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Dodge Dakota - IV
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Comments
Primarily during motion. If it does whine during idle it is very subtle. It seems to be more consistent now. It is not real loud but simply "THERE"
Bookitty
hour wait. I brought the truck in for the tranny dip stick and the fluid puke underneith.The service man told me there is a TSB for kinked
tranny vent tubes . I showed him how the dipstick would not seat against the fill tube and all I got
was a line of BS.I watched three guys looking under my truck and never saw a tool in their hand.
It took them four hours to literaly do nothing.
I am going to write a letter of complaint. If you
are ever in Las Vegas stay away from Desert Dodge.
When I got home I put a clamp around the tranny
fill tube and wired the dipstick to it so that it
wont work its way out and get dust in it.They
wanted to shorten the dipstick at the dealer.What
does that tell you about their mechanics ?
Thanks for your help guys and check your dipsticks.
Johnboy9
Go to dodgeram.com/buying_info/order_status.htm
Go to "dodgeram.com/buying_info/Order_status.htm" for information on tracking your truck on the rails. The site is aimed at Ram truck buyer/owners, but the info works for the Dakota too.
In waiting for my Quad I have looked at dozens of Quads and have noticed the level of quality we would desire has not yet been attained by Dodge in their assembly of the Quads. I have seen bed bolts loose enough that their lock washers can be turned by hand, stains on the headliners, one actually looked like a dirty footprint, numerous crooked beds and misaligned doors and bumpers. Plastic plugs missing from those strange little oval holes in the floor of the bed (anyone know what they are for? pull the plug and there is nothing underneath). But, even with these shortcomings I can't wait for my Quad to show up. Rick
But by now you've probably already got your truck.
Andy, hip hip for organization and faqs
Ernie, congratulations
gwizz, No clue on 2001.
did should have taken 10 minutes max to fix [kinked vent tube]The dipstick is not excuseable !
Thats why I dred taking a vehicle in for service.
No one seems to take pride in what they do anymore.I will right a nasty letter when they send
me the "service questionaire"
Johnboy9
One thing - I had a concern about the headlights after reading some posts on either dim or the poor coverage. I'm happy to say that I'm pleased with what I saw. Because of the height of the truck, low beams do cover from road to the top of most on-coming cars (feel a bit sorry for them) and on hi-beams, there's nice distance plus this big rectangular "hot-spot" as well as good peripheral lighting.
Only problem was that I had the salesman specifically write on the order "No / Do Not Mount Front License Plate Holder" (holds a dealer logo plate - no front licenses required in PA). Guess what - got the damn holes drilled in the front apron anyway. Signed a form that the dealer will replace because of error. Wanted to keep the front "clean" besides the dealer has a logo decal on the tailgate and a logo license plate bracket. Think the guy watches too much NASCAR.
Again, congrats and many thanks to Ernie.
Saw a Durango (I know this is a Dakota forum) today that had very nice chrome nerf bars that had the rubber steps built into them. Hugged the frame very close so as not to lower the look of the vehicle too much. I read comments earlier about the nerf bars coming in Chrome and Stainless. Also that the Chrome can peel over time etc...Anybody able to elaborate on this for me. I really like the shine of the Chrome with the shiny accents of the SLT Dakota. I bet it would look sharp. I thought I would get the black ones because when they ding, you just repaint them flat black, but this has me thinking twice.
Appreciate any advice on type advantages...ie...
durability...price...etc...
Andy - Ontario is reaping the whirlwind right now.
While there are some fools in our nations capital , have you heard about BC's
"Fudge-it Budget"? Now our provincial gvt is in court for having fudged the numbers to show a surplus...Sounds like some car salesmen I know.
Thanks for the input all.
R.
We feel our surface preparation and plating expertise will move our step bar product significantly beyond conventional unplated stainless, both in appearance and durability. These new step bars will offer 100% rust-free performance, and the chrome finish will retain its brilliance. Another plus, the chrome finish will match our other non-stainless products, so the look of our products on the vehicles will be consistent."
