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Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Owners - Meet the Members
373 messages, Last post on Jun 08, 2009 at 10:17 AM
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Replying to: KarenS (Dec 06, 2004 5:44 am) Bookitty |
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Replying to: KarenS (Dec 06, 2004 5:44 am) My first perusal of the '05 led me to believe that I love my '03 even more. It's not that the new Dakota isn't a worthy contender, but like the reviewer in the article I was disappointed in the interior. What bothered me even more was the lack of a full set of gauges, a real no-no in my opinion, both for a truck and especially bad for a Dodge. Of course, I still have a hard time getting my face to straighten out after I look at the front-end, which I find unappealing. That by itself wouldn't stop me from buying one, but it doesn't make it easier. The lack of a hemi wouldn't bother me. My little 287 (4.7) runs great and performs better than I would've expected. But I do find it puzzling why Dodge didn't size the truck for the hemi. If it did I'm sure the Dakota manufacturing lines would be two shifts all next year. Still, I've talked to a fellow who owns a '05 and he says it's the best handling, best riding, and quiet est truck he's ever driven. And he just came from a Tundra. Bests, Dusty |
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Had an '01 quad, manual 6 cyl. Excellent vehicle. Had 40,000 mi on it and had no trouble. Still had original tires with good tread. Picked up an '05 the day before Thanksgiving, fresh off the truck. Since it was late, dealer didn't have much time to 'make ready'. Had a loose fuse and loose piece of back door trim ( I fixed them and jokingly 'complained' to the dealer-who is an hour's drive from me) I LIKE IT!! It is smoother, quieter, tighter. Finally dried up enough around here where I could lay under it for a while and get acquainted. Several things I like more, as well as more ground clearance. Now, admittedly, I had to 'rationalize' just a bit over the initial appearance. But, hey, I even like that, now. Initially, I wasn't too thrilled in having to take an automatic, but the manuals hadn't been shipped out yet. The main reason I even traded, was of financial/investment considerations. The first mileage I have checked, which has been town driving, has been 14.9 mpg. Which is actually a bit better than I had gotten with the manual. |
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I almost bought a '05 Toyota Tacoma this afternoon (extended cab/long bed). The biggest drawback to this truck is the old style on-demand 4 wheel drive system. You have to choose between locking rear diff/open diff when unlocked, or a limited slip diff. Each has its pros and cons. I'm very excited about the Dakota'a full 4 wheel system. I also like the fact that the Dak's short bed is almost 5" longer than the Taco's short bed. This truck will be on the streets 90% of the time/10% in the woods. I am NOT a true 4 wheeler; that is, no boulder hopping, tree stump climbing stuff. My wife and I are avid hikers and we often travel long distances on some pretty rough Forest Service roads to get to trailheads. The one thing that I find disturbing about the Dakota is the 7.9" ground clearance. I'm accustomed to the 8.1" ground clearance in our '97 Pathfinder SE (prior to that we had a really crummy '84 Jeep Cherokee- don't know what it's ground clearance was). I noted that some of you have actually BEEN in the F.S. so you're intimately familiar with the kinds of roads I frequent. Do you think that this '05 Dakota will meet my needs??? Thanks loads for your experienced opinions! |
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Replying to: amoreano (Dec 10, 2004 8:01 pm) Given the type of off-roading you have described, you would be locking the xfer case in 4X4 anyway. You may be better off to have an xfer case that can be set to rear-wheel-drive when on the street. That will increase MPG and reduce wear-n-tear that the 'full time' has been proven to cause. (reduced tire and drivetrain components life) That ground clearance concern you have may not be a realistic measurement that has meaning while off-roading. You will find that a LONGER WHEELBASE will tend to bottom out more often. (even if the "ground clearance" number that the manufacturers quote is higher.) Of course, any experienced off-roader knows the basics of putting the wheels on the "high spots" of the trail. (putting your wheels in an existing rut is a no-no)
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Replying to: bpeebles (Dec 11, 2004 7:00 pm) 1.) Go w/ a part-time 4WD system w/ a LSD rear. 2.) The above set-up gives you the best gas mileage. 3.) When I'm in the deep do-do, the above set-up is spinning all 4 wheels and I've gotten out of it - so far. 4.) I've banged the bottom a few times and as a result, I've slowed down and learned to "read" the best way through the problem areas. 5.) Most of the time, for me, the clearance has been OK. The Dakota's small wheel wells don't lend themselves easily to simply installing bigger tires and therefore getting more clearance. The aftermarket lift kits that I've looked at require major surgery and seem to be "under-shocked" to prevent more body roll. But if you're thinking about going that way order the 3.92 rear gear ratio rather than the 3.55 since you'll eventually be spinning bigger tires. 6.) I think the the Dakota can do what you want. Have you ever thought of starting your hikes where the trails cross over a more improved road rather your current MO? |
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Replying to: amoreano (Dec 10, 2004 8:01 pm) |
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Replying to: bonnie_rick (Jun 23, 2000 8:41 pm)  I need help on where to post on the site.. If any of you can help that would be great. Need to switch bucket seats out and put in a bench if any of you have done this yet please send me a e-mail. Thanks - Tom
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Replying to: headlinesman (Mar 17, 2002 8:11 am) Thanks, MasFox |
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I can see that this post has changed topics, but I'll probably be around for a little bit so I figured I'd say hey and introduce myself. Clinton Jenkins from Hughesville, MD (right next to Waldorf, MD if you know where that is) 2001 3.9 V6 automatic Club Cab Dakota 4x4 SLT Pearl Blue with gray undertone, including Fender Flares, Line-X spray in bedliner, fiberglass tonneau cover, American Flag windowscape across the back, fully loaded, on 265/70 tires and I love driving it (course that could be due to the fact that my last vehicle was an 88 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra but still) I have taken it out in the snow in western maryland and the sands at Oregon Inlet on the outer banks and have yet to get stuck (knock on wood) |
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