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Comments
I only have about 500 miles and I'm getting less than 12 miles per gallon city. I really didn't expect good mileage anyway. The V6 has great pickup and the truck rides very smooth.
The only problem I'm currently having is that the transmission doesn't want to shift into second gear when it's cold. The engine winds up as if I had the truck in neutral. The first few times it happened I kept checking the shift selector to see if I had it in drive. Letting it warm up a few minutes doesn't seem to help. Once I get past that first shift, the problem goes away. In later stop and go driving it doesn't do it. It seems like once the tranny warms up it's fine.
Anyone else have this problem.
The interior on the Dakota was much better than the Ranger. I liked the dark charcoal seats and carpeting. I think they'll be much easier to keep clean. The Ranger only offers a light gray. The same with the Nissan Frontier. The lighter carpeting soils easily and is very hard to care for (especially in the winter). I also didn't like the plastic on the doors in the Ranger.
The overhead console and storage bins under the rear seats also add to the appeal of the Dakota. I figured I would be spending most of my time inside the truck, so I wanted something that was laid out right. The Dakota is way ahead of the others.
I've added an under the rail Protecta liner that cost much less than the dealer add-ons. It has all of the loading indents and cutouts for the tiedowns.
away for a while folks. I needed a break from
everything having to do with cars. Please keep the questions flowing.
BTW I put a picture of me on the www if any of you
were wondering what I look like.
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/mattpic.htm
Matt D
Bob
I think I have my wife convinced to get a truck for the next 3 years(lease), but we don't know quite when a baby will come along (no plans for 2-3 years) but you never know.
Knowing how tough it is to get out of ANY lease early, I need to be able to assure her that, if a baby does come along, we can manage for a while. The only compact pick-ups with a forward facing rear seat are the Dakota and the Toyota Tacoma. I like both trucks, extra cab room will be the deciding factor I think. I also want to wait to see the new Nissan Frontier Crew cab with the 4' bed, that might be perfect.
Thanks for any information.
Matt D
The only downside is that this truck is very thirsty...but I knew that going in. What are the best modifictions to make that will improve the gas milage?
thanks
4 dr club with small back porch, you asked how many times we would use that lost extra foot.
I will haul a 5' lawn tractor and I won't drive it down the road with the tail gate open!
I agree with #307, ladyblue, that I'd rather have room left over than not have enough. By the way it is featured in April
Popular Mechanics.
congrats on your new truck. I got mine (same as your description) two months ago. Shifting is pronounced and can be stiff, (esp 2nd and 3rd gears) but after a little while, I was able to smooth it out thru technique alone. It certainly is a different feel from any car I've driven...my first truck, so I can't really comment on how it compares there. However, there is no vibrating sound, whatsoever; I would keep my eye (and ears) on that one. One interesting thing i've noticed, is that on startup, when the engine is cold, there appears to be an automatic idler to keep engine speed up..after shifting into 3rd it's just fine, until then it's a bit of a muffled roar. have you had this experience...normal, i take it. good luck and enjoy...
Thanks for the response. Yes I've experienced the muffled roar during cold running. then it warms up and sound better. As far as the shifting, I'm hoping it smoothes out during breakin. I don't think anything is wrong because I'm getting good mpg's (19 + 19.5 mpg first 2 tanks mostly highway). Also The vibration is whether or not its in gear. God luck with your new truck.
If any of you notice a pretty solid "whump" when stopping or just after starting the truck, it may be the ABS system. Really annoying, as it can be felt rather firmly from the driver's seat (the lines run right below the seat). Can't be fixed without re-running the brake lines, and then it just lessens the "whump."
Will the Club Cab still be offered?
When will we see the new motor?
Does this happen to everyone (Durangos included)?
Congrats on the new order. I put in a Dakota order myself about a month ago. SLT extended cab, 4x4, V6, manual. Still no word on a delivery date. So, just beware that it may take longer than you expect. By reading some responses on here, looks like 2 months, perhaps. I was told the manual tranny is the cause for the delay. Just a head's up for ya.
DP
How is the rear seat room? Generally to be occupied by a hyper 11 year old.
Thanks for the heads up. Dealer told me that special purchases had priority on the trannies. We'll see. I have another question if anyone can help. Does the five speed get much better mileage than the automatic? I opted for the 3.55 gears for better mileage. I will be pulling a boat that weighs about 2000 pounds. I'm hoping that the v-8 will give me enough power without having to go to the 3.92. Any opinions?
