Hi,
I just looked at a '98 Dakota Sport. 3.9L with 97K miles on it. Sorry, I don't know what TC or trans it has, google search came up empty. AC didn't blow cold, sales guy said they had replaced the compressor but hadn't sucked it down and refilled it yet. I looked at the compressor, it was definitely not new or reman, maybe junkyard. Also, it was a little rough going into reverse. They're asking $4200, seems high to me. I'm brand new to Dodges and don't know much about them. What do you guys think?

Thanks
Jay

 

if its nice inside and outside id say go for it.

ac isnt a hard fix at all.

 

Stay away from the 3.9, been there done that. The a/c isn't a big deal but if the tranny has the slightest bit of a problem stay away. Dodge trannys are junk so if it comes with a slight problem it will only get worse.

Your best bet is to find a v8 and a manual. The v8's do about the same if its the 5.2 and the 4.7 does better than the v6. And manual trannys obviously last longer.

But either way get a v8. Same gas consumption but more power and very good torque. The 3.9 has no power what so ever.

 

I bought a 1998 SLT 5.2L v8 a couple months ago, no regrets at all. around 195k KM on it. Its a damn sturdy truck. Gas isnt that great with the 5.2, I do like 99% city driving, when i first got the truck I was getting a little under 10 MPG; changed the air filter, MAP sensor, oil, flushed the rad, pumped the tires to the max PSI, new muffler ( not the full exhaust system) and now I get an average of 14ish depending upon how I drive. The engine still after almost 120K miles is still running strong and has a ****load of power behind it. Id advise, like everyone above me, to get the V8- by the time you put anything in the truck (passengers, wood, tools, camping gear, etc) youll be getting less MPG than the V8 just due to not enough power.

 

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your knowledge about these trucks.

 

If taken care of these are very good trucks. Very capable for the midsize truck. ALOT more capable than the s10s, rangers, old tacos. I can actually had a bed full of wood or tires or something and still make it up hills and everything just fine. The 5.2's & 5.9s have a lot of torque, where as the 4.7 has decent torque and good horsepower.

 

I got a 98 slt with the 5.2 v8 4x4 auto back in july of 08. Im pretty hard on it and im still happy with it. 3.9s are a pretty good engine(basically a 5.2 with 2 less cylinders) my pap has 178,000 on his 3.9 and still runs strong. People think they are slow which is true if it has a auto but if its the 5 speed they will actually move.

 

I just had bad experiences with the 3.9 lol and wouldn't buy one again, but it may have just been my luck... I know a lot of people who have made them last and some whos didn't last so long.

 

I just bought a 97 Dakota Sport with 66K for $2700. 3.9L V6 5spd manual 4x4. It runs great. A/C was warm, added freon now its ice cold.

 

I'd also recommend a manual trans. One of the trucks I use often at work is an '01 extended cab 4x4 with the 3.9. The truck is gutless even with 3.92's in the rear; my '07 3.7/6M would whomp it, and that's with 3.21's. The 4 speed auto shifts hard, won't hold revs, and won't respond consistently to WOT. And that's with only 81,000 well maintained (on site garage) miles. Get the stick!!