By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I'm the original owner of a 91 Dakota LE, 5.2 V8, auto, a/c with 68,000 miles.
One problem I had was with the electronic overdrive switch. Replaced twice under warranty, doesn't work again, so I can't disengage overdrive around town if I want to.
Also replaced speed sensor as transmission wasn't kicking into overdrive at proper speed. Still a problem at times, although very rarely. I have to drive about 3 miles at 65 mph before the overdrive kicks in.
The oil pressure sending unit has been replaced twice.
Recently the steering column was loose and the dealer had to reweld certain areas.
The seat back broke once and needed replacement.
Other than that the truck has needed brakes, hoses, and belts in the 8 years I've owned it.
I'm a big guy and didn't feel comfortable in the Ranger/S10 size pickups but didn't want a full size. The Dakota was the right sized truck for me. I will probaly look at a Dakota when I'm in the market again, but right now it's running so good and the body still looks relatively new.
My truck has a drinking problem though, as it doesn't like to go by too many gas stations without stopping for a drink, but that's what you get with 4WD, V8, and 3:90 rear end I guess.
Man I can't wait until this 4.7l becomes available for the ram and dakota. If you think the R/T is fast, you haven't seen anything yet. The engine in the jeep was equipped with a kennybell supercharger adding 6pounds of boost. And boost it did, 330hp, and well over 400+lbs torque. And the best part is you can order it through the dealer. The jeep costs $50,000, but thats all decked out with ricarro leather seats and all, but when the next Dakota R/T and RAM R/T come out, Im hoping that they will offer this supercharger with these two trucks as well. The stock jeep with the 4.7L v8 deos do zero to 60 in 7.2sec, so this supercharged version should be able to knock off at least a second or two! And this is just the 4.7L powertech, we haven't even seen the replacement to the 5.9L yet!
Mistaken parking brake release for hood release.
Does anybody else get that damn annoying clicking in steering column.
I have used PLEDGE furniture polish on all of my rims. The dust becomes much easier to remove. My garden hose washes it right off. No more asbestos pads
I agree about the parking brake.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
As for the purge valve, my dealership (after the 3rd visit) finally just removed it from the firewall altogether and fastened it onto a nearby hose. The knocking finally stopped.
Thanks for the tip on the plugs...I guess it's time to go get some Bosch Platinums...
Anybody have any experience with K&N air filters on a 318 in a Dakota? Purolater=$9.95 vs. K&N=$47.99
I own a 94 Nissan 5-speed, stripped. I've been fond of Dakotas for years, but have some nervousness about buying American. My Nissan has not had a problem in its 5 years, my brother in law drives a '87 with 150K+, those Nissan's are darn reliable trucks.
I'd be interested in anyone's remarks on reliability and quality.
The other difficult thing is, after a decent amount of research in a couple of Texas cities, I cannot find the model I want which is a 'stripped' black SLT five-speed. What I mean by stripped is no pwr locks, keyless entry, etc which drives the cost up by $1000s. I like the SLT b/c of the chrome and cargo lamp and floormats.
Anybody have any advice regarding "ordering it?"
How do you do that?
If you don't want to wait, and all you like about the SLT is the chrome, why don't you just buy a Base or Sport Dakota and replace the grille? There are plenty of aftermarket chrome units out there, and most of them look better than the stock Dodge ones.
Some of the posts from dealers on this list have mentioned that practically anything was available special order, but when I ordered my truck, I couldn't even change paint - my dealer told me driftwood was not available in Sport and that was that. So I don't know if I just went to the wrong dealer or if certain things just can't happen (like chrome on a Base truck). I also don't know how a truly "special" order would affect the cost of the truck or the time spent waiting for it.
Dealers - could I really order a Base Dakota with chrome trim, 40/20/40 bench seat, and, say, Neon Salsa Red paint? Would Dodge mix/match parts like that (for a cost, of course)? If the answer is yes, I'll be pushier the next time I ask for a special order vehicle.
BTW my order took 5 weeks to arrive.
You are right about the shortage of club cabs as Dodge gets ready for the crew cab. It took my credit union buying service a long time to find one with my specs.
Dealer says this is the end of the club cabs as "everyone" will want a crew cab. News for him: Nobody I know who has seen it likes it!
My 436 above was meant for dpatton---sorry.
ALSO FOUND OUT I HAVE TO TAKE ALL KINDS OF POWER CRAP TO GET THE V-8 AUTO WHAT HAPPENED TO A SIMPLE TRUCK?
Had the same problem with the Ram I just bought. Dealers only have stripped ones or loaded ones. You'd think they would realize that some people want useful stuff like an automatic tranny or AC with out all the power junk and foofoo. Do you really need power locks with only two doors? I went ahead a paid a little extra and got the one with the extras. It's not too bad, if you've got the extra cash. Maybe it will help with the resale value.
"Do you really need power locks with only two doors?"
Yup, if you're short like me and can't reach over to lock or unlock the passenger side. And power windows? Beats having to reach down so far your face goes below the horizon of the dash! But that's just me.
cooksterdog, I hate to use the "F" word, but my 97 Ford F150 had the options, or lack thereof, that you're looking for. No carpeting, no power, but had air conditioning and auto trans.
If you can't find the truck you want on the lots, try ordering one. This way you can add or eliminate options at will. Good luck.
I have 7 more days before the new one arrives. Can't wait to answer some of the posts.
