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Dodge Dakota
Has anyone had trouble with the new 1997 Dodge
Dakota? My experience has been incredibly
disappointing -- timing chain replacement, bad
connecting rod (engine replacement), bad computer
module, transmission not shifting properly, water
leaks in the cab and front end prematurely wearing
tires. I would like to know if other people have
similar issues with this vehicle and what has/can
be done.
Dakota? My experience has been incredibly
disappointing -- timing chain replacement, bad
connecting rod (engine replacement), bad computer
module, transmission not shifting properly, water
leaks in the cab and front end prematurely wearing
tires. I would like to know if other people have
similar issues with this vehicle and what has/can
be done.
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Comments
So now, LET'S HEAR FROM YOU DAKOTA OWNERS! ;-)
I do not own a 1997 Dodge Dakota. I own a 1994 Dodge Dakota. I always owned cars before, so this is my first truck. It actually has been the best
vehicle that I have ever owned. Before the truck, I owned an 1977 AMC Hornet, a 1986 Chevy Celebrity, and a 1990 Dodge Daytona.
So, that it why I would continue to buy either a Dodge Dakota or a Dodge Durango. I wouldn't mind also buying a Jeep Cherokee (regular or Grand), a Chrysler Concorde or a Dodge Intrepid. I now believe in Dodge/Chrysler products.
When I look at buying a new vehicle, the one thing I always look at (now) is how popular the vehicle is. I have noticed that when you buy a vehicle that has become popular (like the Dodge Dakota), you begin to find problems like you are talking about.
I believe that because certain vehicles become popular, manufacturers have to pump out these vehicles from their plants. When that happens, corners get cut just to get the vehicles out of the plants.
I am sorry that I could help you with your problems. I wish you luck with your Dodge Dakota.
What I'm wondering is what other owners think of their Dakotas. Anyone else having the same problems as jjohns?
Check the towing capacities within Edmunds specs or in the brochures at the dealer. You'll find the new Dakota 2WD with a 5.2 V8 offers, I believe, more towing capacity than the Ram. Same engine less weight = more tow.
Did anyone think to check the knock sensor? If Dodge works like most, the sensor will keep advancing the timing until knock/pinging is detected. If the sensor doesn't "hear" anything, the timing advances to a pre-determined maximum.
No matter what the static timing is set at, the ECM will start from there and advance.
Jim
thanks.
Your uses are exactly what I have been using my 97 Dakota for. The V6 has more than enough power for me. In fact I have driven a V8 and unless you plan to do some heavy hauling or pulling the V6 should be plenty of muscle. The only thing I wish I would have waited for was the airbag disable switch. That would be a definite selling point for me to buy a 98 vs. a 97.
is this a common experience
response is to enter response in the posting
box and then hit post
I have a Duraliner bedliner in my 10 year old MAZDA (I just ordered a Dakota). I never had a single problem with it in all those years - no cracks, holes, etc. The Duraliner for the new Dakota is $185 installed (a good price, not a retail price). I went for the "over rail" version.
Sorry, no experience with caps or canopies.
any experience out there good or not so good with this model?
You shouldn't have to pay more than a few hundred over dealer invoice, and that's assuming there are no rebates. I haven't looked at the invoice pricing for a Dakota, but that sounds a little high, maybe closer to MSRP. I just ordered a 1 ton Ford SuperDuty 4x4 V10 fully loaded, including leather, for $28,500. Your target should be dealer invoice minus dealer holdback minus rebate plus 5% profit. If this dealer doesn't come close to that price, shop around.
ybbor,
I've only heard good things about the spray-on liners. I plan to have one put in my truck when it arrives. I've been told to make sure you go to a reputable installer. It's not worth saving $100 or so if they don't do it right. Rhino Liner is one of the bigger names out there. I saw an article with a toll free number to call with questions and to find the dealer closest to you. The ad said they had a wide variety of colors. I don't have the toll free number here at work, but if you want it, I can look it up at home.
a dodge dakota 3.9l,
v-6, auto-trans. i
don't know if there are
and good or bad
characteristics yet.
does anyone have any
good or bad stories on
this model????
