Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - II

steve234 · May 2000

I am a big fan of ABS on cars and trucks for most cases, but.... If you do any heavy boat towing, ABS can be deadly. The manufacturers and many organizations are working hard to find a solution to the problem, but it is still out there. They may wind up banning surge brakes, if a safe alternative can be found for boats. RVs are not affected because they use electric brakes. The problems lies with the load sensors on truck systems. It is supposed to adjust the brake action according to the weight on the rear axle. With surge brakes, the trailer pushes the vehicle and subsequently lifts the rear end. The sensor sees less weight and reduces the braking effect. Eventually, the rear brakes are doing nothing. The rise of the rear end increases as this happens and lifts the trailer tongue to the point that the surge brakes are not actuating. It boils down to a panic stop with several thousand pounds of trailer and only the front brakes. You only need this to happen once to become a believer. All this has been documented by the tow testing people at Trailer Boats mag and they are deeply involved with committee working on the problems. If you do not intend to tow a boat or anything with surge brakes, get ABS and enjoy the advantages. If you plan on towing like I do, do not trust ABS until they come up with a fix.

gsu1 · May 2000

I picked up my truck on Wed. night. I looks great. Thanks to everyone that helped me with things to look for before I took delivery. Everything was perfect except I had to drive it home in the rain. So far the truck runs great.

Just to let everyone know this is the best site for information on the Dakota. Everyone is so knowledgeable and friendly. I look forward to sharing experiences with everyone.

A couple days ago someone asked about prices on the bed extender. I found it at Sears. Yes Sears the store known for Craftman and Kenmore. The bed extender is by Steel Horse and list for 199.00

andy_jordan · May 2000

Yeah, I have a brush guard. It is frame mounted - two mounting points beneath the grille. I got a stainless steel unit from DeeZee - I went stainless to match the chrome look of my SLT grille, but with better durability than chrome.

I also wanted a functional unit that could take a winch and o some pushing if required - or as it turned out could survive the attentions of a Safari!

I have had no problems with it - stable, good looking and solid - the edges vibrated slightly once (where they wrap around the lights), but as I was doing around 150 km/h at the time (oops), I think that had more to do with the laws of physics than anything else!!

ckoerner · May 2000

I am currently looking at buying a Quad cab 4X2 Sport w/4.7. Every one that I have seen at three diff. dealers, the right rear tire sticks out farther than the left one. Is it the bed alignment? Or what? Thanks!

rjoder · May 2000

ckoerner -- I think I started this whole bedliner mess a couple of months ago (sorry everybody

but it appears that the factory is placing the beds on a 'little bit' to the left. Are their markings off? You will need to get the bed realigned. However, there is an allowable difference of 3/8" between each side (at least that is what the dealer said).

Does anyone have a 'Bedrug' installed in the bed? The product looks cool in person but seems a bit pricey ($379.00 for the quad). www.bedrug.com

towcrazy2 · May 2000

First, thanks to shannond2 for the part number on the Fold-a-Cover! I'd probably go with the soft tonneau as you are were it not for our winter climate here in Michigan... Going for the Fold-a-Cover for the same reason I ordered the engine block heater.

Well... Tomorrow's the day. The Quad was prepped on Tuesday. I have a call in to the sales guy to do the free dealer-install of child safety seat tether anchors (I'm too young to be a grandfather! Alas, it looks like I may need to put a sidecar on the Harley!).

My delivering dealer is no less than 200 miles away... Yet, getting the truck at $220 under dealer invoice made it worth the drive... I'm transferring the plate from my current Ram (when it sells), so the sales guy is loaning me a dealer plate for a couple of days... Should be a rather enjoyable Saturday afternoon trying to find my way home on the secondary roads rather than freeway.

So... First stop will be to pull over and dump
6 oz. of Marvel Mystery oil in the fuel tank... It's a break-in ritual that has consistently paid off over the long-run in very strong, tight engines that burn virtually no oil.

For those of you who are running the 4.7 engine, I'm still somewhat envious! I'd like nothing more than to pick up that extra 5 mpg... Yet, I chickened out and went with the 5.9 simply because it's been an exceptionally strong, reliable mill in the Ram, capable of hauling the heavy load through the mountains with little complaint.

Toughest part of this is going to be getting the Quad home and parking it in the barn until the Ram sells! Ahh well... I'm sure I'll be finding more the the usual number of chores out in the barn!

Luck to all!

gsx750f · May 2000

Just found this site that will let you posts pics on the web. These are pics of the mods I've made the intake and damage to my bumper when I got hit.

