Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - IV

cyberdad2

should be left for those who aren't trying to get an Owners Group approved.

Just my .02

bookitty

Andy, your advice to impy2 while promoting safety,
seems to be a bit on the kinky side. I'm not certain as to your intentions. Impy2, any marital advice from this forum may prove to be dangerous to your marriage, although as ferous said; 42 minutes isin't too bad.

Bookitty

raptor01

I have 2WD SLT, SLT+, 4.7, auto. 3:55 non LSD. I have a noticeable whine coming from the rear between 45 & 50 mph. It's louder when decelerating through this range. Dealer tells me its normal. Other Quads I've driven didn't have this noise. Still baffled.

badassbob

The best protection is to spend $15 for a steel 15x8 rim (with the same OFFSET) at a junkyard or "Internet-Junkyard" and a $10-$20 used (But still Good NOT bald or threads showing) tire and take the Alloy and that $110 Goodyear tire (31x10.5 in my case) and put it in your garage/basement like i did...

Then you can incorporate it into your rotation schedule or save it untill you need a new set and only buy (3) tires instead of (4)...Then keep the best wore out one to put back under it when you sell/trade or trade/sell with the old steelspare and sell the alloy to a junkyard for $50 or so...

This way there is no need to worry about someone steeling it or getting it beat up or chipped by rocks/gravels

I agree with the person who reccommended Simple Green for tire cleaning...Works great..BUT use it on the tires only and NOT the rims....The factory alloys are plastic coadted and the simple green could cause them to "could" over time if used on a regular basis to clean and scrub the rims...Dont know for sure if this will happen but im not going to be the one to find out

CHAD

victx

lmeyer1
Is the VON Vehicle Order Number?

Is it standard practice for the dealer to cash in on your deposit when you order a vehicle. I placed my order for a 2001 Quad, gave my Credit card # for a deposit. They went ahead and billed my card for $500. This didn't seem right to me since they said my truck wouldn't be built till 7-26 and I wouldn't take delivery till August or Sept. Last time I ordered a Ford (sept '98), I left a check as a deposit and they never cashed it. What are your experiences with this? Do you think it is this dealer, all dodge dealers, ..?

yank2

Hear in Florida the wife in the bed would be whining more then between 40 & 50. But I will say the service manager is bring another Quad to the house and we are going to try and find a fix for the whine.

lmeyer1

raptor, subscribe to the Dakota Mailing List. Here's the URL for the home page. You can figure out how to subscribe from there.

http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/WWW/DAKOTA/dakota.html

The rear-end whine has been the subject of some discussion there. No answers, but you'll discover that you're not alone.

Sorry I can't offer any personal observations. Don't have a Dakota yet.

victx, yes the VON is the Vehicle Order Number. Having one doesn't mean much other than to confirm that I am in the system with a 2001 order. It will also let me track the status of the truck.

I've never factory ordered a new car before, so I have no experience with deposits other than the one my Dodge dealer took for the QC. He also actually charged the card, but I guess that's what I expected, at least until I read your post.

spike50

While doing research prior to ordering the 2000 Quad, I was going through any magazine that had an article on Dakotas. On page 73, in Motor Trend's TRUCK TREND, Dec-99, there's a very non-technical article on the supercharging the R/T. The upgrade package includes a new apron under the bumper, etc. from Performance West. Says that the 5.9 is topped with a Kenne Bell twin-screw supercharger kit, ram-air intake, headers, and a recalibrated engine management computer. Peak HP at 360 (interesting choice of a number). Max boost is 13 pounds.

towcrazy2

Final chapter on the Westin step bar installation:

-- Check for missing parts (10 min.) Westin shorted me 2 lock washers, and packed two extra flat washers - A stop at the hardware when I have the chance.
-- Install driver side body mounts and bar
(40 min.) - Went on easily... Includes a bit of extra time brushing a couple of coats of rust preventative (Extend) on exposed threads, nuts & washers
-- Install passenger side body mounts and bar (25 min.) - No problems.

They look and function very well... Foot pads are poperly located for entry/exit front and rear. I'd recommend them to anyone who prefers to do their own wrenching.

spike50

I bought the $13 / pr all black mud flaps and installed them myself. The mud flaps are not pre-drilled and you do use two of the screws holding on the wheel flare.

You start out by pacing the mud flap in the desired position, which is over top of two of the screws that hold on the wheel flares. Once you have where you think its right you tap the flap with a hammer right where the screws are to leave and impression on the flap which notes the spot where you need to drill the first two holes. Unless you want to take off the wheels, you'll need a angled nut-driver to do this.

