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I was told that the QC was the only pickup in it's class rated fora child's safty seat without going to a full size pick up. Becuase of it's safty reting for child seats in the rear seats, the QC doesn't have a airbaag shut off switch.
Gas here in the Ozarks (about 100 miles from Little Rock) was 1.48 yesterday at the cheapest place in town although the stations near I-40 that snare the travelers are getting 5 to 10 cents more. Price has been changing almost daily for the last two weeks. I have been following prices around the country and appreciate all the posters who are keeping us all informed. We are already scaling back our annual Dinosaur Hunting and Flyfishing Adventure to the Yellowstone area and the Northern Rockies. Probably just make it as far as Colorado this year.
and long lived product.
Bookitty
Aside from the possibility of increased "squat," I'm actually anticipating that the Quad will exhibit towing manners as good, or better than, the SWB Ram... Time and testing will tell.
To the poster inquiring about Marvel Mystery oil... For what it's worth, I've used the same procedure during break-in on all my new vehicles... Pop for a quart of the stuff... Add 5 oz./10 gal. with each fill-up 'till the quart is gone. I have no "empirical" data to back up its effectiveness in a new engine, except to say that I've checked compression on my vehicles after years of use, and it's always been high and consistent between cylinders.
In the days of yore, in automotive technology courses in college, we rebuilt several motors (Chevy small- and big-block, Chrysler hemi, etc.). The instructor ALWAYS insisted that an upper cylinder lube (MMO or equivalent) be used over the first 500 miles of run-in. Subsequent tear-downs showed virtually no galling and excellent valve seating.
I don't know if it's of interest to you but I found an (apparently) excellent www retail location for rack type stuff (www.rackwarehouse.com). They have, in particular, something called the Mirage Truck Rack which comes in both a high (in line with cab top) and LowRider (on the bed rails) version. The rack takes standard Yakima Locking Railrider 1 towers, and of course after that all of the standard Yakima accessories. I'm gonig to be ordering the LowRider version shortly (soon as the Personal Finance Office approves the funds expendature) and outfitting my bed for carrying 3-4 bikes. I already have three Yakima SteelHead mounts from my previous Yak rack, so this is a cool thing for me.
Plus I really appreciate being able to solidly lock all my stuff to the truck.
victx:
You should check out the advertised prices at the Rack Warehouse, they seem pretty competetive, before launching with any Mopar stuff. Note that with either the Mirage (75-350 USD), or by purchasing Yakima tracks (95-120 USD) and having them mounted to your cab, you can get excellent stability and support with a much more flexible and secure system than the Mopar options.
Anxious for the middle of July to arrive if themacguy will hold the oil guys in check and keep gas prices down.
Give me the Quad, a trailer with a Harley and saltwater tackle inside and a kayak on the top... 3-4 weeks to call my own... and point me toward the FL Keys... Lousy golf, but lot's of great kid-stuff!
Interesting... The posters here seem, by-and-large, to have been around the block a few times. Yet, I've also repeatedly noticed a certain youthful enthusiasm for "cool stuff"... No one-upping or flaming... Just folks having a good time and swapping info/suggestions for the fun of it!
Nuff said.
It really is great, though, to be able to do some rudimentary pricing on-line! While working with a dealer is still necessary for the forseeable future, it's nice to walk in with numbers on paper rather than a blank look!
I would walk into the dealership and always had a piece of standard sized paper folded in half. As we discussed models, equipment, options and pricing I would always unfold the paper and appear to look at it as in making reference. At this point I would usually thank the salesperson for their time and stand up as to leave. This would inevitably result in a lower price and/or the invoking of the "sales manager T/O." This piece of paper would drive them wild, and the would always ask to see it, and were then promptly denied. After I received what I thought to be a good deal, I would then divulge the contents of the "Magna Carta" which might be anything from a grocery list to a piece of unsolicited mail. Worked like a charm.
Bookitty
Priceline.com - I noticed that the Body Side Moldings are now an option. Are these color coordinated with the paint selected or simply black? Any luck getting them to work on a 2000 QC?
Colbates - I agree with you, the QC is the only pick-up that will safely accommodate a full size childseat without going to a full size truck. Plus Dodge will install childseat anchor tethers at no charge.
