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Dodge Dakota Owners - Meet the Members
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Pardon the bad pun, but the intros almost sound like an AA meeting: "Hi, I'm Larry and I've been an alcoholic for....
Nevertheless,
I'm Larry, in Jackson, Ga (midway between Atlanta and Macon), and I've been a Dak owner for two weeks now. Bought a 2000 Club Cab, Blue, 3.9, auto, bedliner, fatter tires than I wanted but they'll do for now. Kids are grown and wife and I like to camp in a popup trailer. Sold my F-150 to buy her a Honda Odyssey, but wanted something that would pull better, smaller than fullsize, bigger than small, Dak fit the bill. Week after bought it, got engine light, came online and got help figuring out what it was and how to fix it (new gas cap). Great site and a lot of good folk willing to help. Thanks.
Bookitty
My first perusal of the '05 led me to believe that I love my '03 even more. It's not that the new Dakota isn't a worthy contender, but like the reviewer in the article I was disappointed in the interior. What bothered me even more was the lack of a full set of gauges, a real no-no in my opinion, both for a truck and especially bad for a Dodge.
Of course, I still have a hard time getting my face to straighten out after I look at the front-end, which I find unappealing. That by itself wouldn't stop me from buying one, but it doesn't make it easier. The lack of a hemi wouldn't bother me. My little 287 (4.7) runs great and performs better than I would've expected. But I do find it puzzling why Dodge didn't size the truck for the hemi. If it did I'm sure the Dakota manufacturing lines would be two shifts all next year.
Still, I've talked to a fellow who owns a '05 and he says it's the best handling, best riding, and quiet est truck he's ever driven. And he just came from a Tundra.
Bests,
Dusty
Had 40,000 mi on it and had no trouble. Still had original tires with good tread.
Picked up an '05 the day before Thanksgiving, fresh off the truck. Since it was late, dealer didn't have much time to 'make ready'. Had a loose fuse and loose piece of back door trim ( I fixed them and jokingly 'complained' to the dealer-who is an hour's drive from me)
I LIKE IT!!
It is smoother, quieter, tighter. Finally dried up enough around here where I could lay under it for a while and get acquainted. Several things I like more, as well as more ground clearance.
Now, admittedly, I had to 'rationalize' just a bit over the initial appearance. But, hey, I even like that, now.
Initially, I wasn't too thrilled in having to take an automatic, but the manuals hadn't been shipped out yet.
The main reason I even traded, was of financial/investment considerations.
The first mileage I have checked, which has been town driving, has been 14.9 mpg. Which is actually a bit better than I had gotten with the manual.
This truck will be on the streets 90% of the time/10% in the woods. I am NOT a true 4 wheeler; that is, no boulder hopping, tree stump climbing stuff. My wife and I are avid hikers and we often travel long distances on some pretty rough Forest Service roads to get to trailheads.
The one thing that I find disturbing about the Dakota is the 7.9" ground clearance. I'm accustomed to the 8.1" ground clearance in our '97 Pathfinder SE (prior to that we had a really crummy '84 Jeep Cherokee- don't know what it's ground clearance was). I noted that some of you have actually BEEN in the F.S. so you're intimately familiar with the kinds of roads I frequent.
Do you think that this '05 Dakota will meet my needs??? Thanks loads for your experienced opinions!
Given the type of off-roading you have described, you would be locking the xfer case in 4X4 anyway. You may be better off to have an xfer case that can be set to rear-wheel-drive when on the street. That will increase MPG and reduce wear-n-tear that the 'full time' has been proven to cause. (reduced tire and drivetrain components life)
That ground clearance concern you have may not be a realistic measurement that has meaning while off-roading. You will find that a LONGER WHEELBASE will tend to bottom out more often. (even if the "ground clearance" number that the manufacturers quote is higher.)
Of course, any experienced off-roader knows the basics of putting the wheels on the "high spots" of the trail. (putting your wheels in an existing rut is a no-no)
1.) Go w/ a part-time 4WD system w/ a LSD rear.
2.) The above set-up gives you the best gas mileage.
3.) When I'm in the deep do-do, the above set-up is spinning all 4 wheels and I've gotten out of it - so far.
4.) I've banged the bottom a few times and as a result, I've slowed down and learned to "read" the best way through the problem areas.