Push bars- After hearing what a front bumper cost i interested in a stainless push bar. Question for anyone who has one. How far past the front does it stick out. I'm very limited on space in the garage.

Mufflers- Just installed a k&n filter and now would like to take care of the exhaust side. Any suggestions? I don't want anything too loud.

Thanks, Scott

engine16c · May 2000

Called Ernie today, his new message states you can no longer get him or leave a message. I had to speak with Orlandra. Very helpful and nice friendly voice. She told me the QC was delivery to the Jessup yard on 5/3 and should be on it's way to Baltimore dealer. These last few days are worst then the 9 weeks of waiting.

Bookitty - just hope your's is as close.

mailman54 · May 2000

Tsoprano: I respect your opinion about daytime running lights, but I don't share it. I do not think it should be made mandatory by any means. I would accept the option of having it or not having it, but not making it mandatory. Personally I find daytime running lights to be a pain in the a#$! Have you ever met oncoming traffic or had someone follow you with daytime running lights on a sunny day. I have, and it ranks right up there with sharing the road with someone talking on their cell phone. If you are into lights, why don't you do like everyone else and run their fog lights all the time, or better yet get a GM vehicle. That's my opinion, everyone has one.

zonk · May 2000

How did you purchase your QC?

themacguy · May 2000

pomyc - the tranny rpm drop was well answered by stvdman. I believe bpeebles alluded to this sometime back. The electronic shifting is going to get more common, we're just 'early adapters.'

zonk - T&H package will get you, well, 'better tires and handling' - especially on the 2WD. It also LOWERS the truck about an inch or so on the 2WD model. The added rear stabilizer bar is a definite big, big PLUS! That item alone is about $500 installed from the aftermarket. Also, if you add the color coded flares (mine were $200), the vehicle looks better thatn anything else on the road today.

gsu1 - got my bed extender from the local Honda, Kawa, Suzi, Yam shop for $179 - took 15 mins. to install it (get the small version - fits like a glove).

tsoprano / mailman54 - interesting conundrum this daytime running light thing. Here in W. TX we have lots of cell-phone talking, make-up adding, smokem-up types that just don't pay lots of attention to what's around them while driving. As an avid 15k a year motorcycle rider, my first thought is to use the fogs as running lights all the time. But my experience with this is that it doesn't add 'much' to visibility. The local cops agree, they've run some rudimentary tests on their use over the years. The BIG help is on motorcycles with the 'pulsing' headlights - so if you REALLY want 'safety' results on your Quad, wellll... %-)

mailman54 · May 2000

Themacguy:

Don't know about the Quad cab tire and Handling package, but on the RC tire and handling package you only get the larger tires. You used to get the rear stabilizer bar also, but they dropped it on the RC. I think it's still a go with the club cab and quad cab though. As far as the lowering of 1 inch, I thought that was only on the RT tire and handling package. Unless you are just talking about the normal difference in height between the 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive??? I have the RC with tire and handling package and was very upset to find out that I didn't get a rear stabilizer bar and it sure wasn't lowered. It sort of took the handling out of the "tire and handling package"! I guess that is part of DC's strategy of making you want to buy the more expensive club and quad cabs. Unfortunately, I don't need either, just a bed and a cap for my dogs.

dok2 · May 2000

The speedometer error with a different axile is something I didn't think about. However, if you know the difference is ~10%, then you can mentally correct your actual speed. I peersonaly am not to terribly concerned about this. My main objective is to get the 3.92 rear axile since I will do a lot of towing. By the way, my QC only has 4000 miles on it. If you are still interested, please let me know. The geographic distance between us could be problematic!!!!

cowtownaggie · May 2000

gsx750f,

Would you please post any directions on how you did your intake mod? (ref: your pix on the site).

I know they were here at one time, seem to have lost the # or location.

Question - does the mod help? What advantages (hp, fuel mileage, etc . . . .)

