?? Dodge Dakota ??

**Jeff "Yammer"** · 05-07-2002, 09:37 PM

..................... thinking of buying a new Dakota 4 cab 4x4 w/4.7 L V8 . Anyone have one and what is the verdict ??

Jeff W

**Boaterbum** · 05-08-2002, 01:17 AM

I definately opt for the 5.3 liter (327ci) in the silverado!!!! hehehe
sorry, still a Chevy fan....
Haven't really heard many complaints about the Dodge, other than the V-8's were overrated, they sucked too much gas and really weren't that powerful for there displacement....
Happy spending!
~Tony~
Why don't ya go for that project Ram with the Hemi in her?!?!? That'll pull whatever ya have to pull?!?!?! lol....

**737jetmech** · 05-08-2002, 02:37 AM

Jeff, I have a 2001 Quad-Cab 4x4 with the 5.9 liter 360 cid. The truck pulls the boat just fine and is comfortable with 4 people in the cab. Test drove the 4.7 and it felt a little down on power to me. 360 will get about 17 mpg . The only thing I don't care for is the shift points of the automatic transmission.

**Unloaded Racing** · 05-08-2002, 03:55 AM

I got a Dakota 4x4 Regular Cab with the 3.9 V6. I like it but it lacks some room in the cab. Have no complaints pulling my 1/4 Master.
Tim

**MTCM** · 05-08-2002, 06:53 AM

Gobs of power, pulls my boats (V-King + Mirage) like they ain't there. Smooth 4.7 Liter V8. The 2WD model rides like a car with a very quiet cab, the 4WD version is stiff riding. Both good vehicles. The later years are better (2001-2002). I gots no complaints.

Check the internet for recalls on any vehicle you are going to buy new or used. You may change your mind about the Dodge.

**Scott** · 05-08-2002, 08:17 AM

2000 Extra cab, Sport Plus, Loaded! (Not 4x4 tho.) I love it! But.....has had it's share of strange problems...broken emerg. brake handel, oil psi sensor went bad, catalytic converter has been replaced 3 times (internal tack welds break loose). Nice truck tho. Had I to do it over, I might look closer at the Tundra. I think resale is probably higher on the Tundra.

**AnthonySS** · 05-08-2002, 08:18 AM

Like windshield wipers come on when you use the turn signals,
Noisey Rattles
Electrical problems
etc, etc.

Since we are showing our trucks of choice. 12 Yrs of great service life from this CHEV,

opt for a full size with V8 if you can swing it too!

Often a full size truck will be more economical for towing then a small truck with a smaller motor that has to work harder to pull

**Flat Out** · 05-08-2002, 08:51 AM

Jeff, If you're gona keep it a long time and you can swing it go for a full size. You've seen my truck. It's overkill for what I do with it but I hope to have it a long time. For better or worse I like GM. I also like stick, they can keep their automatic trannys.

1999 GMC Sierra SLT 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Short Box
454 5 spd. Stick 4:10 gears
Bright Red, Grey Leather
Low Rider fiberglass tonneau cover
Michelin 265/75/16 LTX
With three kids and a cottage this is the way to go. Was $10,000 at list cheaper than a similar Suburban.

**Psyco** · 05-08-2002, 09:33 AM

As of May 5 th, I have had m '93 dak king cab w/3.9 v-6 for 9 years and over 238,000 miles. It left me stranded at 237,000 when the fuel pump gave up the ghost. How can I complain? I have used my truck to pull my race car and associated accrutments(probably about 5,500 lbs of junk) on a 2,000 mile road trip and got 16 mpg @ 70 mph with no problems. The 4.7 is a very capable motor in the Dak. I worked at a Chrysler dealer for 2.5 years and we did very little work on these motors. The homework was done before these motors were put in production. The trans and transfer case are just about bullet proof. If your gonna be towing a heavy load I highly recommend that you opt for the towing package or at the very last install a trans cooler. When towing be sure to take the trans out of O/D (that applies on ALL makes of trucks).
After all the use and abuse that I have given my truck, it is still quite solid and rattle and squeek free. It's gettin' time to make a choice, do I rebuild the motor (yea, it's starting to get down on power) and front end (it's beyond it'd designed service life) or go and get me a new truck. I hate to have to start makin' monthly payments after 5 years of not having to.

**apreston** · 05-08-2002, 10:14 AM

A buddy of mine has one and it is an awesome truck. Great driving for day to day, tonnes of passanger roon and pulls well. He pulls a Baja H2X with a 454 mag everywhere with no problems and I mean everywhere.

He has owned vettes, Dodge Ram, Trams AM all kinds of cars and trucks he said he loves change but this is the only vehicle that he will buy again for a second time.

They look great and the price is right two.

**Steve Zuckerman** · 05-08-2002, 11:51 AM

Yammer:
As you may be able to tell from my posts, I'm not married to any
certain brand (well, except Mercury). I've owned Dodges, Jeeps,
Chevys, Toyotas, Fords, etc. So, if I have something that's a big piece of crap, I'll be the first one to tell you so.
Conversely, I'll also tell when I've had good luck with a truck.
I need/prefer sport/utes for my job and sports, so I currently
have a '99 Durango SLT with a 360 mag. It's been a very nice
truck, except for the mileage. To be fair, I do have a heavy foot,
and the truck has the trailer towing package.
I tow my jet ski (Yamaha 1200ltd), Mirages, and a 24' Baja H2X.
The Baja is 4000#s + 2000#s for the trailer, and I pull it easily,
even on steep mountain grades. The mileage goes to s&^t, but
truck pulls great.
It now has 110,000 miles on it with no problems of consequence.
Good luck with your truck.
Regards,
Steve

**crazy horse** · 05-08-2002, 12:37 PM

I have a 1993 4x4 ext cab dakoda with the roller cam 318 and I can pull anything with it including my kubota loader, backhoe.I have owned it sence 1993, I must be happy with it.

**Jeff "Yammer"** · 05-08-2002, 03:22 PM

.................................................................................................... .......................
..........................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUNK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Jeff

View Profile · 05-08-2002, 07:46 PM

I've owned Chevy, Toyota. Dad's owned Chevy, Toyota, Ford. What it boils down to? LUCK. Since 1999, I've owned two Silverado extracab 4X4 with the 5.3
It's amazing, but no problems so far. My Toyotas were great. I would have bought the Tundra, but the back seat was too small for me, so I went with the Chevy. The full size Chevy gets the best gas mileage, has the most power, has the most interior room of all the American extra-cab trucks. Dodge? My friends that own Dodge: One has had a Dakota over 200,000 miles with no problems. Another had one that was such a piece of crap he swore off Dodge forever. All of my Dodge friends in-between those extremes pretty much have more problems than all of my Ford and Chevy friends.
Want a Dakota? Go for it. It all depends on Luck