Dodge Dakota - Quad Cab

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Comments

  • steel45steel45 Member Posts: 21
    dgcinokc, et. al.
    I've recorded every penny spent on my QC and now have 5,100 miles on the truck. I calculated mileage last night and came up with 19.5 gpm.
    I don't hot rod but do occasionally run it up in 2nd and 3rd every now and then.
    I'm very pleased with the mileage and the performance of the 3.9L.
    My birthday is this Sat. and I gave my wife a "wish list".
    I'm pretty certain she got me the bud deflector as well as the headlight and taillight covers.
    I'll let you know if there is more.
    Lovin' the Q.C.
    Dan
  • cetriscetris Member Posts: 13
    earl1z19- What is an l&l swap? And how does it affect mileage?
    I have the 4.7L with the auto. It is a 2000 and the manufacturer's rating is 14/19. I am averaging around 16 with a mix of conditions. I run into a lot of heavy interstate traffic so the highway part of my commute doesn't really qualify as highway driving. I haven't had it on a trip yet, so I can't comment on true highway mileage. I have been tip-toeing around with it too.

    Anyone know what the 4.7L 5spd's are rated?

    Thanks,

    Chuck- Charlotte, NC
  • ford_biiford_bii Member Posts: 120
    4.7L 5-speeds are 14/19 for 2001. I believe the auto is rated at 13/18 for 2001. These are for 4x4's. I think the 2wd versions are rated differently.
  • landguylandguy Member Posts: 6
    Heading over the Rockies from western Colorado to Boulder tomorrow to pick up a silver QC 4x4, 4.7, 5 speed, cloth buckets, changer control, skid plate, sport plus, deluxe conven., power conven., rearwin.defroster.

    MSRP at $26,510.

    They offered 23,823 when they faxed over the info.

    We searched and researched a few more days.

    Offered 23k even this morning.

    They said 23,232.

    We stuck.

    They moved.

    We're happy.

    I'm a Realtor in a rural valley and need the truck for work. I've been using a combo of a 'yota xtra cab and legacy wagon. The QC should be just right. I need 4wd on a daily basis - starting with my driveway (1/2 mile of steep and twisted gravel) and extending to all the places I need to go on a daily basis. A full size is too big for a lot of the tight spots I get into and a compact is too small as my 'yota has proved. I just don't care for SUV's.

    Tomorrow's drive home should be a good test and breakin. I-70 through the Rockies. 2-3 inches of snow forecast for the Vail area with winds in the 20-30 range. Plenty of twists, turns, climbs and other good stuff. Looking forward to the experience.
  • earl1z19earl1z19 Member Posts: 39
    CETRIS
    I was refering to the K&N air filter swap. I have heard rumors that some people are picking up added milage from swapping the filter. Just wondered if you knew anything
  • stnickstnick Member Posts: 177
    My dealer service says that bar floating in rubber in the rear is a viberation damper. Curious device, anyone else ?
  • bncbnc Member Posts: 21
    Is/has anybody used herculiner in the bed of thier truck? Thoughts and opinions as I am looking to go that route when my truck arrives.

    Brett
    Colorado
  • ferousferous Member Posts: 226
    I ordered the full ABS because I live in a snowy area. Well after having received 70" of snow in the last 28 days. Driving on snow packed roads that the county plow trucks can't keep up plowing. I LOVE the full ABS. Yesterday alone, the full ABS was needed 3 times when the road conditions were less than... well normal. I can only recall the ABS kicking once all summer on wet road conditions, but in the snow I have had it kick in a lot.

    If you drive on clean roads 12 months a year I wouldn't pay for the full ABS, but I'm glad I have.
  • ferousferous Member Posts: 226
    I just looked up what the dealer retail price would be for my truck used with 18,000 miles on it. The used truck price is only $897 less then what I paid (before taxes, etc.). So nine months and 18,000 miles later, my truck is still worth something to someone besides myself. I certainly didn't have that with Grand Caravan my wife is driving.
  • slr9589slr9589 Member Posts: 121
    I added an aftermarket class 3 hitch and got U-Haul lighting wire harness that just pluged in with the greatest of ease.
    Say Ferous,I agree that this truck is great in snow.Had to go up a hairpin turn this am in new powder and it did not skip a beat.
    slr9589
  • victxvictx Member Posts: 108
    If you want to istall a DIN stereo in your '01 Dakota, you need a kit from a 98+ Intrepid. I bought mine from autotoys for about $10 or $15. Wiring harness was bought at Walmart for about $5 (there is nothing special about the '01 as far as the wiring harness goes).

