Dodge Dakota - Quad Cab

slr9589 · July 2001

Thanks to HENNE for the reply....I don't look forward to those mpg's but maybe the gas will get cheaper the further south i go!!!!!
I will tend to the air pressure and make your suggested changes...i have the standard el cheapo factory tires.
truck goes in the body shop on 7-30 for repair of the roof and rear quarter panel....
thanks again,
stephen

indychapell · July 2001

Went on long vacation trip last week. While getting Quad ready, I thought that I'd put a clean air filter in. Looked through the purolator catalog, found the recommended number. Got home and found that the new filter was smaller. Took back to store, rechecked the numbers, and had not read the book wrong. Anyone had similar experience. Any input appreciated. Also has anyone purchaced the new Holly filter. Comparable to K&N, suppose to flow more air.

mopar67 · July 2001

If you like purolator, check their online website www.pureoil.com for an online catalog.
I can't recall the number, but I bought one and it fit just fine.
Since it was such a pain to remove the cover to check the air filter, I went to truckperformance.com and got a K&N air filter from them for about 40 bucks and it fit perfectly.

captcrunch · July 2001

After more than a year of ignoring the reality of the bright red 2K QC in our driveway, my wife is finally willing to ride in it if there is no easy alternative. Now it turns out that the shotgun seat doesn't suit her back. I see that 200(2?) Durango Sports come with a manually-adjustable lumbar support standard on the 40-20-40 bench seat. Any opinions out there as to whether that seatback will mount on the bench seat in my QC and accept the existing cloth cover? Or is there an easier solution that doesn't involve divorce court?

rockymtn4x4 · July 2001

Anyone know what would work best for removing some remaining adhesive from the decals I took off? I'm sure "Goof Off" would work but not sure how it would affect the paint. Any ideas?

ahasher · July 2001

IMHO is not a good idea.. anything that is meant to loosed PAINT and overspray is NOT good for the clearcoat and of course wax. When I removed my decals (from the doors) I used that gum/sticky residue remover meant for gum, tape residue and anything sticky. it's in the tall skinny plastic bottle and it reeks of oranges ;-0 but worked great.
I cant recall the brand name but the orange smell is the clue.. Good Luck

dodgetrukn · July 2001

I used Goo-Gone, got the real small bottle, put in on the stickers with a rag underneath to
catch drips..some light scrubbing and it was gone. After that wash the entire area, and wax.
I used 2 seperate coats of wax. Cannot see any residue of where my 4x4, and dodge stickers were. The dodge sticker peels off ok, but leaves adhesive which needs to be removed. Take your time. I also used a blow dryer and removed the SLT , and dakota badges on the door.
I like it ! Ger.

bumblewick · July 2001

I had the same problem with 4WD light coming on in my 2WD truck. The fix was indeed the change of the A/C control head. Had to wait for awhile, the units were on national backorder. All OK now. There is a tech bulletin on this according to the dealer.

quaddub · July 2001

3M makes a product just for this purpose. Any good local automotive paint supplier should carry it. 3M also makes great waxes and polishes.

I removed all badges (except hood) and door mouldings. Then ran a charcoal pinstripe (3/16") along top edge of lower Bright Silver Metallic paint. Upper color is Bright White. Adds some defintion and length to your decal-less truck, but the look is still clean.

take care

highcountrydak · July 2001

Hi,

Well after a year of reading these posts I still haven't seen my question answered. So here goes.

I bought my QC last August from a dealer, it had everything I wanted (V-8, 4x4, towing package, the works) and is the best truck I've ever owned. It had everything but one item that has been driving me crazy. I thought I could live with the buckets but I still want the option of the 40/20/40 bench because there are more and more occasions that I want to have five passengers.

Anyway, the local dealers have not been any help. Can any of you offer suggestions? I live in the Denver-Boulder Metro.