My "99 4x4 V8 Auto is a dog on the freeway. Engine bogs at 70 mph on freeway hills and wants to hunt to a lower gear. Driving during heavy rain at 55 mph on the freeway the trans is in overdrive and the engine is about 1500 rpm, absolutly no throttle response! The computer strives to get the trans into overdrive all the time. This is terrible if you drive slow through city street, you accelerate and it 1)unlocks the converter 2) downshifts to third 3) downshifts to second 4) Goes. Nothing but constant shifting.
It is possible to lock out the OD but it resets whenever you turn the key on again.
Gas mileage is horrible and the transfer case shifter vibrates loudly. If it is supposed to be noisy,why was it quiet when I first got the truck? Told the dealer,response was,"You should have heard the 2500 4x4 transfer cases." So they are all crap?
Maybe the lower rear end will pick up the response on the freeway. It is too late for me now. I bought it! The truck is beautiful but the computer controls on the drivetrain are a bit much. Also if you jiggle the shifter then the red selector flag in the dash disappears between the indicator letters. Any body else have these same problems?
I just purchased 99 dakota 4x4 3.9L w\ 3:55 axle. My one complaint is also the transfer case vibration coming up the shifter.(see response #381) I was told almost same thing as you. "You should feel the vibrations on the rams" Was that supposed to be a consolation? If I could do it over I would probably get the auto tranny. Let me know if you here anything else on this. Thanks
I've had my Dakota (5.2, 4X4, auto)for two weeks and really like it. However, it's arrival coincided with a sharp increase in gas prices, and i'd like to do anything I can to improve the gas milage.
If you have a long commute on a regular basis and gas mileage is an issue, go for the Ford Ranger.
Having lots of fun reading all the info on the details everyone provides. It has been really helpful.
Some above mentioned ordering times. My order is arriving tomorrow after appx 7 wks. Not too bad.
If you have any other questions you can reach me at the address below.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
I have the V8/auto trans. Do you now if the transfer case is the same for auto as manual?
I talked to another dealer and he laughed at the "you should hear the ram" answer. He did take the VIN and said he would let me know. Probably to new to have any service bulletins on it yet. At least he was going to try. If this is the same drivetrain as the durango then they will hear about it.
The noise started at about 2000 miles and is getting worse. It now has 13K on it and it is 4 months old. You can hear it over the radio now.
I did ask if he had encountered any of our customers bringing in Dakotas with noise problems. He hadn't, but thought that if he did have a vehicle come in with a sound, he would check the bearings.
I hope this may help you. I'm sorry that I couldn't do any more.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
I have a 98 4X4 V8 with auto trans and also had a noisy transfer case shifter. I took it to the dealer and they fixed it. It was a constant rattle that started when I had about 6 K miles on it. Especially bad upon acceleration. The dealer (Madison, WI) completely solved the problem. If you want, email me at daggett@chorus.net and I'll try to find the part number.
Other problems I have had since Oct, 97: poorly installed fog light switch, faulty door lock, rattling transfer case shifter, sticking front brake (replaced caliper under warranty), grease in front rims (overly-zealous quicky oil change guys overfilled zirks on front axles), and an engine knock I heard once (maybe bad gas?).
I currently have about 28K miles on the truck and I would give it an average rating. Most of those problems are small. My mileage has averaged around 16 mpg with a mix of driving. We'll see how things last over the next 3 years when I am out of warranty.
Its almost worth it for me to drive to madison WI. to go to your service dept. My service dept likes to play stupid and say nothings wrong.
Dmat, Can you find out the exact name of that bearing. It helps if I can sound like I know what I'm talking about next trip back to dealer.
Thanks
Does your R/T jump a little when you release the brake, I know it's got horses but not that much at Idle?
---Also does the plastic ring around your Ignition keyhole light up? Mine doesn't, it just wasn't something I thought of at the dealers lot.
As far as the key illumination: To be honest, I haven't noticed if its lit or not. I'll check it out next time I'm driving at night.
No, mine does not lurch from a stop after releasing the brake pedal. The only lurches occur, as I had mentioned previously, when the trans shifts from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3.
Anyone out there own the
Dakota R/T? Am in the market for a New tow vehicle with some style and Torque. ( light race car&trailer 4000#) If you have experiences with the driveline durability or suitability for towing (5.9L) , Give me a few cents worth advice.
Thanks,
Amused One