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twizz
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2005
20:19:28
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 Subject: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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Hi,
I'd like to buy a used Dakota 4x4 Quad cab. Is one model year
better than the rest? Which engine gives decent mileage and
performance. Consumers Report seems to like the 4.7L V8.
Thanks Twizz
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Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2005
20:41:36
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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I would say the 03 model as you wont have to worry about the ball joint prob and have to have the dealers to fix it on the recall. . also the older models have a heater core prob. I dont know if the 03 has the core probs but my sister had a 99 CC dak and had to replace the core 3 times. I like the 4.7 and love it. gas mileage is between 17 and 22. my last trip I took I drove to TN. and got 18 MPG going through the moutains and with the AC on. would of prob got over 20 if it was flat ground lol. one thing I have heard about the 4.7 is they can build up sluge really bad. so keep your oil changes regularly. or put syntheic oil in it.
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KJS
GenIII
8/25/2005
02:02:24
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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The 04 is not that bad either it comes with a 3.7 v6 or optional 4.7 v8, the 3.7L has more hp than the 3.9L and also has better gas mileage than it's predecessors as well, the interior was redesigned for 2001 from the 97-00 design making it more squared off as aposed to the more rounded look from 97-00(dash and door panels) the previous models did have some problems but like all vehicles i think it depends on how you drive it as well, if you do decide to buy a dakota i would recommend getting an 03 or 04 4x4 quad cab with a 4.7 ho engine, there you have power as well as the size for any application.
My truck looks like it was in a knife fight, and lost! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/1275365
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BubbainGE
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2005
16:56:06
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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I don't think the HO engine was an option until 05. The 03-04's came with the same intake manifold as the HO, but the rest of the package was missing. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2005
17:47:23
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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All the QC's are essentially the same up until this year. Body style, equipment, etc. The big differance from year to year is the engine.
2001 was one of the first years for the 4.7. As with most products, the first year or two isn't all that good. In 2001 the 5.9 made a lot more power under the curve and got about the same fuel mileage as the smaller 4.7. But in later years (2003+) the 4.7 was refined and became a better engine, with about the same area under the curve and better economy.
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Anthony
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2005
19:53:12
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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The best years to buy I would say 2000 and 2001. After that DC started to go cheap on the quality of the Dakotas with their cost cutting venture. They deleted stuff or replacing it with cheaper made stuff.
The ball joints were the same crap from 00-03
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4.7onNO2
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2005
21:51:09
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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Id go 2003+. The motors are better and they come with HO Intakes. All ya have to do is add cams and some simple porting of the TB and they are fun as hell. 2005 if ya got the cash you can get the H.O.
Id still love to race one of those off the juice to see how they really do. I dont like the 9.7 compression though. Not good for boost or juice.
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/26/2005
09:34:29
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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There's really not much difference between the older 4.7s and the newer - changes are fairly minor; the 4.7 was already in use in Jeeps before it was introduced to Daks. Not much performance difference. Maybe some better PCM flashes available for the older models, a little better braking performance but shoddier interior in the newer ones. They all respond well to the HO cams, just look for the best deal in your price range.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2005
12:59:25
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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i have a 93 5.2L 4x4 cc auto. i cant complain about anything. i paid 3900 for it. when i got it, it was near mint. no a scratch in it. runs like brand new. everything works. now i dont want to jinx myself, but i dont work on this thing ever. just turn the key and go. not everyone has the luck i seem to get though. --knock knock--
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2005
13:43:01
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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later models because there are more mods available. That is if you want to do that. While I love my 95, i am limited by the number of vendors making mods.
I can't complain too much, i get better gas milage than alot on here and it's a rock solid truck. 159k miles and still going.
- Dan M
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2005
18:25:23
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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I have a 2001 RC 4.7 with 120K so far. The '01's had 235HP, some later years had 230HP. 2001 intoduced the 68mm throttle body (65mm in'00).The '01/'02 intake manifold had a slightly stronger lower rpm torque curve compared to the HO manifold on '03-up. The HO cams work great with the old manifold. The 2002's had only the "third cat", while the '01's oddity is two pre-cats and 4 O2 sensors (reliable, nonetheless)and the "third cat". The '04's lost the map light/ sunglasses holder/ garage remote console.
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calikota
Dodge Dakota
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8/28/2005
23:46:55
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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Keep in mind there are no suspension lifts for the 03 and 04.
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/29/2005
09:26:59
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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'01 - it seems to be the emissions package more than the year that makes the difference between the 230 or 235 hp rating (Federal or "California"). The '03 & '04 are not HO manifolds; DC started using a common manifold on both the HO and regular engines with a compromise design in runner length. What we commonly call the HO manifold is from the earlier Jeep HO engines and is tuned for higher rpm; while the older desisign for the regular 4.7s tuned for lower rpm was stock in '00, first year for 4.7 in Dakota.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Austin
Dodge Dakota
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8/30/2005
18:42:48
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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I know not many people here have it, but I've been pretty happy with my '99 2.4L 4 banger with a 5-speed tranny. The engine was built my Mitsubishi I believe and it has 107K and idles like it was new. I know most people think a V6 or V8 is necessary, but I've hauled many a huge load (sand,gravel,bricks) with this little engine that could and it's done just fine. Plus there's a TON of room under the hood. Being that it has such a small engine on such a solid transmission meant for much much bigger engines, it still shifts and drives like new. It gets great gas milage and you can probably pick one up on the cheap.
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Austin
Dodge Dakota
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8/30/2005
18:46:43
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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Just to correct a minor mistake, I meant to say my truck is a 2.5L engine. Don't want to sound like a complete moron. Anyway, good luck finding a Dakota that suits you.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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8/31/2005
16:53:03
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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i personally dont bash 4 bangar pickups, but you wont tow a 28 ft camper with one.
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truth
Dodge Dakota
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9/02/2005
21:00:56
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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the realy best one to buy used is the one with the longest time left on the transferable factory warrenty. that way when you break it rock clibing or mud boggin D/C pays fopr it, not you. other wise get the cheapest one you an find with the 5.3 engine and DANA anything axles in it, the corporate axle really is only good for snow on paved roads, that way it starts out cheap the engine will last forever and aftermarket parts are way more available for it and you get to have all the fun in fixing it if that rocks your boat. The 5.3 has been around in various versions since about 67 or was it 64 or so, dont remember which, and most boneyards either have or can get parts (most have nationwide search capabilities) for whatever one you have, or, even want.as far as used parts go for the 4.7, most of the 4.7's are still on the road so used parts are harder to come by.
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318
Dodge Dakota
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9/02/2005
21:43:25
| RE: Newbie -- Which is the best year to buy
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"i have a 93 5.2L 4x4 cc auto. i cant complain about anything. i paid 3900 for it. when i got it, it was near mint. no a scratch in it. runs like brand new. everything works. now i dont want to jinx myself, but i dont work on this thing ever. just turn the key and go. not everyone has the luck i seem to get though. --knock knock--"
Are you kiddin..? Thats a 318 of coarse its gonna run well, just about like every other one on the road today. This motor has served its purpose very well since the 60's. Its good for a 200-250k joy ride, that is if the tranny holds up. The motor itself is bulletproof.
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