Dodge Dakota - General Topic

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  • jam12jam12 Member Posts: 4
    I own a 1998 4x4 club cab with a 3.9 and automatic transmission. The truck is great except when driving at 55 to 65 mph up a slight grade the engine appears to give a slight stutter. It is very short in duration and does not register on the tac. It never occurs when the transmission down shifts only when in OD. Does anybody have any ideas what it might be? Any help would be appreciated.

    JAM
  • zonkzonk Member Posts: 208
    I am going to take the plunge this week and get, off the lot, a 01 4x2 Flame Red Sport QC, Sport plus (ac, fog lamps, T&H package part of the plus package), 4.7L, auto, power convenience group, deluxe convenience group, AM/FM/Cassette/CD/Eq, floor mats, bedliner, etc. The only thing lacking is an lsd, but because the price is so good, I felt I had to get it (invoice minus holdback of $712, and that's before the Dodge and Farm Bureau rebates). The only problem is I must go and drive it back home several hundred miles). How should I go about breaking it in over the trip? Will keeping it at interstate speeds the length of the trip do anything bad to engine break in?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    (zonk) It is common wisdom that one SHOULD NOT hold a constant speed during the "break in" period. Seating the rings is perhaps the most important reason to observe the "break in" period. Occasional deceleration is needed to allow the rings to seat properly.

    ALL of the moving parts within a brand new internal combustion engine have "just met" and there will be excessive heat generated due to friction for some miles. The owners manual spells out some suggested precautions that should be observed including " occasional bursts of full-throttle acceleration " (which helps seat the rings)

    You would be well advised to take the "scenic route" on the way home. The secondary roads will be better for your new engine and more fun you too.

    Most people have repoted that the performance, MPG and general smoothness of the 7.4L V8 hemi is realized after 10,000 miles. Be patient!
  • indychapellindychapell Member Posts: 35
    thanks for the info on this matter. Just changed oil for first time (2200 miles), and noticed the white slim on inside of tube. Kind of bothered me. Took rag wiped out inside of tube before putting new oil in. Will be calling dealer tomorrow. Love truck, still waiting for that first good snow, want to go out and play.
  • fsdogsfsdogs Member Posts: 1
    hi,
    I enjoy reading all the advice regarding the QC and thank you all. I will order a silver SLT QC, but have a couple of questions. First, are the bucket seats more comfortable than the standard bench. Also, do any of you use the sliding rear window. Normally my wife and son will be using the truck, occasional hauling to home depot etc..
    Thanks
  • ohc_babyohc_baby Member Posts: 116
    I can't decide if I'm happy with my bench or not, fsdogs. The bench feels exactly the same and might be, except the lumbar with power seats, but I definitely miss the center console. I have a 5-spd with my bench, so I have 1 cupholder up front, period. Even the people in the back have one apiece. The center console also houses the CD changer nicely if you want one. The main reason I didn't get the buckets, though, is that it just doesn't feel or look like a truck interior. There are lots of pros and cons to them, and the buckets are certainly more livable.
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    Rigo, I have the bench seat because it suits me better than do buckets. I can only tell you that I like a bench seat. However, the slider is a different story. I use my slider for ventilation,wind noise reduction, carrying long loads (pipe) from time to time. It also reduces wind buffeting in the cab when the windows are open. My 2000 did not offer defrost with a slider, but the package with rear defrost and heated 6x9 mirrors is very useful especially in colder weather. Hope this helps.