Tom
The leg of the T is vertical and has a right angle on the bottom so it can fit into the hitch. The height of the cross part of the T is adjustable from level with the bed of the truck to level with the top of the cab. It also can extend out from the bed up to several feet. Rated at 500 lbs.
They show it supporting lumber sticking out the back of the bed. In theory you could use it as a canoe holder on the back end of the truck and use a standard roof rack on the cab of the truck. That would give you supports about 10+ feet apart if you figure from the front of the cab to past the end of the bed.
Maybe you could have a 2" reciever hitch installed on th Front of the truck. Get two of the T supports and put one on both ends.
Well after 1 whole week with an egg taped to the bottom of my right shoe, here are my results:
502 miles / 21.3 gallons = 23.6 MPG ($42.50)
The computer had 23.2 MPG with only 31 miles left. (2wd 4.7 5spd 3:55lsd 6,900 miles)
I want one bad! But I just bought a 99 Pontiac Grand AM last year. It's a really good car but I need (want) a truck again. Problem is I'm upside down in payments. I will have to take a $1100 - $1700 hit in order to buy this truck. I can get the exact truck I want (Amber Fire QC, 4.7, Manual, SLT Plus, Overhead Convenience, with a couple more add ons)for $100 over dealer invoice. Which means that I'm really going to end up paying MSRP once you factor in the hit.
My question... is this truck worth MSRP? ($22,950)
Any input would be helpful.
Sambone
I'm one of several Boy Scout leaders taking about 40 scouts out to backpack at Philmont Scout Reservation right at Cimarron. We'll breakdown into 12 person crews (8 kids/4 adults) and do our separate hikes. Ours is a 65 miler that starts at 6,700' and in 5 days we're on top of a MT. Phillips at 11,774'. Then there's 6 more days of hiking to get back to the base camp. Bright and early on July 9 we return to Albuquerque from Cimarron and fly home to central PA.
That whole area of the country is very interesting to me but I've got too many years up here to think about ever moving. Then again I've lived in San Anton', Ok City, Biloxi, Tom River NJ and Van Buren Maine as the first of six sons who's father (civilian) worked for the Air Force.
Thanks for all of your contributions to the forum. No one person can stand alone, just too much to know. I know that I was a more informed buyer when I finally got the Quad.
1. Do the 5-spd trannys have lazy synchros or is there a delay somehow? For the life of me, I can't get a quick shift in the trucks I've test driven. and why is there so much lateral movement when in gear? My 88 S-10 w/ 200k miles is just a little tighter.
2. Has anyone looked into a supercharger for the 4.7L engines? I'd wait for at least a year, perhaps 3 before attemting it but I'm curious.
3. Any word on changes to the 2001 Quads? I'd be interested in a silver Sport or an in-dash CD changer. And is there any truth to the rumors of a new grille?
4. Can someone provide a somewhat comprehensive list of things to check when picking up an ordered truck? I've read about door alignment, bed alignment, and door seals (and how, exactly, can you align a bed).
Man, I just can't wait.
Here is a URL that may intrest you.
http://www.wardsauto.com/best10/99info/dcc47v8.htm
Hey, but even if you don't, just look at it this way: you've still got a heck of a car, and we'll still welcome you to our little corner of the world. :O)
NUMBERS ON PAPER -- Boo, the showroom approach you described is pure artistry! Had me vicariously enjoying the moment!
As an aside, most retail automotive salespeople are trained to recognize and deal with four distict "types" of customers, with varying degrees of difficulty ("opportunuty") to achieve profit -- "P-P-D-D":
PRICE buyers - Want the best price. Fairly easy marks, provided you can pick up gross on a low trade appraisal and/or F&I products.
PAYMENT buyers - Want the lowest possible payment. These are easy marks. Just sell them on a 60-month finance contract... Though you DON'T mention that they'll be underwater on the deal for the entire ownership period.
DISCOUNT buyers - Look for tempting discount. Used to be an easy mark, simply through starting at MSRP and working downward, combined with some pre-delivery accessorizing, low trade appraisal and F&I sales. With the advent of the internet, Discount buyers are fewer and further between. But they're still out there, and salespeople KNOW it when they have a live one.
