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2000 Dakota Quad Cab -Cross Country Trip
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Talked to the dealer today and tried again for a no charge extended warranty. He agrees that Dodge should do something, but told me not to hold my breath - they probably won't do anything for us.
In all honesty, when I started looking at the alternatives, I couldn't find any other vehicle that can satisfy all my needs as well as the Quad - room for a family of 6 (one of the kids is real skinny, so he fits in the middle front seat), towing, handling, cool looks, on and on.
My wife saw a window of opportunity, however, and has started lobbying for an Audi Quattro. C'mon Dodge - hurry up and get me off the hook!!!!
Bookitty
Ben
Ben
So the decision was an easy one to make. Quad Cab all the way.
I figure I qualify for this land in another week. You guys' got room?
Hope this doesn't bore you, go buy one, you won't regret it, except for the crummy in town 15 MPG, highway is about 17.5, with the tonneau, which comes off in about 1 minute. Even got the stupid bed extender, which I haven't used yet, except to keep junk near the tailgate with the cap on. Oh yea, I am concerned about the automatic and a couple things, so got the extended warranty from Warranty Gold for 100,000. Now all I've got to do is live that long!!
Be carefull out there.
Trust me, it's a Dakota.
Better go wash my mouth out with bad Scotch!!
Still be careful out there!
My problem is I don't want to pay almost $700 for the chrome step rail, or $1300 for the cool Leer cap. Can anyone point me in the direction I need to go for other sources?
Also, I want an over the rail bed liner. I have looked at so many I am lost. Some look like they can fly off while driving. Others were warped!
Last? --- Does an over the rail bed liner effect the caps ability to keep air/water out of the back in the winter?
Thanks for your answers.
Allen I don`t tow anything with my truck,I bought
the truck off the lot with the 3:92 rearend.I
would have ordered the 3:55 given a choice .
bsparx thanks for the info on the 4Wheeler
parts web site . I`m going to price the 3:55 gears.I would gladly get rid of the 3:92`s.
I`m starting to worry about my tranny.It is starting to have some harsh shifts between 2nd/3rd and 3rd/4th.
Keep the info flowing guys.
Johnboy9
Allen
i have a 2000 dakota quad, 4.7, auto, 4x2, 3.92 rear, towing package and just basically loaded.
i traveled from the mississippi gulf coast to just 40 miles east of kansas city missouri which was 850 miles one way. i ran 70 mph the whole trip out of overdrive, and the rpm was 3500rpm. i pulled a 1200lb 6x12 uhaul trailer up there empty, and i averaged 10mpg, the return trip was with an additional 1000lbs in the trailer and still averaged 10mpg, i dont think the weight really matters to the truck, i think it is more the wind drag, my boat is more aerodynamic and it weighs 4900lbs and i average about 10 mpg with it also, i think once you lock out that overdrive its just gonna hang in the 10mpg range if your rpm's are in the 3500rpm range.
well i hope this helps any body thats interested in trips and towing.
robert
p.s. i know someone will ask why i didnt just rent a trailer in missouri, well it costs 125.00 to rent local for 4 days, it costs 250.00 to rent one way, so i figured in estimated fuel costs and i decided it would be cheaper to pull it with me than rent it there.
Firstly bear in mind the problems of chrome - they will corrode and they will chip - stainless steel may be a better option. Have a look at any of the many websites for nerf bars and you should find a better deal. They may not be advertising QC steps yet but they should be able to give you some idea. I paid about $800 Canadian for stainless steel on my club cab.
Over the rail might not be a great plan if you are going with a cap - under the rail is a better option. As far as price of the cap is concerned - it doesn't seem that far off, even for a quad - but again have a look around and contact some of the suppliers.
Bookitty
I am very heartened to see deliverys made in less than 6 weeks from order.
Congrats and good luck and let us know how you like as us waiters continue to live through the hope the delivered provide.
Bookitty
Ron 35
Appreciate the help.
Bookitty
I want to thank all of you guys for the helpful information that is available here. Without die hard truck guys like you, these posts would be useless. Instead you have provided a forum of powerful information that helps people obtain what they are looking for. One bad truck!!!
If anyone wants info about my experience ordering a truck in the Knox, TN area. I'd be glad to offer up anything I have that may help. Good Luck to the "quad-waiters" and Congratulations to you owners. I truly think the Quad is a unique truck for unique owners.
Allen
Another 4.7/auto 4x4 showed up at the dealer down the street. It's parked out front with the other inventory - obviously not a special order.
Even the dealer I ordered from can't understand why Dodge keeps building trucks for dealer lots and isn't building ordered units that are already sold.
Maybe they think we'll keep waiting forever, and that they'll get people off the street to buy the ones on the lots. More units sold, more aggravated customers, lousy customer service!!!
After doing some research and finding this awesome site, I wanted to get some opinions of what options are/are not needed before I purchase. I want to have the capabilities of towing and will not be doing any major off road driving (just snow and sand).
I'm ordering a 4.7L auto 4X4 3:55 XLT w/Heavy Duty Service Gr., Trailer Tow Gr., SLT Decor Group, Rear Window Defroster instead of sliding glass.
A couple questions:
1)Is the defroster worth having over the sliding glass?
2)Do you need anti-spin differential w/4X4?
3)Is the skid plate only for major off road ventures?