For me, this process took several adjustments to get all of the flaps to look right. Start with the passenger side rear wheel. If you make a mistake at least you don't have to look at it every time you walk up to your truck. Also be aware that the front wheel flares are a different height off of the ground than the backs so you can't copy the hole pattern in that direction. Also note that the wheel flare geometry is different on the front versus the backs.

After you get everything looking good but still hanging by two screws per flap, you go back in with the supplied screws (3-4 / flap) to better secure everything.

You have to love doing this to not pay the shop to avoid this kind of torture.

cowtownaggie

victx,

my dealer here in north TX did the same thing. I wrote a $500.00 check as a deposit (most of the dealers I talked to wanted at least $500.00 deposits).

Thankfuly I thought to ask the new truck manager if they would hold the check, or cash it. He acted offended when I asked him what they would do! i.e. . . . . of COURSE we are going to cash your check!!

Did'nt matter to me, just needed to xfer the funds. I hope this dealer is as quick with their service as they were with my check. that sucker cleared my bank within 30 hrs - I verified clearance!!!

Good Luck with the order!

Cowtown Aggie

tpmiller

Also gave 500 by check to small dealer no stars. Was not cashed until I accepted delivery. He offered to rip it up several times because of the long wait. Probably exception to the rule, if you take the term deposit literally.

ferous

I also ordered a 5spd and and was asked to put a down payment. I asked how much they wanted (I already knew $500 from other postings), and they asked for $500. So $500 must be an industry standard.
Boo - did you have to put $500 down twice. Sorry

steveeast

I put down $300 on my Ranger and was told it would be cashed. It was also the amount above invoice that I was paying.

engine16c

When I ordered my QC in Feb., I gave the dealer a deposit of $100. Thompson Dodge in Dundalk, Maryland. Anyone looking for QC, they have several. Ask for Kathy or Leo. great people to work with.

Friend of mine has the whine in his QC. 4.7L 2x4, automatic, trailer package. His dealer has ordered a new rear. He said there were only 2 in the US, (rears). Doesn't know when it will come in. Is still driving it. My QC 4.7L, 4x4, 5-sp, 2700 miles. No whine get.

andy_jordan

what the whine is without experiencing it. If it is rear end related then the assumption has to be that something in the differential isn't quite right, maybe some kind of cavitation of the fluid - I don't know, I'm just clutching at straws.

towcrazy2

For what it's worth, I paid $200 down. The check was placed in the Deal Jacket and remained uncashed until I picked up the Quad.

96g11

Ok, most of you know I am cheap. Here is the icing on the cake! I found a way to make a "factory looking" cold air intake that works very well. Total cost?-$3.12 Yes that is right and it took about an hour to complete. The following is the list of materials:

1 Normandy brand part number sr-d-2852 sewer and drain 3" elbow, alternate p/n s42936
1 Normandy brand 3" coupling p/n s40130
12" 4" aluminum dryer vent tubing.

Remove the stock air hat and rubber flex tube to the filter box. Reuse the three stock clamps. Cut a 1/4 inch slot on the elbow (large end) and it fits perfectly onto the stock air horn with the stock clamp. (fits quite snugly) Clamp the stock rubber flex host to the elbow again with the stock clamp. Push the coupling onto the air box and clamp the other end of the flex hose to the coupling. remove the airbox intake 90 degree intake scoup, and mold the aluminum duct from the passenger side radiator area back to the air box. This is easier that it seems. There is a black rubber sheet on the radiator support that can be removed to allow the duct to pass through to the grill area and pick up forced air at speed. The ducting will fit inside the air box. The air conditioning aluminum tube can be "carefully" manipulated to the side for extra clearance. The aluminum tubing can be formed in place to provide a suitably smooth intake tract.
I moved the computer to the side about an inch for extra clearance but it is not that important. Just a little careful bending and smoothing of the aluminum ducting will do the trick.
After smoothing the elbow and coupling with sandpaper and painting black with engine paint the setup looks factory installed and gives a really cool "growl" during heave footed episodes.
I Have smoothed my airbox inside and installed a K&N filter.
I will have to clean the filter more often with this setup but with the k&N filter that is a simple issue to be done at oil changes.

I found the parts needed at Berings Hardware store in Houston, Tx The benifit of these parts is that schedule 40 pipi is larger and looks bulky where as the Normandy parts are much smaller and look "right" if that makes sense.

My dealer said this will not void my warranty as no "mechanical" modification was performed.

