Rams vs. Dakotas

discovampire

To all those that have experiences with both Dodge trucks:

Which truck do you prefer and why?

My father owns a '99 Ram Club Cab Sport V8 4X4. I had driven it several times and to me it just seemed sluggish for a V8. I liked the roomy interior but it was a pain in the butt trying to maneuver in parking lots/structures. Of all the full size pickups, it does look the best.

I own a '01 Dakota Club Cab SLT V8 2WD. Several summers ago, I worked at the Warren Truck in Michigan where both trucks are made and grew to really like the Dakotas. Just about all the people I met at the plant told me the quality of Dakotas outshined that of the Rams.

It was the look of the Dakota and the quality of the trucks which lead me to get one. I was just curious to other peoples thoughts.

davids1

Not enuff head room in the Dakota.

namfflow

Have a 97 and 01 Dakota Club Cab. Love them both. Too bad they cheapened the interior of the 01.

No problems with either one (yet)

I agree that the Ram is too big at least in the major metropolition areas.

ethuresson

I agree with the other guy about not enough headroom. And I'm only 6'1". Other than that, truck is great, perfect size for someone not in business with it. I'm afraid the Ram would be my choice for serious bidnezz...

Oh yeah, the new 4.7L in the Dakota ROCKS, people.

moparmad

I purchased an '01 Ram last February. I have owned a '76 Power wagon,'89 Dakota,'92 Ram,'96 Ram,and several others before this current truck. My main reason for purchasing the Ram over the Dakota was performance. I prefer a manual transmission and with a manual the 4.7L is just not as snappy as the old 318. I know it sounds impossible but it is true. My wifes Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L and auto is ferocious, but the performance comes from the fact that the computer massages the automatic tranny to keep the baby V8 turning in its power band. I know this sounds crazy but I drove the Dakota and Ram back to back and the difference around town particularly was astounding to me.
FYI...I ordered my Ram as follows...318, 5 speed, ST decor(I like rubber floor mats,sorry),Cruise,tilt,and the most important performance option 3.92 limited slip gears
This truck is probably the fastest truck I have owned previous truck was a 360 auto. It is actually faster than my '76 and thats a big block with a four speed(of course the ole power wagon is five seconds of neck straining acceleration followed by 25 seconds of shifting to the next gear without hitting your knuckles on the dash)

dskoczylas

I sold a 98 RAM Quad cab for a 01 oak Quad cab, mainly for the back seat room. I definitely prefer the AK over the RAM. The ride is much smoother. The 4.7 seems nosier than my 318 in the Ram, but The noise also sounds like a muscle truck. oak is much easier to drive in a shopping plaza. Steering and suspension just seem tighter in the Dakota. I love the 5 speed in the Dakota over the auto I had in the Ram. Plus I teenage kids like the back seat.