    Bookitty

    PS If you carry dogs in the rear seat, they will bless you for having a slider.
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    While I wish I had gone with the console, the seats are the same for the bucket and the bench. The only difference is that they bolt the mid seat in place of the console. My first mistake was that I assume that it would be easy to remove the mid seat and now find it is going to be a pain. My second mistake was assuming that my wife would let me replace the mid seat with a custom console. She has decided that her Maltese should have his own front seat. (Anyone want a house dog? He only barks 22 hours/day.)
  • carls5carls5 Member Posts: 62
    FSDogs, I have the bucket seats and really enjoy them. I know it is a matter of preference but before we brought my wife and I tried out both the bucket and bench seating. We both like the bucket by far over the bench. I have taken several fairly long trip and still enjoy the comfort of the buckets. I guess bottom line is to try both of them and go with what feels best to both you and your wife. In sofar as a sliding rear window I agree with Boo. I have always had a slider and always will. There are to many times I have needed the extra carrying room and also ventilation, etc.
    Carl
  • yank2yank2 Member Posts: 49
    The bench seat works great with My Maltese with it up I can keep her in the back other wise she sits in my lap and I have to open the driver side window so she can stick her head out. I stop a lot of her barking. When I take her in the corvette we have to have all windows down and the top down that her car.
  • bikenutbikenut Member Posts: 19
    I just ordered a Dakota CC 4X4 4.7 with sport package, 5 speed, skid plate (and rear slider for dog!) I've gotta wait about a month for it to arrive, and want to read some mag reviews. Motorcycle mags that I read have very comprehensive tests of most popular bikes all the time, but my search in the library of old Car and Driver and Motortrends et al have no decent reviews. Where can I get a comprehensive review of my future truck? best would be online and of course something like my truck. Bikenut (maybe soon to be Bike'nTrucknut. Thanks in advance.
  • bmwjoebmwjoe Member Posts: 136
    Magazines only review a vehicle when it is new or updated. I woud first do a search on the internet starting with Edmunds.

    Drive Safe,

    Joe
    http://home.jtan.com/~joe/toys.htm
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    Trucktrend has a review on-line. Also truckin and Sport Trucks occasionally have articles.
  • vmanvman Member Posts: 103
    My wife tells a tale of seeing another Amber Fire Quad today up near the BJ's in Langhorne. She told me it had chrome bumpers and was driven by an old guy with gray hair. I told her it was either old St. Nick, or bookitty. I suspect the latter......

    Oddly enough, she then saw the only other one (known) in the area, which is owned by someone she knows in a roundabout way. Weird!
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    John, the first thing that I thought of when I saw the Amber Fire quad was that it was yours. I pulled into the lot and saw the truck. I waited at the stop sign until she pulled forward, so that she could see my truck and I could wave hello. But, somehow I was certain that it was your
    unit. I was picking up pretzels and cookies for my wife's second grade class. Happy holiday season.

    Bookitty
  • vmanvman Member Posts: 103
    Ah, so it was you. I'm convinced you and I will cross paths one of these days (and look forward to it). The wife thought it was just another happy Quad owner sharing some exhuberance...not that it wasn't. The clincher was her description of the safari bar.

    Happy holidays to you (and yours), also.
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    John, your bride may not have noticed, but my plate reads "QUAD QAB."

    Bookitty
  • zonkzonk Member Posts: 208
    I have noticed a couple of things on my new 01 4.7L sport plus QC auto 2wd: Oil Presure gauge needle is constantly on the high end index mark of the guage, maybe slightly past if you get right over the guage to look at it - should I be concerned? And, when driving on the interstate at 65 mph, the engine rpm is right on 2000 rpm; when driving to work in the mornings (10 miles), the rpm is over 2000 at 50 mph or so. Is this normal (maybe not warmed up yet)?
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    Bill, the oil pressure runs high (that's a good thing)on the 4.7 as it is a close tolerance engine
    and the RPM could be the gear you are in. With an automatic, there is no really clear indication of the gear ratio selected by the transmission. Mine runs 1800 @ 60 mph (5 speed) so your highway RPM seems correct. On the way to work, you may not get to lower the inertia resistance enough to engage overdrive, thus the RPM/MPH ratio. It appears that all is normal (except maybe the driver). Happy holiday Bill, enjoy your truck and stop worrying.

    Bookitty
  • zonkzonk Member Posts: 208
    Thanks, Bookitty! However, I admit that I have never asserted that I am normal, as you have also mentioned on several occasions (when we discussed aviation matters [WOP, WOP, WOP] and got censured by the powers that be). I remembered a posting about the oil P, but could not find it. At any rate, I am enjoying my truck very much. My appreciation to you and all the rest who helped me make my decision on the QC. Happy Holidays to you and the rest of the group!
  • triple_deke1triple_deke1 Member Posts: 60
    Does anyone know if the 01 Club Cab comes with a wiring harness for a trailor or do you need to
    get the Tow group for this?
  • 2nddak2nddak Member Posts: 44
    You can get an after market wiring harness for towing from a number of retailers for under $30. Try a NAPA dealer, Walmart, JC Whitney, Pep Boys, etc. I saw one in Walmart the other day. They plug into your wiring in the rear.

