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Dodge Dakota - FAQs

243 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2012 at 7:27 PM

You are in the Dodge Dakota-2010 and older Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Dakota, Truck

Messages Page 23 of 25

#214 of 243 Re: ATF cooling lines?? 05 Dak 4.7L magnum 545RFE [mike133] by steak2k1

Jun 27, 2006 (10:01 pm)

Replying to: mike133 (Jun 27, 2006 5:48 pm)
Mike
 
Pics are up BTW.
 
I don't think that the brass block will fall away as there is very little room for it to go anywhere. I did not however have both of the lines off at the same time. And if these are considered quick-disconnect...I would hate to see what a normal connect is..!! I had to use a stubby 7/8 wrench to get them off. Although the cooler I bought came with extra fittings, none of them seemed to match the threading in said brass block. That is why I went with splicing the lines. It is OK to do so as long as you use good clamps )...std hose clamps are in my opinion - useless. If required use good size dbl barbed nipples (3/8).
 
You will not loose all your rad fluid at all...just a few drips/drops will come out but they will come out continuously.
 
The fittings I believe are some sort of hydraulic type compression fitting as it has a flare which you will see when you go to remove the return line.
 
While I was at Best Buy performance here in Calgary, I bought an inline filter for the cooler as well..fairly inexpensive I thought at $35.00CAD .. it too is installed on the return line after the cooler...now having given this some thought now, I probably should have put it into the "in" line side of the cooler as opposed to the last thing before it goes back to the tranny. oh well...can't hurt I feel.
 
Today I finally received my Magnaflow exhaust..damned glad I had a torch here as the old clamps were almost impossible to remove without it. Once the old system was out it was only 15 minutes to install the magnaflow...nice sound, and we shall see in the ensuing time how much of a performance improvement it is. It's just too bad superchips hasn't come up with a programmer just yet...I hear end of summer maybe.
 
Well only thing left before I go to BC is to get the brakes done...(company expense). May as well, as I hear some squealing.
 
curious..have you had any weird things go with your rakes.?? After first getting this truck and if I would step on them real hard I got a shuddering/front end shaking happening that is not (IMHOP), the anti skid braking system. Talked to Dodge and they said at the time there was nothing wrong. Go figure .. A dealer not accepting that their brakes SUCK.?? Imagine that..!! (sic). Just got to read the LemonAide guide and see how many complain about Dodge Brakes..!!
 
Anyway, I took it back in at around 22k and they said I needed all new brakes and charged me for them too.!! I was choked. I'm at 93K at this time ... do lots of business driving.! I will probably have 135 -140 by April and then I can buy it for cheap.
 
anyway...I'll try to post again before I leave on Thursday noon.
 
have a great weekend Mike.!
 
Theo

#215 of 243 Re: ATF cooling lines?? 05 Dak 4.7L magnum 545RFE by mike133

Jun 28, 2006 (5:37 pm)

Theo,
 
I now realize why you used the 7/8 open end wrench. You are not aware how the quick disconnects work. It takes a special tool to remove the fitting from the 3/8" tubing. It can be picked apart but you can damage the spring.Best way is the quick disconnect tool less than 10 bucks at most parts stores.
 
I replaced my muffler right after I bought it with a 14" magnaflow sounds great and the rest of the exhaust system is stock other than a stainless steel tip.
 
Have had no problems with my brakes. gook luck on the brake issue.

#216 of 243 Fair price by au1994

Jun 29, 2006 (8:34 am)

What does everyone think a fair price on a new QC Dakota, 4.7, auto, 26E pkg, premium 40/20/40 seat would be?
 
The incentives on the Dakota and Ram have me interested and I may be wandering down to the dealership the weekend.
 
thanks!

#217 of 243 Re: Fair price [au1994] by mike133

Jun 29, 2006 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: au1994 (Jun 29, 2006 8:34 am)
2005 SLT CLUB CAB 4X4 with 5 speed automatic,4.7L, 40/20/40 split bench seat, 26E pkg, 17" x8" aluminum chrome clad wheels, electric full time 4WD T-case, spray in bed liner, aluminum gas cover, rear mud flaps, willmore nerf bar,dodge class IV hitch wired, with 8.7 percent state sales taxes included bought brand new last august 26206.04 with no trade in.

#218 of 243 7/8" open wrench - Trans lines by steak2k1

Jul 04, 2006 (6:33 am)

Mike..you are right..I sure did not know about the QC lines. anyway..got the job done. Cooler worked just fine as did the inline filter.
 
The Dak is a bit underpowered for pulling my trailer (4200-4400 lbs loaded)...mind you low end tourque is the real issue. Going through the Rockies was not as problematic as I had imagined. A couple of spots (Rogers Pass & the first part of the Coquihalla), that were in excess of 6% required first gear and 4000 rpm. I just shifted in first or second manually and kept revs up to a max of 4500. But for the most part the ride went smooth and engine heating was not really an issue with temps going just past 1/2 on only a couple of occaisions. Outside temps were at the worst near Kamploops where it was +40C on Sunday. So all in all I'm pretty pleased with the results so far. Have to admit that when under a tow load, that Magnflow gives off a fair bit of noise.
 