Matt D
DP
I found a dealer in fillmore ca. who not only had what I wanted, but had 5 on hand for the oil rig company that is local. I'll let all know what mileage and comfort is like next week. I am going to the eastern sierras and do some hiking in the snow! see ya soon COOKSTER
I really hope not a crewcab would be to much both in price and in size.
I also asked my saleguy when he would have information about the new model year and he thinks maybe at the end of June. When does Edmunds think they will have there information ?
I also went looking for the Dodge website but have not found one. Does anyone know the URL for this? any info would be appreciated....
Both myself and my mgr's are thinking that the new truck will hit at about September. June seems to be a little early. Altough the codes might be released soon.
Semi decent Dodge site:
http://www.4adodge.com
This is the Chrysler site and does not give invoice #'s.
If you want #'s, mine is just as good as any:
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
You can also click on the links from my page to some very good pages.
Matt D
NOW THE AUTOMATIC! 18MPG,AND ALMOST GOT A TICKET
IN LONE PINE FOR 55 IN A 35. i LOVE THE SMELL TOO!
NOTHING LIKE NEW VINYL AND RUBBER. THE SNOW IS STILL IN THE HIGH COUNTRY AND THE NITES ARE FROSTY BUT BOY DO YOU WAKE UP REJUVENATED! TALK AGAIN SOON AS COOKIE[MY JACK RUSSELL AND I GET THINGS PUT AWAY AND CLEANEDUP. COOKSTERDOG
Now I am looking at an SLT Club with 5-speed (finally found) but in my 3rd choice of color.
And, its got the SLT Plus package, which gives you neat stuff like bigger tires and pwr locks and windows, but drives the cost up.
Of course, this dealer low-balled me on my trade (one offered $5500 for my '94 Nissan, this guy offers $3500...).
I'm trying to get him down to $16.5, then $4250 on my trade so it takes it down to $12.250, then I pay the Great State of Texas its share...and make it out for a little over $13K.
Its been a lot of work, and I cannot get what I want. A salesman has said you can't "order" because Chrysler gets all the orders than "locks it in" and makes all of those and doesn't change it.
Whatever.
Makes me want to look at the new Nissan Frontier King Cab with a 170 horse V-6.
Its about 3K cheaper....
Ordering shouldn't be a problem. I think the dealer you're working with is just trying to get rid of something off the the lot. If you can get that truck, for that price, then you're the man. May be pushing it, though. The problem with ordering a club cab now is that I believe Dodge has stopped building them. That's so they can retool for the new crew cab design with the four doors. It's my understanding the current extended cab design will no longer be built. So, you may have no choice about picking one off the lot. Good luck.
DP
FACTS
1. Crew Cab will be the same length as the current club cab (or single cab long bed). This is because the bed is getting chopped to about 5 feet. Can't haul much in that by calculations.
2. the 4-banger engine is going away (at least for the crew cab...don't know about other models) and the 318 (5.2) is being replaced by the new 4.7 liter as featured in the concept Charger R/T. The 5.9 will also be avail. in the crew cab, don't know about the regular 2000 models yet.
RUMOR
"The club cab will be discontinued." I've heard both sides, but D-C hasn't said anything yet. Some dealers say true, others say false. I suspect it will be done away with to increase the crew cab's sales. Purely a marketing decision. Personally, I'd prefer a club cab with a 3rd or even 4th suicide door. Ironic that the "winners of the 'door' prize" on the QuadCab Ram didn't make a 3rd door on the Dakota.
I also got rid of the engine ping by changing to Champion series truck plugs,part #4071. They really do work. Smoothed the engine out over the entire RPM range.
Steve Grant
Anyway, to my questions: While I love my truck, in reading over the items listed here, I feel I might not be alone with why I fear to be a transmission problem/clutch in the making. I have about 40,000 miles and the 5 speed transmission.I had the dealer where I bought the truck to all the regular mainetenance and at about 30,000 miles noticed a noise coming from the clutch when the gearbox was disengaged. The dealer dispelled my intuition as "normal" for the truck. Now that I am passed the warranty period, I continue to hear the "chatter" and wondered if anyone else experienced the same thing. The truck takes it little bit more feathering of the clutch to get it moving now and I only towed with the vehicle once so I know it is from excessive use as I do mostly highway driving. As a matter of fact, I never had the truck in 4X4 other than to test that it worked when I bought the truck.
Any suggestions/comments:
The local dealer has replaced the transmission once making the problem worse. Their latest try (after having my Dakota for 2 weeks!) is to replace the check valve on the torque converter. We'll see.
Any similar problems out there?
FYI: The choice between the CC or the R/C is not the biggest of your problems. The fact that you are 16 is. I don't think that in any state can you enter into a contract with a 16 year old and have it be inforcable in a court of law (unless you are emancipated). Even "all cash" is questionable.
Matt D
http://members.xoom.com/99overNvoice/Index.htm
MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER SAID ONE 'COULD BE MADE' IF I REALLY WANTED ONE, BUT I WAS SCARED TO EVEN ASK WHAT THIS THING WOULD COST.
Thanks
Peter
http://carpoint.msn.com/BuyNewAuto/VIP/1999/Dodge/Dakota
with the 5.2 V8. Everything is fine so far except when driving at night there are shadows or dark
places in my headlight beams. Is this common?
Maybe its the ribbed plastic headlamp covers.
Haven't been back to the dealer yet. Just wondering if anyone else notices this quirk.
I still have my '89 4 banger. Big difference in the gas mileage.
I find the townhall very helpful. Thanks for all the input.
Dave