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Hiflyinav8r
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2008
12:15:08
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 Subject: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I am thinking about buying a 2000 Dodge dakota quad cab SLT w/ a 4.7 litre engine, I have been reading about internet horror stories about the 4.7, horrendous gas mileage, sludge build up, very expensive to repair. It is a 4x2 with 67,000miles. I dont plan on towing anything and I have a 30mile round trip to work. Can someone give me the straight skinny on this truck?
Tanks in advance
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
3/16/2008
12:36:56
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Internet Horror stories?
This is a fairly popular forum, and you'd have to dig deep to find problems with that engine.
There is no sludge build up.
But in colder climate you will get some condsensation (water vapor from the air) mixing with the oil in the top of your oil filler cap. It would look like a milk shake. It doesn't hurt anything and the reason it does it there is because the oil filler neck is PLASTIC and doesn't heat up enough from the engine and condensation forms there where it is cooler.
It just looks bad when you open the cap. Inside the engine is fine. It is also worse for people just take short trips where the engine doesn't heat up as much.
I'm in Arizona. I don't have the problem at all and never will.
Gas Mileage can suck on ANY V8 Dakota simply because people like to use the power. But that 4.7 should be the most efficient of the 3 V8's if you drove it for MPG.
The engine parts are a little more expensive for certain things. But sometimes people find good deals and even complate engines from junk yard cars. The only time any MEMBER of the forums have needed a 4.7 engine is when they have blown them up from an accident with a turbo charger. Two guys that I know of. One never frequents this forum, one does sometimes. The one that has come here lives here locally and I've met him a few times. He's pushed that engine HARD.
I push my engine pretty hard too. It's a 2003 with 60k miles now. I run it close to 7k RPM's fairly regularly. No problems yet.
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Blackmtrsport
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2008
10:47:36
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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My 01 is a 5 speed stick and 80,000 miles. I romp on it every day. Still running strong with no problems. Tows well also. Its a good solid engine.
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Hiflyinav8r
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2008
11:20:28
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Thanks very much for the useful info
that put my mind at ease!
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/17/2008
11:25:22
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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My '00 4.7 has been a great truck since the day I got it. Running synthetic oil, I don't see the filler neck condensation, and I'm in New England. The horrendous gas milage is a myth, unless you believe some fairy tale that a v8 truck should get milage like a Honda Accord. I consider 15 mpg pretty good for a truck that can work as hard as I work mine. Dig deep enough, and you'll find crazy horror stories about any make or model.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Lee
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2008
13:39:26
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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My 2000 Dakota 4.7 2WD Club Cab is about to turn 90,000 miles. The problems I have had with the truck to date are:
Factory front brakes needed to be replaced at 30,000 miles. New Bendix pads and rotors are still good after 60,000.
The right front hub has needed to be replaced twice due to worn bearings. The hub costs around $70 and is easily replaced by removing a single large nut. The left front hub is still the original, I have no idea why the right one has gone out twice. The problem is easy to detect; jack up the wheel, give it a push/pull. If there's play, the bearings might be bad.
The Check Engine light came on around 50,000 miles. I read the code, which turned out to be a bad oxygen sensor. I bought a new one at Autozone for ~$70, borrowed their tool set, and replaced it. I reset the computer and all has been well ever since.
All four ball joints were replaced due to a well publicized defect. A couple of them were clunking before the job was done. You will want to make sure this was done on the truck you are looking at, as it can be a safety issue.
The air conditioning needs to be recharged every other year. No one ever finds a leak, but it loses efficiency after a couple years.
I have had to replace the battery twice. Both times, I went to start the truck and the battery was just dead. Each battery has lasted 3-4 years.
I have had to put a few sets of tires on the truck. I have a limited slip rear differential, which chews tires up when accelerating around corners.
Everything else has been regular maintenance. There have been no issues with the engine or transmission. Knock on Wood!
The worst gas mileage I have recorded is 12.5 MPG(heavy traffic, heavy right foot). The best is 21 MPG on a long highway trip at 65-70 MPH. Typical combined city / highway is 14-15 MPG. Keep your foot out of it, the mileage improves.
Lee
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2008
16:40:19
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Bought my 2000 4.7 liter 4X4 new.
Avg MPG is 13-15 depending on where I am driving, my only complaint.
Strong engine...did replace an o2 sensor, battery, brakes, tune up...but nothing major.
You will find horror stories with many makes and models but overall I am satisfied.
Just keep up on the maintenance!
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4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2008
18:31:18
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I bought my 2000 Dakota 4.7 4x4 club cab in 2005 with 98,000 miles on it. Things that have been fixed or replaced are..... intermediate steering shaft, both tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, both brake calipers and pads, new set of 31x10.50x15 BFG all terrains, just replaced all the fluids....front diff, rear diff, transfer case, tranny, oil & filter and a coolant flush, a PCV valve and oh yeah, one turn signal bulb! A/C compressor was squeeling last summer so I had that replaced. Bought one online and had my nephew install it and charge it. Also had a dual exhaust put on it a few months ago. It now has 130,000 miles on it and I am going to be pulling a 5100 pound 30 foot travel trailer with it this summer. Towed it home at the end of February and it pulled it with ease. I had to let it rev up near 3500-4000 RPM but it seemed to have the most power in that RPM range. Before I bought this truck I obviously took it for a test drive. After I babied it for a few miles I got right into it and immediately thought back to my 1985 Pontiac Trans Am 5.0 that I had when I was younger. Awesome power, awesome truck and would buy another one any day!