My highway mileage shows about 2 mph higher at 55 mph with this system installed verses the stock setup, But I have a flowmaster also so the intake helps take advantage of the increased exhaust flow. Seat of the pants passing is much improved. "like it neeeds to be?" yea right.But it sure sounds cool.

yank2

Service Manager came out with a Amber Fire Pearl Quad V6 chrysler rear. Had whine when hitting gas at 50. mine is a 4.7 with a dana rear whine between 52 and 40. He wants to take it in next week says he thinks he can fix it. I will let you know. I love the truck just hate the bugs. But this is knot my year. Easter a tree fell trough my roof. No rain in months until I started new roof. Roof finished the house gets hit by lighting and friend gets hit at golf course.

ozark

I believe I put up a $200 deposit. Another dealer was not worried about the deposit. Only reason that either dealer required deposits was for the 5spd. Dealers are of the mind-set that 5spds don't sell as easily although I doubt if that is true.

At 10,500 miles I am considering buying an extended warranty from either geautowarranty or a mopar warranty from a discounted internet site. I am trying to decide if the $1000 is worth extending what to me is a 1 year(36,000mile) to a 3 year (100,000) mile warranty. Any ideas Quadders.

Bookitty-belated anniversary congratulations. I am sure that your wife (like mine) is a saint to tolerate you. Although I've not posted in awhile, I have been following the advice to the newlywedded from yourself and others. Heaven help him.

badassbob

Do you guys with the rear end Whine also have or have had the misaligned rear end????Just curious.. Heard some people talk about on wheel sticking out farther tat the other??Just curious...I Have te 4.7L, 5sp, 3.55 4x4 with a perfectly aligned rear end ( i cecked with a tape measure...

CHAD

yank2

Yes Chad I had the bed misaligned problem. And they tryed to move the rear end the first time with no luck.

impy2

How are you guys checking your beds and rear ends for misalignment. (on the truck that is) Is this a problem with quad cabs or club cabs or both. I have the club cab sport 4x4 with 5-speed 3.92 gears. I have not noticed any whine in the rear end. (what is the best way to check that, and what is causing it) How are you using a tape measure to check bed alignment (remember.........I have the club cab)

profxtjb

I am trying to decide whether to purchase a Dodge Dakota in the club cab version or perhaps another vehicle. I have one crucial question which I hope someone can answer well: Can one use a child safety seat in the little bech seat in back? We have one right now that I tried at the dealership, but its base was too large; the bench seat is about 12 inches deep, according to my measurements. I have gone out and measured other child safety seats but I would like tohear from someone that has used one in the center rear. RSVP

impy2

I have the club cab. I am not real familiar with how child seats work in the rear bench seat (no kids yet) I believe there is a page in the owners manual dedicated to that subject. Just ask your local dodge dealer if you can view the owners manual. (he will let you, if you seem interested) I love Dodge trucks, but this is one area that you do not want to mess with. (your kid's safety) If you feel the least bit uncomfortable with putting your child in the rear bench seat, then I would search for another alternative. (such as the Quad cab Dakota) In the mean time I will view my owners manual and let you know what I find. This will save you the hassel of going to a dealer. I will be as detailed as possible. Check the postings tomorrow and I should have an answer in the evening.

profxtjb

Impy, I took a look at the owner's manual yesterday. It is a generic one, suitable for any of the three Dakota versions. The pages on child safety seats were not specific enough for me. Thanks for digging!

blademan

Most average size child seats will not sit properly on the short base of the back seat. Even if you manage to get the child seat in, the passenger in front must move the seat all the way forward!!

I would suggest looking at the Quad Cab. More than enough room in back for a child seat in this configuration.

towcrazy2

Just one suggestion and one (broadbrush) question this morning...

STEP BAR SUGGESTION:
For those who've installed Westin (or other) black powdercoated step bars on your quad... You might consider carefully sealing off the surfaces of the bar and mounting plate where they meet, and also the bolt that attaches the bar to plate.

Rationale? Those new powdercoated bars may look great NOW, but like any other appendages that close to the road, they're probably going to need refinishing a couple of years down the road.

Had occasion to chat with a guy in the parking lot yesterday... Has Westin Step bars on his 2-year-old Chevy. They're riddled with stone chips and beginning to rust. Otherwise, his truck looks GREAT!

Asked him why he doesn't remove the bars and refinish them. Answer? The mounting bolts are frozen solid... He rounded a bolt head with a 12-point socket trying to get the bars off.