Bookitty
There are lots of good pictures on these sites as well as pricing, etc. I am not sure about the hassles of buying across the border but I'm sure these folks can help. I bought from Atlanta Auto and they were very quick on shipping and the best prices I could find plus most importantly they had the items in stock.
Bookitty
I got the best mileage - 40 miles, no gas!!!
I put 5 gallons in my truck the other day on the way home from work - when I got home I hadn't used a drop of it.
So I lifted the cans out of the bed and I now have enough for the lawn tractor for a while
:-)
Ron 35
on those sites....I appreciated it.
Would love to see those bars on your Quad Ozark.
If you could scan a photo or send me one I would really appreciate it ....just like to see what they look like on a Quad. Must be great!
One question now, which do you guys feel is more maintanence free and durable? Does the chrome peel after a while or chip? I think the stainless
is more durable maybe but wouldn't black painted ones be the easiest to repair...just retouch with black paint. Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
R.
Allen-
How does the V6 work for you? I'm especially curious about performance when coupled w/ the 5 speed. What kind of mileage are you getting? I'm not concerned w/ payload, towing or hauling [non-permissible content removed], just hauling the family around.
(I know speedfreaks, I've read the comments...the V8 is too cool!)
Thanks
a_j - I missed the ferrys (fairys?) thing I guess. Hey, e:mail me about the owner's group when you have a minute (or an hour)...
bookitty / tpmiller1 - I am NOT looking at any more $@%# trains. Yours should show up there at any time now, thank you very much.
bookitty / crazycanuck - Another real problem in the 'stinky' oil patch is the H2S (hydrogen sulfide) in the air. It literally eats stainless steel round the clock. The acidic nature of the stuff, when mixed with water, is something you DON'T want on your truck's lower areas! Nasty.
ron35 - I think I posted a couple of months back that I use the heavier Ziplocks with (Mechanix pit-style) gloves so I don't burn my hands when doing this. A definite 'watch for' is that you get a VERY tight grip on the bag or it will cause you to dump hot oil down your arm! Yucky.
Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! Yaquiro Taco Bell!
On another note for all to hear. I put the Quad in 4wd Hi to check the feel of it on the road, (of course now I know that it is not recommended to drive on dry pavement in this mode after reading the manual.) A problem occurred though when I turned fairly sharp in 4wd. I lost the ability to move major time as if the "clutch" was slipping until I straighted the wheels out. I did this a few more times in the parking lot at work with the same results. I will be setting up an appointment with my dealer for this could be a major safety problem if I am in true need to use 4wd.
I went with the black for appearance but also for the ease of touch-up you mentioned. Be careful with chrome (or so I was warned by several) because of the tendency to peel, need for frequent polishing, etc. If you like the SLT look most folks seem to reccomend the stainless.
http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/ram_frame.html
those photos. Perfect look that I wanted.
Could you ask your friend if I could put those on
my web site for others to see? I could add an authors note etc.. for I didn't take them etc....
Anyway...thanks.
Ozark - what a nice looking rig. The bars match the black bumpers really well and tie in perfectly. Now I think I might buy the sport instead of the SLT just to match the bars!!
Thanks....I think.
:-}
R.
I e-mailed Chad about the pictures,I am sure he'll love to see them on a site.
Allen-
I also ordered a Flowmaster single 3" inch cat-back exhaust system. It is currently being produced and has to be special ordered. I should have it in about 3 weeks. When I get it installed, I will pass on more field test results.
I am trying to locate an air intake, but it is too soon for the aftermarket to produce. I heard from two product rep's that on the 4.7l they are experiencing great problems passing California emissions and may switch back to the 5.9. Has any one heard anything like this?? As such, the aftermarket vendors are choosing not to invest the R & D into performance items as they fear the the 4.7l may go away. I am hoping that it was just sour grapes from vendors who did not have the product, or were blue oval or bow tie guys. I got the impression that the 4.7 was an interim engine until the new Hemi is ready for production.
