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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:00:58
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 Subject: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Hey guys,
I am about to purchase a 1999-2001 Dodge Dakota V8. I am an avid car enthusiast, however, this will be my first domestic V8 vehicle - and my very first truck at that.
I was looking for a 5 speed V8 truck, but unfortunately the V8 dakota only comes in automatic.
I was also wondering about the differences in the years and performance / options on these trucks. It seems like the engines have different displacements throughout the years. I am shopping for a 1999-2001 model year, which one is the best - most performance? I noticed they come with different rears - which one is the best? (Not planning on doing major towing, except a small boat).
Thanks guys, I am a newbie, but hope to learn more about this truck and make the right purchase in a week or two.
THANKS!
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chris
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:06:45
|  RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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You can choose between the 4.7 liter and the 5.9 liter. The 5.9 is a little more power and a little worse gas milage. The 4.7 is a very peppy engine with a tad bit better gas milage. I myself own a 4.7 liter. With a little bit of money dropped into it. 300 for exhaust, and 55 for air intake. It is just as bad as a 5.9. It just depends on how much you want to spend. Also, are you looking for a club cab, regular cab, or a quad cab?
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:17:04
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I need a smaller version, so reg. cab.
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R/T dude
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:31:44
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I own a 5.9 liter with a 3.92 gear...but to answer your question, I think the 4.7 does have an optional 5 speed tranny if I;m not mistake. If you go with the 5.9 I suggest u get a '99 or 2000. Mopar has PCMs available that boost up the hp a bit but if u get a 01 and later, a "flash" is needed to boost the PCM....and it isnt as cheap as the PCM. Both motors are strong, although the 4.7 is all aluminum which I like....just my 2 cents, happy hunting!
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:42:20
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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What are the power differences between the 4.7 and 5.9. A mopar friend of mine, tells me that the automatic tranny in that truck is MUCH better than a 5spd.
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R/T Dude
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:44:31
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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a 4.7 has 235 hp and the R/T model 5.9 has 250 hp
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:45:44
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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5.9 Just sounds like it will be so bad ass to have.
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R/T dude
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
22:47:32
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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yeah i have one and dont regret it at all...supercharger, headers, Holley TB, M1 manifold, etc, etc....it will definitely haul
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notchlx
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
23:56:12
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Don't want to spark up a debate on the 4.7/5.9 deal, just want to throw some figures around.
The 4.7 is available with a 5-spd tranny.
In my opinion the 5-spd rocks. No granny shifting, the clutch is very smooth, yet grabs hard.
I have a regular cab 4.7 with the 3:92 rears, it averages 18-22mpg...I do have a heavy foot too.
The truck is very fun to drive, and it's only mod now is a Flowmaster muffler. It turns 14.8's @ 91mph in the 1/4...
Whichever you would choose, you will enjoy....
Good Luck
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
08:05:31
|  RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Mike A,
Please do some more research on this topic.
Where did you hear that a v8 Dakota only comes in auto? If that was the case I NEVER would have bought one! Now it's true the current single cam, 360Ci (5.9) only comes in an auto. The newer generation 4.7 (1.2 liters less displacement), only puts out 10 less HP., But when you dyno 'em, even with autos, they run about the same RWHP.
Whatever you decide, enjoy, and, find some more 'Mopar friends', before you make a decision about auto vs. manual.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
09:21:53
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I agree, test drive the 4.7 5-speed and you will buy one, that is if you can find one.. I had to drive a 6er 5-speed then a 4.7 with auto so that I would know if that is what I wanted to special order!!!
But yes it is worth it and have fun Bud.
Chris
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
12:43:12
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I've got a '00 4.7L Club Cab 2wd 5spd w/3.92's. Best engine i've ever had in a truck. 18-22mpg is about right. The 5spd is fantastic though a 6spd would be pretty cool. Just dreaming.
My mods are:
68mm Fastman TB
360intakez
180 t-stat
3923's
Carsound 2.5" Free-flow Cat
Magnaflow muffler will be ordered today.
After that probably a hurst shifter w/ t-handle just because it looks cool.
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
12:47:32
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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That is exactly the information I needed, I will be hunting down a 5spd 4.7L next week - I hope I get lucky - sounds like they are extremely rare.
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
13:01:31
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I had to order mine. When I bought mine though there was an Reg. Cab version of my truck but I wanted the extra space of the Club Cab. I sometimes kick myself over the decision but I use that extra cab quite a bit.
You won't regret the 5spd.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
13:07:37
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I too had to special order mine, so good luck. The dealer was able to locate only 1 in NE when I was looking but it didn't have all the options I wanted. You will love the 5-speed.
Chris
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KotaRT13
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
13:51:15
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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well, i ust thought i would throw in some info about the r/t model, just incase, seeing as there wasnt much...
i own a 99 rc r/t, with a couple of mods...
i picked up mine for $12k with about 40k miles, awesome deal...
i love my truck, i wouldnt purchase any other brand except dodge. as for time's, i havent ran mine at the track yet, but as far as racing, it hangs well with all the high power sports cars...
i get an average of 16mpg, thats about 50/50 highway/city driving.
if you are looking for the soul purpose of performance, i would say a RC would be your best bet. people seem to condescend on the auto tranny, its really not that bad, especially with the stock 392's pushing it...
good luck!
