Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - IV

themacguy

Yeah, I've got one of the only gullwing tonneaus that apparently have shipped to date. Got mine back in Dec. 99. Completely waterproof - NO holes to drill, looks great from all but an 'underneath' view. It sort of overlaps the bed rails a bit; hence the waterproof part. Hinges work great on mine, though someone here said that they have been redesigned for hinge problems. I use(d) mine in the oilfields of W TX a lot so I worked it pretty hard. Nary a complaint. Very impressive to work out of. Got it for $825. Installed it in about a half an hour with a female helper. I've also got the roof rack (but no accessories) and haven't installed it as I can't come to grips with cutting any holes in this beautiful truck - a black Sport with Agate interior. I've changed wheels A LOT; back and forth from the stock 7" rims to the 8" optional ones to the R/T's (17X9 inchers) I got off ebay. I've autocrossed, though somewhat playfully ;-) in it, and have recorded some pretty impressive times, I've also changed rear ends looking for a few extra mpg's from the 4.7 auto combo, but it was just $1,400 wasted. Don't know where you're from, but out here (W TX) I got 1% ($250) over true invoice back in Nov. 99. In my opinion this truck is the perfect vehicle; you can use it like a car and work it like a truck, get decent mileage, have premium stock stereo sound, get looked at by everybody AND have low payments to boot. Haven't felt this good about an auto since my first Corvette 25 years ago. In fact it would run away and hide from that one. :-) Though it costs three times what the 75 Vette did, I'm making over 20 times the income today. What a country...

impy2

I have the 2000 club cab sport 4X4 with 5-speed manual and 4.7 liter. Big tires, 3.92 axle, tow package and all the other good stuff. Here is what I have been feeling lately. (not all the time though.) After I can to stop, I feel a slight "thump" coming somewhere from the rear of the truck. It happens 1 to 3 seconds after I come to a complete stop. I cannot pin point the exact location. I cannot hear the thump I can ony feel it. It does not matter if I am in gear or in nuetral, it still will do it. Has anyone experienced this "thump"? Next question: Where do I check the level of my manual transmission fluid. The owners manual says that I should check it when I check the oil. My Pontiac Grand Am had a dipstick for the manual transmission oil. (that was nice!!) Do I check it from underneath or is there a way to check it from under the hood? Last question: The leaf spring and bed noises. Do these noises occur on the club cab or only the quad cab. I have never heard any noises yet but I am paying attention for them to start. I have 2200 miles on my truck now. My main concern is the "thump" I spoke of.

raptor01

I click on technical then click on technical index in the left window then scroll down in the right until you see "New Vehicle Checklist". It's a Dodge Ram web site but the checklist is universal. Don't know if a similar web site exist for the dakota or not.

roundrocktx

Ford Bii:
Don't forget some differences that will always exist between the Sport and the SLT:

1) The SLT comes with the chrome bumpers and grill which are not offered on the Sport. The Sport gets body color bumpers and grill instead
2) Different color choices.
3) The SLT has more insulation under the hood and
in the floor -- so it should be quieter.

I am probably missing other things, but to me the chrome bumpers and extra insulation on the SLT made my decision. Also, some of the sport colors scream "Hey Mr Officer look over here, see my V-8 badge, just give me a ticket now, you know I am going to speed". I picked the relatively sedate Light Driftwood hue which was not offered on the Sport.

roundrocktx

impy2:
I have a Quad, built mid-April and have not noticed the leaf spring noise -- does anyone know if DC implements the TSB fixes on vehicles rolling off the line after a TSB is released? I know the leaf spring fix was pretty simple, so maybe it was implemented -- that would only make sense right?

towcrazy2

So... How do you like your truck!!??

Like you, I've also noticed since having the Quad, that I meet new people regularly... But not in the service department.

Seriously... Hope you get things straightened out and are able to enjoy the vehicle. When it's been sitting for awhile, my '95 Ram (5.9L) also "clunks" when shifted from "park" to "drive." Had the U-joint and other components checked... NPF there.

Upon further study, I also noticed that this "cold-clunking" occurred only when the truck was parked for some time pointed down a grade. The "fix" was to keep my foot on the brake and shift just momentarily into "reverse," then into "drive"... No more clunking... Ever.

Another pecularity of the Ram when it's cold is a slight, but audible, "whining" sound when backing up. It never caused any mechanical problems, however. And, the Quad (5.9 & "conventional" auto tranny) also whines slightly when it's cold and I'm backing up. I've become accustomed to this peculiarity in the same sense that I've become accustomed to certain "house noises" in our home.

Hope you're assuring that your problems are well documented on RO's, and that you're saving them as evidence in the event that something goes wrong after the warranty has expired.

Keep us posted on progress or lack thereof.

meredith

For purposes of efficiency....

this topic is being "frozen." Please continue these discussions in Topic 2032 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - V. Thanks!

Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host