DIFFERENCE buyer - Looks strictly at the DIFFERENCE between trade value and selling price. This is typically the toughest nut for a salesperson to crack.
SAFARI BAR/SIDE MOLDINGS - 76 Quad, the Safari bar won't be going on 'till next week, but I'll shoot a few digitals of the QC and make them available.
As to the side moldings, they're all black for 2000 (same as fitted on all SLTs)... That worked out well on my white QC as its decked out in a white/black scheme... I would hope that Dodge moves to color-keyed moldings for 2001, though I can't say. Should you decide to go with aftermarket moldings, I have a few tips to share on cutting technique.
GAS PRICES - Ferous, we've also experienced a 10-cent drop in 87 octane prices in Souteastern Mich., though it's from an average $2.19 to about $2.09... Another 25-30 cents, and I might start putting some leisure-miles on the QC!!
ELECTRONIC 4x4 SHIFT - Hate to see Dodge go to the electronic 4X4 shift for 2001, though I suppose it was inevitable... Looks like I'll be savoring the simplicity and solid feel of the mechanical shift for the last time.
Sorry to ramble on... If you think THIS is boring, you should see me at a party!
Bookitty
Just to let everyone know that in Atlanta we are paying 1.50 for 87oct. with a 10 cent jump for each grade.
There is a $1000 rebate from Dodge for the 2 door and the Club cab but not the Quad.
Put my Quad in the shop this morning because the tempature sensor was reading 0C while the current temp is in the low 80's. Service advisor says wait here, it just take a moment. The mechanic opens the hood, can't find the sensor. Pulls out the manual and points to the area it is supposed to be. No wires, no sensors, no nothing. After the curtesy shuttle leaves and I have been standing around for 1/2 hour, I wanted to know when they were going to give me a loaner. Service advisor says they contacted tech support and everyone and thing agrees on where the sensor is supposed to be but they can't find anything on my vehicle. No holes drilled, no loose wires, no wiring harness, no nothing.
Finally got an extended cab Sport with 13,500 miles as a loaner. Boy the ride is different without the extra weight of the Quad cab. It seems like the the bed is light and wants to float around.
The first sign it was going to be a bad day is when the Service advisor doesn't have my appointment. Second he does not recognize the name of my salesman. Probably should have just turned and walked away then. Got 150 miles on the vehicle and the mpg is up to 11. Still have half a tank.
...Pause while I answer the phone....It's the service advisor. Says that the wireing harness was taped up and the end where the sensor should should have been was covered in tape. They untaped the harness, pulled a sensor from another vehicle on the lot and it works. Hey, the day just got better!
On a separate note, at 4500 miles, gas mileage is running at 17.6 mpg. (3.55, 4.7L, 5sp, 2wd).
Imagine my shock and suprise when I walked out of my home, looked across the street to see the truck I had been planning on buying, sitting in my neighbor's driveway. I was truly fit to be tied!
Needless to say, we are getting into the time when I will be purchasing my next vehicle, and I have decided it would be a truck. We have two kids, 3 & 7, and two dogs, and the future seems to have a boat in store for us. (hopefully)
I have been looking at two models for comparison, and I would like your opinions on the merits of each.
Dakota QuadCab: Pros - great back seats, better price, nice styling, made in north america. Cons - smallish bed
Toyota Tundra: Pros - slightly better ride, quiet, bigger bed, possibly better quality. Cons - back seat is for children that don't have concerns about comfort, and $2000 more expensive.
I am thinking a 4X4 quad or a 4X2 Tundra.
The back seat may very well be the deciding factor here, so it may be a moot comparison, but does anyone have any similar comparisons that they did when they were looking? What about the bed on the QC? Is is sufficient, or do you have to work around that with a trailer?
BTW, this is a really fun group. I went to look at the Tundra group, and half the people are saying "buy American" and the other half are telling the first half to go away:-) No real discussion is taking place there. Just Japan bashing, for the most part. Oddly enough, I was born in Japan. (Army Brat:-)
Thanks!
