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Jerry
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
12:43:37
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 Subject: 5.9L quad cab
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I am considering buying the 2002 quad cab 4x4 with the 5.9L engine? I am looking for opinons and from people who actualy own one. Any help would be greatly appreciated before I spend 28K.
I am going to tow my fifth wheel trailer and boat with this truck 4 or 5 times a year. I am not worried about gas mileage, but would like to know what everybody is getting.
Thanks
Jerry
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RagTop
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
13:23:18
|  RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I've got a 2001 and love mine. I had it set up with the tow package.
I tow a 5,000 pound boat/trailer and have no problems at all. Just shift out of overdrive on the hills and in town.
Depends on terrain, but I get a good average of between 8 & 11 mpg towing the boat.
I don't know how the rig would handle with a fifth wheel - I guess it depends on the weight. I wouldn't exceed 5,000 pounds though.
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handi2
GenIII
3/14/2002
16:56:45
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I have the 02 Quad Cab w/the 4.7 liter 4x2. For a 4 wheel drive and allot of towing I would go with the 5.9
If they had a 5.9 on the lot when I bought mine that's what I would have gotten. The 4.7 is great and faster than I ever expected, but I bought mine with 0% financing and you had to pretty much only pick what they had available. At least it was fully loaded.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/handi254310/lst?.dir=/
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Access Tonnoue Cover/Bedrug/Airaid Intake/Jet Stage 2
180 Robertshaw/Roadmaster Active Suspension
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Dakaty
GenIII
3/14/2002
17:36:13
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Be sure to get the factory towing package and the 3.92 gear set for greater towing capacity.
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
17:37:30
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I've got a '00QC with 4wd, SLT pkg, 5.9 and tow pkg. I have had installed a 3" cat-back as well as installing AirAid cold air induction system and AirAid throttle body spacer. The saying '...there is no substitute for cubic inches...' is a valid one. I understand the 4.7 is a great little engine, but when it comes to torque, the 5.9 out-of-the-box is tough to beat. I tow a 16' FSC Nomad from time to time, but haven't logged fuel mileage. My normal hwy [unloaded] is 16-17 mpg and to-and-from-work-in-town is 8-10 mpg. That is about 1 mile each way which barely gets the engine warm before I have to shut it down. When I do more extended city driving it is closer to 12-13 mgp. As far as I am concerned the Dodge folks really did their homework with the Dakota. 4 Adults is a cakewalk with no discomefort from the back seat riders. I installed an Extend-a-Bed which gives me ample bed space for my needs. When I fire it up, car-folks smile 'cause it sounds good. When I step on the gas, Saki-mobile drivers bow respectfuly. All in all, the QC is a great compromise between a truck, car, SUV and 4WD vehicle. Can you tell I like mine? Get one, and I expect you won't be disappointed.
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Mykr
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2002
10:47:32
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Definately the way to go. Mine is a '01 Quad Cab with all the options 3.92 gears, AWD, and 5.9L.
If your looking at good gas mileage, well, don't. Driving habits I believe are the #1 contributor to whether or not you get decent mileage (for a Dak).
I have K&N FIPK, headers, modified throttle body, and a few other bolt on items, and my mileage is about 13.5...But my foot is in it most of the time and in Denver the Hwy speeds are about 80-85...I have noticed significant increases in MPG at 55 mph...I just don't have the patience for 55mph.
Bottom line is you'll love it, get it, and have fun... You'll have the biggest engine any truck of it's stature can offer...Just my opinion....
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asamek
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2002
15:53:43
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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You may want to think twice about pulling a 5er with your QC... IF you can even get the hitch properly installed in that extra short bed, there's a very good chance you'll impact the back of your cab in sharp turns.
Secondly, you haven't mentioned the tongue weight of your 5er, but I suspect there's a very good chance it will exceed your rear axle weight rating - or max out your payload capacity.
Just be careful!
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Exocet
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2002
17:47:35
|  RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Jerry - as far as I know, the QC isn't suited to towing a fifth wheel trailer. The fifth wheel hitch needs to be placed over the rear axle, which places it too close to the cab. As a result, your turning ability is almost nil. You need to have a 6ft or longer bed to accomodate a fifth wheel. My dad worked with a guy who had a QC and bought a fifth wheel. It didn't work. Ended up selling the Dak for a more suitable truck. A Dakota Club Cab could probably handle it, but you lose the four doors. To tow a fifth wheel and have four full-size doors you need a full-size truck with a crew cab. Check at an RV place to be sure, but I'm reasonably confident it won't work. You don't want to spend $25K+ only to find out it doesn't meet your needs.
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2002
18:17:34
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Exocet is spot on. If you read the DC propoganda book, it specifically precludes 5ers. The bed is too short to get the hitch over the axel. Now, if you were a sly engineer type and could design a cantilever 5er attachment, might work. Just a bit of physics and structural engineering involved! Then again, you could get a dragin' TT instead of your 5er, or, buy a Ram with either the deisel or V10. Whichever way, though, Good Luck!!