Any comments for a first time truck owner (except lower gas mileage) would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Skid plates are there for protection during more "aggressive" off roading. If you expect to encounter rocks, boulders, or tree stumps, I would get the skid plates. If you are doing some relatively easy off-roading the really arent needed.
The limited slip differential is worth every penny when driving in slippery conditions, it is a highly recommended piece.
Just my $.02 worth. STEVE
You're right, they should have it as an option, and probably will at some point.
The rear sliding window offers excellent ventilation, and is not meant to be reached form the front seat. It also keeps the dog in the back, and not in the cab, with enough room to stick his head in and see what's going on. Anyway, let me share something funny that happened with you all. Yesterday I stopped for a cup of joe at my regular haunt on the way to work. As I was coming out a guy zoomed into the parking lot with his new Ford Sport Trac. I chatted with him about it, and he let me sit in the drivers seat and check it all out. He told me his brother owns a Ford dealership and he got the first one. Have you guys seen these things? They are boxy with hard lines. And look like a little kids soap box truck. There is no comparison to a Quad! I told him about my recent order of the Dakota Quad cab and asked if he had seen it. He had, and agreed it is bigger, and maybe better, but the costs are not comparable. Then I told him I paid $24,900 for the top model with everything and his jaw dropped. He paid $25,500 without any goodies on his truck. He thought his brother hooked him up. Maybe he just hooked him. Anyway, I went on to tell him about my order: a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, Forest Green, SLT with a 5 speed 4.7L V-8, towing package, HD cooling on engine, CD Stereo, rear sliding window, etc. etc. I talked, but kept drinking my coffee and looking at his truck. He was silent, and I was busting up inside laughing hysterically. The Ford may have a sliding rear window gadget, that we all would like, but think about it. If you have to get out and slide it open from the back seat, people will be able to check out who is driving the baddest truck on the road.
I ordered mine 2/23 and call every week to find out where it is. I love it!! I am like a little kid who has been told by his dad that he is going to get a new bike for his birthday! My birthday should arrive sometime in early April.
By the way, thanks for the tips on bed liners and step rails/bars. I have already bought the bug deflector and splash guards. Next is a cap, and a bed liner. Who knows, maybe a satelite dish and a toilet and I can move in?!
Bookitty
Ron 35
Many people snub composite materials, polymers, and plastics for unfounded reasons. They assume they are weaker than metal when usually they are stronger (at least the varieties used to replace a metal part. There are thousands of varieties).
They also have the benefit of being lighter and much, much cheaper to work with than metals. Metals require machining and waste a lot of material. Polymers and composites can be molded.
Everytime a metal item is replaced with a composite material, people assume it is inferior to the metal part. I've had people ask me what the fender flares are made of on my Dakota. "Not sheet metal, huh" is the usual reaction like they would somehow be better if they were. This seems to hold true from everything from the new composite truck beds, handgun frames, synthetic rifle stocks, camera tripods and camera parts, etc. and what I have usually found is the synthetic items are better than the metal ones they replace.
I was never one to believe a manufactures word for it, though, and did rely on real world performance to show the facts, but I did not unconditionally shun composite material as many do. When synthetic stocks first showed up on rifles, most people made fun of the first guy in the hunting party that got one. When they proved to be THE superior, longest lasting, all-weather material for this use, everyone quickly shut up and went and bought a rifle with synthetic stock. Yes hardwood stocks are better looking, but were talking about functionality here.
The moral of this rant? Don't automatically assume that composites, polymers, or "plastics" are junk. They will likely outperform the metal part they replace and also reduce weight and cost.
We'll see how the composite skid plates hold up before I pass judgement on them. If they can take as hard a hit as metal without damage, I'd say they are superior since they surely weigh less.
Chad
that my Quad had arrived. Went to the dealership
tonight (my wife drove me there) and did all of the
paperwork. Went to delivery, only to discover that
it was equipped with 3.92 ratio differentials.
Refused the truck, salesman came over and showed me
that the order manager had changed the ratio
because you cannot get the 3.55 with 4.7 and 5
speed with towing. Problem is, that no one informed
me and I have been waiting since 12/24/99. They
were rather casual about the whole thing, but I was
very upset, since no one bothered to call or
inform me. They said that they could order me
another truck, but that was all they could do. Now
I'm wondering if the combination of 4X4, 4.7, 5
speed, and tow is available with 3.55.
Unfortunately, it was 9:45 PM and the manager was
not there. Please respond by post if you have the
same combination and a 3.55. I can call D/C
tomorrow, but right now I am crushed. Perhaps
themacguy's prophecy is accurate.
Bookitty
Just a suggestion - why not make the dealer change the ring and pinion? This should be a fairly easy swap. Just get him to sign a document warrantying the swap the same as the base factory powertrain warranty. Just a thought.
Bookitty
All, Thanks for all the info. I'm not very chatty, but have had all my questions answered here. I'm still waiting for the $ situation to get better before I order, but hopefully it will be soon.
Bookitty
and I really did not want the 3.92. I could get an
attorney, but that is not practical. While it is
against my principal to re-order, I have done so,
and they have promised to push through the order.
Principal is an expensive hobby, and I really don't
have the time to wade into battle. It was an
honest mistake, but my mother always told me that I
would have to pay for my mistakes; She never
mentioned that I would have to pay for Reedman
Dodge's mistakes as well. You're a great bunch.
Bookitty (Quadwaiter)