Richard
bookitty - Thanks for the F.B. info. Unfortunatly, if we buy it will probably be real soon and I won't be able to take advantage of it.
themacguy - sounds like it's not uncommon for folks to pay close to MSRP for the QC and feel good about it. I can tell you that in the Dallas area there is still a good selection on the dealer's lots (from 6 to 20 per dealer) and any of them appear willing to take $100 over invoice. Some of them are still getting in shipments of the 2000 models. I guess they are still trying to beef up their allocation numbers for the 2001 models.
I guess it's now just a matter of getting the wife to give her blessing on the deal. Going into this against her wishes would be a huge error. No vehicle in the world is worth dealing with the back lash from that.
Sambone
bookitty - Thanks for the F.B. info. Unfortunatly, if we buy it will probably be real soon and I won't be able to take advantage of it.
themacguy - sounds like it's not uncommon for folks to pay close to MSRP for the QC and feel good about it. I can tell you that in the Dallas area there is still a good selection on the dealer's lots (from 6 to 20 per dealer) and any of them appear willing to take $100 over invoice. Some of them are still getting in shipments of the 2000 models. I guess they are still trying to beef up their allocation numbers for the 2001 models.
I guess it's now just a matter of getting the wife to give her blessing on the deal. Going into this against her wishes would be a huge error. No vehicle in the world is worth dealing with the back lash from that.
Sambone
By the way, there are web sites to check where dealers offer trucks anywhere from $175 below invoice to $49.50 above. You may want to check: landers.com (ARK), meltonsales.com (OK), bennyboyd.com (TX)(though his is 1% over invoice), autoinvoice.com (OK), and carsatinvoice.com (KY). Some of the sites have more info than others, but there is a choice out there, it seems. So you shouldn't have to pay MSRP, at least I hope so when I get ready to buy later on this year. I spoke with a guy at Landers today - Cody Morris - and mentioned to him some of the prices on the net and he seemed willing to do me a deal right over the phone for invoice or below. Again, just my opinion. Good luck!
Choices are tough, especially when there's a lot of new product hitting the market yearly! I wrote some service traing broadcasts for Tundra last year... Became totally immersed in the product during research, and it's a very nice truck indeed!
I've also done a good deal of competitive comparison training for both the domstics and offshore... Picking apart the competitors (be they foreign or domestic) for trivial things such as a few lbs. of torque here or an inch of shoulder room there... All relatively meaningless on paper!
My suggestion... Demo the trucks, and bring your "others" along... Talk... Feel... Sit... Open doors... Close doors... Talk again... Then go with your gut! They're both very competent trucks... The question for me was which one I'd rather live with.
SHARKSKIN:
I would concur with GSUL regarding the reliability factor between brands. I've had good luck with a Chevy truck... I've had good luck with a Dodge Ram... So far, I've had good luck with the Quad... Not to say that it's "better" than Chevy or Ford... Just to say that it suits my applications, and I enjoy driving it!
As to a "comparison" with the F-150 or Silverado, I think that's a stretch... The Quad is definitely a mid-size, not a full-size. I downsized from a Ram specifically because I needed the "guts" of a full-size for towing (mine's a 5.9), but wanted better handling & comfort... I got exactly what I needed & wanted... Hope you do too!
THEWINK:
You might scan earlier posts on the squeaking... I recall contributors mentioning a TSB on the spacers placed between the leaf springs.
Enjoy the weekend, ALL!
I re-picked up my QC from the dealer today, I brought it in on Monday for some paint problems on the rear drivers side door. They repainted the door perfectly. I can't even tell it was redone. There was some slight overspray onto the bed rail, but it mostly came off w/ some elbow grease and will be covered by a rhino/line-x soon anyway. Thanks to all who recommended I go w/ the repaint instead of yanking a door off another one and slapping it on.
The dealer provided me a loaner - a GMC Jimmy w/ a nearly full tank of gas at rental but returned on empty. :-)
The Jimmy pailed in comparison to my QC. No power, terrible ergonomics, broken seat adjustments, poor visibility out the bank, terrible handling..
