Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Anyone had a problem with the battery dying on their trucks soon after purchase. I've had my truck 2 months, and have only put 1600 miles on it, and last week I went to start it and the battery was completey dead - no chiming, no interior lights, radio - anything! I was able to jump it and it seems to have held a charge since then, but it struck me as odd. I double-checked that I hadn't left anything electrical on.
Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
BTW, other than this concern, the truck is amazing! I previously owned a 1990 Tacoma 4x4 and a '97 F150 XLT V8 4x4. This one is by far my favorite of the 3.
Jeff
2002 QC 4x4
loose battery connections and was not taking a charge even though the voltmeter indicated that it was charging. Just not getting back into the battery. Just a thought.
Bookitty
With me it came down to the Taco Quad vs. Dak Quad. Had the Tundra come in a true quad it might have been a little tougher choice but probably still would have gone with the Dak. Main reason: I love to drive and to me the true driving experience comes from manual shifting. I can not say enough good things about the 4.7 manual in the quad. My wife hates trucks. She drove manual Honda's throughout college and law school. She drove my truck for the first time the other day and was amazed at how smooth and easy it was to shift my rig! Neither the Taco nor the Tundra can be had with a manual. Second: I admit I am a sucker for looks. Taco quad=ugly. Tundra=grandpa styling. Dodge truly built excitement with the Dak Quad. I think it looks better than the 02 Ram and if this M-80 concept is where the next Dak is going my current Dak will be staying in my garage. Yes, the little angel on my right shoulder kept repeating in my ear, "Toyota quality, Toyota quality" but the little devil on my left shoulder kept saying "fun, sun, surf, sand, girls, se_, rock-n-roll get the Dakota!" I read the brake horror stories. It was a risk I was willing to take. The devil made me do it! Granted at this point my 02 Quad 2wd, HD, Tow, LSD, T&A (oops I mean T&H)has only 2,500 miles so far. Will I be singing the same song at 25,000?, 50,000?, 100K? I am actually a pretty conservative driver and am anal when it comes to regular maintenance. I plan on going w/Mobil 1. Will this all make a difference? Time will tell. So far no problems. Gas mileage city w/frequent short runs during the day @17-18 mpg. Base stereoCD system is surprisingly killer (and thats coming from a Alpine in my last car, will probably still go aftermarket but no rush). Bottom line, go with your heart not your head. My .02 cents.
Ohh, by the way. The current promo for the 7 year powertrain warranty may add a sense of reassurance when deciding between the Taco and the QUAD.
I'm in the market for a Dakota, but I just can't bring myself to get a 4-door truck after spending every waking/non-working hour watching MSNBC cover the Taliban bouncing around in 4-door pickups.. Granted, they ain't Dakotas, but they still look too similar for my tastes.
From what I'm reading, it sounds like the brakes are a little light-weight, and the fuse for the brake-lights goes out, and mileage is an issue.. is that a common consensus?
By the way, I've also read that some people are complaining about 5-Star dealerships. Lemme tell you about my own experience.
My wife and I bought a Grand Caravan a few years back and after about a year, we noticed a reddish drip on our driveway. uh-oh. I've had experience with Dodge transmissions before. Off to the dealership. That afternoon, I get a call from them.
"Sir, we found out that your hoojie-dingy seal is leaking. Since you are still under warranty, we're going to go ahead and rebuild your transmission to avoid any other problems in the future. If you come in, we'll provide you with a free rental car for the time it takes to fix your van."
After that, the things run like a champ.
If you have problems with a particular Dodge dealership, go to another one. Lord knows in today's economy, customer service has (or at least SHOULD) take a higher priority.
I guess all of you are Dakota Quad owners. I would appreciate your comments on why you selected a Dakota.
Our other car is a '98 Toyota van. So yes my
choices were Toyota 1st, then there was that
GREAT looking Quad Dakota? I've never wanted
a Chrysler product since owning a '67 Barracuda!
At the time I owned a '86 Nissan model 720 king-cab pickup. The Tundra was too big, but I wanted
a larger truck (and newer). I drove the Toyota
double cab (I wanted to like it so much), but
the interior was so small and cramped in all
departments, and I'm only 5'8". I drove the Quad,
very nice, but did I want to buy a DODGE?
