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GreyDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
00:24:24
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 Subject: 4.7 Manual?
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I was at the local dealer this weekend and he said that I wouldn't get the chance to test drive a 2003 4.7 5 speed manual because they never order them from the factory with anything but the auto. I really had gotten myself psyched for the manual, but I'm pretty apprehensive about buying anything, especially a manual tranny, without testing it out first. Any current 4.7 manual owners that can give me some info? Any suggestions on how I should handle the situation? And anybody that's test driven both the manual and auto let me know what they think. Thanks!
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Todd W
GenIII
11/18/2002
00:32:58
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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I didn't test drive my Manual before I got it either, there weren't any within a 2-hour radius. They had to ship mine in from Kentucky or something. Anyway, the Auto's are ok. But if you enjoy driving sticks, they are just going to leave you wanting. I think the 4.7L (at least in 2000 it did) uses the same NV3500 trannie that my 3.9L uses. It's not bad, has a pretty long throw though. I stuck a Hurst Shifter on it, and that helped. For the first 15000 miles or so it was pretty notchy, but it's broken in nicely and seems to be pretty firm. I've no complaints! The clutch isn't too stiff either.
Hope that helps, and let us know what you get! I personally think a 4.7L stick would be the way to go! Considering it's the biggest engine you can get in the Dakota with a stick... which sucks, but hey, there is always hope for a GenIV 5.7L Hemi 6-speed!
"I think I hit my excitement threshold about ten minutes ago..."
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BAE984
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
00:43:23
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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That's kind of funny, because I found my Dak (a QC at that) on a lot. It WAS used, but still, it was quite a rarity, especially on the QC. Anyway, I'm happy with mine. It's by far the best driving manual I've driven yet (which really isn't saying much). I think if you're getting the 4.7 and want the most performance, definitely get the manual. The 4.7 really likes to wind out a bit, and a auto hurts that a little. I've ridden in a 4.7 auto Durango, and it just didn't have nearly what my QC has.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/18/2002
01:31:03
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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I was relatively new to sticks when I got my truck. Luckily I was able to test a stick under the 3.9L. Super easy to learn. The only thing I don't like is it's a long throw stock. I plan on going to a hurst short throw to help it a bit. I mean, it's no Z3, it does have a truck-like shift to it. However, that's not a terribly bad thing. I say, get it manual, you can not go wrong. It makes the vehicle so much more fun to drive.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
08:32:29
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Yeah get the 5spd. My '00 4.7L has a 5spd. No complaints except for the long throw. No big deal...its a truck. So it shifts like a truck. I've had a nissan 5spd truck that shifted the same. Anyhow...go with the 5spd. You won't regret it.
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hh
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
10:20:24
|  RE: 4.7 Manual?
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I have a 4.7 5-speed RC short Motorsports with a 3:92 posi. I fell in love with it the first mile I drove it. It gets 18-19 mpg and can drop most of the stuff on the highway. I thought I had the itch for a 2003 R/T since the interest rates were so low. After about 5 miles on a curvy road with the automatic hunting up and down for the right gear,I was sorely missing my manual. I took the R/T back to the dealer and never looked back. I have heard a few horror stories about the new 5-speed auto on the 4.7. Anyway, do like I did if you can't find one locally, and go to Dodge.com and do dealer search/ new inventory. If they are a Five Star dealer you can find one. A manual transmission connects the driver to the vehicle. If you don't have a bad right arm and left leg, GO FOR IT!!
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
11:36:53
|  RE: 4.7 Manual?
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GET THE REAL 5spd- the manual!!!!!!!!
At the end of April 2002, I completely schreaded out my left knee on my sailboat (triple ligament damage), drove my Dak 5 spd a few days later, before and after surgery. Am I macho, no, it's just that easy to drive!
I still say that the 5 spd autos, HAVE 4 FORWARD GEARS, and another 2nd used on downshifts. But that was another thread. It's not a 5spd auto, it's a tranny with 5 gears, 4 of them used to go forward in sequence.
