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Dodge Dakota
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Comments
Week, indicates the new
Dakota four door will be a full
crew cab with a 5" 3" bed and
available with a 4.7 or a 5.9.
Thanks!
I just got ou t of a 3 hour training session, and have some updates. Hold off thinking that the 5.2 and 5.9 are gone. Both engines have preformed great for years. The 4.7 has been delayed for a while. Chrysler is using C.A.T.I.A. to work out the bugs. Don't expect it in 2000.
Yes four full doors on the Dak. They are not suicide. I begged the trainer to do the same on the Ram
There will not be a significant loss of bed length since we do offer the longest bed to begin with.
Hope that this helps you all out. If I find out any more I'll be sure to post.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
I now have 33,000 miles, with one round trip from Seattle, WA to Minerva, OH. The only problem encountered was a cracked front drive shaft yoke, which dodge replaced no questions asked. (no, I wasn't 4 wheel'n!) 31 inch tires and a 3.9 V6 isn't the best combo for performance. but my truck has logged several +20 mpg runs. I've added a K&N airfilter and ram air intake, which seems to increase power also. Some savolon engine oil additive has also been added. Average city fuel consumption is +16 mpg, depending upon how late I am!
One question though. Why have American auto manufacturers not figured out the benefits of being able to turn on the AC along with the defroster?? I live in Tacoma WA, where windows are always fogged up.
Does anyone not like the fact that the fog lights automatically turn off with the bright headlamps?? There is an easy fix for that. One ground wire under the hood.
Was thinking about replacing the 31X10.5 tires with smaller, 235/75's. Better gas mileage with the smaller tire, but there is something sad about a truck with small wheels. Especially with all that wheel well space.
Saw your post and had a few questions.
Here in So. Cal. all the dealers have are Dakota Sport Club Cabs. Did you have to special order your Base Model? I'm assuming that's what you got and not a Sport without options. If so, how long was the wait? Did your dealer try to charge more for the order?
Does the interior look cheap and plasticky or is it heavy duty-durable? I work in muddy construction areas a lot and don't really need a carpeted interior, but I don't want it to look crappy, either.
Did you opt for the cloth bench seating or did you stick with vinyl? I hate my car's leather seating, but I don't know what the upcharge is for the cloth seats. Are they comparable to the Sport's split bench (with center console) or are they just cloth covered versions of the Base's bench? (I suspect the latter) Again, without any Base model Regular Cabs to look at, it's hard to compare.
Have you experienced any of the transmission and/or braking problems discussed on this board? This is a major concern for me, as my present car has had numerous problems and I don't want to spend more $$$ and not improve my transportation situation.
What kind of bedliner did you get "thrown in"? I too live in salt water conditions (though I would never actually be in it as you are!) and I'm
concerned about rust. I've heard bad things about the drop-in plastic type, but the idea of spraying in gunk doesn't sound too pleasant either. Do you recommend having the dealer install it or go with aftermarket?
Does anyone on this list recommend the HD Service group, Tire and Handling Group, or exotic axle ratios for someone who is using the truck mainly for commuting and occasional light hauling? (no towing, offroading, or beds full of gravel) Once in a while there will be hardwood or tools in the back (I'm a cabinetmaker), but nothing approaching max payload weight. Do I need the rear stabilizer? Are Base tires sufficient?
Sorry for the rambling,
durbien@lib.occ.cccd.edu
My questions are if the 3.9 engine is sufficient with a this setup.(MPG's are important) Dodge is offering a free 8cyl upgrade. Also is limited slip differential necessary w/ 4WD. its a $242 option. Whats your opinion on 235 tires or the 31x10.5
Thanks
So it seems to me I'd have to pump the brakes with rear-only ABS. I have ABS on our other vehicles and I've trained myself to use it as designed. I'd prefer not to have a truck that requires me to use the brakes differently in a panic situation.
Any thoughts? Thanks for the help.
(This post is over on the ABS discussion, too.)
Pumping the brakes with ABS actually disables the ABS whether its rear wheel only or 4 wheel. Constant, steady pressure is all you need and the ABS will do its job.
