Hey guys. Looking at picking up a 01 or 03 dakota.
What should I be looking at when checking out the truck?
Any known problems or pattern failures with these?
Thanks.

 

The ball joints are a weak spot. They've likely been replaced already though.

What engine? If the 3.9 or 5.9 peek down through the throttle body and look for signs of oil.

If the 4.7 start it and listen for ticking. Watch the temp gauge in case it has ever been overheated. You can also pull the radiator cap (cold) and check for signs of oil in the coolant. You might see an emulsion under the oil filler, that is normal during colder weather.

Check for rust over the wheel wells.

Turn the heat on high and sniff for antifreeze. Heater core issues are a PIA to resolve.

Basically, look it over closely. Good luck.

 

Thanks. Sorry about the lack of info. It's the 4.7l V8 I'm looking at.
I have a 99 r 1500 so I'm aware off all the issues related to the 5.2/5.9 v8.
Ball joints were junk on the 2nd Gen rams too and the heater cores. Had the privealage of fixing them both.

Thank you for your help.
Am I okay picking up one of these late model 2nd Gen dakotas? Or should I jump ahead a couple model years and get a third Gen dakota?

 

Also with a 4.7 it'd be good to know if it's been maintained with the oil changes. Couldn't tell you if the 3rd gens are any better, they still had the same powertrain a 2nd gen 4.7 is going to have. 3rd gens are a bit funky looking, but that might not matter to you.

If you pick up a 4.7, check the pcv valve out ( its right on the oil filler ) These motors need to breathe. After I cleaned mine I hardly see any snot under the oil fill cap anymore.

 

3rd gens have all sorts of front end issues. Ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links, etc.

 

All great information. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not a big fan of the 3rd gen dakotas, just because I don't care for how they look. I think I'll stick with searching for a late model 2nd gen.