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
11:53:13
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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i defiantly suggest it. I found my 287 5 speed RC 3.92 LSD on the lot. i test drove it and new i had to have it. I really dont think it has long throws, but thats probably becasue i'm used to driving dump trucks and tractors.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/18/2002
12:43:28
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Be sure you get the 3.92 gear upgrade while you're at it!
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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GreyDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
14:06:52
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Well obviously the consensus is that I should go for the manual. I already checked with the five star dealers in the city and they couldn't find any within 3 hours. I guess around here the people like the simplicity of an auto.
I'm probably gonna go for the 3.92 ratio also. I remember reading a post buy somebody that said it was either "clunky" or "jerky", can't remember which he said, with the manual and 3.92 combo. Anybody know anything about that? Thanks for the info guys!
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CW
GenIII
11/18/2002
14:40:56
|  RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Why not just order one?
4.7 HO, CW style
2001 4.7 5sp 3.92 LSD
Ported 68mm TB, IAT adjuster, 3" flowmaster cat back, TPS @ .76V, 4" Z-tube, Roadmaster active suspention, Removed Third cat, Electric fan Convertion, HO cams, Robert shaw 180 therm, HO intake manifold.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/18/2002
14:48:10
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Jerky, not really, unless he's talking about when your head is pushed back to the seat when you accelerate ;)
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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GreyDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
14:55:55
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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CW, I think the dealer's shy away from ordering the manual around here out of fear that they won't be able to sell it unless I'm the one buying. Don't really know what their problem is, but unless I want to go with an online site, I don't have that many other options as to who I deal with.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/18/2002
15:00:44
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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That's a bunch of crap, never be afraid to fly/drive down somewhere to get a vehicle. There are plenty of dealers who will give you invoice and order the vehicle you want.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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GreyDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
15:06:04
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Might not be a bad idea xplikt. Minneapolis is about a 4 hour drive, which really isn't that bad when I think about it. Especially just to make sure that a manual is what I want, since I'm gonna be driving the thing for probably near 10 years. Thanks for the whomp upside the head, hehe.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
15:11:35
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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In my case I had driven an auto and KNEW that I wanted a manual. I had one special ordered through a fleet dealer. Didn't sign, or pay, anything until after I had taken it for a test drive (and lit the tires up w/ 4 miles on the odometer). Find someone with a fleet dealer that will work with you. They're used to ordering up something for a customer, and have a but slimmer markups because they don't haggle, they make it up in volume.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/18/2002
15:47:36
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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No haggle buying seems to be the hot ticket now. Up here in the Northwest, a dealer by the name of Dave Smitch is very well known for it's no hassle buying of Dodges, Chryslers, and GMs.
STORY TIME!
When the second generation 4-Runners came out, my parents wanted one. He went to the local dealer in El Paso and not only did they want a huge amount for them (thank you dealer markup), but they also had only a set type of them, he had no decisions. He had like two to choose from. he called a few places untill he found the one he wanted for the price he wanted doen around Ft. Worth area, flew down, got it and drove it back. He drove it by the dealer to shove it in their face.
He also did that with our 1995 GMC 1500.
I did that with my 2002 Dodge Dakota. 3.5 hour trip each way to where I got mine from.
Use your local dealer for test drives only, if they are a$sholes. Then go elsewhere to buy the vehicle :)
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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ChasE
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
20:21:17
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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When the 02s were offered a $2000 rebate, I decided I wanted a 4.7/5-speed in a fairly plain little regular cab. I called my local dealer and asked him to locate one. He did (about 4 hours away). The sticker was $18,300 with A/C and cruise control. I told him I wanted to pay $1000 less than sticker AND get my $2000 rebate for a purchase price of $15,300 and he did it. He had the truck brought up, detailed, and I bought it with 256 miles on the odometer at his place. I love it, Patriot blue paint and all.
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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
22:48:02
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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First, fleet managers don't haggle because they have different pay scales. Also, it's worth the drive, get what you want. About the 3.92s... great option, only $40 more! BUT, are they really that much better in performance to justify the worse gas mileage? Hmmm....
Again, go in to your dealership, say you want to special order one, if they give you crap, take a drive to a real dealer (like me in Cali! :-)
$1000 below sticker on a Dakota is about $1300 in profit for a fleet manager.