    I've got pictures of my install on my site, but apparently I exceeded my web traffice quota for the month. Guess I'm getting popular. I can email pics to anyone who needs/wants them.
  • jazztbonejazztbone Member Posts: 10
    Hi, I've returned to report on our 2000 QuadCab.

    I ordered it in March 2000, and it was a long wait but we finally received it in June. It's a 4x4/4.7/5sp/lsd/skids/hd svc grp, and I want to all know that it's everything you folks told me it would be.

    The only problem I had with it is that a boot was missing in the right rear door and some of the wires for the locks were shorting - it was fixed the next day. Cook Motor cars in Aberdeen, MD, to whom several participants on this list went, are excellent.

    The bad news: We ordered the QC with every available option EXCEPT the five-speed, as that was the only mechanical component in the truck I was worried about. Well my wife has bad wheels, and now it's turned out that the clutch in the truck makes her knee ache every time she drives it, so the bad news is I have to part with it (sob!).

    So, to make a long story short, if anyone knows someone in the Washington/Baltimore area who's interested in a black QC with all the trimmings (except auto) for a shade above $20k, let me know...

    Thanks to the list for the great info that led me to buy this truck!

    -Joe Jackson
  • tuvtesttuvtest Member Posts: 237
    this may just be a nieve (sp) thought,but, what about trading it in on a Auto QC? the you've got the best of both worlds, a QC (important) and a happy wife (very important!).
  • sg40739sg40739 Member Posts: 14
    I friend of mine has a new Dakota, he said this morning it was about 10 degrees, said truck wouldn't start, he has full power but truck would not turn over at all, after a short time he went out to try again, same thing, just for fun tried one more time, turned over and started like nothing was wrong. Has anyone seen this?
  • ferousferous Member Posts: 226
    This might be a little more radical, but $ for $ you might be better off to drop an automatic in current truck. Not easy, but it is do-able.
  • steve234steve234 Member Posts: 460
    It sounds like the bendix was not engaging. There is a possibility that moisture got into it and froze. If it has been driven in a lot of slush, I would suspect that.
  • bobs5bobs5 Member Posts: 557
    500 miles on the truck now.
    Last gas fill up resulted in 16.5 mpg., up a half gallon since previous fill up.
    When I picked up the license plates, had the service dept. look at the malfunctioning driver's side rear door manual window. This window would roll down ok, but the mechanism would bind up and jam when rolling the window up.
    They got it to roll up now but is still very stiff in movement
    Told me they had to order a "window regulator".
  • sg40739sg40739 Member Posts: 14
    Thats what the dealer said, but this is a four wheel drive truck, souldn't be able to take a little moister?
    I hope for his sake thats not the case, but, my truck 2000 QC has been fine 10k miles
    Thanks
  • landguylandguy Member Posts: 6
    The drive home the other day was wonderful, conditions were hideous.

    Clear Creek Canyon from Golden to I-70 was glazed snowpack and full of tour buses shuttling between gambling towns. I-70 to Eisenhower Tunnel had strong cross and headwinds, heavy traffic, snowing with even more blowing snow, west side of the tunnel was a zoo at best, Vail pass was even worse. Traffic thick the entire way. Glenwood Canyon thinned the traffic and was clear of the weather. West of Glenwood Springs brought all the Aspen area worker traffic heading west. Totally out of the weather by then, but well into dark.

    Conditions added about an hour and a half to the trip each way.

    The QC was more than I had hoped for. Handling was superb. I hadn't realized how excellent the overall visibility was front to back, left & right rear quarters. With all the traffic and snow sport enthusiasts jazzed by the storm, the driving decisions concerning lane changes, etc. can be quite bizzar. I always had a clear view of what was taking place all around me.

