alright here it is, i am the current owner of a 01 Dodge Stratus ES...i am thinking about trading in for a 03 Dakota 4x4 SLT Quad Cab with the 4.7.....what am i in for??????? i just want to get some input from current owners of the Dak....what is the avg amount of cash spent to fill up the tank???? what is the avg mps????? what are the pros and cons???? i need to know the worst and the best....gimme the low down!

 

if you want gas mileage dont bother getting a truck, any truck for that matter. with a 4x4, quad cab 4.7 you'll be lucky to get 14 city 18 highway, and you'll probably spend about 60-70$ on a tank of gas. if you want power, and good 4x4 capability plus towing ability, get the dakota... if not keep your stratus.

 

Ill second that. a truck is not made for MPG. Mind you I LOVE my kota and will keep it til it dies and then it will probably get some hardcore mods like varsis

If you need/want a truck for towing or hauling then a dak is one of the best choices. Its not the best for off-roading due to the lack of a solid front axle. But if you need to get somewhere that is off-road then it is very capable.

Ball joints go on these trucks when one needs replacing put Moog ball joints in it they are the best and last. Cant think of anything else that likes to break or to watch out for but Im sure I forgot something (happens to me a lot )

 

I hear 03 is a pretty good year. Go with the v8 for sure, you might lose maybe at most 1-2 mpg for getting v8. They are all awesome trucks. Not the best for lifting but there you got some options.

4.7 has the same transmission as the 5.7 hemi just a different comp setup... no 5th gear...

Rear ends seem to be good and front will hold up as long as you aren't beating the crap out of it.

There have been some t-case problems with the electronic transfer case shift, but nothing major along the lines of mechanical.

Ball Joints Yes I agree they suck, check wheel bearings but with an 03 i think they will be good. I has one go out at 125 k miles about... 200 k km's.

 

...i personnaly dont like the 03-04 model...only becaus i seen on this section of the forum site that there was alot of brake and steering issues....(ex. no power steering at all, grinding sounds, brakes pull hard to one side) but other then that depending on miles of the truck and condition they seem prety ok.....what i would look for is a cheaper one that is a steal adn also buy a cheap a$$ civic so if one fails at least you can rely on the other ......my$0.02

 

your in for a solid truck with many of the capabilities of it's b***er brethren, but without living with the tiny useless stigmas associated with S10's and Rangers. for my money it doesn't get better than a Dakota for a great midsized truck.

 

there it goes censoring "b i g g e r" again... lol

 

omfg....dont tell me that there gonna start censoring words again!?!?!?!