I took my wife and we test drove the Toyota and
Dodge back to back, she hated the Tacoma and we're
both Toyota lovers! "If we buy a new truck it has
to be the 2001 Quad!" We picked the color (white
w/silver bottom) and ordered it. At the time the
$2000.00 + another $500 from Farm Bureau sure helped seal the deal! Well, I've had no problems
(other that a poping front end, which is less now?) Bottom line is I LOVE this truck, I hope it's good to me for at least 7 or 8 years. I plan
on purchasing the extended warrentee one day soon.
I drive the Quad to work once a week, use it on the weekends for pleasure, carry my Gas Gas trials
motorcyle to events, the extra room in the back seat is great! The fold "up" seats sure beat
Toyota's fold "down" seats!
I use 5w-30 Mobil 1 or AmsOil. (I've used Amsoil
for many years) Sometimes I can get Mobil on sale
cheaper then dealer costs on AmsOil.
My brother-in-law's 4x4 Quad's front rotors are
shot, at 25K miles.
I've added a bed mat, tale gate mate, door seal
protectors, Dodge slush mats, fender flares,
wind-ventalators, built a pvc bed extender thanks to "ahasher".
I'll post pics one day?
Sorry for the long response. I'm keeping my fingers crossed,,,I own a Chrysler product:)
Mick
As far as gear ratio is addressed, if you are doing heavy duty towing, the 3.92 is preferable (also, if you are interested in off the line acceleration). For most applications, the 3.55 is the "bread and butter" ratio. In MI, I would want nothing but a 4X4 (spent lots of time in the UP) and I always insist on a limited slip differential as well. As said, much of this is purely subjective. Good luck.
Bookitty
Hey!! this dont work BPeebles
#1144 of 1315 I WAS JUST TESTING YOU by bpeebles Oct 11, 2001 (05:55 pm)
To see if anyone actually reads my appends.
The outfit that is developing the TRUE cold-air intake for the 4.7L is at the following URL.
This is the ONLY intake I know of that actually sucks from OUTSIDE the engine bay.
http://members.home.net/blhamm/coldair.htm
Hey!! this dont work BPeebles
http://members.home.net/blhamm/coldair.htm
Sorry! The page you requested is not in service
The Possible causes:
If you typed in the URL, please check for typos.
If you clicked on a member's homepage and got this error, please notify the owner of that page.
Thank you for using @Home WebSpace -- members.home.net!
I recently saw an ad in one of my magazines for a 4.7 intake. I'll have to see if I can find it again. Probably in Sport Truck.
Perhaps somone else in Edmunds has his email saved and can find out where the webpage moved to.
Try this location and product and give your thoughts.
I found it at http://grillcraft.com but had to order it from their distributer in San Diego. The total price with shipping was $119.00. Several other companies offer these grilles but none look as good; and none offer the on-line instructions showing how to install it.
If I knew how to post a photo here I would. If someone will let me know how to do it, I will.
FYI: I decided to install the grille as a protector for the radiator and the A/C thing. I was noticing a lot of pings in the fins from road debris. It was just a matter of time before something sharp got up in there; if you know what I mean.
Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! In spite of a few small problems, there is nothing on the market that comes close; big engine, roomy inside, quality, fit and finish. In over 30 years of buying vehicles (yes, I am that old), I have found that none are perfect; whether it is Dodge, GM, Ford, Toyota, Mazda or Nissan.
I see a lot of posts by other members with similar problems. For "newbies" reading these posts, do not get the wrong idea. I believe most of the other members would also buy another Dakota.
Please tell us why you opted for the Dakota over other options. The Dak. bashers have been very active lately. We need some good press. On that note the most recent Truck Trend garage section has a piece on brake problems with.........Toyota Tundra! I will post details on this soon, got to hit the road for now. Good luck with your Quad Cab!
What you're going to see here in these posts are angry Dakota or ex-Dakota owners who want others to hate Dakota's just as much as they do. That goes for non-owning Chevy, Ford, Toyota lovers as well. You're also going to see others who are so in love with their Dakotas that nothing can ever be said bad about them.
My advice, read between the lines....carefully!
Dusty
P.S. We have a 1999 Avalon with 38K and were on the second set of rotors. Everytime I'm at my Toyota dealer's I see nothing but Tundras in for service. I've seen one already getting a warranty transmission replacement. Lot's of brake problems with them, according to my Toyota Tech. My daughter has a 1998 Ford Explorer with 80K and 6 sets of rotors and brakes. She's spent enough money on brakes alone to buy two transmissions rebuilds!
