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mattj
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
15:05:57
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 Subject: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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I am thinking of buying a Dodge Dakota and I would like to know what troubles to look out for. I have read some threads on bad transmissions and other stuff and I am not sure I want to do it. I love the looks of these trucks. I've been eyeing up a 98 Dakota 4X4 Ext. cab, sport,5.2lt auto with 85,000 miles. The dealer is asking $8,500.00 and thats about the most I want to spend right now. Are these good trucks or not? There won't be any warrenty with the truck but it is very well taken care of.I just don't want something that I am going to have troubles with. Can any one give there opinion on the Dakota? Also how do these compaire to a S10 with the 4.3 Vortec?
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Dodge This
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
15:46:00
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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The S10 can suck it, the Dakota is a wicked truck, it rides awesome, few mods and it flys, I recommend it. Plus it looks wicked.
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mattj
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
16:11:29
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Thanks! I love the looks and V8 of the Dakota and I have always liked Dodge. I would like more input on how dependable the 5.2 auto Dakota is. The Dakota I'm looking at already has 85k. I have seen alot of chevys with 200k+ running great, never rebuilt. But I want a Dakota. How many miles are these trucks known to be good for? I can't afford a low milage truck at this time (saving for house). What kind of MPG can I expect? As far as mods I would start with a good exhaust system, maybe magnaflow or flowmaster?
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Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
16:25:58
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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I have a 92 5.2, I am the original owner. Over 190k miles on it. I know many people with more miles than mine. The 5.2 and 5.9 are extremely reliable motors. Major thing to look out for is the dreaded plenum gasket leak. All suffer from it at one time or another. Budget about $450 for an M1 intake or $100 or so for a billet plate kit to eliminate the problem on the stocker.
My valve seals need replaced but other than that the engine is going strong and is still stock with the exception of a couple performance mods, all of which were done last year.
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mattj
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
16:55:20
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Thanks Sneezer. Thats the kind of stuff I want to hear. I can live with a little trouble here and there but nothing major and repetitious.
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CraiginTenn
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
23:30:06
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Hey mattj,
I have a '98 5.2L 5-speed Dakota with about 156,000 miles on it. I'm good friends with the origional owner and the plenum gasket that Sneezer was talking about is the only thing that has ever had to be replaced on the truck other than the clutch. It has no leaks of any kind, uses no oil and runs great with no knocks, pings, ect. ect. I also know that it has been driven VERY hard ever since it was new.
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T-racy
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
23:50:25
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Hey Mattj. I bought a Dakota new in Dec. of 92. Ran the crap out of it every chance I got. 12 yrs. later no major problems whatsoever. It's the 5.2 auto. Several bolt on mods too. Ran 14.70 down the track at least 500 times. All original engine, trans., and rear still going strong. Just can't seem to stop it. Just bought a nice low mi. 02 to cruise in. Gonna retire the 93 and do some major mods. and run it at the track some more. Fuel mileage stock was about 15 cty. and 20 hwy. on both the 93 5.2 and 02 4.7
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dan
Dodge Dakota
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1/26/2005
16:15:53
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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mattj, i bought a '97 dakota sport 4x4, extended cab with a 5.2 auto last year. the people that had it before i did pulled a fifth wheel camper with it. i was very suspicious about it with 79,900 miles and being used so heavily. i will admit that now that i've had it, it hasn't exactly had it easy with my heavy foot, but it's holding together just fine at now 97,500 miles (knock on wood). i get about 16 or 17 miles to the gallon, each tank has its fair share of city and highway miles. i've done nothing extra to the motor or exhaust, all stock. the only trouble i have had was a slight oil leak that i failed to notice before i bought it. other than that, it breaks traction alot.
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mattj
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2005
17:15:50
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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The dealer said the truck has 230HP and 300lb of torque. That sounds like BS to me. This isn't an R/T and there is no mods. Does any one know what this 5.2 4X4 sport is rated at?
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Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2005
18:11:39
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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That sounds about right. I am a little fuzzy on the torque figures, but stock hp was 230 in 92. Dropped to 220 for a couple years, then back up to 230. The 5.9 in the R/T is 250, 245 in the quadcab and the 4.7 is 235.
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Jag
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2005
18:50:20
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Wow...10 posts an no smart ass remarks! Someone write this down.
Ohh yea...save the headache and buy a Toyota.
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Dakota SPORT
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2005
18:56:45
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota Sport v6 that Im selling for $6700. Has a good amount of mods on it. 90,000 miles, 4x2, regular cab, Black.
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DakToBasics
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2005
21:55:48
|  RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Keep looking!!!
It is always better to buy one that is already modified. Let the person selling it take the loss.
Like this one for example...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4522213127
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BigBear
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2005
13:53:01
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Check to be sure the ball joints have been done on it. If not, walk away, or negotiate the price down another $800.
I have a '97 318 SLT CC 4x4, just ticked over 157K on it. Apart from front end issues (ball joints, which was Dodge's problem, and other issues that came from the prior owner beating the snot out of it), it's run very well. Replaced two headlight switches and the front rotors are a little undersized, so they warp too quickly, but the thing runs like a champ now. Pop a K&N air filter in and watch your horsepower and mileage increase. Have fun.
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Casey
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2005
08:33:53
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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I purchased a used 97 4x4 v8 SLT w/5speed. The truck had 70k on it one year ago and appeared to be well taken care of. Thank goodness I purchased an extended warranty to cover the following repairs: water pump, tensioner, upper and lower ball joints, starter, pinion seal, transfer case, tensioner, cat converter, heater core and two thermostats.Oh yeah - the dreaded water leak that flooded the drivers side floor.
Buy a Toyota and save the headache.
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BobbyD
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2005
01:39:23
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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230HP is correct for the 5.2, but I don't know about the 300lb of torque.
Based on the 2002 sales brochure I do know the 4.7 has 235 HP and 295lb of torque with the 3.55 rear end.
The 5.9 has 245 HP and 335lb of torque with the 3.55 rear (250/345 for the RT w. 3.92 rear)
Based on the numbers above, the 300lb of torque doesn't sound out of the question.
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Kowalski
GenIII
2/06/2005
08:59:49
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Torque is also correct. BTW, those #s are measured at that motor and are not dependant on having 3.55 gears.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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mattj
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2005
11:51:17
| RE: might buy 1st Dakota ANY Advise?
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Thanks for all the help guys. I guess for now I have to keep driving my beater (Chevy). My wife and I just found a house so the Dakota will have to come later.
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