    2nddak
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    If you haven't bought the vehicle yet, get the factory tow group. It is a bargain for what you get.
  • triple_deke1triple_deke1 Member Posts: 60
    Thanks for the help..I will go with the Tow group..
  • bikenutbikenut Member Posts: 19
    I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my Dak CC 4X4 5 sp. sport with 4.7. Thanks to all, as I've learned a lot over the past few weeks that I've been researching P/Us. Does anyone know where I can find detailed info on the 4.7 engine, hopefully cutaway diagrams as well? I look forward to hearing from you. Bikenut.
  • bobsyveebobsyvee Member Posts: 63
    I fully agree with steve234. Piece-mealing something together after the vehicle is bought is a total waste of time. The factory gives you everything in the package. Class IV Hitch, connector housing, pre-installed wiring including a hook-up if you get an electric trailer brake controller. In a separate bag you get a connector and harness for hooking up the brake controller, (the socket is installed under the steering column), and a 7 pin circular to 4 pin flat adapter.
    I dare anyone to come up with all of that for less than DC's price. And remember, it's warrantied.
  • tuvtesttuvtest Member Posts: 237
    unfortunatly there is not alot out there. the best pictures are probably in the BOB. two links that talk about the 4.7 are:
    www.wardsauto.com/best10/99info/dcc47v8.htm
    www.dodgeram.com/technical/cammer/4_7_v8.html

    trhe latter is a reprint of Rich Ehrenberg's detailed dissection of the engine in Mopar Action Magazine and is IMHO the best
  • dragonhawkdragonhawk Member Posts: 26
    Perhaps this depends upon the state, but here goes...

    If you are a Farm Bureau member of one state (say, Michigan) and buy your truck in another state (say, Wisconsin), can you still use the $500 rebate?
  • skylerkskylerk Member Posts: 67
    The fine print on the back of my Farm Bureau Certificate doesn't say anything (positive or negative) about being a member in one state and buying from a dealer in another state. The Customer Hot Line phone number listed on the back of the certificate is 877-ON-THE-JOB -- I suggest that you call them to confirm.
  • zonkzonk Member Posts: 208
    I am a member in Alabama; I got my QC in Oklahoma and the dealer took the AL Farm Bureau certification. The only problem was the local bureau here had to call and get some info from the dealer and then call DC and get a number, then send the completed paperwork to the dealer. They would not let me stop by and take it myself. Each state may be different in this regard, though.
  • rixis7rixis7 Member Posts: 3
    I am a member in Ohio, purchased my 2001 QC from a dealer in Indiana, and had no problems getting the rebate. I don't recall seeing any restrictions on the certificate. Unlike Zonk's experience, my local FB office asked me a few questions then mailed me the certificate to give to the dealer. This was several months ago, so the procedure might have changed. Your local FB office should tell you if there are any restrictions now.
  • bikenutbikenut Member Posts: 19
    Thanks TUVTEST,
    I really enjoyed the Wards piece, but was unable to find dodgeram.com site at all. May be the operator. I don't even know what BOB is, so go figure. Truck should be in in a week, and I will be farm bureau discount eligible on 1/7, and in RI that only costs $45, and the people there have been very nice. I also won't have to pay 7% RI sales tax on the discounted $500, so I got the discount for, effectively, a $10 investment. Thanks again.
    Be kind explaining what BOB is...Bikenut
  • ohc_babyohc_baby Member Posts: 116
    The BOB is the Big Orange Book, or the Factory Service Manual. I have a '01 and it's kinda teal, so I use FSM...
  • waynesanwaynesan Member Posts: 24
    I have a 2001 4.7L with air vents that I can't get to circulate cool outside air. The air is always slightly warm, which I can live with during the winter, but not when the warm weather rolls around. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
  • donamydonamy Member Posts: 24
    I have a heating problem also. My heater (floor) vents don't open. It will go in for rear pair next week for repairs and I will keep everyone posted. It is also having power window problems. The passenger side front window seemed a little stiff. After I actuated it a few time I heard a crack, then it moved just fine. But now there is a knock in the motion of the window. That will be addressed at the same time.
  • tuvtesttuvtest Member Posts: 237
    It's not the operator, I just tried going there myself, and it looks like the site is down. My bookmarks didn't even work. The BOB is the factory service manual. the BOB (big orange book) is actually the 2000 manual, but the 2001 BTB(big teal book) just doesn't have a good ring to it. This manual is a must have for anyone interested in doing any of their own care or just knowing all about the truck.
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    The $500 is good in any state. Oklahoma does not participate in the rebate (at least not the last ime I checked), but if you are a member from another state, they are more than willing to accept it.
  • knkresortknkresort Member Posts: 79
    Bookitty, Themacguy, and Andy_Jordan? Haven't seen or heard from them lately. Anybody else?