5.) Most of the time, for me, the clearance has been OK. The Dakota's small wheel wells don't lend themselves easily to simply installing bigger tires and therefore getting more clearance. The aftermarket lift kits that I've looked at require major surgery and seem to be "under-shocked" to prevent more body roll. But if you're thinking about going that way order the 3.92 rear gear ratio rather than the 3.55 since you'll eventually be spinning bigger tires.
6.) I think the the Dakota can do what you want. Have you ever thought of starting your hikes where the trails cross over a more improved road rather your current MO?
Thanks,
MasFox
Clinton Jenkins from Hughesville, MD (right next to Waldorf, MD if you know where that is)
2001 3.9 V6 automatic Club Cab Dakota 4x4 SLT Pearl Blue with gray undertone, including Fender Flares, Line-X spray in bedliner, fiberglass tonneau cover, American Flag windowscape across the back, fully loaded, on 265/70 tires and I love driving it (course that could be due to the fact that my last vehicle was an 88 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra but still)
I have taken it out in the snow in western maryland and the sands at Oregon Inlet on the outer banks and have yet to get stuck (knock on wood)
Bookitty
Norm (Bookitty)
Long-time Dodge truck owner and currently own a 1993 Dakota SLT 2x4, CC.3.9 V-6,auto w/125K on odometer.Never any major problems with it.
Just took delivery on '06 Dakota QC SLT 2x4, 4.7L,Auto,LSD w/just about everything except heated seats..not really useful in Louisiana!
Plan to continue to drive the '93 until the wheels fall off and leave the '06 in the garage except when I want to make neighbors envious....
Been lurking on the Dak forums and really received a lot of help in deciding on the '06 and what equipment etc, especially the 4.7L engine as I knew nothing at all about it.
jneal
Bookitty
Hope I can be a worthwhile member and contribute something to the forum.
I bought a 2000 dakota 4x4 quad from a dealer at same time as a new mustang a month ago. As I had traded my good truck in I needed something to pull my bass boat. So far so good - however I took it for an oil change this am to be told there was no front drive shaft!!
It runs in four wheel drive - yep but with no four wheel drive
Took it back to dealer who said they would take care of it
However why would someone remove drive shaft, I suspect to hide faulty transmission prior to dealing in
Can anyone shed any light - I feel a dummy of the first order
I have a 2000 Dak. (purchased new in fall of 1999) and the shift-on-the-fly system has been flawless over 90K miles.
Removing the front driveshaft would NOT hide a xmission problem... The xmission is used ALL THE TIME irreguardless of the state of the xfer case.
My initial question for you... does your 2000 Dak. have full-time-four-wheel-drive or the shift-on-the-fly system?
All facory recalls have been carried out
cheers John
Phoenix, Oregon (near Medford)
Today I bought a nice 1993 Dakota LE regular cab 4WD with a V6 and 5 speed.
It's good to know there is a place to go for advice and information.
Best wishes,
Chuck
and, so far have been ignored. You seem to know your
auto mechanics and are a pro or sharp shade-tree mechanic.?
My problem is my 1987 Dakota 4x4 won't come out of 4-wheel
drive without killing the engine and letting it sit for
awhile. What's wrong with it?
help me with my problem: my 1987 Dakota 4x4 won't come out
of 4-wheel drive without stopping, killing the engine and
waiting several seconds. What's wrong? c38clark@hotmail.com
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-spillingvoid@yahoo.com
kcram - Pickups Host
Sorry
JAG
Name is Theo (Tay-O): live in Calgary, Ab, Canada
Tech Sales: Welding Automation (oil/gas country big time.!)
2005 Silver SLT 4.7 magnum QC
Roll n Lock Cover (no, it isn't totally waterproof.!)
KnN CAIntake
Magnaflow SS Cat Back Exhaust (sounds great)
Reese Cl III Hitch
Long Tranny cooler
LeBra...(It don't look bad at all.!)
Sythetic lubes all the way.
Just waiting for superchips to come out with a programmer which is supposed to be around end Aug/Sept.
Great Truck but: Lousy cloth used in interior, just look at it and it gets dirty. The rear brakes may as well be non-existant. (like to know if anyone changed these out for disc's..??).
I also tow a 22' KZ "Coyote" HTT ( Hybrid Travel Trailer),w/ 2 kids and the Financial Adviser (my wife.!). All in all about 43-4400 lbs loaded (no water, minimal food + clothes and gear). Been thru the Cdn Rockies with it and although I did have to go 1st gear (50kmh @ 4200 rpm), at Roger Pass..the rest of the trip was fine in "two/haul" mode. Gas mileage sucked but that is to be expected I guess.
