pulled a 12 foot U-haul trailer about 500 miles with a 4000 lb. load in the trailer with no problems you just have to keep the OD turned off.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
11:51:20

RE: Shifting Problems
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xmr, what rpm's does your motor turn with OD turned off. My v6 auto trans with 3.55 rearend turns about 2400 rpm at 55mph with OD off. I can get it under 2000 rpm at 50mph, but that's slow. Seems like running at 55mph would really consume the gas.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
11:54:16

RE: Shifting Problems
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The Quad Dakota v6 with 3.55 rearend has a 4400 lb towing limit. The 3.92 rear is rated to pull 4800 lbs with the v6. You can get the towing capacity at dodge.com



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/09/2003
12:04:15

RE: Shifting Problems
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xmr, if you load 4000 lbs in a 6x12 uhaul trailer you're seriously overloaded. That'll put you at 5800 lbs gross weight on the trailer alone. Better suited for a RAM. I grabbed the specs at uhaul.

6x12 enclosed trailer specs:

Empty weight: 1,800 lbs
Max load: 2,600 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight (trailer plus load): 4,400 lbs




xmr
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9/09/2003
21:18:26

RE: Shifting Problems
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Yes I know it was overloaded but I did not have a choice. the stuff had to be moved I did not have time to make two trips. I don't remember what rpm the engine ran at but I usually get 20 to 21 mpg with the load I only got 12. If I had the chance to do it over I would have used a bigger truck. But the Dakota was no worse for the wear since that was 3 years ago and it is still running great. i changed the transmission fluid when I got back but it showed no signs of burning.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2003
11:14:39

RE: Shifting Problems
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xmr, I understand your situation. I added the disclaimer above for the benefit of those not familiar with towing limits of their Dakota. Glad to see it was up to the task. They seem to be tough trucks. Does your truck have the towing package with the transmission cooler?



xmr
Dodge Dakota
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9/10/2003
15:45:31

RE: Shifting Problems
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Yes my truck came with the factory tow package and the extra coolers. It never gave any indication of getting hot. The brakes on the trailer worked find and I had no trouble stopping.
One time I used the Dakota to move my Kubota tractor on a flat bed trailer that had no brakes and it was too much for the Dak's brakes. Tractor 2800 lbs, trailer 1100 lbs. about 3900 total.



willie
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2003
14:32:02

RE: Shifting Problems
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I recently purchased an '03 dakota club cab with the 3.9L V6(Im wondering why now), we are having the similar problems as the first poster. The engine sounds like it misses, idles rough, and the tranny takes forever to change gears when under load. We took it back to the dealer and they say its just normal..right. What do you now? No way this thing runs normally...take it to a different service center I guess.



Quad
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2003
14:45:44

RE: Shifting Problems
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Willie, I tried to get my Dakota with the 4.7 v8 instead of the 3.9 v6. It was virtually impossible to get one with the 8 and only the options I wanted. Everything on the lot was an SLT loaded with extras I didn't want. I finally got fed up and told the salesman the only way I would drive off of their lot in one of those loaded trucks was if they were willing to sell it for the same price as the v6 SXT I ended up getting. Several dealerships gave me the same old BS... we would have to special order it the way you want and we couldn't discount it like the SXT package with the v6. I can't figure why they don't offer the SXT package with a v8 option. Didn't want or need crome bumpers, electric everything.



g-man
Dodge Dakota
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5/23/2010
21:01:04

RE: Shifting Problems
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I'm looking at a 2001 dakota sport club cab 3.9L v6 auto with 96k on it. Shifting is noticable but not sure if it is supposed to be. Do they normally shift kind of rough?



Frank
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2010
21:21:53

RE: Shifting Problems
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My 92 dakota with the 3.9 v-6 5-speed, regular cab long bed has 242250 mi hauls a 6foot overcab camper, pulling a 6x12 trailer full of gear gets 10 to 14 mpg, depending on head or tail winds, doesn't use oil, and is a great truck, but the clutch chatters when taking off in forward or reverse. I replaced the clutch fluid and it seemed to help for awhile, but is still bad. Has anybody had and fixed this problem? A friends 93 v-8 does the same thing. Thanks



pat
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2010
10:46:22

RE: Shifting Problems
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I have 92dakota 6cyl. auto shifts very slow and-hard some one said the cv. cable needed to be gresed .Where is it and how do i do it?



pat
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2010
10:51:13

RE: Shifting Problems
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I have 92dakota 6cyl. auto shifts very slow and-hard some one said the cv. cable needed to be gresed .Where is it and how do i do it?



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