Need some help on a couple of problems that I can't figure out. First thing is my overdrive is not working. The OD off button on the shift lever does nothing (no OD on/off or light on). Checked under the truck and all plugs are connected and secure. No blown fuses. What is the next thing that I should be looking at?

Second, and it seems that this is a common problem on most dakotas from what I understand, the rearend is making soooooo much noise that I can hardly hear myself think. Am I looking at a complete rebuild/partial rebuild/new rearend? If I buy a used one at a junk yard, what's to say it won't be just as bad. I don't really have the time to tackle a rebuild and it sounds like there are specialized tools needed to complete the job. If anyone has experience with this issue, I would love to hear what my best option would be (new, rebuilt at shop, whatever).

Buy the way, is it just my truck or do all 4.7 4X4's get really bad gas milage? Might be worse since the OD is not working, but it was never that good before.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

I have a 4.7 4x4 club cab, but a 5spd. I get around 20 highway. I know others do too even with the auto. How many miles on the truck?

 

135,000, but the milage has never been good. 4X4 automatic and I have never seen numbers close to that even when it was new. I'm sure my other problems are not helping. The motor is strong.

 

the rearend depends on what type of sound it is, if it is a whining sound possibly the ring and pinion or the u joints, check u joints first being they are easily accesible and make sure they are lubed well . Thats my suggestion it was half of the problem with my truck and all the noise it made the other half is the rear end .

 

Thanks for the advise. I'll check the u-joints again. Just didn't think they would make that much noise. It is a whinning noise, but when I checked it again, it seems to have a skip when rotating the left side wheel. Doesn't make noise, just like it skips a tooth in one spot. And it is hard to turn the wheel - truck in neutral, jacked up. I know it won't spin freely, but it seems to take more effort than I would expect to rotate the wheels.

Any ideas from anyone on the over-drive problem? Anyone? Anyone?

 

What kind of mpg are you actually getting? Is yours a QC, CC, or RC? (cab)

 

2000 4.7 4X4 quad cab. If I get 12 - 13 I'm doing good. Wasn't always that bad, but it has never been great. I'm sure my problems are hurting it also, that's why I need to find a fix for the overdrive and the rearend that seems to be bound up in some way.

 

Even with the bigger QC, I don't think 12-13 is anywhere near what it should be. You should be able to do at least 17-18 on the highway.

What rear gear ratio do you have? 3:92 or 3:55, that could play a small part in it too.

 

Just checked mine recently and I'm averaging 16. Haven't tested highway milage but I'm real happy since I got rid of my Cherokee that wasn't getting that good.

 

I'm getting over 21 on the highway with a 2004 QC 4.7 with 2wd.