Under most driving conditions, rear wheel ABS should be adequate. I would recommend 4W for heavy loads, towing and, in your case, frequent moose avoidance.
Thanks.
I just ordered a bedliner, chrome steps, window guards and bug deflector. The Mopar prices were WAY overblown. Getting the dealer to give you a break on these depends on how generous they feel. I shopped around and ended up getting mine from a truck accessory store. They're also putting a cap on for me.
It was explained to me by the dealer that the OEM stuff would be warrantied along with the truck. However, it wasn't worth it to me price-wise.
As far as how these add-ons affect the value of the truck, I guess it depends on lease vs. buy. If you're leasing, it's like throwing money away unless you intend to purchase the truck at the end of the lease. Also, you have to be careful not to damage the truck if you're leasing, i.e. screw holes or accessories that can't be easily removed. The dealer isn't going to give you any cash for add-ons at lease end, and may even penalize you for altering the vehicle.
My appraiser doesn't ask me how my customer bought the vehicle. That's not his job. He's only concerned with what the units wholesale number is, and how easy or difficult it would be to sell it on the used car side. Any extras make a vehicle more sellable, especially a bed liner.
Go non-mopar, they're too pricy for my tastes. There are plenty of after market companies out there.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
Matt D
Thanks for the beautiful rose and compliment. (blush) :-)
I'm concerned about the reliability and resale of the Dakota. The 97 and 98 models were rated less reliable. Are the ratings wrong?
Matt D
1. Any good deals out there?
2. What about long term reliability? I have a 1993 Pathfinder which is extremely reliable-even at 107,000 miles. The local Dodge dealer service department is composed of individuals with room temperature IQs so I want to avoid visiting them if at all possible.
motorweek did a long term test of the dakota 4x4 club cab, and said at the end of the year that it was the most trouble free long term test vehicle they have ever tested, the only fault was a sensor that got stuck on. Besides that no problems. Go to motorweek website to see if that test is still there.
www.mpt.org/mpt/motorwk/reviews/dakota97.html
I is for the 97 model, though.
DP
DMS1
I had a lady last week looking for a baby yellow interior to match the exterior. I have helped people who hated the tires, the rims, etc. I aided a person who wanted the shift in the center as opposed to on the steering column. It seems to me that no matter what we do as a company, someone will have a problem with something. That is precisely why my job is so difficult.
I'm sure if I went to the Ford F-150 page I'd read alot of complaints about the truck. In fact, if I went to any vehicles page I bet you I could find a post about how someone was dissatisfied. I seem to remember something about lug nuts. When a person is unhappy they are going to tell as many people as they can. I choose to ignore these posts. I think of the entire numbers produced that year for the line and am reading a couple of disgruntled opinions. Not bad odds that I'm going to get a reliable vehicle from any company. I have also found that some people, who thought that they were cheated in some way by the dealer make up problems with their vehicles. I guess to cash in on the warrenty.
As for resale values, I think that the Dodge still retains the highest resale #'s in the short and long run. Remember, we don't put 100,000+ units in the fleet market, we let the others do that to become the #1 selling truck in America. However, the body styles look more like a Dodge every day. Maybe their new looks will inspire an executive to try to change the name of the company. I'd vote for FRodge.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
Is there any chance that Dodge will come out with better looking wheels next year? In my opinion they're way behind most of the competition in that area.
I want to get the Club Cab and I only plan to do light hauling and very little off-roading. Are there any features that you'd still consider a "must have"?
DP
Haven't heard anything about the tires or rims being changed next year.
Matt D
You are obviously a Dodge salesman .... skirt the issues and throw our unsupportable verbage. The issue is that I don't think that putting in four full doors on a "supercab" type truck at the cost of bed length is a good idea. My point is that most people that buy a supercab do so not for the same reason they buy a four door car -- they are not hauling people all the time. They are throwing their "stuff" in the back, and it is a lot more convenient in the suicide set-up. If I am wrong, the why did Dodge use this setup on their big Ram???? A mini-crew cab with four full doors is just a bad idea. By the way, why do you think that so many companies choose the Ford for their fleet vehicles anyway? Better value. I am still very much a fan of the Dakota (even to the point that I may buy one BEFORE they come out with the new configuration). I am a salesman's wet dream ... I have had 33 vehicles in the last 34 years (all brand new).