R/Trottmann
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Todd W
GenIII
11/18/2002
22:53:56
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Only reason I can see the 5-speed 3.92 being 'klunky' and 'jerky' is because it's going to have one wicked-short first gear. I have 3.55s on my 3.9L and I rarely use 1st gear unless I'm towing something, there isn't a lot of point to it...
Yeah, 4.7L 5-speed is the way to go. Probally what I'll do after I graduate and get a job.
"I think I hit my excitement threshold about ten minutes ago..."
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Funkycheeze
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
03:05:41
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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yeah, the first gear on the 5spd with a 4.7 and 3.92 rear end is almost useless - its too easy to loose the back end, and you shift into second almost immediately
so you just start in second all the time unless you want a good launch to embarass a ricer or if you are towing a trailer
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
12:23:28
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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well i did the whole 2nd gear start thing on my first clutch, now I always start in first... clutch is lasting much better... as for the 5-spped, I drove a 6 with the stick and an 8 with the auto and had to have the best from each... i drove abotu 8 trucks to get my option lsit the way i wanted it, told the dealer i wanted to pay invoice no more and special order it... deal was done and 4 weeks later i was a HAppy man...
Chris
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
12:35:32
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Now I'm thinking about KEEPING my 3.55 gears, especially with the HO cams!
01, QC, 4.7, 5spd, hocams, etc.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/19/2002
12:41:57
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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First gear is fun, what's with you people. So it winds out at 25mph -- and that's pushing it to higher rpm -- big deal, lol.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
13:04:53
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Had an olds acheva that revved out much sooner (no tach) but literaly you shifted that thing at 10 mph (middle of an intersection).. it sucked... 25MPH is pretty good, the hardest part at that pont is to keep the truck going straignt after teh shift to second....
Chris
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
13:22:05
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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I only use 1st for highway accident traffic and towing. Otherwise forget about it.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/19/2002
13:25:01
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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25 is when you take it to like 5 grand, so it's not that great.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
13:37:29
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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5 grand... that is where i do 40% of my shifting, I do 50% at 4000-4750ish and the remaining 10% below 4000... I like how it sounds at those RPM's...
Chris
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xplikt
GenIII
11/19/2002
13:45:39
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Oh..
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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GreyDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/19/2002
16:25:20
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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Well, right now I drive an '87 Ranger 5 speed without a tach, so even knowing what RPM I'm at will be a nice change of pace! It does teach you to really listen and feel the engine though.
Of course for all I know, I could be redlining the poor girl when I'm driving down the interstate. Ya see, I live in North Dakota, and we have an abundance of three things.
1. Cows (more cows than people)
2. Umm... dirt? Yeah, good dirt...
3. Wind, a ton of it
Without all the hills to stop wind, it really gets going around here. So the ole Ranger doesn't exactly like to maintain that 75mph on the interstate when she's going against the 30 or 40 mph winds, especially in overdrive... So, I'll admit, I shift her down to four and put it to the floor (and have to keep it there if the wind is strong enough). Oh well, she's 16 years old, she's gonna be replaced soon.
I guess the point of the rambling is, a tachometer will be nice, but as a salute to my ole girl, I'll be sticking with the old reliable manual. That and the woman can't drive a stick either, hehe.
P.S. One of the dealer's around here is still giving me hell, tells me to call back an hour later to talk about maybe ordering a manual in the hopes that I'll buy it, then when I do, he's with another client. So I looked around and found a local chrysler deal that is a fleet supplier, so hopefully I'll have better luck with him. Thanks for the advice guys! Oh, and the Ranger needs to be shifted at 15, 25, and 45. Just for comparisons sake, so don't complain about a quick first gear! Hehehe.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
16:55:03
| RE: 4.7 Manual?
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I'd like a LOWER first gear myself. I have the 3.55 and on occasion do 1-5 upshifts skipping 2,3, and 4. Just let it rev to 5,500 from a stop sign, shift into 5th at 30-35MPH, and let it roll at traffic speed (usually 40-45). I'd like the ability to creep at 2-3MPH instead of 5.
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