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BlakDakSXT
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2007
09:01:37
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 Subject: New Truck?
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I am thinking of buying a 2002 to 2004 Dodge Dakota SLT QC and I was wondering about whether or not I should. I want to get the 4.7 and I was wondering about this engine becaseu I see a lot of posts with poeple having troubles with it. I also want 4 wheel drive because my SXT doesnt have it and when winter rolls around I need it because last winter was hell. I really jus want to know that the money that I spend on this truck will give the longevity that I wan in a motor with about 40,000 miles. I also need a truck that can get through the snow and tow some sleds.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2007
15:32:59
|  RE: New Truck?
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Read the post 2 lines below yours. That covers 2000 through 2003. Not all had problems but there was a lot of engines dealer replaced and I'm sure some got stuck for the $5000 or so replacement bill
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/17/2007
08:32:06
| RE: New Truck?
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You can find a lot of posts about people having trouble with all sorts of things - that's what the site is here for. I don't notice a disproportionate amount of posts for the 4.7. My '00 4.7 has been problem free; if what you're looking at has been well maintained, I'd say go for it. They're terrific in the snow if they have good tires that aren't too wide. I run LT235-75-15 or 30x9.50x15 for plowing, stick to that kind of width and it should do very well.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2007
02:09:38
|  RE: New Truck?
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I agree with Kowalski, My 01 4.7 has over 119,000 miles, trouble free, burns no oil, no knocking, and is one torquey mama.
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Ms, Scooter
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2007
18:50:49
| RE: New Truck?
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My '03 4WD QC has 142K. It has really been a great truck for me, I would buy it again. Not one major problem, other than myself putting a hole in the transmission cooler(!).
I started using synthetic oil at 20K (didn't know much about those things back then, or I would have done it sooner). Tire mileage has been great. I got 75K w/ the stock tires. She's on only her second set of summer tires and has only had one set of winter studs. The truck has only had (and only needed) one alignment. Even after being in two accidents. Both of the other vehicles were totalled and flat-bedded out. Both times I drove my little war horse home.
I'm still on the original ball joints.
With brakes, I got 96K w/ stock rotors and 92K w/ stock pads. No vibration until about 500 miles before replacement (but then it did get real bad, real fast). I have Raybestos on now.
I've never had water anywhere inside the truck other than what I spilled myself. Right now, I'm averaging about 21 mpg, doing the math. I drive 100 miles per day.
I take good care of my truck, and I have learned alot from this site. This is my first truck. I tow a horse trailer and large utility trailer, so the sleds won't be any problem.
They seem to be great trucks, good luck...
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2007
21:02:18
| RE: New Truck?
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ive already put 375000 miles on my new truck that dodge gave me
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brianj
Dodge Dakota
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6/24/2007
00:21:41
| RE: New Truck?
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yea i have a 5.2 4x4 ext. cab and i like it i got 101k on it and its still a torqy machine and i plan to put another 100 on it. i also used to have a 4.7 and i liked those engines too. they are indeed fun. so like the other fella said. if it was maintained well just go for it. but if it wasnt..... you are fighting an uphill battle.
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GRETCH
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2007
12:53:51
| RE: New Truck?
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Black dak sxt, my 2003 4.7 4x4 is great. My next one will probably be another. They're pretty easy to maintain yourself. Great in the snow. No problems at all, up to 68,000 miles.
The only piece of advice I can give you is research the truck. Who owned it? Consumer? Rental agency? Some get the perception that buying a car that was a previous rental is a bad idea. If it was a consumer who had it, how do know if it was well maintained. Rental agencies are reqiured to perform all maint. at all intervals, and it's all documented if you need to see it. Get the V.I.N.# and research the hell out of it. Even though my truck only had 15,000 miles on it when I bought it, I asked for all records of service and went over them. That's probably the main reason why nothing's happened to it. Some people think i'm nuts when I tell them it was made in Canada at 4:00 P.M. on the 11th of March in 2003 that was a rental of Enterprise in Boston, Mass. Research will only help.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/28/2007
13:41:12
| RE: New Truck?
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Just wondering - Who requires rental agencies to do all service at all intervals ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GRETCH
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2007
10:37:32
| RE: New Truck?
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In mass. it's a state law, not sure about other states. A number of rental agencies do business with dealerships. The dealer will provide vehicles to the agency, when stuff needs to be fixed or maintained, it gets done at the dealership. Usually if a dealership customer needs loaner it's pulled from the rental agency.
Herb Chambers Dodge did the scheduled maint. on my truck since they dealt with Enterprise of boston.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2007
17:16:00
| RE: New Truck?
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I wouldn't buy a rental because guys like me drive them. I drive a rental fairly hard and don't worry about it. Not my truck. Other people are worse than me.
May years ago I was talking to Stan Barrett. He was a holleywood stunt man, and the driver of the Budweiser rocket car - first car to break the speed of sound. I asked him how they modified the cars used in movies. He told me they rent the cars, beat the crap out of them for the movie, then return them.
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Webtiger
GenIII
7/04/2007
00:59:25
|  RE: New Truck?
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'04 4x4 QC SXT 60,500 miles as of today. Have had ZERO problems with this truck.
I have done the regular maintance and dumped the POS OEM Goodyears @ 35,000 miles everything else about the truck has been 100% enjoyable.
Before you purchase make sure you take it over to a reputable mechanic and have them give it a close look. There was only 1 recall on the '04 year and it was really early in the cycle so most of the work was factory or caught in dealer prep/pre-delivery.
Ken Grierson
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