Time to fill out the owner's survey. I am very pleased -- everyone at the dealership seemed to know about my problem and kept me in the loop every step of the way despite me being a pain in their behind. This is the best vehicle I have ever owned.
shark - If seating is critical - and the primary factor in choosing a truck - my opinion, and many here, would be to opt for a full size Supercab. My choice is GM all the way (for seats), as they have, arguably, the very best seating ever offered in a truck. AND a whole bunch of endorsements for their ride quality. I didn't like, want or need the 'command seating' however, and I did need a REAL backseat so I opted for the Dakota Quad. Your mpg will be as good in the fullsize GM products as the Dakota with the V-8s as well... just don't expect the Quad's performance (unless you tow dozers or fifth wheels), handling and parking lot 'ease' in the fullsizers - it just ain't gonna be there. ;-)
Anyway, ya'll know what we mean. Now let's go have some fun.
http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/ram_frame.html
Click on technical then technical index, scroll down to New vehicle inspection. Print this complete checklist and take it with you when you buy.
The automatic shift lever comes off in my wife’s hand as she is putting it in gear to back out of the driveway. No big deal. It is covered and they put a new one on.
Appointment 1: The shift lever is fixed.
Then one morning a week or so later I shift in reverse to back out of the driveway and was greeted with a tremendous "CLUNK" coming from the drivetrain. This clunk is present nearly every time I shift in reverse from this point forward. A few days later, upon engaging reverse to back out of the driveway what do I hear to accompany the clunk, but a really obnoxious buzzing noise that lasts until it is shifted out of reverse. Schedule an appointment.
Before the day of my appointment, I turn the key over one morning and woe is me, the fuel pump starts making a hideous whine. Oh wonderful, my confidence in this POS is hitting overdrive now. I call and add this to the list of problems they need to address.
The night before my appointment I figure I better give the Dakota a once over just to make sure I have not missed something. Hmmmm, a slight antifreeze leak near the thermostat. That wasn't there when I bought it, oh well, I will add it to my appointment.
Appointment 2: They only fix the antifreeze leak and order parts for the tranny buzz and tell me the fuel pump is OK. When I pick it up, I take the service manager by the hand and have him listen to the fuel pump. He finally agrees there is a problem with the fuel pump and says the clunking noise in the tranny will be fixed with the parts they ordered for the buzzing noise. Reschedule.
Appointment 3: They fix the fuel pump and buzzing noise (so far, anyway) and tell me the clunking noise is natural and all 98 Dakotas will do it to some degree. After bickering with the service manager again he agrees to call DC and talk to the engineers about it. Reschedule.
Appointment 4: They replace most of the parts in the differential. It still clunks. I am losing my patience. They call the engineer again. Reschedule.
Appointment 5: They go back into the tranny, replace the valve body, service writer says it is fixed. I go to pick it up, slide er in reverse (CLUNK!!!!) I am pissed, I wanna kill. I decide it is prudent to drive home to avoid a heated battle with anyone connected to this organization (this is a 5 star dealership by the way) and save the confrontation for the next morning.
I show up the next morning to discuss this with the GM. He is out, how convenient. I talk to some manager and the shop foreman. They tell me the clunking noise and slop in the drivetrain is natural and will not take the vehicle back for that problem.
I call Chrysler and get a file number......what a joke that process is; they side with the dealership.
I take the Dakota to two transmission shops, one drivetrain shop and one general mechanics shop that afternoon. 5 different mechanics from these 4 shops look at it and all agree that there is excessive slop and clunking in the drivetrain.
I call the dealership. They don't care what anyone else says. "We will not take it back for that problem again." I call DC customer service center, they back the dealer's position. Loud clunking and excessive slop is natural in the drivetrain of a 1998 Dodge Dakota. This is straight from Dodge representatives’ mouths.
I will give you odds, the day after the warranty expires, this problem would be properly diagnosed.
On a side note, I read back a few hundred messages that the SLT was a much better value than the Sport. I used Dodge's web site and priced up identical trucks, one an SLT and one a Sport, and the sport is cheaper... by $20. Not much of a difference if you ask me.
Is it pretty typical to get a new Quad cab ordered at invoice price? Without even negotiating I asked the salesman I talked to how much he was looking to make on the truck (I made it clear that I priced it on the internet and knew the cost) and he said $200 over invoice. Not a bad starting point. It definately saves a lot of trouble when you let them know that you know what the heck you're talking about.
Anybody have the roof rack featured in the parts catalog??