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Dodge Dakota - Quad Cab
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Comments
4x4
5 speed
lsd
standard rear end
16in wheels
tilt/cruise, leather wheel
middle stereo (cd without changer)
skid plates
bronze
(MANUAL door locks/side mirrors; no alarm thing [no one pays the slightest attention to them anyway]; manual windows)
This truck is for my wife (I have my Chev 2500 4x4) so didn't need the tow or heavy duty stuff. She loves a 5sp and we drive over 5 miles of gravel road daily. This is also our long distance vehicle (tilt/cruise). I've had too much trouble with the sliding rear window in past trucks to ever want another besides the ease of breaking into them by thieves.
Good luck and ordering is a blast! Then comes the frustration of waiting for build and delivery but you get the truck YOU want, not something off the lot.
ONLY negative thing about the QC so far is the ridiculously difficult task of releasing the wench cable retainer from the spare tire; have to lower tire to the ground then RAISE up one side and reach UNDER to turn retainer sideways and slip through wheel hub hole. My chev's retainer is rectangular (not round) and with tire laying on ground I can easily reach in from the TOP and remove the cable. This was a real ergonomics/human factors design mistake by DC.
bpeebles: You are right. Why I wrote EGR when I knew it was the PCV, is beyond me. I am like that with talking too. It is one of the reasons why I can associate with GW. I like what one guy told me; when your brain is so cluttered with knowledge, it is easy to trip over it.
I hear you on the spare tire underneath (had an 83 ranger) and it was kind of a pain to access, I finally kept in in the bed, the truck had a cap for security.
I have a few of questions for anyone who knows or wishes to respond.
What is the largest tire which can fit without rubbing?
Anyone put a lift kit on their Quad?
What are the pros and cons of 4 wheel antilock brakes? (I never drove a vehicle before with this system)
For towing purposes which is better to get, the 5sp or the automatic tranny? (maybe a small boat in the future, say about 3k lbs, for boat and trailer.) I am kind of leaning towards the auto.
Which axle ratio would be better to get? (for light towing and possible lift kit and larger tires)
Thank you.
Thanks.
- 31x10.5/R15 or P265/70R16 depending on your rim size. I moved up to 32x11.5/R15 and do have slight (and I do mean slight)rubbing, nothing that can't be quickly and unobtrusively fixed with a file.
- There has been talk of a lift kit by someone here, but I can't remember who.
- ABS pros- shorter,safer,more controlled stops on all surfaces, in some cases lower insurance rates. Cons- about $500, which to me really isn't a con, as it is a good price compared to other cars, and more computerized stuff to go wrong. IMHO there is no question ABS wins.
- Dodge does not recommend towing with the Auto trans with the overdrive engaged. I belive it is because of the lock-up torque converter cannot handle the extra load. The 5-spd allows towing in overdrive, so MPG will be better. There is also the $900 cost for the auto, but this choice might be better left up to your left leg.
- Ratios I would lean towards the 3.92 of you plan to go with a much taller tire, to help keep up your lowend grunt.
- one last minor thing to consider, the ECM can only be adjusted for certain tire sizes. You might want to check with the dealer before you pick a size to be sure that they can set the ECM for it. This comes into play as the ECM controls your speedo, odo, and also ABS.
does anyone know what color changes DC has made
for the 2001 model? I checked the web site but
the colors appear different than you see on the
vehicle normally. Also, is the lighter color
headliner standard...ie...do you have to have it?
Thanks.
I currently have a 3" lift installed on my 01 Quad. I purchased it from the dealer with the kit already installed by California Concepts.They did a great job with the lift but they are pricey if you go to them directly. I checked on Rancho Suspensions website and they also sell a 3" lift for the Quad Cab; I think it sells for approx. $600. I recommend getting the lift done because it looks great especially with 32X11.50R15 BF Goodrich T/A Radials on them.
tuvtest ( or was it towcrazy2>) - thanks for the tip on the paint seale. I went back and checked out the thread on the accessories board. A local detail guy I use said that there's really no sealant or wax or anything to truly protect the paint from places like Baja and true off-road use like I;ll be doing. He did say he could apply a liquid sealant that was stronger than wax (didn't catch the name but I'll go back and ask him what he had in mind) he said to wait for the paint to cure as well. 2-3 months was his advice.
Dave.
I don't know if this is necessarily correct. The BOB (shop manual) indicated if tire size is changed you have to program the computer for the number of revolutions the new tire size makes in one mile. The manual then went on and gave the revs per mile for the standard tires. I am making an educated guess here but I would think that if you figured out the number of revolutions your new tire made, even though it varied from the factory size you could have the dealer program that value into the computer. I suspect there are probably high and low limits programmed but I can't help but think the programmer expected that people would want to modify their trucks by installing larger tires. Now if you wanted to make your Quad into a BigFoot clone that probably won't work but if you are going from a 31" tire to a 32" tire I'd bet that would be programmable. Rick
Bookitty and Tuvtest
akula2 - That sounds really nice with 3" lift and 32" tires.