THANKS DALE
Thanks to Edmund's and Auto by Tel, I've been driving a '98 Dodge Dakota (4x4, Club Cab, SLT, V-8, auto, loaded) for 5 months and 6,000 miles now.
A few observations -
First, I ordered the truck from the factory to get exactly what I needed for towing and off-roading. Also, my two tone color choice of Jade/Driftwood was impossible to find (but great for hiding dirt). The buying experience was simple and easy - I contacted Auto by Tel who referred me to a nearby dealer's fleet manager who honored a pre-agreed price of $300 over invoice for whatever I wanted. I just read off my list of options, left a small deposit, and came back in 6 weeks to a new truck...no dickering, no stress, no problems. Maybe I could have gotten a better deal the old fashioned way, but not much better and not without a fight!
After being a loyal Toyota 4x4 owner for a number of years, the Dakota has been a very pleasant surprise! I moved to the Dodge for it's V-8 boat towing power and extra cab and bed room. I've experienced no problems so far and enjoy the smooth and quiet ride. Of course the gas mileage isn't anything to brag about, but at least it's only 1 or 2 mpg less than my old '90 Toyota V6 (around 15 mpg, mostly commuting so far).
I plan on doing a lot of off-roading and camping this spring, and boat towing this summer so I'll know more about this truck's capabilities come fall!
Additions have included a hi-rise Snugtop shell (looks great with a beautiful color match, worth the premium price) and Pendaliner. Next in line is an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system for a little extra power and nice sound.
Just a note on my choosing the Dakota over a full sized truck. Price was not the key, full sized trucks are not much more money than the Dakota. Being mid-sized for maneuverability on and off road was more important to me. O.K., the handsome styling didn't hurt either.
Enough babbling already...I just though I'd share my experience for those still trying to decide. I did my share of research and agonizing, but I think I made the right choice.
Stacey
BEN
While I am on the subject I noticed a few questions as to the old V-6/V-8 argument. I'll give you the same advice I gave my dad when he turned in his V-6 powered full size Chevy for a big block full size V-8 powered ram. "What every vehicle you get, get the BIGGEST motor they offer, and you will never be disappointed." If you don't you will always be longing for the power or the towing capacity or for some other reason, like those fun stop light drags! My dad hasn't been disappointed with his decision yet and his truck gets "crappy" gas milage, but it is still better than the over worked V-6 milage he got in his Chevy. On one final note, let me give you some numbers for a reality check. Keep in mind you will need to adjust these numbers depending on your gas milage, fuel capacity, etc. I get 13 miles per gallon with my current vehicle. I NEVER put cheap gas in it, because you do get what you pay for. I spend $1.50 for 15 gal. of gas that gives me $22.50 per tank. For the sake of easy math lets say I go through a tank a week.(Thats about 10,140 miles a year). So $22.50x52=$1170 a year for gas. If I put the cheap stuff in it at $1.15 for 15 gal. of gas that gives me $17.25 per tank. So $17.25x52=897. Hmmm, that is a $273 difference. Ask yourself, how much stupid crap do you buy in one year that ads up to that amount. Yes their is insurance to consider, but even if I am outlandish and say another 100 bucks a year, your still gonna tell me that 373 is a lot of money??? And what do I save myself. Well I have Never been towed in the dead of winter when it is -10 degrees outside, and I haven't had a carburetor rebuild in 2 years, when I was having one every 6 months. So if it is a question of fuel milage do the math yourself and you'll find it only costs you a little more per year to own a V-8 and you'll never be disappointed.
By the way I am planning on purchasing a truck this summer and it will likely be a new Dakota. And no it wont have their wimpy, underpowered V-6.
where did you get your dakota from? what color is it? what year? $60 over invoice!?
1. I get 14 to 16 mpg in urban driving and 17 to 19 on the highway. I drive a full size Chevy 4.3L V6 at work and it gets 18 to 20 and 22 to 24 under worse conditions. I think the poor mileage is due in part to #2 that follows.