Great forum...got a lot of good advice here and appreciate that.
rgds
Theo AKA Steak2k1 :P
Quad Cab SLT (I think)
2wd Atlantic Blue w/ Jason (paint matched) hard tonneau (LOVE THE HARD TONNEAU)
4.7 V8 Automatic
Added Tranny oil cooler and suspension airbags for towing.
Service related items:
Front and Rear main seals at 60k (thank you warranty)
The other recall items
A/C head (again extended warranty well worth it)
oddly - emergency brake shoe fell off the mount.
Tows 4k competently and regularly.
The model I bought doesn't have the two toned paint and does have the chrome bumpers. I've had people stop me to tell me what a great looking truck I've got. I have to agree.
The only really odd thing I've noticed is due to the long wheelbase it bounces pretty bad over certain stretches of interstate. I put airbags on it last weekend to assist with the trailer squat and this seems to have helped the boinging as well.
I hated the last car I had and I've never looked back on this purchase. I'll have it paid off next spring and plan to purchase another Dakota when I wear this one out.
gj
Also, the factory shock-absorbers on the Dakota are junk. (mine were leaking fluid after about a year.) The very best shock absorbers you can get for the Dakota are the "Edelbrock IAS". These are a "monotube" design which are installed upside down from what regular shocks are. This is due to the patented design that "senses" the wheel motion and adjusts the stiffness. (slow motions are STIFF while fast motions are SOFT)
After installing the EDELBROCK IAS shocks on my Dak, I instantly noticed less lean in the corners and less dive during braking (both slow motions). At the same time, the expansion-joints on the highway almost dissapered (fast motions).
Of course, the pressure in your tires as well as your choice of tires contributes to the ride-quality too. Tires labelled "LT" have a stiff sidewall and will make for a harsher ride.
truck specs
97 dakota sport
205478 miles
V6 engine
5 speed manual trany
4X4
No problems with it on the 3000+ mile drive home and nothing since I bought the truck. Couldn't ask for a better truck to drive!
'97 dakota bought brand new (my 1st vehicle)
4x4 ext cab, V-8 engine. I now have 143,000 miles on it.
It has taken me to many a rugby match.
Any way, my headlights have oxidized over the years, they are now VERY cloudy and even with new bulbs, they are very dim at night.
Has anyone else had this problem or know of a solution? I appreciate any help I can get on this matter.
I use white Dupont polishing compound (very fine) and a soft cotton buffing pad on a drill motor. Be careful or you will put burn marks in the plastic and they are almost impossible to get out.
http://www.mdwholesale.com/
Keep in mind... after "polishing" plastic headlights, they often will "haze over" much quicker than they did originalally. This is because the manufacturer coats the lenz with a protective layer. Polishing will remove this protective layer.
Some of the headlight polishing "kits" have a final coating you put on AFTER polishing. This treatment may help the repair last longer.
Ger. gmillnj@hotmail.com
BTW: The name BOB (Big Orange Book) seems to have "stuck" as a nickname for Dak shop manual reguardless of the model-year
Have you looked on eBay for a shop manual?
I sent you an email with additional information, that may help.
Good luck! :shades:
question concerning mounting a Snowway plow frame on a 2004
Dakota. Does the front facia have to be altered? Have owned a 1993 EXT V8 since new and need to replace while I'm still working. Truck still runs fine and it has plow affixed to it now. Have towed it all over the US behind our motorhome until buying a new Liberty in 04. Used the plow frame to mount tow
bar mounts and works perfectly. Would like to do the same to a newer Dakota. May have to purchace a new frame as 93 may be different than an 04. Anybody plow with their Dakota? Steve
Regards,
Dusty
Bookitty
BTW: Did you ever notice that we became members of Edmunds on the VERY SAME DAY!!
Take care
Bruce P.
kcram - Pickups Host
Best Regards,
Sunburn
When taking off from the house down the road I put my foot on the gas pedal and the truck rpms rev up real high and it doesn't change gears until I let off of the gas pedal. Then it shifts into gear.
This happens all the way down the road going up to 70mph.
Also, my cruise control doesn't work. I checked the fuse and it's fine.
Does anyone have any clues as to why I'm having these problems.
Please advise and thanks for your help.