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Steve Hiltpol
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
06:31:07
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I have a 2000 Dakota with 4.7 engine and have 123,000 miles on it. My average is 18 mpg consistently. Only problem I have had is to replace the AC compressor.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
10:33:09
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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HyFlyin,
Pretty much what's been said, by Graphite, and others.
This is one of the better engineered engines EVER built.
My 01, Quad Cab, 4.7, manual tranny, etc., etc.
has over 137,000 miles on it.
NO internal engine problems, not one, and I've even installed the HO cams about 6 years ago myself.
If you're buying used however, unless you know the person, you always gamble on how they did maintenace, Oil changes, etc. This has a major impact on the life of a motor.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
19:55:26
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I agree with others but will even expand on it a little. The magnum engines are in my opinion some of the best engine series ever. I had a 95 3.9 and now have a 02 4.7.
95 went about 170k before I traded it in on my 02. I'm an avid fisherman and TU volunteer. I drive my truck in some of the harshest conditions. It's highway (65-70 speed limit) and state road (55 mph) for about an hour then primary roads for half hour (speed limit 55) then gravel/dirt/mud/streams crossing/rocks for anywhere from 10-60 minutes driving less than 20 mph, often 10 or less.
I wore out a set of front shocks in about 20-25k miles. My skid plates get a good work out.
4.7 has much less sludge buildup than 3.9 did. Even on a long slow driving fishing trip I still get 13.5 mpg or better. I have a loaded tool box in the bed and a fiberglass shell. With me alone my truck weighs in near 5500 lbs. 13+ mpg is awesome for the speeds and weight my truck lugs around easily.
current 02 has about 87500 miles. I've never had any major issues with either truck.
love my dakota, love the magnum engine.
Especially since I had my flowmaster installed, I like to rev it high and hear it switch gears and accelerate. Nice not having a redline on the tac :)
I have nothing but good things to say about my dodge vehicles.
do your regular maintenance you'll be at least as happy as the rest of us.
- Dan M
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
20:12:01
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Mine has held up well, considering that I rape everyday. I rape my truck just like a little boy. Which are my favorites.
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fgaffer
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
21:24:48
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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02 4x4 qc 4.7 93000. I dont think you'll fine a better pickup.and the power of the 4.7 that could move your house.
PS. thanks you "all" for your great input on this web site. Fgaffer
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HELP
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2008
22:05:31
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Texas todd, did you meed RACE !
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Hiflyinav8r
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2008
09:28:51
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I am glad I found this forum on the web;
I have got to hear from a lot of people who are educated with this particular truck, this has been a wealth of information. I know where to go for info and concerns on this vehicle.
Thanks again for all those who replied to my post.
Hiflyinav8r
Long Island
New York
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2008
12:34:18
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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nope I did mean rape.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2008
17:28:40
|  RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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When you see a post by the idiot that is spamming me, and it reads as if a 7th grader wrote it,
It's not from me.
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Just Wonderin
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2008
17:58:16
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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I just wonder which one of TexasTodds personalities likes little boys. Nothing like some one who rattles their one chain.
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Amberfirekoda
Dodge Dakota
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3/22/2008
20:00:47
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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Hey guys I have a 2000 dakota with the 4.7 and im trying to get the shift point raised because someone if outfitting it with a custom procharger setup and I want to get all the power out of it. Current mods are crane 212x cam, high flow cat, 4.11, h.o intake manifold, airaid intake, bbk 70mm, gibson headers, superchips and a H.O crank pulley. All input will be appreciated thanks
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NEP01
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2008
20:49:46
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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The 4.7 is an amazing engine!!! I tore mine down at 80,000 miles after a little too much Nitrous and besides the cylinder that I hurt, the other 7 looked brand new, not even a minor scratch!! I have always run the truck hard and never had any issues. Now I am building the motor and doing an STS turbo setup with SCT tuning for around 500 rear wheel horses.... Also to Amberfiredakota... SCT tuning is the answer for all your tuning issues with that truck, including tuning for boost. I am a custom tuning dealer, as well as an STS turbo dealer and am using these products on my 4.7. SCT gives us full control over EVERY parameter, transmission included.
Jason
www.NeverEnoughPerformance.com
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Ambrfrkoda
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2008
21:42:39
| RE: Buying a 2000 Dodge Dakota w/ 4.7 engine
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LOL im going to sts also for the addition of power we all seek because the guy quoted me 9000 dollars for a procharger setup. regarding that sct tuner if im already synced with a superchips controller can i still hook up to a sct?
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