yeah i have driven 5.2's and they work no problem. i prefer a 4.7 but if you go with the 5.2 you won't have any trouble.. just do a test drive to check everything out and you should be good.
good luck

 

Yes there are some steep ones here in vermont but i don't think my 3.9 is even close to running right. The week after I bought it about a year ago the motor went and i don't think its even been quite right, no motor so struggle like mine does.

I went and took the truck for a test drive tonight and loved it. I does have the LS rear end which is good. I'm really hoping to get this truck. Im probably going to trade my truck + cash for it. I'll let you guys know how it goes and def. take some pics.

 

You shuld be happy with it. I am on my second 318 powered Dakota. The engine in both has been great. They seem to ping a little, but I think that might be Colorado Fuel. I have run around the mountains with then no problem.

My current one, a 99, I towed a firebird on a car trailer for KC to north of Denver no problem. On the level and moderate hills, it didn't care at all. Heading into the mountains is another matter when pulling something large, so I will probably step up to the RAM for my next truck.

If I could afford it, I would keep the Dakota though.

 

Whats the problem in the 4X4?????

 

The problem is fixed now. Though in researching the problem I found it's a fairly common issue with the floor shift NP242 transfer case. The issue is covered in a thread titled "Won't stay in 2H" its currently on the 3rd page in this forum.

 

bbark, did you end up getting the truck?

 

No sadly but im going to look at another one, a basically same thing, this one only has 52k miles and they are asking 6200. Maybe I can knock off a couple hundred. Its red too which i love.

 

red is a good choice

 

sorry to hear about the first one, but good luck on the second truck. let us know how it goes...