Thanx
Cowtown Aggie

tuckmiddle · May 2000

Rick,
Saw that post. Man, with a diff of 200 rpm or so, you sure you wanna do that? Had it a week and swapping rear ends. Why not? Probably swap the speedometer gear or what ever they call it these days, also.
I have to quit driving, 450 miles since Wed noon. Haven't had time to work, don't tell Scott!
Went all the way out to the Horse Venue in Conyers for the Truck show that had a four o'clock start and absolutely noone there and trucks trying to check in. I'm interested in the wood grain finish for the dash and was hoping to see one or more there. Let me know if you hear anything else. 16.5 mpg with mostly highway miles the last couple days.
Hope the skid plates are right this time.
I'm thinking of adding a couple bed rails or a luggage rack to my GEM top, saw one the other day that looked great with black rack.
What else is there to add ....

wetwillie · May 2000

mailman: your right about the 2wd t&h pkg., it actually raises the truck slightly due to increased tire diameter with the pkg. i dont get why the stabilizer bar is not included on the reg. cab. the 4wd gets it but they charge the same for both??? anyway, it's not much of a stabilizer bar (diameter's too small for a truck with this kinda heft), i plan on replacing it with a larger diameter aftermarket unit - they're fairly cheap. sandman: don't count on better shocks taking care of the wheel hop, i put edelbrock IAS shocks on the rear (at $80.00 a pop!) and noticed only a slight improvement - life with a live axle, at least with the dakota.

ozark · May 2000

Those washboard road are awful! I usually use the 4-hi to help maintain when out searching for trail heads,trout streams and remote estate sales. Have the same bouncing problem with my Jeep Cherokee. 4wd doesn't entirely cure the problem but helps maintain control and eases the pain.

themacguy · May 2000

Hmmm - I measured the top of the bed at front, center and rear and got a 1" height difference in the bed heights (was lower on T&H equipped Quads - then) when I bought mine in Dec. After your post I remembered that I had the 235X75's on it as it was delivered. Must be the difference. I'll go back to the lot and remeasure on Sunday. I'll put the 235X75's / 15X7's back on as well - I'm running aftermarket 255X55's on 17X9's at this point... though I'm trading these for a Durango buddy's 255X65 / 15X8's - I need more sidewall height, and easier to replace 15" tires here in rural W. TX.

engine16c · May 2000

Came in Friday 5/5/00 at 8:15. At 1:19 Saturday I left the lot with one awesome vehicle. Seems that the bed and doors are lined up pretty good. Couple of spots on the chrome bumper but I think i can take care of it.

Bookitty - hope you have yours too. From the posts I know you have waited a long time. It is worth it.

For those that are interested
ordered 2/28/00
Built 4/26/00
shipped 4/27/00
arrived Jessup ,Md 5/3/00
arrived dealer 5/5/00
got it 5/6/00

SLT Quad Cab, 4x4, 4.7L, 5-sp, SLT+, 6-way power seat, Power overhaed console, Alarm, CD radio, Medium Bronze w/driftwwod, T&H, 3.55 rear, leather steering wheel

maybequad2000 · May 2000

sorry to have been out of the conversation for 500 or so posts. just had our first child(a little girl) and after trying to place the car seat in the 89 s-10 ext. cab I convinced her that we need a new truck. I will be ordering mine this week, and was wondering how a DC anti lock braking system compares to a ford or chevy(GM old system really sucks). any answers to this would be greatly appreciated. talked to dealer today, said that he wuold go $300 over invoice after i mentioned that i was going over the quote from a month ago and it didn't match the edmunds numbers. funny how how the power of the internet can change how they talk to you. also does anyone have a factory price on the bed extender.

mailman54 · May 2000

Themacguy - More on daytime running lights being mandated. Since you mentioned motorcycles, I will use that as an example to make my point about government mandated safety laws. Hope everyone will bear with me or ignore me as I get off Dakotas for a second. I used to ride motorcycles myself and really enjoyed it. However, gradually gov't mandated regulations spoiled it for me. It started with the mandatory running lights on motorcycles, then went to the mandatory helmet law. Then while in the Army, they made you attend a safety class and told you had to wear a reflective vest, long pants, long sleeves, gloves and boots to ride a motorcycle on post (even in 100 degree weather). The last straw was when I tried to get on a navy base and the gate guard said I couldn't come on base because I had rubber soled shoes instead of leather soled shoes, another safety regulation. I finally gave up motorcycle riding as a lost cause. I hope I don't have to do the same with truck driving! More stupid regulations have been made in the name of safety then any other thing I can think of. Gee I'm glad I got that off my chest!!! What was the subject of this post anyway???

gallen1586 · May 2000

shannond2,
I have the mopar folding cover, you can
remove the cover in about 5 min. The side rails are permanently mounted to the bed with double sided tape and one pop-rivet in the end of each
rail.