    The creature comforts were even better. Five hour non-stop drive an hour after completing a five hour one-quick-stop drive. I found all the controls to be exceptionally convenient and easy to use...from a way-back lean with the tilt steering wheel all the way down, to a bolt uprigt with steering wheel all the way up...I was able to quickly and easily adjust mirrors and keep a full 360 field of view. Varying my positon between those extremes kept me totally comfortable. When it came time to turn off the interstate onto the winding county road that heads over no-man's-land into our valley I had the urge to just keep driving.

    Even in the midst of the storm at close to 11,000 feet I never had the fan above the second position or the temperture setting as far to the right as the 12 o'clock position. I was wearing a T-shirt and very light pile vest. Toes to noggin, I was comfortably and evenly warmed. The flow-through air exchange seems to be well designed. I was sitting in the garage going over a few things in the manual with the engine off. I started to notice the tell tale new car smell and wondered why I hadn't noticed it at all during the previoius five hours. The answer, of course, was the flow-through fresh air mix I experienced while driving.

    Bottom line...pretty happy new QC owner here. If my continued use is anywhere near as satisfying as my initial drive was, I'd go so far as to say that we may be seeing the birth of what will become a classic model in the coming years.

    Oh yeah, haven't filled the tank yet, but I left the dealer with a full tank (real nice of them after coming down so far on the price) and arrived home with the gauge dead-center on half full. I have no idea how accurate the gauge is, but in rough figures it comes out to a solid 20 mpg. My wife drove the Legacy back home and mandated that we never exceed her comfort driving speed of 65.
  • tuvtesttuvtest Member Posts: 237
    Congrats on what sounds like a heck of a break in. Hope your QC brings you the happiness that the rest of us feel. Welome to the club, and we hope to see your postings in the future.
  • tuvtesttuvtest Member Posts: 237
    Happy Holiday's Everyone. May 2001's worst day be better than 2000's best. I look forward to talking to all of you again in Jan.
  • landguylandguy Member Posts: 6
    Thanks, it was a heck of a break-in drive for both the QC and me. I've been stuck in the office the last two days and am jonesin'for a reason to drive a few more miles. The wife says that if I'll skip a ski day she'd like to go tour some of our favorite canyons in the Moab area on Christmas. This is going to be a tough decision as there is a strong chance of fresh powder on Christmas. As much as I like the QC, powder days are a gift from the powers that be and not to be taken lightly....I have taken a sacred oath to always do my part to use up as much of it as I possibly can. Ain't life neat?! To QC or ski? --- now that's a question!!
  • spike50spike50 Member Posts: 481
    Here in south central PA, we've gotten snow and ice on the roads most of the time. I have a 4WD with the all 4W ABS on a QC with the LSD rear end. The ABS worked in both 2WD and in 4WD-Hi. Haven't tried it in the 4WD-Lo. Back when I was "truck-hunting", a GMC salesmen told me that GMC had the only 4W-ABS system that continued to work while you're in 4WD. Happy to say that the QC's ABS works fine.
  • cs18cs18 Member Posts: 10
    it is a piece of junk,the motor pecks,the dash vibrates and it sucks gas,and it only has 1200 miles on it,buy something else
  • cs18cs18 Member Posts: 10
    seems if you say negative things about the qc on here they take your post off...i am not being negative,i am just telling you the truth....it is a nice looking truck but it is cheap built....you will figure that out after owning one for a little while.....there is no comparison to the toyota..i wish i had bought the toyota
  • iowabigguyiowabigguy Member Posts: 552
    I think you will find that there are negative things said here that are not deleted. I suspect it is in how you say things. I detect an attitude in your statements and what appears to be a level of immaturity.
    We are here as a group of Dodge Dakota owners to talk about our experiences with our Dakotas. These experiences are both negative and positive.
    We are a support group when you have problems, attempting to help resolve the problems. We are a cheering section when you relate your positive experiences and share your pictures.
    We are not here as parents listening to whining and tantrums. If there are specifics that you'd like to address I'm sure there are many here who will offer suggestions. If all you want to to is slam the vehicle then you are wasting your time and ours. I suggest you take your complaints to the Toyota groups where I'm sure they will welcome you with open arms, a lost lamb returning to the fold.
    I love my Quad Cab, I have reasonable expectations of its capabilities and its performance. I have almost 8000 trouble free miles. It starts in -12F weather. It averages over 17.5 MPG and has gotten over 21 MPG. It has no vibrations and only moderate wind noise. It puts a smile on my face every time I find a reason to drive.
    I can't help but wonder if your previous Toyota did this for you why did you ever buy a Dakota. Rick
  • landguylandguy Member Posts: 6
    Well, to each his own as to what you own. I bought the QC to replace my 'yota truck. The new Tacoma just doesn't my needs. If it meets yours, then by all means buy it.
  • ford_biiford_bii Member Posts: 120
    I'm still waiting 3+ weeks for my A.R.E. tonneau. The first time the factory screwed up and built a CC size cover, then they built the correct QC cover. I went to get it installed yesterday, and when they dropped it on the truck, the paint didn't match. Everybody agreed it was way off, and now they're sending the cover back again to be repainted. Somebody does not want me to get this cover!! It looked really nice on the truck, though. I like the way A.R.E. puts the lines in the cover to match the hood. Now if they could only get the paint right...
  • brianphabrianpha Member Posts: 25
    Can anyone answer a question for me?
    I just had the skid plates installed on my 2001 Quad Cab SLT.
    The dealer said that the skid plate group is only two parts (front plate and transfer case plate), but I thought there was a third plate (fuel tank). If anyone has the skid plate group, please let me know if you have 2 or 3 plates....thanks!
    Other than that, I LOVE my new truck! Already 1100 miles....the dealer changed the oil for free today when they were putting the skid plates on....pretty cool!!

