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
Bookitty
POOLGUY, I prefer the bench as you can always put the armrest up for room if necessary. All but one of the Quads I looked at had the bench so I don't have a real clear memory if the buckets were any "better". Besides, I like the big armrest for storing all of my junk.
http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/www/DAKOTA/order_status.html
Bookitty
Bookitty
I find them much more comfortable than the 40/20/40, especially because you can adjust the lumbar support. Now, the Lumbar control IS rather cheap and cheasy, but it still works. It clicks into three positions.
I pushed back hard one time while driving and stripped the adjuster. Dodge replaced it. Had no trouble since. I usually have it set on the middle adjustment. The power seats help in adjusting the drivers seat in a million different ways to find that sweet spot for long trips. I just with it had a memory so if I or another driver change the settings, I could push a button and have it adjust back (like Silveradoes). The lumbar system is very poor when compared to the Ford F150 and Silverado power seats (I'm unfamiliar with Ram seats so I can't compare) but it is the best we can get in the Dakota so it will have to do.
I think Dodge should find better power seat units for the truck. Those of us that choose to pay for this option would likely be willing to pay a tiny bit extra for better lumbar adjustment system, seat position memory, etc. Those that do not want it can get the standard seats.
Chad
PoolGuy
On the 4.7L I understand they use a mirror finish and special gaskets that allow some movement without damage. Some designs use special head bolts designed to stretch and maintain constant 'pressure' on the gasket. Others have re-engineered torque specs (torque-to-yield) to ensure a better seal. Try this URL for further info.
(http://www.aera.org/Library/tl95-11.htm)
Besides, the 4.7L was designed for longevty (Ref. the nodular-iron/graphite composite girdle, added piston ring sealing, chain driven OHV cams and intake-thermostat cooling system. ) If anyone knows of another street engine with a girdle, please post it here.
With that said... The 4.7 is not without its concerns although I have not heard of anyone complaing about this engine in any forum. (And I read for hours about the Dakota and the Jeep Grand Cherokee which has had the 4.7 for a couple of years)
fireflyerr, ordered the flares for my 2wd too - they're in at the dealer, and... check them out at the site below.
bhorton1, take a look at YOUR truck with the new style 'runners' at [www.starboards.com] = very, very sharp.
First of all thanks for all the info on the Quad cabs. It's been a tremendous help to read all the posts. I'm now ready to order and i've decided to order a 4x4 with quite a few options. I wanted to ask about these "restrictions" i've read about. The dealer, who says they are the largest volume dealer in New england, says the truck will take about 8-12 weeks to get in. Is that a fair estimate? Also, the potential deal seems pretty straight forward except for $385.00 in "zone charges" that I've never heard of. Any comments on this? Thanks for the help. Tom (dalpilot1)
folks having the ticking noise. I do too. It's not
too loud but, it is there nonetheless. The radio
hides most of it, but I don't like knowing it's
there - I wouldn't expect it to be.
I would like to hear from anyone those out there
so we can compare notes.
Has anyone been to a dealer and had it fixed?
Is anyone aware of a service bulletin?
Respond here or send to myersed@clas.net
What engine / transmission was in the ticking vehicle you drove?
this board, its been a world of help. This is a great forum to get much needed info. I'm looking to purchase a QC soon here in Hawaii. I test drove one and loved it, however, the dealer would only come down to $4000 over MSRP. (All the trucks over here in Hawaii have a dealer markup of $6000 over MSRP. Apparently dealers here love to rape unsuspecting consummers, due to the high cost of doing business here of course.) I'm arming myself with all the data and plan on starting the haggle war soon.
A couple of engine questions. I've seen lots of 'love its' from the 4.7 V8 owners, but none from the V6 owners. I test drove the V6 and it seemed fine. Is the V6 a good reliable engine? Is the 4.7 that much better that I need to ignore the added cost and just go for it?
Thanks.....Govno
Restrictions are at this point relegated to shortages in vendor supplied items, and/or factory produced components. They are in no way related to safety or engineering issues. I would suggest that you read previous posts in this topic as well as other "Dodge Dakota" topics. It will require quite a bit of reading, and you might see some repetition here and there, but it will be a good learning experience for you. Until participating in this forum, I was not aware of the $500.00 Farm Bureau discount along with great gobs of information supplied by bright articulate contributors. There are a lot of guys and gals out there with something that will ultimately produce educated buyers.