themacguy · May 2000

Agree entirely on the gov't.s (kin-u-say-librul) sometimes misplaced attempts at near total control over our lives as far as safety is concerned. That said, motorcycles however, have a 'unique' set of visibility problems (also, bicycles) that really do need addressing. First and foremost is that most drivers - I believe countless testing has pretty much proven this - simply look through most any type of two wheel transport. ANY added visibility is a blessing here. I don't believe running lights here have caused (m)any deaths to drivers of four wheeled road appliances. Helmet use is, in my opinion ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY from a common sense and financial point of view. Stupid to trust that your head is stronger than pavement (or dirt), and as an auto driver (and taxpayer), why should I have to pay for a (selfish) vegetable's medical bills in perpetuity? Makes no sense to me. As for the argument that helmets obscure vision or hearing: quite the contrary is true (and proven - ask the AMA), as constant wind noise kills the cilia(?) fibers in the ears effectively reducing hearing + wind, bugs sand, rain, etc. etc. don't help vision much either.

The argument for 'against gov't. mandates' does carry some weight with me, as otherwise I'm a rock solid conservative. I just believe that some (financial-type) things will get out of hand if daytime lights and helmet laws are repealed. Same thing would apply to drivers not having to have liability insurance or vehicle inspections. Some things are just basically needed for the general risk pool to be able to survive. And the 'public good.'

I do however wish they hadn't taken away the poll tax or made us 'accept' automatic withholding - these things bother me greatly, but as a biker I really do believe daytime lights and helmets are necessary.

One thing we have here in TX, and I suppose other states have them as well, is a fee to be able to NOT have to wear helmets - with an appropriate sticker on the bike to prove you've got the added policy. This is thought to limit the financial stress of an accident to an injured biker - and his similarly 'freedom minded' ilk - alone. Sets up a separate risk pool. Good idea, but I've noticed literally dozens of bikers riding without their helmets and without the stickers attached - meaning they DON'T have them in the first place. After talking to a couple of police-type buddies of mine, they say they can't pull everybody over to check. Judging by the number of riders not complying - I tend to believe them. By the way, about 80-90% of the offenders are Harley owners. No. I'm not singling them out - they do that all by themselves. And this "Ride to live - live to ride" crap is living proof of their arrogance - or contempt. Another reason I will not buy a Harley. Sorry if I've offended anyone here - I have my reasons, and I believe them to be sound. The new era RUBS (Rich Urban BikerS) only add fuel to the fire. Too bad really, Harley has just (finally) built the first decent (read: modern) motorcycles in their history. If they didn't have such a poor image, I might even buy a 2000 model.

All that still doesn't mean I like the $#@%^#%@ gov't. messing in my business. And making MY personal business theirs. And taking MY money and giving to others (or themselves). Pisses me off!

off soap box

genom · May 2000

Hello everyone, Im new to this so please bear with me. I am shopping for a new truck and have narrowed my search down considerably. I haven't completely ruled out anything, but will most likely go with either a 2WD Dakota QC or Ram 1500 QC.

My questions are as follows:
-Engine Transmission combos... V6 Manual or Auto; 4.7 Manual or Auto. I ahve heard some stories about Dodge Auto Trannys, but since I have always driven a manual, am anxious to make the "shift" (pun intended) to auto. Pros or Cons??

-The 4.7 seems like a great engine, but how has it faired prior to this year in the Cherokees? Always nervous with new engines (although this one is only new in the Dakota.

-With a small price difference (aobut $1500) I could get the "Big" truck... is it worth it? I don't do any towing but I do occasional hauling. I am not really concerned about the Cargo Reduction in the Dakota QC, I think it still has enough.

-With feul prices the way they are, would I get enough advantage going with a Manual... or with the V-6? I am upgrading from a 4-Cyl Ranger so anything will be a step up.

I came across this site during my research for a new truck and really enjoy all the insights. I would appreciate some help with my decisions, but as much fact as possible please (I as well as anyone realize that when you have a new truck it seems like the best in the world. I fully expect to hear how great everything is, so along with the laudes, include some statistics (MPG, Problems you have seen or heard of, etc.... )

Thanks a million! Anxious to hear from you.

Geno M in MD

vman · May 2000

genom: You may want to do as #652(quark99) and read the entire topic(s). This has all been discussed in GREAT detail.

bigal31 · May 2000

I couldn't agree less about your views on helmet laws.I for one don't like being told to put a helmet on.For instance if you owned a convertible would you like to be told you couldn't ride around with the top down?-Thats just one example.
I find it real interesting were people draw the line when it comes to government interaction!
Allen-

meredith · May 2000

For purposes of efficiency....

this topic has been "Frozen." Please continue these discussions in Topic 1871 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - III. Thanks!

Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host

Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - II

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