Did you order it with the lift kit or was this something on their lot?
special order?
Does this lift kit void the manufacturers warranty in any way?
Which axle ratio do you have?
How much ground clearance do you have?
ABS question - What happens if the ABS fails for some unknown reason? Do you have any brakes at all? Does it revert to the "standard" braking system?
Those of you who have the auto tranny... Are you happy with the performance?, any problems?
When the weather is colder and I am driving those first few miles in the morning, I count the shifts and I thought since it had only made the 1>2 and the 2>3 shifts, that it must not be doing the 3>4 shift. Is the torque converter lockup and the 3>4 shift necessarily simultaneous? Does the torque converter only lockup in top gear? I dunno...my head hurts. I like to understand things "technical", and have been looking for a source of info on this transmission, but so far I haven't found a lot. I appreciate the info.
Thanks.
I believe that an automatic will be easier for me to get towing experience, especially backing down a boat ramp. I live in the congested new jersey area and sometimes traffic can be terrible. I work wierd hours just so I can avoid the rush hours.
A friend has a 16' aluminum boat and we towed that to florida and back on a vacation. I had no trouble going forward, it is the backing up that takes me several attempts to get correct. Practice makes perfect I guess.
I must disagree 100% with some of this stuff. Dodge has a horrendous reputation for automatic trannies. Whilst Dodge automatics may not be the best in the business there is one over riding reason why automatics fail early (regardless of manufacturer) and that is owner abuse. The worst kind of abuse - towing in overdrive. Period. End of story. Sure you can get away with it easier with less weight, and less slopes, but why risk it?? Gas is expensive, but the extra gas used is a whole lot cheaper than replacing the tranny.
As for automatics being better than manuals for towing - to each his own - give me a stick shift and an LSD any day of the week. If an automatic better suits your lifestyle or driving experience then that is fine - but don't blame a stick shift for those deificiencies. I frequently use my truck in areas where traction is marginal - that's why I drive manual - try doing a second gear start with an automatic!!
As for 2 wheel vs. 4 wheel abs - I have done that too many years to repeat again.
Rant over.
Can you provide a link or any other factual information to prove this claim? Does this include the tranny which is mated to the 4.7L engine?
As for the 4.7 - it is a 'new' tranny, and Dodge has certainly learned from its mistakes, but about a year or so ago Daimler Chrysler put together a task force to redesign Dodge trannies. They were specifically told to start with a blank piece of paper - 0% reuse of existing designs. Make of that what you will. The first output will be seen in the Ram redesign.
Bookitty
KnK
The argument that you always get better mileage with a stick is an old wives tale that has not been true for decades. Some expert drivers can get a little better mileage with a stick, but todays autos are more efficient than the average driver with a stick. Once the torque converter has locked up, it is the same mechanical efficiency as a standard. Very small cars may do better with a standard because they are small enough fo the added weight to detract, but most of them are manual for cost.
As for reliability, today's automatic is very reliable. Automatics get bad reputations because most vehicles have automatics and they are more attractive to inexperienced drivers. Whenever an automatic goes bad, it is a bigger headache to diagnose and getting a good repairman to fix. This is normal because they are more mechanically complex. My previous two tow vehicles, the standard lunched at 80K, the automatic went over 130K. Same body and setup, different years and trannies.
As far as the nonsense about big rigs using manuals, there are many commercial trucks that use automatics. The only reason that manuals are standard on most semis is the numer of gears needed. A semi does not have that big of an engine, they use 13+ gears to keep the diesel engine in the power range. To get that many gears in an automatic would be very bulky and expensive. I have driven enough of everything to have plenty of experience towing and hauling. I like manuals for certain applications, but for every day driving and towing, the automatic is too nice to ignore.
As far as the automatic in with the 4.7, they started with a clean sheet for both. In the Rams they will use this transmission with the 4.7, but the upcoming high output 4.7 and the 5.7 are going to use the MB truck transmission. It is also rumored that the next generation diesel engine will use the Allison automatic used by GM.
I agree wholeheartedly.....I ride in a fire truck for a living...big, heavy, full of water, driven under extreme conditions and I havn't seen one with a manual tranny in decades!!
In about 3-4 weeks I should be drivin' a:
2001 Dak Quad 4x4 sport
White
4.7L auto
3.92 lsd
T&H, Towing, HD cooling
leather
all the power goodies
Basically everything except:
4w ABS - don't care for while Off Roading
FT 4wd - no need
Gonna have a spray in liner done as soon as I get it, & a Roll 'n Lock top put on soon as well.