I agree with you on one point - I think the Dakota crew cab is a silly idea. Not because of the doors, but because they intend to shorten the bed length (am I correct it will only be 4.5'?). At that length, it's no longer a pickup truck but a car with a useless open cargo area in the back. Sort of defeats the purpose of having a truck.
But on the issue of suicide-type doors vs. regular doors, there's pros and cons to both. I DO carry a lot of passengers and the suicide doors create some problems. It can be a bother opening the front doors to let rear passengers in and out, and in tight parking spaces you have to do some clever maneuvering to gain access with both doors open. I agree that they're more convenient for loading stuff into the rear seat area, but beyond that they're a pain.
And stanford is right: there is already a choice with the Ford crew cab, but for some reason the price of these is much higher than the quad cab.
BTW, keep in mind that Dmat is a salesman - he doesn't design these trucks. We can hardly blame him for any design issues we may have. He's merely choosing to avoid either defending or bashing a product he sells and believes in. I think the public's reaction to the new Dakota will determine if it's a good idea or not. I'm annoyed that Chevy didn't put a fourth door on their new Silverado and I'm letting them know by getting a Dodge.
Would appreciate any info. you may have. I'm buying from the original owner who has had no problems. Just trying to get some reliability & price info. before making a decision.
The length of the box is actully 5ft something, i can't remember, but I think the idea of the crew cab dakota is a good one. It only is a foot or so shorter than a 6.6ft box, so thats not very much.
How many times do you think you will ever need that extra ft. If you do just pop the tail gate down and use the tie down to hold what ever your hauling. This way you can pick up the kids at school, and carry quite abit of cargo at the same time. Going on a long trip? Would you want to go in a quad cab, or a crew cab. Through the gear in the box, and put 5 people in the cab with room to spare. I think that s the idea for the crew cab dakota.
Do you have any idea about the 5sp on Ram? do they share the same tranny? I am looking for a 99ram 2wd. 5.2 5sp, and want to see if it shifts smoothly compared to competitors. I've never own a truck before. How "long" is the throw? Much worse than common cars'?
would appreciate any comment.
I stand corrected on the bed length. And the Dakota is perfect for someone with "smaller" hauling needs than I have. Which is why I opted for the full size with an 8 ft. bed. Guess I'd rather sometimes have room left over than often not have enough room. As I always say, to each his own.
I think Dodge is making a big mistake if that's the only type of extended cab they offer. I would take no doors over the full sized doors any day.
As it is, I'm already giving up 1.5 feet going with the short bed, because I think the 8 ft bed on the extended cab makes the truck too long. Losing another foot is just too much to give up.
1. If Dakota will have 4.7L engine as option in 2000, maybe I"ll wait until then. What's the likelyhood this will really be available?
2. I like the Tire and Handling Group, with 15X8 tires and wheels, but is this more susceptible to tire wear, cupping, poor corner handling, compared to normal wheels and suspension?
3. Do the wheel flares (only available with the Tire and Handling Group) give substantial stone protection from the wheels?
4. Are there good aftermarket mudflaps, that fit the Dakota (both flared and non-flared wheelwells) that can substantially reduce the stone and paint chip damage?
5. Are all these problems I see listed in this chatsite with the auto transmission something to worry about, or is it a very low % of the users that experience this? It concerns me, and my wife would rather not have a manual trans.
6. I should know this, but what axel ratio makes the engine turn slower (the 3.2, 3.55, or 3.9)? I'm more concerned about 75 mph speeds, than pulling some big trailer up a mountain.
Thanks, anyone who can help.
Most posters seems to feel that the 5.2L engine is the way to go - for me, the 3.9L does just fine. I'm not prone to blowing away the modified Integras, Preludes, etc. so the extra oopmh from the 5.2 doesn't do me a lot of good. Gets on the highway just fine, passing power is adequate (I'll typically drop it to 4th to pass - not unexpected) and mileage is pretty good. Count me as a happy camper!
DMS1