Thanks

lsuquad · July 2001

Has anyone got a fix for the annoying A/C condensation drip directly on the hot exhaust? My 01 quad sounds like the fourth of July when its parked and turned off after the A/C has run on a humid day. I feel like taking back to the dealer and saying "this ain't the way a new vehicle should sound, make it right!" Is there a service bulletin on this?

iowabigguy · July 2001

highcountrydak What year is your Quad and what color is your interior. I have a 2000 Quad with the dark gray interior. I have the 40-20-40 interior and wish I'd gotten the buckets. I'd like the additional hip room. Unfortunately I'm about 500 miles from you in the Omaha Nebraska area. From what I've seen you cant just change the center seat/console. The seat frames are specific to the factory installed option. There are brackets that come off the seat frames that support the -20- portion of the seat. You would have to change out the whole seat setup. If things matched and you were REALLY serious I'm going to be in North Platte, Nebraska September 2nd for a retirement dinner for a friend. Thats about the halfway point. How that for a solution??? Rick

skylerk · July 2001

You don't need to buy any special chemicals when you already have a can of WD-40 on your shelf. (Doesn't everybody?)

For more details, read my Dakota FAQ #63 about how I removed all my exterior decals.
skylerk "Dodge Dakota Owners - FAQs" Dec 15, 2000 4:39pm

ayrow · July 2001

Randy,

Concerning your bucket seat problem....

You are right the Durango does indeed have a lumbar adjustment. However, I am not sure that it is on the passenger side.

You can go this link and see what I did to solve the problem however....

http://www.ayrow.com/seats.html

mopar67 · July 2001

so far as I know, there is no TSB on this considering Chrysler will see it as an annoyance rather than a functional issue. I wouldn't count on the dealer doing much of anything unless you bought from a dealer that will do anything and everything for you.
If it bothers you, get a piece of rubber hose or PVC and make an extension to route the water away from your exhaust pipe.

highcountrydak · July 2001

Thanks for the offer Iowabigguy but my fabric color is Agate in my 2000 QC but I like your solution. Anybody with Agate 40/20/40 that wnats to trade?

bpeebles · July 2001

(indychapell) Lets not forget that ANY equivilant-sized filter that flows better MUST not be filtering to the same particle-level. (basic physics)

Although the cotton-gauze-type filters that are washed/oiled (ie...K-N) are popular, I wonder how many folks actually degrease/re-oil their filters often enough to provide any real benifet. Have you taken into account the time/cost of degreasing/reoiling a cotton-gauze filter? After you degrease your filter... where do you dispose the toxic liquid that is left over? How much will that cost you?

Besides... who needs more flow anyway? How often do you have your truck at redline where it is breathing heavilly? Even spirited driving will not reach the limits of the stock filter.

I payd cash for my Dakota and want it to last AT LEAST 12 years and 150K miles....For my money/time, I will use air-filters that disposable and cost MUCH less than the oiled-cotton-gauze-type. Heck... over 150K miles I may only need to replace the airfilter only 5 times anyway.

mopar67 · July 2001

five filter changes over 150K expected life of truck. Each filter costs 14.99. Multiply that by the five expected changes and you get a total of $74.95 which is $31.96 MORE than a K&N air filter the recharge kit.
Briggs and Stratton has for YEARS used a foam filter which is oiled. Unless there are people mowing concrete or blacktop I would assume that a mower of any type must run in a much dirtier environment than our trucks. That being the case, why would B&S use a filtering system which does not do its job? Logic would dictate that B&S would have to allocate lots of funds to cover warranty claims due to engines failing from to much ingestion of dust, grass, and other foreign material.

bpeebles · July 2001

You make good points.
As I mentioned... my TIME is valuble to me too. Replacing a filter is about 3 minutes. Buying degreaser and filter-oil, Degreasing/reoiling, paying to dispose the waste cleaning fluid...etc. would cost me your $31.96 and then some.