    Brian
  • landguylandguy Member Posts: 6
    Brian -

    I just counted three on mine. The third is a long rectangular one to the left of the drive shaft running pretty much the entire length of the drive shaft.

    Also just clicked over to the "build your own dodge site" and found this:

    Skid Plate Group $130
    Skid Plate — Front Suspension
    Skid Plate Shield — Fuel Tank
    Skid Plate Shield — Transfer Case
  • hogger4hogger4 Member Posts: 29
    I am going to close the deal on a 2001 Quad Cab Sport with 4.7l Magnum V8 engine and the Mufti-speed Auto 45RFE. Any problems with this transmission? It is my understanding from the dealer this is the first year of this transmission. I remember horror stories about Chrysler's early four speed automatic. The transmission in my 2000 Cherokee Sport (trade in) works fine at 20,000 miles. Thanks!
  • cs18cs18 Member Posts: 10
    i saved 21,000 dollars by driving the toyota 267,000 miles...it allowed me to save enough money to pay cash for the dodge...if you think i am having a tantrum and whinning because the motor pecks and the dash vibrates,then your exactly right.....i was never really proud to own the toyota,because it wasnt an american made vehicle..I really wanted to own an american made,simply because i felt it was the right thing to do,and also i thought the quality by this time was up to snuff(wrong).So i am going to take your advice...as soon as christmas is over i am going to bite the bullet,take a huge loss and trade the dodge for a toyota.However i will warn others to take a second look.
  • slr9589slr9589 Member Posts: 121
    No matter what truck you bought or how many you have owned.....
    all have nice holidays.
    slr9589
  • samg42samg42 Member Posts: 10
    You are throwing a fit because of a dealer problem. The truck is not at fault. Both problems are easily solved. It sounds like you got talked into a deal by a slick salesman and now you are blaming the truck. The truck can be fixed and give you many years of good service, you just have to make the dealer fix it. Take it in and tell them what the problem is. Make them write up a service ticket. Keep all records and either they will fix it or you have a court case or at least a case for arbitration. Take responsibilty for your own actions.
  • shawkwavshawkwav Member Posts: 18
    Purchased my Dakota 2001 Quad Cab about 3 weeks ago. Love the vehicle for all that it offers, and it is one damn good looking truck! Besides having some cosmetic issues with industrial fallout on the paint and scratches accumulated during transport, I also have a problem using my key to open the driver-side door lock since it is very loose and has been pushed all the way inside the door itself. The passenger-side door lock is somewhat loose as well and may inevitably encounter the same fate. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