Bookitty
- It is a V8 that sounds like a Ferrari
- The window sticker MPG is IDENTICAL to the V6
- More POWER than the V6
- This is a heavy truck
Do not forget that if you are considering an automatic xmission, the 4.7L V8 has the brand-new 4-speed automatic that has to faces to it.- It shifts like silk and is very nice indeed.
- It shifts with a bang and sometimes things break
However... the V6 is essentially one of DC's most reliable V8's with two cylinders lopped off. It is based on a 1960s design that has proven itself over many years. Reliability should not be a concern.Bookitty Hey, if I'd known about the Farm Bureau deal I'd've sung 'Greeeeen Acres' with the best of em!
govno I'm not Magnum PI, but I think you ought to be able to ship one from Calif. for a lot less than 4k - I've shipped Porsches (and 1 Ferrari) from Germany to Tx. for 1.2 - 2k several times...
poolguy1 The axle ratio (3.55) is located on my window sticker in the center far right (as you read it), directly above (1 1/2") the highway mpg 20 in bold, itty bitty munchkin print... Also, most of the Quads I've seen in W. TX. have the buckets - must be to catch all the 'suckers' that pay above retail out here!
Spoke with Ernie a few moments ago, and he gave me
the "good news" and the "not so good news". The
"good news"; There are no more material
restrictions on your order. The "not so good
news"; Your dealer's allotment is on hold at this
time. He further explained that as a large dealer
that should soon clear. Also, once past build
material restrictions, it would be unusual for the
particular order to face that problem again, unless
another component (or more) should suddenly appear
difficult to obtain.
NOW READ THIS!!!
This is not a general lift of restrictions, and is
applicable to this particular order. Not that it
means my order only, but a group of orders that
were processed within a certain time frame. Here's
hoping.
Bookitty
Bookitty
Thanks for the information. I would expect the dealer would have published EPA numbers for the vehicles produced. They could not provide me those numbers. Of course these EPA numbers are always subject to differences due to the situations you described. Also, specific mileage may vary due to exact position of the moon relative to the earths equator. :-)
Thanks
Thanks...
Also, is the cd/cassette stereo essentially the same as the cd stereo (i.e. the same wattage,the same speakers,ect.)? I can't find any quads in this area to compare how they sound. Since my truck still doesn't have a build date I still have time to amend my order if I want to. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
good luck,
robert
good luck,
robert
Bookitty
good luck,
robert
I love the truck! I put about 70 miles on it today in break-in mode. My only gripe is with the 40/20/40 bench seat, it's more like 35/20/35, not exactly uncomfortable, but will take some getting used to. We sat in a Durango with a bench prior to ordering, same seat according to the salesperson at the time, I don't think so.
I did notice the "idle hunting" right away, but it doesn't stall on me nor cause a problem.
Now to get 300 "break-in" miles on it before towing on 2/18. What a chore ;-) :-B
-Curt
Thanks!
1) I know of no farm bureau equivalent in Canada, but have a look at the link that dalpilot posted - you may be able to find something.
2) This country doesn't suck.
I began negotiation with local Annapolis MD dealer to order 4.7/5sp/SureGripAxle/Anti-Lock/4X4/Hitch, and he was saying invoice plus $250 _plus_ and advertising fee of approximately $475. Has anyone heard of the advertising fee - is it jive or legit? That would put me at about $25.5k versus the 25 even I hoped to get (not incl. F Bureau which I plan to do). I departed.
If anyone knows about the advertising fee thing please inform. Meanwhile I'm going to check out a tip I got from about 100 posts ago re an Aberdeen, MD dealer who is going $720 below invoice (incl. F. Bureau). No mention of $475 ad fee. A 90-minute drive is worth $1000 to me...
-Joe
Linda Verbeten cookmotors@erols.com
(I ordered closer to home for same numbers after faxing cookmotors quotes to a half dozen dealers in central Pa)