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Dodge Dakota - Regular Cab - READ ONLY

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#109 of 140 1 week update by jasong2 Jul 22, 2002 (4:07 am)
I've had my 2002 Dodge Dakota base regular cab for a week, and figured I'd offer an update.   It has been really difficult to get used to the manual transmission/clutch. It is much different in feel and operation than my 1991 Nissan was. The Nissan was much more sensitive to an operator's inability to shift. The Dodge is very forgiving. Also, I tended to shift according to engine noise with the Nissan. This is pretty difficult to do with the Dodge. If the AC or radio are on, I can't hear the engine at all. I suppose this is a good thing, though. By the time I have a couple 1000 miles on the truck, I am sure I will be "at home."   Ride quality is really nice. . .also takes some getting used to after 250K in my jolting Nissan, but I am really going to like it, especialy since I commute 100 miles every day.   AC is nice. Never had AC before and in Maryland summers, it is a very nice feature. I am still at the stage where I have it cranked up all the way so I am shivering. . .just because I can!   The is a light on the dash (an up arrow) that lights whenever the computer thinks I should be shifting for best performance. Its annoying. I don't know if it wants me shifting up or down or what. I ignore it.   Biggest gripe is the base tires/rims. The rims are plain ugly and look more like spare tire rims. The tires are too small for the truck to give it a good appearance in my opinion. Since I bought so late in 2002's season, I had no choice but to take what I could get. I have ordered 16X8 Dodge rims (from someone replacing them on their Dakota Sport). I will probably be putting P255/65R16's on the truck, which will give it the appearance of the Sport model.   Also, I am getting a high pitched whistle that seems to start when I am speeding up. When I hit the gas it starts. When I back off the gas, it goes away. Its most noticeable in gears 1-3, may be there in 4-5 gears, I am just not hearing it over engine/road noise or radio. Anyone else have this? What is it?   After 1 tank of gas, I am getting 20.28 mpg, with about 70% highway driving. - Jason
#110 of 140 20K Service by mailman54 Jan 12, 2003 (5:02 pm)
My 2000 R/C 4.7 Auto went off warranty last month. I now have 20k on it. Had the transmission fluid and filters replaced. I specified ATF+ 4 (Type 9602), rather than the ATF + 3 (Type 7176) that it came with. The 45RFE continues to shift like butter. The idle only briefly flutters when backing out of the garage, then runs steadily. The brakes were also checked and are fine. Power continues to be strong and gas mileage is in the 17-18 combined city/hwy range. I am happy with the 3.92 gearing. Pulls quite strongly under all conditions. I only hope that it proves to be as dependable as my 91 Dakota, which now has 127K on it. If I had it to do over again, I would not change a thing. I expect to keep the 4.7 until they come out with a 5.7 Hemi for the Dakota. Then I may be tempted to make a change. Sorry MOPAR, I won't be getting a Suzuki!   Haven't heard from the other R/C owners lately. Let me hear how you are doing. It is getting lonely with only the Quad and Club Cab members posting.   Mailman
#111 of 140 Re: ATF4+ by dustyk Jan 12, 2003 (5:22 pm)
Mailman,   Thanks for providing the alternate (Mopar?) number for ATF+4.   Question:where did you find the ATF+4? The only place I know around here to get it is the Dodge dealer.   By the way, I inquired and was told that my dealership no longer stock ATF+3 since the +4 has replaced it. Somewhere I saw a something that said the ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid.   My 545RFE shifts very, very smoothly. It's the nicest, most reactive, smoothest shifting transmission I've EVER driven.   Regards, Dusty
#112 of 140 ATF + 4 by mailman54 Jan 13, 2003 (4:27 am)
Yeah Dusty, I got it at the Dodge dealership. Hated to spend the big bucks, but since it was my last service on warranty, I wanted to make sure there was nothing else wrong. I have to agree with you about the automatic transmission. It certainly the best I've had on a Dakota.   Jim
#113 of 140 $3000 rebate on Dakota by usaf52 Feb 03, 2003 (8:23 am)
Did I read correctly? The Dodge website now offers 3K rebate on the Dakota for 2003.
#114 of 140 $3000 rebate on Dakota??? by iowabigguy Feb 03, 2003 (6:24 pm)
What is your Zip Code? The Zip Codes for the Omaha area only show $2500. Rick
#115 of 140 by dakota03 Feb 04, 2003 (3:20 am)
My Zip code is 15205 and it shows $3000.
#116 of 140 Zip code for 3K rebate by usaf52 Feb 04, 2003 (5:25 pm)
I'm in NC and the rebate is 3K, and the Dodge website now lists the rebate as 3K
#117 of 140 Zip code for 3K rebate by iowabigguy Feb 05, 2003 (9:42 pm)
Check out zip codes 68114 and 51501. Both show and actually are $2500 for the dakota. We get shorted $500 here in the center of the country! Rick

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