    Shawkwav
  • shawkwavshawkwav Member Posts: 18
    I am contemplating about getting a carpet bedliner (or a bed rug as it may be otherwise known) vs. a spray on bedliner like Line-X or a standard plastic bedliner. Any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Dakota's Rock,
    Shawkwav
  • stnickstnick Member Posts: 177
    I have the Pace Edwards bedrug in my OO quad, along with their roll top tonneau cover. Like them both, BUT I generaly do not haul much or any real grubby stuff, so you better consider what you will be putting back there. PE says their rug is oil and gas proof and resistant too about everything and is completely washable. Also, it is velcroed in, so is easy to remove for serious cleaning. Good luck Stnick. PS, Seems comfy if you had to sleep back there too.
  • sneddrensneddren Member Posts: 14
    I own a 2000 CC SLT 4x4 with the 4.7 and auto transmission (which, as many other people have noted, shifts roughly at times). While I am nearly 100% thrilled with this truck (other than the 11 mpg city/17 mpg freeway), I'd like to get even more power/mileage out of this motor. I know that you can't always get both, but does anyone know of some easy mods to make (i.e., I don't want to have to bring it in to have anything altered...I'd like to be able to do these mods in my own garage).
  • edpatruckedpatruck Member Posts: 12
    I'm relatively new to the Raleigh/Durham area of NC. I had a great mechanic that I really trusted in MD, but haven't hooked up with one yet down here. Does anyone know of a good, reliable Dodge mechanic in this area? Thanks!
  • egaquamanegaquaman Member Posts: 19
    January 2nd I'll pick up my new 2001 QC SLT 4x4. Can hardly wait. I'm shopping for roll top bed covers (pace edwards or similar), bed liners, nerf bars, vent visors, etc. Any advise would be appreciated. I live in Toronto (Cold and hot temps)
  • traumagastraumagas Member Posts: 64
    I have a set of door entry guards new in the box for a quad cab Mopar brand.
    I received these as a gift from someone 500 miles away. I have already put a set of these put on my truck. So I dont need these, would anyone like these for their Quad cab. Part #82203728 with dodge ram on the center of each guard. I will take 30.00 usd for them and they list for 33.00. A good deal considering no TAX and NO shipping to pay for. TraumaGas
    Traumagas@aol.com
  • kyoderkyoder Member Posts: 1
    i have an 00 qc. i noticed bed vibration in side view mirror any info on this ? would like feed back if any
  • robusafrobusaf Member Posts: 4
    Long time lurker, very soon to be Quad owner. I am trying to track down a good inspection checklist. I know its been talked about before but I can't find it in all these Dakota forums. Thanks...
  • gator72gator72 Member Posts: 115
    Dear Kyoder,

    All truck beds will "flex" a little. That's normal. The bed and the cab rest on a ladder frame; but, otherwise they are not connected.

    The only examples I can think of are boxcars traveling on a railroad. Ever notice how each boxcar "flexes" independent of the other boxcars?

    You said that you noticed the bed vibrate in your side view mirror. Is it possible that the mirror itself is vibrating a little? Almost all vehicle side view mirrors have a little vibration.

    Best of Luck

    GATOR72
  • badassbobbadassbob Member Posts: 78
    I agree with gator72 about the mirrors being the culpret...If the bed was "vibrating", you would also be hearing metal-to-metal clatter...I think what you see in the mirror is a mix of bed flex, which is normal and the mirror vibrating...I too have noticed this on my 2000 QC...

    ---->stnick, Any digital pics of the Pace-Edwards roll top...Ive been conteplating this but have to see one actually ON a QC before i drop the $$$ If you have any, email them to gchadsmith@cs.com ...