I bought a Quad cab as a compromise. I needed a passenger car that could carry 4 adults comfortably but liked the ability of being able to carry cargo or a large dog in the bed of a pickup (with a camper shell). I felt that the 2000 Quad Cab was the best compromise of what was available for what I was willing to spend (we have a fleet of 4 vehicles right now, Dakota, 2 Neons and a Nissan Altima, all have been reliable and generally satisfying to own). I don't drive as aggressively as in my younger days and consequently I have less problems with items prematurely wearing out and my gas mileage is also much better. My Dakota in 21 months of ownership has been virtually trouble free. I've noticed that there are some people who have axes to grind and hammer away at the problems they have with their vehicles, over and over till you just ignore their headers and skip to the next message. It is not just Dodge, you can see it to a certain extent in all the forums, including the German and Japanese Luxury vehicles. The original group of people who started this forum were a support group for people ordering and waiting for their "brand new Quad Cab". The general tone of the forum has been changing as the "old-timers" gradually fade away and the newcomers bring their own agenda. Not complaining, just stating my observations over the past 2 years. Rick
You stated you have had no problems, congrats and I am happy for you. You are one of the lucky ones. I just wish I had your luck on my Dak.
Maybe the tone of this forum is changing because a younger group has higher expectations for our hard earned money and DC might very well be cutting costs in the hopes that no one will notice or care. In other words, perhaps the build quality of Daks has been going downhill.
I feel sorry for your bad luck with your Dakota.
Point I was making was when this group started, actually I mean the owners forum for the Dakota Quad Cab, we were like kids waiting for their first date.
Lots of expectations of wonderful things. We supported each other while impatiently waiting for our trucks to be built. We bought our trucks without benefit of rebates other than Farm Bureau membership.
Now the first date is over, we are married and like real marriages there are troubled ones, some leading to divorce. I don't understand the love turned to hate relationship because I fortunately have not experienced it in any of my relationships.
I do agree that there seems to have been corner cutting and also I seem to perceive more problems being reported for the newer Quads.
I am not defending Chrysler or the Dakota but rather trying to point out that the problems being complained about the Dakota are not unique to just the Dakota.
Some of the problems are industry wide and some are directly related to government regulations.
For example the removal of asbestos from brake pads which is directly related current brake problems.
Another example is the problem in the late 80s/early 90s with paint peeling that is directly related to government/EPA regulations.
Can Dodge build a better Dakota? I'm sure they can.
Does luck play an important part in Dakota ownership? Apparently it does, just look at henne if you want to see bad luck, 3 problem Dakotas in a row.
Henne reminds me of the character in the L'il Abner comic strip from years ago that walked around with a small cloud over his head that was always raining on him.
Dealership can also make or break your happy relationship. I have 2 dealers I work with, one is 5 star and the other is aspiring for 5 star status. Both have provided quality service when required so I'm doubly lucky.
Keep in mind that we here in the forum can only offer support, we cannot change your vehicle or your relationship with your dealer. If we can offer constructive help we do, however, like a constantly nagging wife or a whining child, a constant source of negative input gets tuned out or gets non supportive replies.
Its human nature!
I can only suggest if you can't get the dealership to address your problems with your brakes you might try another dealership.
Correspondence with Chrysler might help however I doubt you will have much success in that approach.
You might also have to bite the bullet, find a good independent shop and get your brakes fixed with aftermarket parts, than maybe take Chrysler to small claims court.
I'm sorry you can't enjoy the same relationship with your Dakota that I am currently enjoying with mine. Rick
ps I feel like a marriage counselor
I for one have tried to be supportive of everyone here, and to give more honest rather than emotional answers on here but I will admit a few times I have vented and I believe most times I admit in my postings that it it just that, venting.
So, as my storm cloud has taken position over my head, I can be an optomist and just be thankful that with all this stormy weather above me, thankfully the birds arent pooing on me too. hahaha
The wet one.
Robert
By the way, the only gripe I have had is a brake squeal at times. Three times into the shop to have it checked because I don't like paying this much for something irritating. Both the 5-star Chrysler and the regular (no-star?)Dodge dealer say there is no problem with any of the brake equipment. OH, and for some reasom can't get 5w-30 oil, both used 10w-30.
the good news is this, they found a TSB for flashing the TCM (not PCM see if anyone is paying attention!) that "enhances shift quality" of the 45RFE!!!!!! Woooooo hoooooooo man did I almost do a back flip right then and there!