I have the v6 auto, it has plenty of power
for normal driving. The last two tanks of gas I
have got 18.25 mpg. I am very satisfied with the
v6 engine. I suggest you test drive trucks with
the differnt engine/tranny combinations, then base
your decision on that. I orderd my truck in NOV.
the only one I could find to test drive was the v6. It had a lot more power than the 4cycl Nissan
truck I have driven for 15 yrs.
i am still waiting for a new fuel tank sensor (2 weeks now)and also need to have my whole headliner replaced due to a tear at the factory.
but i still love this truck...
300-117 for the Quad's 4.7 liter install. And others are sure to follow - and very soon. I've heard rumors that expanded production will begin on the Dakota Quad line in August - and that 7 of every 10 engines shipped for the Dak / Dur is the 4.7 engine.
Don't know anything about emissions type problems in Calif. (don't think anyone really does). I DO know that the 4.7 was built specifically to address three areas: (1) lower cost per unit, (2) more mpg and (3) vastly fewer emissions - than the 318 cid engine it replaces. True, others are coming, but for different 'replacements' and price points, I'm sure. Hope this soothes your fears...
http://dodgeram.com/technical/cammer/4_7_v8.html
www.ocis.net/~rbeve/dakotapage1.htm
It's not much, but it can give some idea of
colors etc...some different dakota looks....
plus one cool mutt.
Hope ya like!
R.
on my site...(sounds kinda pretentious), I would
be more than happy to do that. Just email them
to me...my address is in my user file.
The site can only get better with more photos.
I don't know how much space I am given, but I
would love to use it up.....
R.
for what they said was a "kinked vent tube",the
leak is back ! I checked the vent tube and it was
bone dry,so that means theres another problem .
It is on the drivers side and is leaking down between the engine and the tranny.The dealer said
they added fluid....guess what it was a quart low
when I checked it, after a full warm up.Now that I
added it, it has started leaking again!I`m getting a small puddle under the truck and it is dripping off the tranny housing and the exhaust pipe.I`m going to take it to another dealer.I`ve
had it with Desert Dodge.
The dipstick is staying in place ,now that I wired it to the hose clamp I installed.
Not a happy Quader ! Johnboy9
P.S. 4.7/AutoTranny
P.S. My first motorcycle was a Harley, maybe that's what is wrong with me!
want them to pull the tranny,unless they really have to.What ever it is, I don`t think it will be an easy fix.There is no room to work on it and it
appears to be leaking on the engine block then
running down the outside of the tranny case.There is no oil coming out of the drain hole at the very bottom of the tranny housing,so I don`t think it`s a seal.Well tommorow I will take it to another dealer and see what they say.Thanks for
your input and I welcome all others. Johnboy9
mailman54 - I'm not sure we disagree at all on the daytime running lights. At least on cars. As for bikes, I use them to (help) keep people from turning left in front of me. I'd do it without a law as well. I really don't need (or want) the government forcing me to do it. Same with helmets. I posted a longer response over in our continued Topic 1871. Same goes with airbags, etc. I would rather have a 'choice' to use them. As long as the insurance liability or safety of the vehicle doesn't affect me - I'm all for individual freedoms. A lot of our ancestors fought and died for those freedoms. It's pure disrespect to have our 'leaders' repay that debt by making bad law. And then have bad lawyers propagate it. Of course I have freedoms too (as opposed to rights) - and I don't want someone to step on mine. Sorry for any confusion, been real hot down here - 110 this weekend. -- Bet you wish you still had the Harley though. They're worth a chunk of change today. --
BTW - Wouldn't removing the passenger airbag fuse on the left side of the dash (open driver's door and about waist high there's a little compartment you open) allow you to 'disable' the passenger airbag? Or has someone already posted on this? Does bpeebles or someone with a manual know something?
dmdbit: I never trade in to a dealer. Some people have had good luck, but I consider it a rip off. On my 91 F150 that I am getting ready to replace, it is worth $8000 for me to find a buyer and the dealer book price is $3000. In defense of the dealers, they have more liability and other factors involved. The low book price also allows them to give good deals on popular makes, but that five grand would look better in my pocket than theirs. The only advantage with trade in is the timing. If you sell yourself, it may take a few weeks or even months, but like I said, the reward is worth it.
4.7, auto, 4x2, 3.92 and loaded with a rollnlock tonneau cover and fenderflares.
robert