To elaborate on some of your other points. YES B&S uses oiled-foam very successfully. The OIL is the secret. (some farm-tractor air-filters just draw air OVER a puddle of oil to filter the air)
This is why I suggested that many folks DO NOT properly degrease and re-oil their cotton-gauze filter (which requires buying degreaser and filter-oil each time.)
Also, keep in mind that the B&S engines do not get close to the equivilent 150K miles of use either. (many push-lawmmowers last about 5 years of occasional use) An automobile "breathes" 10,000s of gallons of air during its lifetime.... not so a one-lunger lawnmower.

ahasher · July 2001

ahasher · July 2001

but I too have limited "free" time, but with my K&N recharge ritual, I have another good reason hide in the garage, have the hood open and mess with my rig, have a beer or 3 and enjoy the break from the routine..
Sorry, not very technical but I had to add my .02

mopar67 · July 2001

but you beat me to it anyway!
THe secret is an excuse for a cold one. After all, while its still under warranty and pretty much maintains itself, what other reasons do we have to get under the hood?
so, bpeebles, that is the reason. And ahasher said it first here.

iowabigguy · July 2001

My interior is Agate, at the time I was writing my message I could not recall the name, only that it was the darker of the 2 interiors offered. Rick

indychapell · July 2001

Thanks to bpeebles and mopar67, etc. I have held off buying a K./N because I wasn't really sure if it was really worth the time, and money. I may or may not still purchase one, but your input gives me something to think about. Also I'm not sure where some are buying filters, but I'm sure that a Purolator air filter will only run about 5 to 6 bucks. As far as the cold one goes, theres always something that needs to be done in the garage! Keep the good info coming.

bpeebles · July 2001

I have always wanted a garage (with a pit) but alas... I have a dirt driveway to lay on as I work under my truck. (BTW...Dropping a bearing in the dirt is bad news) When I have the hood open the traffic on the road is about 8 feet behind me.

If I had a garage (with or without the pit) I do see your point about spending more time under the hood cleaning a K&N. (I'll bet a creeper works better in a garage than on dirt ;-)

Once the snow flies here in Vermont, my maintenance time on my truck is cut way back to plugging in the block heater before heading to the house.

decentman4you · July 2001

lets do some math shall we? by mopar67 ???????

Gee where do you Buy your air-filters from? I got a replacement air filter from my Local auto parts place for $6.00 I think it was a Fram air filter Brand, this was my first a/f change after about 10,000 miles on my 01 QC 4x4 awd with the works !

ahasher · July 2001

Sat. Seatbelt mounting bolts might not have been tightened at the factory... the recall mentioned 2001 as well.. any one else get one yet?

steve234 · July 2001

As for the B&S filter system, they use a two stage filter. The oiled foam filter goes over a regular pleated paper filter. The oil traps the heavy dust that a mower will create and prevents premature plugging of the paper filter. It was on one of the maintenance topics several months ago, a heavy equipment outfit tried the K&N filters and found they did not filter as well as the pleated paper filters. They experienced more maintenance with the K&N filters. It costs only $5-8 for decent pleated filters and my wife has no idea what I am doing with the hood up, so I can enjoy my drink longer.

bobs5 · July 2001

came in the mail today. Front seatbelt anchor bolt needs to be checked for tightness.
2001 quad cab

billarf · July 2001

Heard some here reporting they received recall notices from Dodge in regard to loose seat belt
mounting bolts. Anyway, I just went out and checked the belt anchor bolts on my '01 Quad Cab manufactured during the first week of May '01 and sure enough the driver side anchor bolt that anchors the bottom part of the belt was in fact loose as heck .. basically it was only finger tight. Anyway, all the other anchor bolts were tight. I just tightened up the loose one. Curious did the recall notice (I did not get one yet) say front anchors, all anchors or what?
Bill in NY

bobs5 · July 2001

I don't have the recall notice in front of me but believe it stated the FRONT anchor bolts were the ones in question. Think the front seats only. Mine seem to be tight. Build date was in nov 00.

slr9589 · July 2001

The notice came to 2000 quads too.
I'll have to get a peek at mine and see if they are loose after 27,000 miles of ignorance!
Quad goes in ody shop on monday for repair of roof and right rear panel that was hurt from tree fall.
All else appears to be working fine.
stephen

ahasher · July 2001

FRONT belts.. but I will check all bolts since I cant get to the dealer till next week. Billarf mentioned his were FINGER TIGHT. I will check mine at lunch. Someone was asleep at the factory when they should have been tightening bolts.

ferous · July 2001

I received my recall notice yesterday and checked my front bolts. My truck was built in 3/00 and they are all tight. I'm not going to waste a trip into the dealer until I have something else that needs work. I just turned over 31K miles yesterday and my Quad has never been back to the dealer yet.

