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Also, first time drive (or after the truck has sat for some time) of the day yields an actuator type noise (best way I can describe it) from under the floorboard. It is usually heard just before the door locks lock but varying the takeoff speed can change the time when it is heard. Again dealer was no help so I am looking for yours.
The dealer also verified the 24 gallon tank but to this date, I have not put in more than 19 gallons even though the guage is flashing. 15.4 MPG is max to date.
truck stalled..NEVER has it stalled ever.Filled up with 19 gals.I thought I don't have 24 gal tank. I gotta check into that!! Otherwise no problems ~ 7k miles now..Love that iat adjuster.saving my pennies for a cold air intake, then exhaust! Ger
Seems I am not the only one with a grouchy 45RFE.
Thanks for your post. I felt like one legged man at an *** kicking contest here. Seems everyone else thinks I am full of it when I complain about the tranny.
ANy old how, all I can offer is good luck. I have bitched, complained, reasoned, argued, discussed, and just plain yelled to no avail. Last time it was in (for brakes but thats another matter) the smart [non-permissible content removed] tech stated on work order "transmission functioning as designed" I plan to keep that piece of paper and make the snot nose moron eat those words when (not IF but WHEN) the tranny goes out. WIsh I could offer more. The only thing I am certain of is the fact that Chrysler went so far backwards with this design, it will take them years to get back to where they were on transmissions where once they were challenged by none, envied by all.
Good luck.
and by showing it to another dealer got the same deal for my wife's vehicle (different brand). These policies, are nothing but underwritten insurance policies, and there are third party names like GE who do this. Shop around and don't be afraid to tell your dealer that you are looking for the very best deal. Good luck.
Bookitty
As for the gas tank. When the light comes on, guess i can go ~ 100 miles before I call the wife and tell her to bring the gas can. Maybe the dealer can "tune" the electronics. I really hate to drive when the gas light is on even though I can go quite a distance before empty. Unfortunately, there is nothing more satisfying knowing you ran it dry (not quite), and got full use of the tank.
Bookitty
Bookitty
An attendant????you mean the guy actually comes out of his little bulletproof cubbyhole?...I do remember hearing legands of such things when I was a child. Suburban Chicago prices are running about $1.25 for name brand gas
Bookitty
auto tranny on my 4.7 - sorry there's some of us having trouble with this tranny. for the life of me i can't imagine why yall's aren't as good as mine. i have over 60k of some really 'vicious' use / abuse on mine, and it's never grumbly at all. smooth as silk. i changed my fluid at 30k to synthetic, and once since then. but that's it. i use the truck about 2/3 on pavement and 1/3 on caliche - with towing duties of about 25% of total miles to date, with loads of 1500# - 5500# (well over the max. recommended for my 2wd/3.55 ratio truck. i've also auto-x the truck some... only difference in mine MAY be that i don't have a lsd?
mpg - i use the lowest grade of chevron out here in W. TX. (87 oct.) and i get 15 - 20 mpg. 21 mpg on night trips at 65 mph. 22-24 mpg in the Colo. mtns. at ave. speeds of about 40-50 mph. this 4.7's mileage is REAL sensitive to rpm's. on my usual jaunts into midland, tx. i'll 'sort of' get frisky with other truck drivers, and my mpg will drop noticeably, if you know what i mean, and i think you do. ;-)
fuel tank - i routinely fill mine up at 22 gal. or more, once at 23.991 gallons (remembered that one cause i couldn't believe it and wrote it down!) - truck wasn't stumbling, so maybe it'd gone a few more miles and would've been over 24 at the fill. i always fill the filler tube up as well, so maybe there's a few tenths there. W. TX. gas stations can be 100's of mile's apart.
sorry everyone's experience with this truck hasn't been as great as mine. it's never ONCE been in the shop for anything. maybe it's blessed. i picked it up on Christmas Eve 1999. :-)
Thanks, Dave
The ABS self test occurs when ignition switch is turned to Run position (NOT at 15mph). A controller breifly cycles the pump and solenoids to check operation (this is audible).
Same controller monitors wheel speed continuously when truck is in motion. Another dealer half- truth.
G'day
Does anybody notice when you come to a a stop and move from Drive to Neutral you get a "thunk" and the vehicle motions backwards. The subsequent shift from Neutral to Park doesn't seem to be bad. Also, moving from Park to drive there doesn't seem to be problems. Wondering if others are experiencing this. Thanks.
hey, is a_j still around, or do i need to check the obituaries up in the 'great white north' (again) for him. ;-)
I have a couple of questions for you long time owners (especially those with the 5 speeds):
- The owner's manual mentioned something about a light in the center console (front buckets). I do not have a light there, does anyone else?
