So once again I'm running into this 2004 problem... why on Earth did they put the 3.7 in the 2004 but change the body in 2005.

Which chilton/haynes should I get. They dont really make one for 2004, when I type in 2004 dakota at haynes website, it brings up the 2005 manual.

Is the engine exactly the same in the 2004 and 2005??

Im just not sure which to get now...

Haynes has one that is dodge dakota 2000-2004, but everything changed in 2004 and I doubt they go to in detail for the 04's.

Jim

 

look for the factory 2004 manual. a lot better then the chilton or haynes manual IMO, since its clear cut and straight to the point for you. they probably didnt have enough funding to change the body style for the 04 year but were able to change the engine.

 

Right on, thanks Fox. Only thing is, the haynes is 20 bucks and the OEM service manual is 120.

So the 2004 and 2005 engines are identical?

Thanks man

Jim

 

i dont see why they should be, and if you're gonna go with an aftermarket manual, stick with chilton, but look on ebay for an 04 manual. you maybe able to use the 01 repair manual that floats around here to do mostly everything else on the truck except the engine and transmission, possibly the transfer case if shes a 4wd.

 

i have a haynes manual for my 2001, and it does go into pretty good detail about the 3.7

 

wink i think you're talking about the 4.7. the 3.7 wasnt even option for these trucks, and werent in use in 2001, from what i remember, they were put into production in 2002, and didnt see a dakota engine bay until 2004.

 

Wink, thats the Haynes for the Dakota's 2000-2004?? I was worried they didnt talk much about the 3.7, but if this is true, I will go pick one up.

Thanks man

Jim