bja4 · July 2001

Had the bed of the truck re aligned. Got home to find the rear bumper no longer aligned with the bed of the truck. Less than a 1/4" gap between the bumper and the tail-gate on one side, and over an 1" on the other. Great service?! After wasting half a day of my time for this kind a service, I decided to fix the bumper myself. Then about two weeks later I found that the bolts that hold the bed on the truck were loose. No wonder I heard a clanking noise when hitting speed-bumps. I called the service department to [non-permissible content removed], and was told to make an appointment the following week. Screw that! I wanted the it fixed now. I heard from other posts that once the bolts are loosened, they are supposed to be replaced. I found a cheater bar and once again fixed it myself. No problems after one year of camper hauling.

stnick · July 2001

I got my recall yesterday. 00 built Mar 00. Havn't checked them yet, but will tommorow. Called dealer, he said something about parts comming? As far as I could tell from the letter, all they have to do is tighten them. 13,000 on her so far, only thing ever worked on was a new rear end because of whine. Nothing else so far. Avg fuel so far 16.5 to 17.5 all around, highest so far was 19 on trip. 4.7 auto,4x4 3.55. Nick.

gaquad · July 2001

Well I now have new air conditioning control knobs but the Service 4WD light is not on. I sure would like to see the schematic and where the problem is to make that correct.

gtownguy · July 2001

Hello everyone, I was interested to know if anyone had put the rubber doorstrip from the SLT models on their sport model. It seems it would help protect from door dings. If so, where did you get and how much? Also I've decided on the Rubber mat for the bed. Does anyone know where I can get one that fits and not be cut down? The dealer wants alot of $ for the Dodge one. Any and all responses greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Tom.

fourbyfour · July 2001

Hi picking up our new 2001 q.. tomorrow. white with silver trim 4.7 most bells and whistles. I have been reading (yes always do) the owners manual. hats the deal on changing fluid in front and rear ends every 12,000miles. Never heard of such a thing and do you still cog with synethic oil at 12,000?. Who buys a truck with towing pkg then doesn't tow? Was planning on I&N filter and flow master muffler but seems jury is out on advantages of either. Any advice thanks 4x4

appraiser · July 2001

My 2000 Quad Cab is a year old and it just passed 30,000 miles. The dealership recommends the following maintenance items: oil change, belt/hose inspections, tune-up (replace plugs), adjust timing, replace fuel filter, replace air filter, throttle body service ($90), brake inspection, service cooling system ($60), CV joint pack ($43). Total cost is in the neighborhood of $600+. My question is, is all this really necessary at 30k? Can some wait one more year @ 60k? Thanks for any advice.

iowabigguy · July 2001

Read your owners manual. See if your driving meets the requirements for Schedule A or B. Then look at the appropriate schedule for the required 30,000 mile maintenance. If it is not listed there it is not required to maintain your warranty. I think you will find a lot of dealers make a LOT of money on their recommended maintenance. Rick

appraiser · July 2001

Thanks, Rick; I know it was a stupid question, but I intend to keep this truck for a long time, and I just don't want to miss any maintenance in favor of saving a few bucks. Thanks again for the quick reply.

bpeebles · July 2001

(appraiser)
As suggested above, your driving style/conditions have a bearing on what is required. If longevity is your goal... this also has some weight on what may help prolong the life of your truck.

Let me go thru your list with some comments on your question of intending to keep this truck for a long time;

oil change
Just stick to your schedule on this one... if it is due...have it changed.

belt/hose inspections
Not required for longevity...just reliability. Thoroughly inspecting the hoses and belt should take no more that 3 minutes.

tune-up (replace plugs)
Not required for longevity... may improve MPG if your plugs are unusually dirty.

adjust timing
TIMING NOT ADJUSTABLE This one can be taken off of the list!

replace fuel filter
The fuel filter is in the fuel tank. The service manual says to only replace if it throws an errorcode to have it changed. This one can be taken off of the list!

replace air filter
Not required for longevity... may improve MPG if your filter is unusually dirty. You can do this yourself without tools (but a screwdriver makes it easier).

throttle body service ($90)
WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?? Did they tell you what they do here?