- There are 2 cup holders in my console. One big one behind the stick, and one off near the drivers right shin. Is the second one new? I know some of you guys have problems crushing your taco bell 64 oz. drinks when you shift.
- It seems that there is no "up-shift" indicator light with the 4.7 L manual trans set up (which is fine by me). I was just wondering if other years had this item.
- I read before that a few of you regularly started out from a stopped condition in second gear. The gearing seems to allow this, but I was just wondering if it has caused any of you problems (clutch wear, stalling, etc.).
- What are your thoughts on downshifting (engine braking). I have been told that the trans synchros are not designed for this unless you are traveling at slow enough speed for a lower gear.
- Where the hell do I check the manual trans. fluid?
- Has anyone removed either of the rear seats for extra storage space? (i.e. bulky, boxy items that can't get wet).
Thanks!
It's good to belong to such an informative, well versed group (have you ever read some of the other forum topics? Sheeeesh! Where do these people come from?)
Bookitty
(I Emailed him and I will let you know. I sent a copy to themacguy)
I don't pull out in second, why burn the clutch up when you don't have to.
No up shift light on the 4.7.
I downshift all the time to engine brake. This truck is tough to shift perfectly, it takes a few thousand to get the timing perfect. You're right, it downshifts much better if you do it at lower rpm's.
To check the tranny fluid? Get under there with a wrench and take the fill plug out! I think only autos usually have a dipstick for this.
BTW: I have a 2001 with 9k miles. Not a hint of rotor warpage yet.
Starting in 2nd gear:
- First, I have the small P215 tires.
- Second, I use to drive a E-150 6 cyl with the 3 on the tree shift. Starting in 2nd with my Dakota requires a lot less slipping then a 3 spd. I had over 120K on that 3 spd with the original clutch. With 39K on my 4.7L 5 spd, the clutch is still strong.
I Downshift all the time. I usually coast a little then use just 3rd gear for slowing down. You will find your own sweet spot.
1) If you have alloy wheels, the spare is now a steel wheel.
2) The ashtray is gone.
3) The "Quad Cab" badge on the back of the cab is gone. Should have seen this one coming once the "V-6" and "V-8" badges disappered last year.
4) The elastic straps underneath the rear seats are gone.
5) The standard overhead console has one large compartment instead of two smaller compartments - one for sunglasses and one for a garage door opener.
6) The "Sport" sticker has a different "font" and is much smaller. From 30 ft away, it is barely visible.
I hope this is the extent of the DC cost cutting/changes.
So far I've only found two minor problems: 1) one of the clips for the ABS sensor wire on the left front wheel wasn't connected. Easily fixed; 2) the right windshield wiper does not park in the horizontal position. It points up slightly. Just minor nits.
I just noticed today (before reading your post) that my passenger side windshield wiper wasn't in the "horizontal" position either. Oh well, no biggie.
jebsdaddy - My IP console has no upshift light at all (there is nothing there when I turn on the ignition OR in bright sunlight). More DC SCORE ideas (cost savings) I guess.
Thanks for the responses on shifting, I seem to be getting better at it every time. Can't wait to install the hurst kit with the glowing shift knob when I'm all broken in!
http://www.cenman.bitshop.com/FLAMEBALL.htm
Does anybody have the Borla Stainless Steel muffler installed? Granted, it sounds REAL good stock, but sometimes I can't hear or feel the RPM's. Man, is it hard to keep your foot out of the kitchen on this truck! I am, of course, treating it gently. Tryin to keep the RPM's under 3000 for the first 1000 miles.
The muffler # of the BORLA I used is #40665. I bought the muffler from Summit Racing Equipment (best price I could find) and it cost me $137.99 plus $6.75 handling and shipping was free. Took about 3 days for the muffler to arrive after ordering. After the muffler arrived I took it to a local Meinke Muffler Shop and then installed. Took about 40 minutes and they charged me $50.00. The old muffler came off undamaged by the way. My warranty is in no way voided and I was assured that by the dealer. The truck now has a nice rumble when it starts and when I accelerate. I can feel a difference in power also as the truck runs stronger. The BORLA is not as loud as other aftermarket mufflers but loud enough that some heads turn. Should mention that the muffler I installed (BORLA 40665) is an easy install and all that is needed to do the install is one muffler clamp and a male/female piece of pipe about 6 inches long that the muffler shop has or you can buy at say an AutoZone store. The STOCK Dodge exhaust is not welded but when they put the exhaust clamps on the pipes get crimped/dimpled and that makes the system hard to take apart. It's a bear to get the muffler separated from the exhaust pipes that's why I just had a muffler shop do it versus fighting with the damn thing. By the way for a less expensie, louder muffler look into Dynomax mufflers Stainless steel or welded Ultra Flo mufflers but do know they are much louder. They have a universal size that fits your truck. I looked into this one but decided to loud for me. Anyway, hope this helps! Bill in NY http://www.auffarth.com/dodge.html
http://www.borla.com/uk.melloprimo/?cartID=2001062413372812.79.135.79 <----- BORLA
http://www.summitracing.com <---- Summit
http://www.dynomax.com <---- Dynomax
My QC performed flawlessly, steady idle, great acceleration and the tranny shifted as smooth as I could ask for, making for a very good trip overall.
