My name is Ryan, I just joined the board today. Anyways I am just wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal.

I bought my 98 Dakota 4 cyl. last night so I'm not completely informed on these trucks, but it seems to get horrible gas milage, (or possibly the sensor in the tank is bad) but I have 65 miles on a full tank, and the sensor is reading about half. I dont know how that is possible for one. For two when on the highway I feel as though I have absolutely NO power to propel me to go 70. I practically have to downshft (5 sp) to be able to even get going 70, and even then its hard to keep it at 70. I dont know if this is the result as a much needed tune up, or if it is just because its a 4 cyl. heavy truck? Please someone give me some input so I can try some things. I dont know how long I'll be able to put up with this. Also what is the fuel tank capacity? The fuel light was on last night, and I filled up and only put 7 gallons in!!!???

 

sounds like your fuel guage is off for #1, and #2, the 4 cylinder is such an under powered engine for these trucks, its the same 4 banger in the jeep wranglers, and even in the jeeps it feels under powered

 

fOx672 is correct-dodge never should have put a 4 banger in the dakota-it is just too heavy.i believe the manual says the tank is 22 gallon,but i could be mistaken.figure-18 or 22.

 

Do you think if I changed gears in the rear end that would suffice?

 

yea you probabally have 3.92 rears to supplement the lower power output of the engine already, not exactly sure, 4.10's would help a bit but your fuel economy is gonna drop to hell, i bet its already bad, and you either have a 17 gallon or 22 gallon tank, my money is on the 17 gallon for the fact its a 4 banger, my friends have had dakotas with the v6's and complained with the 5 speed, it was a pita to maintain speed in 5th gear, imo, trade it back for a v6 *cheaper* or go with a v8, i have a v6 with the automatic, yea its a bit sluggish but she gets out of her own way

 

Dont feel bad. I have an 06 dakota with the V6 3.7L, and sometimes I feel like I cant get it over 70mph either lol.