My solution? A bead of silicone around the bar/mount mating surfaces to prevent water and salt from entering the threaded plate inside the bar... Then several coats of rust preventative (EXTEND or similar) to seal off the exposed mounting bolt head.

FUEL PRICES:
Pulled up to the pump yesterday and bought
regular (87) at the "bargain" price of $2.09 per gallon... My wife wasn't so lucky... She paid $2.15 for regular.

While it's not directly related to the forum, it IS related to overall operating expense. I'm just curious about what others are paying for fuel in other parts of the country (I'm in Michigan).

myersed

We're paying $1.49 /gal in Mossouri. Located 100 miles out of St Louis.

Also- Wife and I both noticed a slight reduction in guel economy over the past 2 tankfulls. Do the new EPA addatives or oxegenators (or what ever they are coined) impact fuel economy?

myersed

That should read---- Missouri and oxygenators (I believe)

towcrazy2

I envy you! While I'm able to run 87 in the 5.9, you can imagine what it's like to pay $50 for a tankfull!

Regarding your reformulated fuel there, I haven't heard any pro's or con's regarding fuel mileage, though I have heard (unsubstantiated) comments regarding a slight loss in performance.

Perhaps other contributors will chime in on both their local fuel costs and the RFG issue.

raptor01

Visually, there is no bed misalignment. The Rt and Lt tires are within 1/4 inch. However, I noticed the Rt lower shock mount is closer to the thrid member (pumpkin) than the Lt.
Average Gas prices in Ft Walton Beach FL. are $1.45 for regular unleaded. Average Gas mileage is 17.25 to 17.5. 4.7L, auto, 2 wd. No freeway driving.

towcrazy2

Thanks for checking in with your fuel prices... We're facing what appears to be a "gouging" situation here in Michigan, and I'll be using data like yours as evidence in correspondence with lawmakers. Others in our area are doing the same.

engine16c

In the Baltimore, Md. area I am paying $157.9 per gallon for 87. I Delaware 2 weeks ago $1.49 for 87.

The friend of mine that has the whine also had bed misaleignment

towcrazy2

Just installed the Mopar body side moldings... Went on straight & true with the precaution of laying out a 3-inch guide tape (running unbroken across both front & rear doors)... Looks good on the Sport, and an added measure of protection.

Of course, fuel prices in Michigan as they are, I'm finding lot's of fun stuff to do with the Quad as it sits in the drive!

Thanks all for sharing 87 Oct. fuel prices... Seems to support the notion that the midwest is being hammered at the pump... More input on prices across the country would be appreciated!

carls5

I live around 40 SE of San Francisco and paying around $1.65 a gal for 87 Oct. Still only getting around 13.6 straight city driving. When driving freeway I can get around 17.2 with a good tail wind. I envy those of you who get 17+ around town or even an average of 17 MPG. I have a Quad 4X2, 4.7L, auto, 3.92 with around 3500 miles on it.
Carl

vman

Until I get a better picture, here's the truck:



I'm working on accessories.....

themacguy

impy2 - just take a tape measure or yardstick and lay it on TOP of the rear tires, then push it in until it hits the bed (do NOT go there!) supports, then compare with the other side. Right side is (usually, not always) a bit 'out' from the left.

I'm currently paying $1.57 - 1.65 / 87 RON (from different stations each end of my area), and this is where most of the U.S. - based stuff is 'made.'

vman - it depressses me every time I see the Amber Fire on a Quad. I very nearly bought it instead of black. Next time for sure - if Solar Yellow's n/a.

gbilhimer

I live on the western suburbs of Kansas City and our gas is outrageous. I filled up the other day at $1.79.9 a gallon!! It cost me forty bucks to fill up and it wasn't even empty. In my motorcycling experience I can tell you that I have noticed decreased mileage and a loss of power in my bikes. I have to run race gas now in my dirtbike and it is even more money.
I still love this truck! I have not experienced any rear end whine although I have been listening closely now.

badassbob

I think some of you guys misunderstod my questions before about the Wine and Rear end allignment...I wasnt talking about the Bed being out of square fromthe cab, i was talking about the wheels being off center from the bed/pumkin... Just thinking about if the rear end is shifted to one side between te rear spring shackles, it would probably tend to put the driveshaft in a bind and cause some kind of noise..

Just brainstroming here...Like i said, I have measured the rims from everything( Pumpkin, spring, bed, etc...) and everything is within an 1/8 inch and i have NO whine, vibrations, or any other noise coming fromthe driveline...My only complaint is the rear end creak which will be fixed under the TSB as soon as te parts come in...