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Nood1z
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
13:57:39
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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AMEN to that Kota. I love my 99 R/T
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
14:11:12
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I am shopping for a used truck, so I would have to locate it, not custom order it :(
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
14:14:29
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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If you are financing your dak you may not pay much more for a new one with all of the deals right now... something to consider...
Chris
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
20:37:52
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Hey Guys!!! I just wanted to add that I have the a 2001 Dak QC 4x4 with 4.7 and auto trans. I hate automatics for the most part but my wife really wanted one. To date I have not been beat buy any other truck on the raod with my 4.7 and Auto trans. So far the only race I have lost was too a V8 North Star powered Aurora. I pas when I went and never have to worry about haveing enough power. I would have loved a stick. My truck is completly stock other then all synthetic fluids! Do not let anyone fool you the 4.7 is a kick ass motor. I would not have bought a Dodge if not for the new 4.7!!!!
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
20:38:38
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Hey Guys!!! I just wanted to add that I have the a 2001 Dak QC 4x4 with 4.7 and auto trans. I hate automatics for the most part but my wife really wanted one. To date I have not been beat buy any other truck on the raod with my 4.7 and Auto trans. So far the only race I have lost was too a V8 North Star powered Aurora. I pas when I went and never have to worry about haveing enough power. I would have loved a stick. My truck is completly stock other then all synthetic fluids! Do not let anyone fool you the 4.7 is a kick ass motor. I would not have bought a Dodge if not for the new 4.7!!!!
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
20:57:16
|  RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Thanks for double posting - I guess you really mean what you say :)
On a sidenote, I did notice that there are GREAT deals out there, 0 apr and etc. I *may* consider getting new, but thats a long stretch.
Once again guys, thanks.
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
21:21:03
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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The R/T has a bunch more torque then the 4.7 (50 ft-lbs), and 20 more HP according to 2001 information. The 5.9 in the quad cab has less power then the R/T's 5.9 and maybe that's where somebody got the 10 HP difference. The 5 speed's low 1st gear ratio on the 4.7 helps make up for the lower torque through gear multiplication, and the 5 speed has less drivetrain loss which helps make up for the lower HP as well. So equally prepared with 3.92 gears and limited slip rear end the 4.7 5-speed and a R/T are neck and neck in the 1/4 mile. The R/T outhandles a stock 4.7 bigtime, but the R/T is only rated with a 2000 pound towing capasity where the 4.7 with 3.92's is good for over 6000 pounds (it's all about the lowered suspension of the R/T.) The motor mods are more plentiful and less expensive on the R/T as well. I think the 4.7 is in a "hotter" state of tune from the factory compared to a R/T and therefore the R/T responds more to a similar mod. Try WWW.autotrader.com advanced search where you can at least search for a v-8, 5-speed, 2wd which will help you find the rarer 2wd 4.7 5-speed setup. R/T's are pretty easy to find and are pretty inexpensive considering. With current rebates you can order a brand new 2003 RC sport with the 4.7/5-speed/3.92 gears and limited slip for about $15,500, 2003 R/T's start about $19,500 but you get a bunch of extras for that price compared to the sport.
Oh by the way... my 2000 R/T is for sale. I want $14,000, it has 17,000 miles on it and is still under factory warranty. It's in great shape, needs only rear tires, and they only supposedly made 5, 2000 RC R/T's in the yellow. It's only major option besides the R/T package is A/C, HD service group, and a bedliner. The only mods are professional dark tinted windows and a Mopar Performance PCM (engine computer). Check it out at http://www.rockymountainmusic.net/kota.html
Sorry for pushing the R/T, I think either a 4.7 5-speed or a R/T will make you plenty happy.
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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2002
01:42:01
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Mike.... 0% on the 2003 models or rebates, 2002 models are a bit different, with dealer cash instead of rebates/incentives. If you live near Northern California, I may be able to find one for you, I work for a dealer. It took me a loooong time to find my 2002 4.7 club cab 5-speed, but it's worth the wait. I got 18mpg on the last tank, that had 4 runs down the 1/4 mile on it :-)
R/Trottmann
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2002
08:42:22
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Not a problem Mike!!! Always happy to double post. Actualy my computer behaves strangely at this site. It does this every once in a while. I will click the post now button and I will leave to do something else. So when I come back and see that it has not posted it I will click it again. Next thing you know it has gone through just fine and a double post is born.
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Mike A.
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2002
09:14:38
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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I am in Washington DC, it's only a short couple-a-day drive to Cali :).
I am going to check out some trucks next weekend around here, maybe I will be in luck or maybe I will just get a Ford. KIDDING! :)
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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2002
11:43:19
| RE: About to purchase a V8 Dakota, need help
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Just remember, dealerships can get onto dealerconnect.com and search for a truck... it's really really easy. Some dealerships (especially huge ones) refuse to dealer trade though.
Good luck, if you have any questions about how to deal with a vulture salesman like me just ask :-)
R/Trottmann
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