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
Now about those airbags switches. #$@!%^?# It will probably take legislation and someone willing to stand up to the insurance companies before this travesty gets solved. There are no cut-off switches on the Quad. The kids(under 12) are supposed to go in the back and I'm not sure what we're supposed to do if we go off road. When I rode bikes in my youth I wore a helmet but I hated for the government(ie insurance lobby) to tell me that I had to. Same thing or worse with the airbags. I believe that a passenger side cut-off switch comes with the club cab and not the Quad. What's that about? Sorry for the ranting but this is a real concern. The airbags are potentially harmful for young or smaller passengers and could be as well in off-road situations. It seems that it was liability rather than intelligence and safety that drives the decision to mandate non-controllable airbags. I believe it will only be a matter of time before this issue is settled in the courts. Hopefully no one will be seriously hurt before this occurs.
Sorry for the extended rant. By the way, at 5000+ miles I like the truck more than when I first bought it. I am continually amazed at what a good all around vehicle it really is. The 4.7 is the only problem. After driving it,(and listening to it purr) it sure is hard to drive anything else.
Jeff
Ben
Jeff
Bookitty
stevef50 - the 'Sport' is for those who don't mind 'building' an option list to suit their tastes; and for people like me, who absolutely, positively HATE chrome. And I'd refuse to paint over it if I had it... but some have already with good results.
In West Texas temps are so extreme that leaning against or touching chrome 'blisters' skin on contact - guessing 180 degrees + at surface. Also, the bugs out here are so thick you can't get em off the shiny parts (especially after cooking for a few weeks), but we're all used to waxing our finishes heavily (and forget to polish / wax the chrome) so paint usually lasts a bit longer and bug free. We 'sport-sters' also just like the monochrome look as opposed to the shiny parts that attract the 'SLuTs.' Interesting, since the SLuTs are probably - at least demographically - a bit more mature as purchasers, and value conscious.
I'm also one of those that can't imagine needing (ever) a 4X4. If I go skiing or somewhere I'd need 4WD, I'll simply rent a Pathfinder or 4Runner, pay the fee, get the use and then come home to the Quad 4X2 for the other 99%+ of my needs. Now this seems logical to most folks; however, depreciation is higher on 2WD, usefulness in 'needed' areas of the US is limited (snow, rain, extreme offroad use etc.) and the ride and fuel penalties are really not - if I've read anything here correctly - very noticeable on the whole Dakota line in the 4X4s. Of course I believe that the Quad is not as penalized as most by depreciation since it's so new and exclusive - time will tell.
Oh, and though I don't have ltd slip (and don't need it either), I definitely had it on the dealer order until I bought the one off the truck - just couldn't wait, I had a tax situation at the end of last year. Major options that I would NEVER go without: top-end radio with steering wheel controls, 4.7 engine, new auto tranny, A/C, bed protection, Sport package and HD cooling and power assists on EVERYTHING. I could do without certain tire / wheel combos, 3.55 rear w/ or w/o ltd. slip (3.92 OK), bench vs. buckets (still prefer the bench), trailer tow package (can add a better one for the price), overhead tripmeter (nice to have, but not essential). Would ADD to Dodge's std. or option list: side protection for the Sport, tan interiors, better push / nerf combos that are price competitive, a useful 3.21 rear (I tried one for $1400 - it didn't work too well), in-dash CD changer, grab handles lower in the rear area (for kids ease of entry), add an R/T model (or Super Bee - or 'Q'?) and maybe a sunroof. I'd fix / alter: 'crunching' tranny noises (electro - mechanical stuff), up the mpg, install real rear seat headrests, change the glue on the weatherstripping (terrible, so far), add 3" or so of width INSIDE the fender wells for regular plywood to lay 'flat' on the floor, put some support in the front seats and add electric adj. to the passenger sides AND correct the labeling on the A/C! The last thing I'd change - or actually throw out - is the 'attrocious' dealer sales network. I'd just let the good ones sell over the net and keep the rest for service centers (with some real mechanics - not just 'technicians'). I tried a dozen local, regional dealers for four months BEFORE e:mailing an unknown (incl. the city) over the net - guess where I bought. And guess who helps me with problems as well. Amazing.
When I priced the Sport and the SLT with the same equipment I also noticed there was a several hundred dollar difference ($500-800). From what information I've been able to gather, there seem to be more aftermarket body add-ons for the Sport than the SLT also.
Do like me...Have your dealer order and install the new style tether hooks(Free from Dodge) and keep the kids in the rear...Beware that they are on backorder(So the Parts Guy says)..Good luck
Chad
In my opinion, the rear slider is useless unless you have at least 1 four foot long arm to reach it..Now im trying to find a power sliding rear window WITH an integrated rear defroster that will work off the OEM circuit... I havent been successfull as of yet so anyone that knows of one...please let me know by forum or email at gchadsmith@cs.com Thats enough rambling for now...
Chad
Otherwise, I would agree with themacguy. In particular, don't like the chrome.
Bookitty - we may have something in common. When talking to Ernie on 4/10 he stated he was watching 2 other QC. Believe your may have been one of them. My last 6 VIN are 754748. Good luck.
Also,
How do I find/get the tracking number & how do I get to the rail / mfg site to track the order. (lost previouse posts w/ this info) please help!