    ----> One more note before i shut up...I feel some of cs18's pain because i too almost bought a QC with the 3.9L BEFORE i test drove the 4.7L which i ended up ordering...However, I do NOT think that this is a forum to VENT anger in a hostile tone...All people that post in this forum are here because they want to offer genuine help and opinions and not waste time reading space filled up with griping...

    NOW that being said, IMHO this V6 is a good motor in any vehicle EXCEPT for a Truck as HEAVY as the Dakota....For the $500-$600 option, I would think D/C would make the 4.7L v8 the base motor and just adjust the Base Price accordingly...

    This would have to save D/C some money in the long run by cutting out a motor and transmission option and MABEY pass this along to the end customer in the form of only increasing the base price $250 or so...PLUS, Dodge can now claim that the Dakota is the ONLY midsize truck with STANDARD V8 POWER!!!!!!!!!!1

    Any Thoughts from the peanut gallery???

    CHAD---Greensboro, NC
  • livnlrnlivnlrn Member Posts: 76
    Anyone have trouble with their blower motor not working? It got real cold in VT this weekend and I jumped in the truck and the blower did not work. Drove around for awhile and heat radiated out the vents but no motor/fan blowing. Checked the fuses and banged on the relay, nothing. Jumped into the car and came back started up the truck and the motor acted like nothing was ever wrong. Haven't been able to duplicate the problem again. Think it just got jealous I took the car?
  • badassbobbadassbob Member Posts: 78
    Are you REALLY getting 11mpg out of the 4.7L Auto????? I would have thought in order to get that bad of MPG, you would have to have a HEAVY trailor constantly attached with a bed full of CONCRETE, PLUS have an UPHILL route everywhere you go with the gas pedal WELDED to the floorboard...

    I have a 4.7L, 4x4, 3.55, 5sp, with the T&H group and have been constantly getting 17-18.5 with the only mod being a K&N filter charger drop in with a 50-50 mix of city/hwy driving...My truck on its WORST tank was still 12.4MGP and that was UP a mountain in 4th gear pulling a 4-Bike Trailor withthe bed full of gas-cans and gear... You might want to take this truck back to the dealer for a check-Up because in my opinion, this is NOT normal for the 4.7L..

    What do the rest of you 4.7L guys (and Gals) think??

    CHAD--Greensboro, NC
  • sneddrensneddren Member Posts: 14
    Yep, I get 11 MPG or so in city driving. I live in a hilly area, so city driving is pretty tough on mileage. On the freeway, though, when I am cruising along at 70 or so I can get 17-18. I didn't expect much better given the weight and power of this truck, but I would like to see it improve. The thing that annoys me more is the way the fan races when I start it up in the morning for the first 10 or so minutes and the rough shifting of the tranny (it almost feels like a slip). None of this makes me dislike the truck, though. I didn't expect perfection and I'm very impressed with the overall quality, design, comfort and performance of this truck.
  • fat_fendersfat_fenders Member Posts: 96
    Hi B.A.,

    I haven't posted in here for a while but noticed your question about an installed Pace Edwards roll top. See this link;

    http://www.geocities.com/fat_fenders/quad.html

    I saved myself $35 from a local vendor by installing it myself. It took about 1.5 hours and I took my time to do it right.

    I like it so far. We've seen near record snowfalls and frigid hemps for weeks without any problem with the roll top. It's not as heavy duty as the Roll-N-Lock but doesn't cost as much either. From what I've read on this forum since August, everyone seems to be happy with what they went with, no matter what it was.

    Good luck and post pictures when you can.

    Happy Quad in'

    fat_fenders
  • stnickstnick Member Posts: 177
    Sorry I don't have a photo that shows the PE roll top. The two I have don't show it well. The digital camera was on my xmas list, and you would think a guy with the name "Stnick "would be able to fill that request, but o well. Someday soon. It looks quite smooth in appearance though, and so far so good. Also on the gas milage, here where I live its been only in the teens for highs and single to below zero for lows for 3 weeks now, and I am experiencing my worst milage at 12.4 to about 14.5, 26 mile round trip 60 mph and a little town driving, on my 4.7 auto. Stnick.
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