    KnK
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    Kurt, I have been checking in, and even posted a few times. One or two of my posts didn't make it, and now I am experiencing problems with the auto login feature. They once again fixed something that wasn't broke. Happy and healthy new year to you and yours.

    Bookitty
  • rotondimrotondim Member Posts: 27
    I have a couple of questions regarding taking my 2000 Club Cab to the car wash in what is now a rather cold New Jersey. It would appear that I must remove the radio antenna before entering the car wash. Does this simply unscrew as it appears? I applied pressure using the proper size wrench but it didn't budge so I stopped for fear of breaking it off.
    Also, are there any guidelines as far as vehicle temperature. What I mean is, if the outside skin is very cold will the water applied in the car wash cause undue stress on the paint?

    Thanks in advance for any and all input.
  • bobs5bobs5 Member Posts: 557
    The antenna just unscrews from the mount. I removed this in order to put a tarp over the truck before the major snowstorm this past weekend.
  • knkresortknkresort Member Posts: 79
    Yep, I agree the new software "looks better," but I haven't seen it work any better. In fact, I have also experienced a plethora of problems.

    Thanks for the New Years blessing, and the best to you and your family. Any idea what happened to Jack and AJ?

    Kurt
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    Kurt, haven't heard from them in a while. If we don't hear soon, I'll Email them. Perhaps they are experiencing difficulty accessing the site. It seems that my auto log in is now working correctly.

    Bookitty
  • spike50spike50 Member Posts: 481
    Haven't seen any posts from tpmiller since the summer of '00. Ernie hasn't responded either but this may be for good reason once he found out that we might be related. LOL
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    We have not heard from a lot of the last year gang. Include cowtownaggie and newquad among those I don't remember seeing for a while. I imagine some have become bored with the forum, some have had life changes and some might have actually changed vehicles. Lets hope they come back to visit.
  • spike50spike50 Member Posts: 481
    After driving about 5 miles in 4WD on secondary roads during a mini-snow storm here in south central PA, I noticed a hint of oil smoke in the exhaust plume as I backed the QC into a parking space. All gauges looked fine, not too hot, plenty of oil pressure, Mobil 1 oil level up to the safe line on the stick, no unusual noises, jerks or hesitations. It disappeared within seconds. Recreated the situation again later that day. Don't see the smoke when parking after driving in 2WD. Again, all gauges continue to read normal and there isn't any change in engine feel. Almost have 9,800 miles on this 4.7L 5 speed.

    Anybody have this same experience? - Hopefully not.
  • bookittybookitty Member Posts: 1,303
    Spike, under the conditions described, weather, short trip, reversing, the smoke that you saw was probably "vapor" made more noticeable as your view was to the rear. If it were dark, your back up lights would tend to intensify the "smoke." It was more than likely normal vapors escaping into the air from a not completely warmed up engine.

    Bookitty
  • triple_deke1triple_deke1 Member Posts: 60
    When you order the 2-tone paint does that include the fender flares?? In the
    brochure it doesnt really say.

    TD
  • spike50spike50 Member Posts: 481
    Since that initial sighting, I haven't seen it again. Now I'm "spooked" and always trying to sense if something has changed with the engine but it probably hasn't. Truck is still running fine. Thinking of taking an oil sample out to the truck stop for an oil analysis just to see if there was any type of meltdown.

    Now about my eyes - Back in the day, as a well rounded environmental specialist, I successfully passed an annual "eye calibration" to accurately read smoke stack opacities. 25 levels of white smoke and 25 levels of black smoke, with and without water vapor added, rain or shine. With the truck exhaust, the water vapor dissapated and there it was - blue/white oil smoke.

    BTW - I'm not involved with environmental work any more. Always at the wrong place at the wrong time: asbestos, explosive atmospheres, extreme noise, oil spills, sewage, PCB's, 100' in the air on smokestacks, tons of paper work, too many lawyers and too much personal liability.
  • ohc_babyohc_baby Member Posts: 116
    Yes, the fender flares are included with the two-tone. In reality, they're all silver for the 2-tones and body-colored for regular paint.
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