Thanx,
cowtownaggie
I have an appointment May 5th to get this repaired. Does it seem unreasonable to anyone else to take a full month so far to correct a problem that they caused? Could someone enlighten me as to what I should do? To add to my frustration I have been dealing with kidney stones at the same time! The manager even knew about this and hasn't taken pity on me. I think my two Dodge driving attorney friends are going to have to get in on this. I said Ford had the worst service but so far Dodge has proven me wrong. They have nice trucks and neat advertising but I wonder if they'll back this problem up. I am a dentist that can tell several hundred patients a month about my "new crippled truck". Kind of lost my patience about this. I feel better already!!!
navycb29: Dakotas are made in Warren, Michigan.
Oil change on the 4.7L: I just changed the oil on my 4.7L and here's a tip for mess free removal of the oil filter. I cut the top off a 2 liter pop bottle and used the bottom 2/3 as a very convenient container for holding the old filter and oil. The bottle fits easily through the access opening and fits completely around the filter and mounting bracket. The flexible plastic allows a good grip on the filter completely catches all the oil draining from the oil line. It's a completely mess free filter change. Just be sure to wear gloves: the oil is hot!
For anyone considering an engine choice: the throaty rumble of the 4.7L alone, at both idle and at 70 mph, is worth the price of admission!!!
God, I love this beast!!!
tsoprano: Where did you get the auto dimming mirror? How much was it? That's the one option I wish I had ordered.
navycb29: Dakotas are made in Warren, Michigan.
Oil change on the 4.7L: I just changed the oil on my 4.7L and here's a tip for mess free removal of the oil filter. I cut the top off a 2 liter pop bottle and used the bottom 2/3 as a very convenient container for holding the old filter and oil. The bottle fits easily through the access opening and fits completely around the filter and mounting bracket. The flexible plastic allows a good grip on the filter and completely catches all the oil draining from the oil line. It's a completely mess free filter change. Just be sure to wear gloves: the oil is hot!
As for the insulation, I wondered about that. Most of my other auto luxury package purchases over the years have had something like deluxe this or that. I've no idea - can you enlighten me further on what is included in the insulation upgrade? It sounds like another pretty good reason to get the SLT package.
I guess I'm now going for the "Sleeper" type vehicles. Look conservative on the outside, ie, SLT, but can catch others by surprise when you haul [non-permissible content removed] right by them.
Push bars, brush guards, grille guards...Anyone know who makes the official Mopar versions that are in the truck book? I love the tubular design but not the mopar price. Anyone know of anything similar? I am looking for front end protection that bolts to the frame not the bumper.
Themacguy..airbags...Sure the airbags are a great safety feature but a simple on-off switch would have given a lot of us the option we wanted. I am not anti-government or anything like that, but some government mandates (surely being an oil field guy you know this) are not as well thought out as they could be and usually reflect some hard lobbying by special interest groups. I mean, does anyone beside me think it is a little bizarre that we have to be warned by a sticker on the visor about the potential lethal danger of something that is supposed to be a safety feature? Enough said.
Bookitty
Bookitty
I am a SLuT!!!!!
My local Dodge dealer has offered me the MOPAR folding cover for $625 installed. I can get a Fold A Cover for $585 installed. If they are the same product, I would probably go with the dealer to get the 3 year warranty and, hopefully, a more professional installation job. But if the MOPAR cover cannot be completely removed, I would not consider it.
Firstdodge: There are good dealers/mechanics and bad dealers/mechanics. Where I live, I would not take anything to the dealers. I bought my 91 Ford here in Stillwater and they would never fix anything right and would never get to it on the day they said. I found an excellent Ford dealership in Vinita and would be a customer of their's for life if the Supercrew was what I needed. You have to do your homework and find a good shop and the best mechanics. I always specify the mechanic to work on my trucks. It is a shame that there are so many bad dealerships out there, but there are some good ones, you just have to find them.
We have a sect in this area similar to the Amish, (who drive and farm using only horse/mule powered vehicles and use no electric), whose religion allows them to own vehicles but there can be no chrome showing on them, (they paint the bumpers and other chrome black)and I'm guessing that's where the "sport" model market is aimed.
Jeff
Thanks to everyone that answered my question about the air bag switch.
Let you know tomorrow what the truck is like.
Dodge customer service told me that my QC was in D1 status scheduled to be built on 5/8/00. However, he also said that that seems like a soft date. He said that the production run (?) for that car was actually the 3rd week of May (14th-20th). I am surprised that things are moving along this quickly (after reading of the wait times experienced by others)! I ordered my truck on 4/11/00 through Carorder.com (at about $300 below invoice). This actually pushed the dealer's order date back to about 4/15/00. I suppose I will ACTUALLY have a firm delivery date when the truck shows up.
As far as the deluxe insulation groug on the SLT, my salesman (I know, consider the source) stated that it included only the hood insulation and the rest of the truck's insulation was identical to the Sport.
If I'm missing something-am sure others will add.
www.chryslerwarranty.com
Having this information ahead of time might be helpful in negotiating.
Bookitty-are you really going to get your truck?
tpmiller-I didn't know we started a branch of the sport sect in Pennsylvania. I am about out of black paint here in the hills and am looking for another source.
Also: Our quad cab had the door and bed alignment problems, both are fixed. However, we have the two tone paint as well and I have noticed a place where the paint is peeling between the two colors. Has anyone else noticed this??
Thanks in advance..
Sitting here I feel really bad-that's some tuff (bad) luck.I wouldn't go buying any lottery tickets any time soon!"Man" Hope it all works out,let us know.
Allen-
Bookitty