I'm new here and in the market for a new truck, my old one is 16 years old and falling apart. What are the best years for the dakotas? Potential problems to look out for, etc..?
I'm lookin for a quad cab 4x4, so model year 2000 and up, probably an 04. However if the 05-07's are a better truck, I'll look into pricing out one of them. In my opinion the gen III's look alot nicer than the Gen IV's but i'm not too picky about it. Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. nobody better to ask than the people who drive them right?

Thanks again

El Storcho
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there's only 3 generations- pre-92, 92-03, 04 to present. And yes, the new ones IMO are ugly. 01 to 03 are your best bed for quad cab 4x4. The 5.9 gas motor isn't well known for it's gas mileage, and the 3.9V6 would hold it's own but i think would struggle if you really try to go 4 wheeling in mud and what not. The 4.7 or 5.2 V8 are probably your best bet. FYI you can stuff about 30"x11" Tires on a stock truck and barely have any problems.

 

for quad cab, you can only get a 3.9, 4.7, 5.9 (rare), and 3.7... the 5.2 was discontinued for 2000 when the quad cab and 4.7s came out... the 4.7 is a great engine and gets about the same mileage as the v6's do... with a few mods, it can make as much power as the 5.9 (but not as much torque)... if you want a manual, the 5.9 is out of the picture (as it only came with the ****ty 46re)... basically they are solid trucks and are perfect for the guy that wants a midsize but still wants a V8...

Cheers and welcome to the forum.

 

5.9 if you can but if your looking for millage get a 4.7, with quad cab.

 

there are 4 generations: 87-96, 97-04, 05-07, 08- present. the v6 wonder does hold its own with the right mods. does decent in the mud. ive taken mine mud boggin and it turned heads. i would say if you want a daily driver, p;us some weekend fun getting it up and going yet want that fuel economy, go with the 4.7 v8

 

some say there are five gens
86-90
91-96
97-04-best looks
05-07
08+

 

some places ive came across as 97-00 and 01-04 as 2 separate generations as well

 

4.7 FTW. You will want a v8 seeing they get about the same as the 3.9 and in my experience the 3.9 is junk but others may say different. My 4.7 is at 102k now and runs like it was brand new. So def go for the 4.7

As for problems, the stock dodge auto trannys don't have a good rep. Mine went out on my last truck at about 120k iv seen similar. If you can't find a manual go for it IMO. If you have a stop and go commute or just don't want a manual fine, but if your willing go for the manual.

Basically I guess what Bryant said.... i feel like my post is kinda pointless now lol

 

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards an 04 QC 4x4 auto. I drive a stick now, have had it for 13 years and I'm pretty tired of rowing. so it's the auto for sure. my wife can't drive a stick anyway. What about the 06-07's? any thoughts?

 

from what i've read in their part of the forum they have front end issues (06-07 that is