CARSEAT---> For the person asking about the carseat in he club cab...There is no way i see to get a "normal" size carseat securely and safely fastened in the rear...It does, however have a passenger airbag cutoff seat, so one can safely hooked inthe front...

Only drawback...Your wife has to ride in the narrow seat in the back...Im expecting my first one in december, and it had alot to do with me buying the Quad...4-Doors, so no wrestling around trying to fold a seat up and lean over to secure a kid in the rear...

Chad


Oh yeah....Gas in Greensboro, NC is around $1.49 for 87 Oct and aroung $1.68 for 93 oct...Couldnt imagine over $2.00 per gallon.....Id definitly be driving one of those toyota Echos that get around 45-50mpg...

newquad

I installed the fender flares on my white Quad today, along with the door sill protectors. Was a breeze! Also, it wasn't hard at all about the adhesive tape on the flares, since they are screwed down first, then the tape is taken off to stick them to the body. No movement at all. So, if a woman like me can install these things, anyone can! :-) Only 1 question- do you have to get a short handled #20 torx to get the low screws in on the rear flares? My screwdriver kept hitting the tire, so I couldn't get those last ones in. At least with the front, I could just turn the wheel to get the tire out of the way.

cowtownaggie

Truck hit the dealership around 4:30 Fri. Picked it up today (Sat) at 1:30p. Its been a long two months.

Looks & runs great. Had 4 miles on it when I first got in.

Quad 5spd manual
4.7L
4x4 / 3.55 lsd rear end
White exterior / Mist grey interior
tilt / cruise
A/C
HD Cooling

Boy, this truck can MOVE when you ask it to! This truck is gonna be fun

Will have bed liner & rec'vr hitch put in Monday. Looking for CD changer tomorrow after church. Any ideas where to put a 6 or 10 disk CD changer? I was thinking under one of the back seats???

75 miles old and counting . . .

Cowtown Aggie

guanner

nice to hear that yours came in I'm sure mine will be here soon. keep us posted on the good and bad, being that yours and mine were built around the same time..

Scott

myersed

I used a Milwaukee offset driver to put the screws in. It has plenty of clearance if you use the shorter 1" or so Torx bits.

BTW- after the flares, I put the custom fit MudFlaps on. For that, I wound up having to remove the tires anyway. Just wanted to mention it if you are planning the same

towcrazy2

VMAN:
I'll be honest and say that when I saw a fire amber quad on my dealer's lot, I was less than impressed. HOWEVER... I guess it's one of those colors that sort of "grows on you." I've seen a couple on the road since, and it really is an unusual and attractive color!... Not a blinding "disco" hue, but very distinctive... Nice looking ride!!

NEWQUAD:
Just a suggestion -- If you don't already have one, short Torx bits are available singly through most good auto supply stores... Secure the bit into a 1/4-inch socket, and you're ready to rock!

AGGIE:
Congrats!! I suspect that you'll be finding plenty of "excuses" to keep the new ride out on the road today!!

ALL:
Thanks for your input on fuel prices so far! Here's a summary of numbers on 87 octane I've collected from fellow quadders (rounded to the next highest penny -- e.g., $1.49.9 becomes $1.50):
-- Ft. Walton Beach, FL: 1.46
-- St. Louis, MO (suburb) 1.50
-- Greensboro, NC 1.50
-- Baltimore, MD 1.58
-- Texas (general) 1.58 - 1.66
-- Syracuse, NY 1.63
-- San Fransisco, CA (suburb) 1.66
-- Kansas City, MO 1.79
-- Detroit, MI (suburb) 2.09 - 2.16

I know it's unrelated to our forum, but I think it reflects an interesting aspect of "driving conditions" we all face... Would like to hear from our Canadian posters (I'll do the conversion) and also anyone from Illinois.

draymond2

$185.00 for regular unleaded in Lousville,Ky. We use refomulated gas, mandated by the FED's.

yank2

$153 to $160 central Florida

towcrazy2

Two more countries heard from, and my thanks... Wish I were THERE!

87 Octane took another jump here north of Detroit today... Ranges between $2.14 and $2.20 per gallon.

Needless to say, I've been keeping the overhead console in the "real-time mileage" mode as a reminder.

Still crazy about the Quad, but not putting as many miles on it as I'd like!

ted61

In the Cleveland Ohio area , around 2 bucks for 87 oct
Also, i'm getting a whining or whistle sound, but i've been told it is from the electric fuel pump.

2drive

I'm getting a whining and whistling sound, too, but I think it's from the price of gas here in Minnesota! It's a $1.90 and rising!!