As far as gas mileage...well we won't go there..!! (-%
 
I was getting avg 350 Km per tank and that was using premium at $1.28 / L in some spots. Whoever says that they don't raise prices on long weekends is fulll of crap. They do and it happens all the time.!!
 
rgds,
 
theo

#219 of 243 need advice immediately by dave112

Jul 04, 2006 (9:01 am)

this is my first time buying a truck and i need some advice. I went to a dealerships website and found a nice 2003 dodge dakota sport(extended,3.9L V6, 22K mileage, and a ton of features) for 13,900. The next day i went to the dealership and the asking price was 16,000 but they said the lowest they can go is the online price (13,900). With taxes it would be a total of 15000. I wasnt sure what to do so I said I'll think about it. Does anyone have any advice for me. I checked other websites and I couldnt find any thing better.

#220 of 243 Re: need advice immediately [dave112] by mike133

Jul 04, 2006 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: dave112 (Jul 04, 2006 9:01 am)
There are alot of incentives on new dakota's. If I were you, Check out the new one's first. The best price's may only be a few thousand more. Also something to think about.Warrenty transfer. I believe the 2003 has a 7/70 warrenty and the new dakota's only have a 3/36. Please don't leap for the first one you see. There are lots of good deals just look around first.

#221 of 243 automatic $500 discount by bpeebles

Jul 04, 2006 (3:36 pm)

This may be a great time to remind everyone that they can get a $500 refund for buying a Dodge by joining their local Farm Bureau for $50.
 
This is a guaranteed conversion of $50 ==>$500 - you cant do that good in the stock market on a good day!

#222 of 243 Advice reqd. New/Used Dak by steak2k1

Jul 04, 2006 (6:36 pm)

First thing to ask is what is your application for purchasing a truck.? Will it be used for towing, city driving, hwy driving, or a combination of all of the above.
 
I drive an '05 4.7L magnum SLT QC. Reasonable room in the rear for two teenagers. Front seats are heated and drivers is adjustable. Decent truck and as can be read prior to this post seems to be OK on towing .. although I would not want to max out Chryslers rating (7000lbs).
 
Avg hwy mileage seems to be 21-23mpg depending on tail/head wind..!! No major problems and I am at 94,800km (59250 Miles). City mileage is probably in the 14-16 mpg range. The bed is about 5.5-6'...never measured it. but big enough that I can haul some drywall and 4X8 sheets of whatever.
 
Only problem I had was with my brakes...that being that Dodge has still not figured out how to mix front disc with rear drum brakes and the first chance I get I am going to convert to rear discs. Read my earler post on what the problem was and how nicely (sic), they dealt with it.
 
Only other thing that gets me is the interior cloth sucks as it gets very dirty - very quickly..now one chould take that comment with a grain of salt as I am in the vehicle nearly 2-4 hours out of every 8-10 hr. day
 
Advise you check out the LemonAid Guide (or online). Don't buy all the BS in auto mags as many are paid (hmm I wonder by who..??), to say what they write.
 
All in all though I am pretty happy with the unit and when the Co. decides it is time for me to go with a new veicle, I will very very likely buy it.
 
Tricks done to date:
 
K&N CAI, MagnaFlow 3" SS Exhaust, Long Trans Cooler w/Inline Filter, Roll-n-Lock Tonneau Cover, Spray-in Bed Liner, Le-Bra, Toyo 16" "wear like iron" tires, 180 Deg Tstat, (see Mikes Posting in this thread)..thanks to MIKe on that one..!! (got it today).
 
Waiting patiently for SuperChips to come out with the chip.
 
rgds,
 
Theo

#223 of 243 OK..Changed the Tstat..and it over heated. by steak2k1

Jul 23, 2006 (10:09 am)

Well the title says it all.
 
I did install the 180 yesterday and probably did a couple of things wrong: did not let engine heat up and then put rad cap on. Went for a small drive and temp went to near H.! OK so I learned on this one.
 
What i do notice is that on the OEM stat and on the side flange there appears to be a small brass tube with a tiny steel ball on the one side. I gather this is the "bypass" that bPebbles was mentioning. Well on the 180 unit it of course does not have the bypass. i am wondering if a small hole drilled into the flange would work..??
 
I am going to try this and will report back as to what goes on. Also need to find the engine temp sensor and make sure it is in OK shape. That can be tested with an Ohm Meter set for 20K. Any resistance at all indicates it is functioning normally...so I am told.!
 
Rgds,
 
Theo

Messages Page 23 of 25

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