I cleaned my throttle body with synthetic cleaner yesterday. I even did my wifes car and daughters too... I STILL have plenty of cleaner left in the can. (less than $3USD)

brake inspection
Not required for longevity... This is more a safety item (and an oppertunity to sell you brakes)

service cooling system ($60)
YES!! If properly done, this will prolong the life of your trucks cooling system.

CV joint pack ($43)
YES!! If properly done, this will prolong the life of your front halfshafts. (If improprly done... this will severly REDUCE the life of your front halfshafts.)

ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE ON THE LIST FOR LONGEVETY;
replace xfer and differential fluids.
service xmission (especially an automatic)
rotate tires
lube all hinges (door, hood and tailgate)
replace brake and clutch fluid. (bleed ENTIRE sustem to exchange fluid)
change power steering fluid.

mopar67 · July 2001

CV joint pack ($43)
YES!! If properly done, this will prolong the life of your front halfshafts. (If improprly done... this will severly REDUCE the life of your front halfshafts.)
Never heard of it.

ferous · July 2001

Putting SLT trim on Sport models was a big topic over a year ago.

Yes you can. You can order the door trim in any color if you ask for the Durango door trim kit. It's the same length for each part. If you want the black, then order the Dakota kit. I have the black on my SLT (first one in 3/00 for my dealer) and I really like if both for looks and function.

macey · July 2001

Don't know if this has been discussed before:

I have a 2001 4.7 Sport+ with fender flares and the 265/70R16 tires.

Measuring from level ground to the center bottom of the fender flares, the fronts are both at 37 inches.

The driver side rear is 39 inches, the pax rear is 38 inches...go figure...the driver side has the gas tank kinda of left centered, right?.

The pax side has a big Flowmaster SUV 50 series muffler with dual pipes...guess I should ask the Service dept about the difference

Re: the difference in the front and rear height, is it really a torsion bar issue or weight of the 4.7 engine that pulls the front down?

BTW, has anyone else with the same model taken the same measurements?
During pickup when my truck was new, there was a exact same model in the dealer lot, my truck sat two inches higher...does DC have that much tolerance for the settings on the assembly line?

Thanks!

tegwj · July 2001

I have an '01 QC 2wd 4.7 w/16" tire & handling package, among other options. Truck now has 7900 miles, which makes this story a little embarassing, but oh well.

I was standing next to the truck earlier this week and had a look at the pass-side rear tire. Nothing special, then I had a look at the pass-side front. Then back to rear, and to front again. Then it dawned on me: the tires were different! I had a look on the driver's side, both were the same as the pass-side front tire. The pass-side rear was mounted with the tire that ships with the 4wd trucks, the other three were as expected for my 2wd. I also had a look at the spare, which was the expected 2wd tire.

The embarassment stems from the fact that I've put 7900 miles on the truck and never noticed, though I am nevertheless left to wonder (a) how it happened, and (b) why the dealer didn't notice during PDI.

Since I'm overdue for my 7500 mile service anyway I'll bring it up when the truck goes in and see if they'll do anything about it, though frankly I'm not holding my breath.

twj

cbacres1 · July 2001

I'm not sure if you are looking for the colored molding, but you can also use Prostripe # M-104 black rubber moulding. It is the same profile & size of the Dak Moulding. You can get it at auto-body supply for about $ 45.00 for a 16'roll. I'm fixing to order a roll soon. I've priced the black moulding at my dealer and they wanted $ 242.00 for the set, over the counter. By the time you add beer to this.............

The only drawback that I can see is the Prostripe would not have the finished ends.

Hope I helped. Try www.prostripe.com

ferous · July 2001

You were quoted $242 for a $60 option??? When I ordered my truck (1/00), no one knew what the trim option looked like, but I ordered it anyways. It was only $60 and to everyone's surprise, it was just like the Durango's.

cbacres1 · July 2001

Thats correct, from two dealers. The price was from thier parts dept. and this was after I took delivery of the truck.Compared to the option price, I think this would be described as gouging.Wished I'd taken more time before I ordered.

Dodge Dakota - Quad Cab

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