Need advice on new Dodge Dakota truck

[CAMAROBOY69]

My 1996 Saturn daily driver is quickly approaching its death bed and I want to get a small/medium size truck. I currently have a 1979 Chevy truck with 4" lift and 35" tires that I just never use any more since I almost never go off road now that I have a quad. I am thinking about trading in the Saturn and the truck to get a 1997-2000ish Dodge Dakota extended cab.
I realize I will be sacrificing gas mileage if I go from the Saturn to a truck. The Saturn gets 30mpg city 40mpg highway. Now if I go with the Dakota that has a 6 banger it will have better gas mileage but I realize it probably wont be able to tow much. How bad is the gas mileage with the V8??
These are the most important features:
1. 1997 Dodge Dakota or newer
2. Automatic
3. Extended cab, club cab whatever you call it.
4. V6
5. 4x4

[TEDDYS CAMARO]

Why a Dodge and not a GM?

[dropit69]

research those years..heard they were bad for going thru transmissions..i know the durango;s of those years are and think its the same trans..my cousin had 3 in his durango..

[CAMAROBOY69]

Why a Dodge and not a GM?

I have always wanted a Dodge Dakota truck. I personaly like the look a lot better than any Chevy or Ford out there.

[CAMAROBOY69]

research those years..heard they were bad for going thru transmissions..i know the durango;s of those years are and think its the same trans..my cousin had 3 in his durango..
Are they the same tranny as the 90 dakotas? My buddy had a 90 dakota and I was friggin amazed at the abuse that truck handled. I seen him pull trucks out of mud holes and water holes that just blew my mind. There was never a time I was stuck in my full size 79 Blazer that he couldnt pull me out. I think he beat his Dakota for at least 8 years before the tranny went.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I changed the first post. I decided I want a V6 for sure since it will be my daily driver. I doubt I will pull much with it at all.

[Larry Callahan]

I have a 2001 5.9L Dakota R/T and I would not buy another one. It's always had lots of minor problems and it's VERY darty. The bump steer is scary. Also, the trans no longer shifts right. I think it's time to put it in the shop.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Is that a 4x4 Larry? I appreciate the feedback.

[Larry Callahan]

2wd. It's fun on the track though.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I dont plan on taking it to a track thats for sure. Mabey a 4x4 as a daily driver wouldnt have the same issues as yours? There must be more people in here that own Dakota trucks.

[SHANE 73Z]

Adam,

I had a 2001 Dakota 4x4 3.9v6 5speed. I bought it brand new and put about 140k on it before I got rid of it.

My thoughts personally are:
1. Skip the v6 when the 4.7v8 was introduced it was rated at 65 more horses and was rated at the same gas mileage as the v6.

2. Keep a spare set of rotors on hand or change out the stock front pads immediately. I was still on the original (hard as hell) pads when I got rid of it, but it needed rotor resurfacing every 15k.

3. Make sure the recalls were done on it. I replaced front balljoints on mine @ 50k before the recalls were issued.

4. If you can find a manual trans model I would go with that, the autos are notoriously bad.

5. The only other thing I did was PM and tires (lots of highway driving) and replaced the power steering pump just before it left.

Hope this helps,
Shane

[SHANE 73Z]

Oh yeah, gas mileage was horrendous!!! My truck never came anywhere near the advertised 20mpg (highway) rating. It was closer to 16mpg and my driving was 90% highway.

Shane

[patriot68]

chrysler transmissions keep me in business, i usually have 1 a week at least:)

[sinned]

DCX transmissions are no worse than GM or Ford. I worked for GM as a heavy duty line tech for 3 years and DCX as a lead tech for 8. Now I am the fleet manager for a construction company with over 200 light duty trucks (3/4-1 1/2 ton). They all suck when not properly used, maintained, or abused. Our Fords go through transmissions so often we actually have at least one on hand at any given time. The Allison in the GM has been pretty reliable. Ask a tranny guy about the 4L60e and he'll say its junk, go back the next day and ask about the E4OD and you'll get a similar response, same goes for the 518/500.



The V6 and V8 will get very similar MPG results, might as well buy the V8. They run pretty good. I’d stay away from the 4.7 if you want a pre 2001 vehicle, the early 4.7 had a few issues with valve train and cylinder heads, and they also seem to have a sludge problem if the oil changes are allowed to go for ANY length beyond 3K. Stay away from the 4X4, just another part to break and the added drag of the t-case seems to aid in premature failure, they are also a HUGE PITA to pull trans/t-case on 4X4 Dakota/Durango platforms.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I HAVE to have a 4x4 since I live in Michigan. Its not even debatable. So you say the V6 and V8 get close to the same gas mileage? Hmm I was pretty set on the V6 but I guess I will consider the V8 as an option too. I would prefer the 6. My friends Dakota 6 cylinder got a little over 20mpg and I would be happy with that.
After looking around yesterday I think I really like the look of the Dakota "Sports" trucks. I also know I want an extended cab and not a quad cab. The quad cab is huge and ugly.
It would also have to be an auto. I will never buy a manual tranny truck again. Also not debatable.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I am leaving in half an hour to check out this truck
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=196133639&dealer_id=78837&car_year=1998&search_type=both&make=DODGE&transmission=Automatic&distance=100&model=DAKOTA&address=49441&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=10000&bkms=1140011401099&min_price=1&end_year=2001&color=&start_year=1997&drive=4+wheel+drive&isp=y&engine=&body_style=TRUCKS&doors=&fuel=&lang=&cardist=5

[JLM]

Any reason why you aren't looking at some imported trucks?

I was always a die-hard american only guy but I found a great deal on my 1997 Tacoma and I love it. It's a 3.4 v6, 190hp gets about 21 mpg with mixed city and highway driving. It's got 160k on the clock and runs like it's brand new.

[dropit69]

i was gonna chime in about my luck with both my toyota trucks but didnt wanna get bashed..owned my first one 7 years no problems ever..the one i have now has no problems either had it 5 years..does use about half a quart to an oil change but heard alot of there 3.0 v6 do..both were 4 wheel drive..and go thru any amount of snow i could throw at it.....p.s adam how far are you from battle creek there is a 01 forerunner i want but its a long drive for me to look..

[CAMAROBOY69]

I test drove this truck last night and I like it a lot. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=196133639&dealer_id=78837&car_year=1998&search_type=both&make=DODGE&transmission=Automatic&distance=100&model=DAKOTA&address=49441&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=10000&bkms=1140011401099&min_price=1&end_year=2001&color=&start_year=1997&drive=4+wheel+drive&isp=y&engine=&body_style=TRUCKS&doors=&fuel=&lang=&cardist=5 I might have my Saturn sold for $1000 cash too.
I am going to borrow the truck for the entire day on saturday to really test drive it. This way I can also see the gas mileage it will get. It has the 3.2 V8 which is the smaller V8 so hopefully that will help. To my surprise when I floored it, the truck had no problem going completely sideways burning the tires. Its obviously no race car but it has ok power and a well working limited slip rear dif. I will get some pics on saturday of the truck. I like the color of it too.
I will also be checking out a 2002 Dakota and will get pics of that on saturday.

[CAMAROBOY69]

i was gonna chime in about my luck with both my toyota trucks but didnt wanna get bashed..owned my first one 7 years no problems ever..the one i have now has no problems either had it 5 years..does use about half a quart to an oil change but heard alot of there 3.0 v6 do..both were 4 wheel drive..and go thru any amount of snow i could throw at it.....p.s adam how far are you from battle creek there is a 01 forerunner i want but its a long drive for me to look..
Battle Creek is several hours from me. There are a couple other members that live a lot closer.