Too excited to wait that long...
Thanks to everyone here for all the great advice!
Stephen
Did read in Edmunds somewhere that some '01 trucks had untinted defrost equipped rear windows but the rear doors were. I wouldn't take the truck if it looked like that. Seems like they're just throwing things together to sell trucks. Its like Party Mix - all of the left overs.
Also agree with not being able to reach the back window to easily operate a slider. Only problem is when the rear door windows are down, any amount, you get a air driven harmonic drumming inside the cab. Annoying.
Eventually got it under control but the 13 years I spent with that wagon taught me a lot about vehicles when I could've been having fun.
I changed my oil at 500 miles then again before taking the trip to Mobil 1 around 7500 miles. I am driving a 00 QC with 4.7 auto, 3.92 and T&H. For approx. 60% of the total trip I was using cruise control set at 68 MPH. Very seldom went over 75 and then only for a short period of time to pass someone. Slowed down somewhat going through the mountains I hit some commute traffic going through Sacto but no stop and go. Coming out of Reno and going to Lake Tahoe I hit a long detour thanks to CalTrans clearing boulder off the road side. Delayed for around 30 min and then caravaned with escort through a back road for around 10 miles going 5 miles an hour. I also did some sight seeing while in Reno driving around the country side. Total 17.4 MPG for the trip based on the computer. I have found that the computer and my calc are with a .10 of each other. Not quite the 20 MPG some people are reporting but compared to to the 14+ I have been getting around town I am happy. Still think it is a great truck and have had no problems to speak of.
Carl
Mailman
Leaving aside reliability and towing, I like the manual for one reason. It's more fun. But to each his own.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone one last time.
Respectfully,
Allen-
Bookitty
Bookitty
Glad to say that I'm the proud new owner of an '01 Quad Cab SLT. First new truck in 15 years. And 3 weeks from ordering to driving it off the lot. Only have a couple hundred miles on it, but very pleased so far.
I keep wandering into the garage just to remind myself that it's real.
Been agonizing between the Dodge and the Ford Explorer Sport-Trac since the Spring, but the Ford required an auto transmission with just about any option. Besides, the Dodge just seems more like a truck than an SUV, which the Sport-Trac felt like.
Also must say I'm impressed with the courtesy shown in this conference.
Cheers,
JimS.
My 00,slt,4.7,5 spd.lsd...el cheapo wheels...2wd..is doing just fine....19-20mpg....no health problems at 12,000 miles...
it sure loves to fly,
be good all
Sorry for the long post, but even though I understand that advertising cost is factored into everything, I would feel better if it wasn't an itemized cost on my dealer's price sheet.
This is the first most of us have heard of it.
Things got complicated because the first sales rep was initially using 2000 prices, was including advertising charges, and then he left the job, handing the action over to another guy. In the confusion, the second guy apparently got the impression that we are going to include advertising, but subtract the holdback.
I have an Edmunds book from earlier this year that says to use the following formula to judge a fair price:
(Invoice) + (3%invoice for profit) + (1 to 1.5%invoice for advertising) minus (3%MSRP holdback)
For my truck, the figures come out as follows:
MSRP: $27,660
Invoice (no advertising): $24,801
Invoice (w/ advertising): $25,251
"Edmunds Formula" fair price: $25,187
"Dragonhawk" method: $25,297 (delete advertising)
Dealer method: $25,796 (include advertising)
Dealer's accidental(?) offer: $24,966 (I think)
Unfortunately, I can't seem to lock this in yet since I won't be ordering until the spring. Anyway, as long as the final price is pretty close to the "Edmunds Formula" I'll stay with the dealer. If it creeps significantly northward I'll explore other options (although I don't really have that many others to explore).
To each his own.
Andy
Bookitty
Second, the person asking gives the impression of a degree of inexperience with towing a boat. I do not know how much boat towing experience you have, but many ramps are a challenge that would require a high level of expertise with a manual. I did it for many years with a large boat and had no regrets about switching to an automatic. It made a dificult job much easier.
Third, all experiences are anecdotal when you get down to it. My point was that bad transmissions are not limited to automatics. I have driven many manuals, starting with a 65 Mustang, and moving to the big rigs. My wife's current car is a manual and we are approaching 120K with the original clutch.
We had a driver that recognized that he would probably be better off with an automatic. He wanted advice because everyone hears horror stories about automatics. I offered a positive outlook about automatics. I do feel that the standard lovers went overboard in knocking automatics. Every person should drive what they fel comfortable with and we should wholeheartedly endorse their choices.