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Bud
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2002
13:39:42
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 Subject: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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Does anyone know if the All-Wheel Drive feature will be available in with either V-8 option in the 2003 Dakota four-door?
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2002
22:30:08
|  RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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I want you to consider a few things about AWD first. Most AWD systems are not as good as partime system in terms of performance. AWD sytems tend to cut into gas millage and tire life even with the best systems. AWD systems are seldom built any sturdier then partime systems and in alot of cases they are weaker but are required to do at least 30% but sometimes as much as 70 % more total run time then part time unit. The chance of breakage increases as total hours of usage goes up. You have more things to break or wear out. While I know that this probably is not an issue with the current 7 year 70,000 mile warranty but if you think you wil exceede the 70,000 before 7 years is up it is worth considering. They have realy made partime systems user friendly. All you have to do is twist a knob from inside the cabin. If this is a grocery getter for the wife I say right on but if you plan on doing any hardcore wheeling the AWD will disapoint you. If you plan on owning for along time the potential cost to repair AWD will be higher.
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2002
23:20:42
| RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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To answer the question at hand yes you can get the awd in any 4x4 Dakota for an extra $395 MSRP. A different comment on the 2003s is that the regualr tire size on the 4x4's (even those with tire and handling package or "Plus" packages is a 245/75/16. You have to specifically pay $105 more to get the 265/70/16's that used to be standard with the 16" wheels. The dealer here has 8 new 2003 quad SLT+'s on the lot and all have the girly 245's, guess he didn't know about the new "option".
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Mike Galeoto
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2002
02:45:36
|  RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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Message:
I am driving a 2002 AWD Sport R/T Quad Cab
that was built just 5 months ago. The AWD
option in 2003 will be the standard. By mid
season you won't be able to find any regular
4x4 systems on the Dakotas. Mine has the
265/70/16 and I can't spin a tire on any corner.
I did not want AWD originally but, in a snowy
area like Reno, NV it will be nice in the wet
and snow.
Don't worry all the Jeeps have been using this
system for decades with small improvements
made and learned by them. It takes off the
line really hard. Go get one....
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2002
18:32:02
|  RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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Mike the fact that jeap has been useing a similar system for a long time is what scares me off!!! If I had a dollar for ever stuck jeep I see with the Quad-dra-drive system in the winter or the spring I could pay my for a that custom turbo package that Bernd is putting together!!! I think one thing that Dodge did that was smart was to give you the option of useing the system like a partime system with out the automatic torgue biasing. The older jeep system used torque biasing so if you lost tracton to front or rear wheels or lifted a tire you where stuck. This new system seems alot better from what I ahve read but I have not tested one yet. I just know that the more parts you have the more to break!!! So far I have never lost control of my truck unless I wanted to and I can turn that knob when ever I need to preety simply.
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Doug T.
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2002
20:11:08
| RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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Bud,
I have an AWD QC and wish I didn't have the AWD feature. Even in the best possible conditions I only get 15.5-16 mpg. My friend with an identical truck with the shiftable t-case gets close to 20, she says. I pull things like boats and snowmobiles often and would be more than happy to take two additional seconds to pull a ever or turn a knob in exchange for the increased milage the other 95% of my driving. It does get a hell of a grip and I've never spun a tire. My opinion is go for the increased mileage and tire life. What is a second or two worth in the grand scheme of things?
Doug
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2002
13:10:29
| RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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The AWD is still listed as an option on the 2003 pricing information and the Jeep's quadradrive is different the standard AWD system used in the Jeeps (quadratrack). If the Jeeps with quadradrive are getting stuck it is because of a failure of the quadradrive system as it is one of the most capable AWD off-road systems ever. You can put 3 wheels on glaze ice and one tire on good pavement and it will transfer all power to the one good tire. I have heard of problems back in 99 when it first came out but I do beleive Jeep has fixed it. There are 2 other quadratrack systems in the jeeps a full time AWD and an AWD that can still be put in 2wd. The difference in the jeep system and the Dakota system that is capable of 2wd is that the Jeep system CAN run in 4wd mode all the time on dry pavement if you want where the Dakota system will burn up. It's too bad they don't offer more options on the Dakotas like on the Jeep.
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JP
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2002
23:13:32
| RE: AWD in 2003 V-8 Quad Cab
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Doug, I have an '01 CC with AWD. I consistently get as good fuel economy as people with PT 4 wd (19 to 21 mpg). Poor fuel economy is due to some other cause. Keep in mind also that AWD can be shifted to locked center just like PT. On wet pavement when it is not good to use PT, AWD delivers improved traction and handling. Anyway, I am sold on it.
JP
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