RIP Dodge Dakota 1987-2011

[66plyValiant]

Gotta disagree with that statement. My dad's '02 Quad Cab 4.7 + 5-speed stick had towed my Demon and also towed my '84 Caddy Limo with no problems at all. He said the 4.7 had plenty of power for towing.



Wylde1.

the 4.7 has plenty of power, but theres no replacement for displacement, an engine so simple someone can buy parts out of any salvage yard from any dodge 1992+ and it would fit for the most part

 

[Wheel Chock]

I had a 97 2WD V8 as a daily driver for a couple of years until the tranny died and I traded it in. I loved that truck and miss it a lot.
That being said, the 1st gen Dak was a great idea, the 2nd gen was a great truck, but the 3rd gen, WTF??
Much like the 2nd gen Durango, Daimler took a great idea and effed it up!!

 

[PLUMCRAZY72]

Still have my 89 Shelby Dakota since day one - actually in the process of stripping and prepping for paint and new stripes. It's going to become my daily driver again and then we start on my son's 65 B'cuda....

I still my shelby it only has 16000 miles on it I enjoy taking it to cruise nights people just look at it and wonder why it isnt a ford

 

[SSVDP]

I always liked the Dakotas until the last version which is just ugly. Yes Chryco messed this one up BIG. They actually had a unique product that was good. I thought it was a great size as it seemed to be the only truck on the market that was about the same size as the pick-up made in the early 70s. Not surprising sales are down, it's priced about the same as a full size trunk and you can't buy it with a Hemi. I know they were kinda heavy and had poor fuel economy and then the 3.7L V6 and 4.7L V8 engines just weren't adequate replacements for the 3.9L and 5.2L Magnum engines. When the 5.9L went away there wasn't anything similar to replace it (the Grand Cherokee had the same probelm for years, the '99 5.9 GC was FANTASTIC but the next year it was gone and replaced by the 4.7L - what a joke that was!).

 

[Badart]

I actually like the 4.7 in my dakota. It's smooth and has enough power to pull all of my projects home over these mountains. I did however install air bags on the rear leaf springs, because they seem too soft. The only issue that I have had in 120K is the exhaust manifold bolts broke, which was a cheap fix. Best truck that I have ever owned.

 

[Rice Nuker]

Thanksgiving I am getting an 01 4.7 auto 4x4 extra cab lwb for free from a relative. Great running great condition and taken care of! I just have to help them categorize their guns and organize their shop in return. Not a bad deal. I am pretty excited to have a newish 4x4 to go play in the snow this winter.

 

[MoparsRule]

In 1994 Dodge couldn't make enough Rams to keep up with demand, so they offered employees an option to try to lure them away from buying up so many Rams... the option was a pay-ahead lease on a 1995 Dakota.

The cost for a 12 month/12K mile loaded up 2WD Dakota was $1200, the 4WD was $1500.
My father & I both scooped up 4WD Dakota's for the year & they were two of the very best vehicles we ever owned.

I have had two more since (3 total) and my sister has had 3 total as well. Excellent little trucks, but not different enough from a Ram overall to keep us from upsizing over the years when we had the funds to finally do so.

 

[yellowdartdave]

Gotta disagree with that statement. My dad's '02 Quad Cab 4.7 + 5-speed stick had towed my Demon and also towed my '84 Caddy Limo with no problems at all. He said the 4.7 had plenty of power for towing.



Wylde1.

Guess you have never towed with a 5.9.

345 ft.#s of torque @ 3000 rpm
versus
295 ft.#s of torque @ 3600 rpm.

Huge difference of 50 lbs at 600 rpm lower in the range.

A High Output 4.7 makes 330 @ 4000 rpm.

I'll out-tow a 4.7 anyday.