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JNS360
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2002
18:07:49
|  RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with the 5.9L V8 and the 3.55 rear end. I have added dual exhaust, Gibson headers and a K&N Cold Air Induction. In addition, I added Firestone Air Ride jacks on the rear with compressor and interior guage and controls for weight load leveling.
I pull a 27'6" TrailLite 5th wheel travel trailer using a Draw-Tite 11" slider 5th wheel hitch. The hitch is directly over the rear wheels. I replaced the standard 5th wheel hitch with a 9" extended 5th wheel hitch. I measured the height from the ground to the center point of the read fender well before hooking up the trailer. I then hooked the trailer up and added enough air to the air jacks to put the truck at the same height prior to hooking the trailer up (approx 52lbs). The TrailLite 5th wheel has a 960 lb hitch weight.
Works great! Have used this setup for the last 3 years, pulling every mountian pass in Colorado (Molas, Red Mountain, Coal Bank, Indenpendence, Monarch, etc.). When not hooked up to the trailer we take the truck off road for 4 wheeling. This year we ran front door for one of the jeeps in the group over Cinnimon and Engineer passes out of Silverton, Colorado.
Looking to add a 2" supension lift and skid plates for next years run. Might even go for a supercharger as well.
Dodge Power Rules!
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Hank
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
05:34:24
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Hi All. I have not joined the Dakota Quad Cab Club yet, but I am really thinking about it. I have a 2001 QC 4x4 with a 5.9 liter engine, it is still totally stock and it gets over 16 miles per gallon, which suits me. I do want to do some minor changes to improve performance though. My Dakota came loaded with all heavy duty suspension, tow package and auxillary cooling, which is a big plus. It has a lovely, comfortable, leather interior and no oned could complain about the amenities of this vehicle. I love it, as I hope this e-mail shows. I am also glad I have the 360 engine, which is tried and true and much more than a hunk of iron. I just love the driving feel of the vehicle and the ability to pull, or haul a load when necessary without overloading my truck. I have a 12' by 6' utility trailer with a 3,500 lb. axle to take care of the short bed on the quad cab. At $600.00 for the trailer new, it was a cheap and smart way of having an even larger bed for my quad cab. I can also haul my atv with ease, as well as other things and then just unhook from them. Those reviewers who made so much of the 5'3" bed being too short, simply have no imagination, or logical reasoned thought as to how we actually use a vehicle and a trailer to compensate in hauling building materials and such including top soil. Driving a truck surely does not mean you are dumb, as that reviewer's statment surely implied. Those of us with a quad cab have a solid reason to own one and we use them to fit our needs, no matter what they may be. The quad cab, with the 5.9 liter, is truly the most versatile truck I have ever owned. Best of luck to all. If any have any easy initial ideas to begin my performance changes please let me know. Thank You. Hank
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bman42
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
07:57:17
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I have a 2001 QC 4x4 SLT plus 5.9L. I wasn't sure of the 5.9L but it's a solid powerful runner. it barely works, the engine is a rock.
I highly recommend the truck. I absolutely love it.
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
11:38:58
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Hank,
Performance improvers I've tried and have found work for me on my '00 QC with 5.9 and now 31,000 miles:
3" cat-back; AirAid cold air induction; FastMan throttle body; Autolites; 180* 'stat; Superchips programmer.
Consider: headers with primary tubes no larger than 1-5/8". Blower if you've got $5-6,000 for a good one with the necessary goodies.
Stay away from big tube headers or the M1 IF you're looking for low end torque (towing, &tc.). These two are great, though, if you want to build up a Street Beast as they'll shine in the upper RPM range (at the trade-off of some low RPM performance).
These mods (with a LEER 700 tonneau) give me 18-19 MPG highway/16-17 overall trip fuel numbers with nice overall performance. Towing is in the 12+/-MPG range overall.
QC is a nice chamelion. I like mine quite well for its versatility.
Make it what you want it to be, but keep in mind it is still a 2-3/4 ton vehicle with all the 'bagage' that goes with it!!
Dave
(Doc)
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HANK
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
17:20:54
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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THANKS DAVE;
I APPRECIATE ANY HELP AND IDEAS WITH GETTING MY VENTURE GOING WITH MODIFYING MY DAKOTA QUAD CAB SLIGHTLY. YOUR IDEAS SOUND GOOD AND I WILL SURELY LOOK INTO THEM. ALWAYS NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE. PARDON THE ALL CAPS DAVE. I HAVE LIMITED USE OF MY LEFT WRIST AND HAND AT PRESENT AND I CAN'T TYPE WELL. AGAIN THANKS FOR ADVICE.
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
19:21:41
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Hank,
[sorry for the long post]
I've taken in a lot of information on this site. Most is pretty good, some is, shall we say, specific use oriented only. (Recommendation to change ring-pinion to 4.11:1 to get better acceleration without consideration that the question applied to a far more general use rig than a drag racer). So, consider well the responses to your questions. (That is why I try to put qualifiers with responses-too many variables for 'pat' answers in most cases).
So, if you plan your mods to work with one another as you can afford to do your modifications, the end product will surely please you.
