So...I'm new here. I don't drive a Dodge right now. I don't drive anything. I recently totaled my '01 blazer. I slid off the road into some guy wires and they threw me into a telephone pole. I've been a fan of Dodge's since I can remember having a preference towards trucks. Since I totaled my Blazer, I've been looking for a car/truck. My grandpa told me to look at Dakotas. I know they are reliable trucks (my dad has an 89 with close to 200k on it and it still runs good, even though its super slow..) and I like the look of the second gens. I found one that I like the looks of but I'm wondering about the power its putting out. I know the 3.9l doesn't produce spectacular numbers or anything, but neither did my Blazer. My Blazer was a 4x4 4.3 producing about 195 hp and 250 ft-lbs. From what I've read, the 3.9 magnum in the 2000's put out 175 hp and 235 ft-lbs. The dak I was looking at was 2wd. So I'm curious as to how the low end/high end would compare to my Blazer. Both are auto (even though I want a straight stick). In my head, it seems like the dak would perform just as well as the blazer since the 4x4 in the blazer would have made it heavy. I don't know a whole lot about the weight of daks or anything. The only one I've ever driven is my dads...and his only puts out like 125 hp. It won't accelerate up a hill. I'm still looking, so its not like this one dak is a sure thing. I might find one with a 4.7 (we have a grand cherokee with a 4.7...auto w/overdrive...I love driving that thing). Other than that, sorry for the long winded post.

 

v8 is the way to go. Check this topic out: https://dodgeforum.com/m_1009112/tm.htm

Dakota's are fairly good. I must have gotten a bad one mine is falling apart. Tranny gone, wheel bearing just went. Seems nothing but problems for me... tranny way kind of my fault sunk, it water in there.

 

3.9L is good for around town stuff. A 2wd will be lighter as well. I had a '95 blazer and it definitely had more power than my 3.9L. But a V8 gets about as good gas mileage as the 3.9 and has tons more power. I would not buy a 4 door dakota with the 3.9L motor.

 

what are you going to be doing w. the truck...

 

i had a 1999 3.9 ext.cab auto=i now have a 2004 3.7 regular cab 5 speed manual.this one will run circles around the 3.9 and is better on fuel.there seemed to be several problems with converters and fuel pumps on the 3.9 as well.as far as i know,there aren't any on the 3.7.

 

I'm basically only going to be driving back and forth to work, but I like the power. I've had to drive my dads dak to work a few times. It has the older non-magnum 3.9 and it might as well be an i4. It takes it a mile to get from 75 to 85, no exageration. I had really started to like my blazer, which is why I was so sad to see it go. I'd love to find a 4.7 dak. My blazer would run circles around any honda around here and I know from experience that a 4.7 wiould run circles around my blazer. I raced my dad in our 4.7 grand cherokee and he killed me. If anyone knows of any 4.7s for sale, let me know through pm, please?

But yeah, I figured I'd be dissatisfied with the 3.9. If it comes down to it, and I have no choice, I'll go with a 3.9. But I'm not going with the first thing that pops up so I'll keep my eyes open.

 

a 3.9 5 speed would be quick, but go with a v8 truck if you like having fun behind the wheel

 

In june I bought an 02 Dak ex cab 4X4 3.9 5-speed bone stock besides bigger tires. I knew the 3.9 was a dog but with a 5-speed what a difference. Ive hauled 2800 lbs of lumber in the bed, it sagged pretty good but hauled it without a problem. I was so impressed I stopped at the scales & had it weighed. So far I like it & have had no problems.