WOw, does this mean I will have to eat my words I have uttered about that monstrosity of a transmission? DOes this mean FINALLY I can drive and not have coffee spilled on me on the 2-3 upshift? WIll I still cringe when the tach hits 2700 and ready to hit 3rd gear?
Oh, the dreams I have.....of smooth solid shifts...of not hearing my poor 9.25 axle taking a beating from the xmission.....oh dear whatever will I do?
THe possibilities...................
Stay tuned.
About to roll up on 15k; still love my QC. But, wish I could get the idle to stay above 500 rpm when stopped at a redlight (A/C not on) (auto tranny in D). If I tap the gas, it comes back up to @ 600. If I move steering wheel, idle drops below 450 then bounces back up to @600. When A/C is on, it stays at 750; never deviates. My 5-Star dealer told me a couple of months ago that I was overfilling the gas - something about gas getting into the recovery cannister. I've never overfilled; and, have been EXTRA careful since last visit. I believe that something is sticking OR its a computer thing.
Does anyone out there have any ideas or suggestions to improve idle?
So as far as I can figure, update, update and update again. I have thought about unhooking the battery and see if that would reset everything back to default. If it would, I wouldnt have to go to the dealer 3 or so times a year (Amoungst other things) for an update. Anyone else have ideas on this?
Thanks and good luck,
Robert
Read your post about the TSB for flashing the TCM. Did you happen to get the TSB number? If so, would you post it for the rest of us?
THANKS,
Ahasher?
Robert
Has anyone experience with the Dayton Timberline series of tires ? They make an A/T and H/T series that I am considring for my 00 QUAD.
Thanks,
A direct quote from my service receipt;
CAUSE: FLASH MODULE
08194496 VEHICLE PERFORMANCE; COLD START
HESITATION - TSB 18-08-96
152 W40
1 4275086 LABEL - GENERAL INFORMATION
1 4669020 LABEL - AUTHORIZED SOFTWARE
FC: FM
PART # 4275086
and at the bottom:
26306 (CHK IDLE) FLASH MODULE 08194496 .5 TSB 18-01-01 FLASHED POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.
good luck
they "think" it's due to the torsion bar not "floating" like it is supposed to. Their
solution is to remove the torsion bars, apply anti-seizing lubricant and reinstall them.
I was told this should "minimize" the problem. Anyone have similar problems?
Otherwise very satisfied with the truck.
After several trips to my 5-star dealer, they replaced all of the bushings on the front torsion (stabilizer) bars. Dealer said bushings for that model with torsion bars were defective during that time frame. Mine was built in Sept. 2000.
Most of the noise is gone now. However, sometimes when going at slow speeds, I hear a slight noise coming from the driver's side front when I apply the brakes; (like metal straining under pressure).
GOOD LUCK!
for 78,000 mi. and counting. I ordered my Quad for $200.00 over Dealer INV.
The only differance will be 4 doors. Then I'll add spray on bed liner and tonneau cover. Once I get my add ready I'll add a pic of '98 in owners site. Then one of QC when I get it.
Dealer said 6-10 weeks, if time is same as '98 it'll be about 4 week's.
Has anyone put oversized tires on a QC with the 3.55 LSD 4.7 5spd ? On my '98 I'm running 30-9.50x15 on two piece American Racing wheels. This set up has been pretty good with the 5.2, 3" dynamax cat back exh., K&N filter.
sorry for the long post,
Dave
Pretty cool.
BTW, for any of you new '02 owners who haven't changed the oil yet...have fun getting the factory filter off. I also recommend using the 2 liter bottle approach to catch the oil from the filter. Works great.
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/bl-obd-main.htm
If it is showing a small leak in the evaporative emissions system, it is usually (at least according to my dealer) a one time occurrence where a fault was detected. To test this, you can clear the check engine light by removing the negative battery cable and switching the ignition to on for 30 sec. If after restarting the engine, the check engine light stays off, you should be good to go. If the check engine light comes back on and the same code is displayed, then a trip to the dealer may be in order. At about 4000 miles, my 2002 QC had the check engine light pop on. After going through the hassle of taking it to the dealer, they told me that it was a small problem in the evaporative emissions system that happened once, 39 starts ago. Apparently, it takes something like 50 starts to clear out a one time error from keeping the check engine light on. So, without disconnecting the battery, it may take a while for the check engine light to go out on its own. Hope this helps.