Help your engine breathe easier, but remember that too easy will hurt the low end to help the high rpm end. I found that out with the M1. Great intake manifold for mid/upper rpms, but the loss of velosity of the incomming air charge hurt torque below 3,000 rpm. Above 3,000 rpm the tq and hp was significantly better than the stock 'beer-keg'. The same will happen if you install headers with primaries bigger that 1-5/8".
The Superchips programmer did a good job in revising the timing, &tc. (requires 91 octain fuel for the 'performance' timing) and helped towing power (most of the time in the 1800-2000 rpm range). I'd like to see a 5-speed auto with the 5th speed about halfway between 'drive' and overdrive. That would put tow rpm at +/- 2,000 rpm at 65 mph and great performance range for the Superchips. Note: I found the decrease in fuel consumption with the Superchips performance program to nearly offset the additional fuel cost for 'super'. The improvement in performance is worth the balance!
All in all, Hank, decide what you want the final product to be and accept the compromises that will have to be made to acheive your goals. (A Street Beast will not be an economical rig or much fun to drive for extended periods of time; a dirt cheap highway cruiser will not be a stoplight-performer). An all around decent-do truck will have things that you'd like to be better, but would degrade other aspects of your particular driving habits/conditions.
If you'd like to visit off-forum, feel free to e-mail me at pope@ci.gresham.or.us at your pleasure.
Enjoy, and until Tuesday when I return to the screen,...
Doc Dave
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MOPARornoCAR
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2004
09:38:14
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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2001 5.9 QC
them dam front end sway bar bushings.......hahahhaha
otherwise nice truck....so far?
B>
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2004
09:57:47
|  RE: 5.9L quad cab
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Well, my 01 Quad, with the 4.7 5spd, the one you have to shift yourself, good I love it, is also awesome.
With the trailer towing, HD..., yadda, yadda,
the 4.7 is also awesome, plenty of power, and doesn't even know my boat is behind it when I tow it usually. I'm getting better MPG, for about the same power, (no flame wars, mine has some mods, like HO cams, etc.)
I wonder what the 5.7 will be like in the kota, soon to come out!
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stic
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2004
23:53:35
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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well...tonite i made the jump from a long line of chevy's to the 2001 dakota quad cab w/ 5.9.it has 65k mi but super clean(could do w/out the leather)but whadda ya gonna do???)).she runs great and while i was more than a little leary on getting this truck,im liking it more and more with each drive.should i expect 10-12mpg w/ a calm foot?tomorrow ill be getting a k&n for her(1st thing i do with all my new rides)then perhaps some bosch platinums or does anyone have some better ideas?im on a budget so no ideas on cams and blowers please :)
thank you
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HANK
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2004
02:35:42
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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DEAR STIC;
PARDON THE ALL CAPS. I HAVE A DISABILITY AND MAKES IT EASIER TO TYPE. I ALSO HAVE THE SAME DAKOTA YOU HAVE. I REGULARLY GET 16-17 MILES PER GALLON THE WAY I DRIVE. THE 5.9 HAS PLENTY OF POWER TO DO MOST ANYTHING YOU DESIRE AND IT HAS MANY AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE PARTS. I LOVE THE LEATHER IN MINE. STIC, I FEEL SURE YOU WILL LOVE IT. I WAS A 30 YEAR FORD MAN UNTIL I BOUGHT THE DAKOTA AND I WOULD NOT GO BACK.
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HANK
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2004
02:51:14
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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I OWN A 2001 5.9 LITER QUAD CAB 4X4. I AM COMMENTING ON PULLING A 5TH WHEEL WITH A QUAD CAB. I DON'T SEE ENOUGH ROOM TO KEEP FROM INTERFERING WITH THE CAB ON TURNS WITH THE 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. I HAVE PULLED 5TH WHEEL CAMPERS A LOT WITH REGULAR CAB/BED PICKUPS AND ALWAYS PLACED THE PIN AT 2 INCHS FORWARD OF THE CENTER OF THE REAR AXLE. IF THIS WAS DONE WITH THE QUAD CAB, I THINK IT WOULD BE TOO CLOSE TO MANEUVER EASILY. I CAN'T ARGUE WITH THE GENTLEMAN WHO HAS DONE IT AND ALL THINGS CAN SURELY BE ENGINEERED, BUT IT SOUNDS UNSAFE TO ME. I KNOW WITH THE WEIGHT 2" AHEAD OF THE REAR AXLE, I HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THE 5TH WHEEL TO USE FOR SUPPORT IN GENERAL. I WOULD NOT WANT TO USE THE WEIGHT OF MY TRUCK TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE 5TH WHEEL PIN, IF THE PIN WAS NOT AHEAD OF THE REAR AXLE. JUST MY OPINION ABOUT FORWARD PLACEMENT OF THE 5TH WHEEL PIN AND SAFETY. NO DOUBT THE DAKOTA HAS THE POWER TO PULL THE 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, HANK.
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stic
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2004
07:28:38
| RE: 5.9L quad cab
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i woke up this morning and went out to see if my truck was still in my garage,(its a new thing,im sure itll pass)started her up and the check engine light came on and stayed.ill be taking the truck up to the dealer this morning.i put only 10 mi on her.i hope this isnt an indication on how this is gonna be.
keepin ya posted.....
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