2. The transmission "hunts" when climbing grades or if carrying a load in the bed. It will not shift into overdrive until the temp enters the "normal" range on the gauge, and it will drop out of overdrive and/or drop into 2nd or 3rd at the least push. I think whoever programmed the shift points just missed a calculation or two. Overall, it just doesn't feel nearly as good as your father's torqueflite, but I've had no problems with it (knock on wood).
3. The turning radius is way too big for a truck this size - it takes at least 1/2 acre to turn around. The full size Chevy long bed I drive at work and will easily turn inside my Dakota. Tight parking lots are a pain!
4. The OEM front rotors kept warping on me every 10K miles or so - finally replaced them with remanufactured ones from NAPA at 35K and no more brake problems.
5. Within the first month of getting the truck, the fan clutch would occasionally engage upon starting the engine. Sounds like an aircraft propeller up there. It will stay engaged until about 20 MPH then kick out. My dealer replaced the clutch under warranty, then refused to replace it again saying it was normal performance. I talked to regional warranty reps from Dodge, but never got satisfaction. Doesn't happen nearly as often now, but still is an annoyance.
I will be getting another truck next year, and am looking very seriously at the F150 extended cab with the 4.6 V8.
after a few years of research i think the ZR2 is built like a brick outhouse. compare specs and you will see what i mean. the only 2 things i would worry about are a poor crash rating and the 4.3 liter V6 has documented problems with the intake manifold. seems it has to be cleaned every 30k miles or live with the rough idle and sluggish perfromance.
the new dakota seems even better. with the 4x4, nice high stance and some nice tires. i would choose the 318, it has been around for ever, same with the tranny. the dakota also offers a bench seat in the extended cab where the ZR2 only offers jump seats. one thing you may look at though, if you are going to pay some major cash for the dakota, why not just go full size. it's not that much more. - nay
Many good points. I agree with you and I'm also aware of some of the differences between the two trucks...i.e. jump seats vs. bench seat, 3rd door option on ZR2 vs no 3rd door on Dakota...etc. I do not know what the new crash results are for '98 modes, but they should have improved since it now includes two airbags standard. Also the '98 ZR2's use a SFI system as oppose to the TBI system so I do not know if the build up would still take place. However I do not know if I agree with you on that being a result of sluggish performance. I currently own a '95 S-10 and do not believe it too be sluggish at all with a 180 HP engine and 60,000 miles on it with regular tune ups.
You are correct about the price not being too much more for the full size, but I'm not interested in them. I like to stay with the compact truck and probably would get the V6 not the V8. I have no need for the extra horse power and probably would not use the truck to its fullest potental and therefore would be wasting my money. I basically use my current truck for performing some hauling of materials, going fishing, hunting, camping, off-roading and the alike. I have no attentions of towing anything at this time, but do in the future. The thing is that I know most of the problems associated with the S-10 model and most of them I'm willing to overlook...such as rattling of the 3rd door inside and the plastic design of the dashboard. In the end those things make no difference in the performance of the vehicle or how long it lives. The thing that does worry me about the Dakota is the well know tranny problems encountered on them. Well enough B.S. from me. Let me know what you drive and think about this. I really appreciate you input and honesty. Thanks.
sound like you have really done your homework. nice job. i agree, if you don't plan to tow and haul tons of stuff, the V6 would propbobly be perfect. As for the 4.3, i have not personally experienced these problems, just read about them (chicago tribune transportation/auto section) about three separate times over the past year. The reason that i remember this is becuase i was "this close" to purchasing one until i found out about the problem. right now i am looking to purchase a 98 F150 shortbox 4x4 with the 4.6 either in June or July.
I think both trucks kick butt as far as looks. They both look like they could handle some rugged terain. You might want to do a comparison road test some saturday after noon and see which "feels" better (if you haven't already done this). - nay
Thanks for the advice. I may just do that.