Refresher, 2000 4.7 auto, 3.92, T&H, Extang soft tonneau.
19 PG average made me very happy considering the it's a V8 and MPGs have been reported as much lower for some.
1. Got a call today from my assigned Autobytel dealer in Winter Park, FL (Holler Dodge). Already he is saying "do not expect your Edmunds invoice prices and ours to match but I assure you, our invoice price is the true invoice price of the truck." Should I duck and run already?
2. He is already telling me that their "dealer fees" which included advertising, and a "prep" fee is a total of $500.00 and will be included in the final contract no matter what. Any thoughts please?
3. Since I know most of you who factory ordered did so to get the 5 speed manual 4.7 (like me) please tell me your opinions on the bench seat vs. the high back buckets? I found the bench seat to be quite comfortable when I test drove but of course it was automatic. I have no way of testing the ergodynamics of the 5 speed shifter with bench seats vs. buckets?
Hope this isn't asking too much from a "rookie" to the board but I would sincerely appreciate any advice. Thank you all.
ALso - does anyone have a good delivery checklist to go over when picking up your new ride??
Thanks
I never looked into Autobytell, but I spent hours going over the option pages from Edmunds to learn and understand which option codes included what, and required what. When I went into my local Dodge dealer I had a spread sheet with option codes, and descriptions (all from Edmunds) and showed it to the salesperson. When they priced out my truck, every dealer invoice price MATCHED Edmunds invoice prices. I checked it out after they wrote it up. I wouldn't pay any prep fee, because I was paying invoice price and I felt the prep fee was part of their 3% of invoice that they got. Knock on wood, but I've never been back to the dealer since I picked it up in Mar of 2000 (39K miles ago)
I ordered my 2001 Dakota and helped my grandfather order a ford f-150. My best price was found by listing all of the codes on a piece of paper and the description of the codes beside the code. I faxed this to 8-10 dealers in my area and all of them responded quickly. The ironic part when ordering my grandfather's truck was when I used an on-line service for a quote. It turned out to be the highest quote of them all. Go figure. The edmunds web site is good but I like to use the edmunds book along with the web site.
Note: Advertising fees add up to a chunk of change. In my area, local advertising code #A44 was $160.00 and national advertising code #T44 was $320.00 for a total of $480.00. All of the quotes that I rec'd were consistent on this. You won't see this $480.00 on a window sticker on the lot because it is rolled into the msrp.
The bucket seats are identical to the bench seat. I prefer the bench because it looks like the buckets with the arm rest down but it gives the added function of more room in a pinch.
Bookitty
Vehicle checklist (it's for the Ram, but it works well)
http://dodgeram.org/buying_info/Inspect.htm
I blew the sales people away by mulling over my new QC for 2 hours in the cold when I picked it up. You WILL get dirty, but it's totally worth it. I found a few minor paint blemishes that they are going to fix.
I just picked mine up a week ago and have not experienced any major problems, I really like this truck.
SURFFLA: I prefer the "buckets" even though the benches are basically the same(albeit with more passenger room.) The center console you get with the buckets is larger (deeper), solid, and is a great place to rest your shifting arm. I don't know if the console with the bench seats is as "tall".
Mike
2002 4X4 QC 4.7L, 3:92 LSD, Sport, Manual trans, HD, towing pkg.
If any of you know somebody that might be interested in buying a "like new" 2001 Dakota QuadCab 4x2 near Seattle, WA, have them check out the following web page and then contact me via the phone number or e-mail address listed at the bottom of the web page: http://dustin.kelm.com/dakota/
Skyler Kelm, Everett, WA
One other question I forgot to ask. The dealer in Winter Park wants $1000.00 up front prior to ordering. Is that standard? And if so (I neglected to ask when speaking to the dealer on the phone) is it refundable if for some strange reason not satisfied with the truck as delivered?
By the way I am leaving right now to go join my local county farm bureau!
Thanx again all!
I was only asked to put $500 down. Back in early 2000, I remember most of us were asked to put $500. My deposit was refundable if the dealer couldn't produce what we had agreed upon.