Hello,
I just bought a Dodge Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab with a V-8 engine and fully loaded..Im concerned a little about what I can expect from my milage with the 392 gear ratio this truck comes with?I only really haul a two place aluminum trailor with 2 ATVs on them..So it aint really going to be all that much weight..Im concerned about what I should expect for fuel milage while hauling NOTHING and cruising down the freeway at 70 mph?..My older 94 Dodge Dakota with a V-6 Magnum could only muster up 15 mpg unloaded on the freeway at 70mph,so I HOPE my newer Dodge will get AT least this?

Is there ANY advice you guys can give a newbie like me about this truck?How about some TIPS?Performance idea's ect?Anything SPECIAL a rookie like me needs to know about this truck?What kind of oil do you guys run?synthetic???KN air filters??

I checked the VIN number tonight with Dodge and my VIN was not affected for the ball joint recall..

Thanks a MILLION for the help.

Bill

 

You could expect at least 18 mpg

 

Congrats on the new Dakota. I have an 04 and it gets pretty decent mileage. If ya want to help it some more, like I did, get a Helix TB Spacer and a K&N FIPK2 Intake. I have increased my MGP by atleast 5-7 miles more. I also have Bosch Plat 4 Plugs. Understand I also have a heavy foot and I still get like 300 miles per tank. Good luck with the new Dak, you will love it!

 

I went and bought the truck Saturday..I immediately took the truck to get an oil change and filter..We took off all the tires and checked the brakes while it was on the hoist.[I know these guys REAL good at the repair facility].All the brakes had plenty of material on them.I cleaned and adjusted up the rear shoes a little and gained a bit of brake peddle height.

The exaust system was in excellant shape.I checked the front end and the right front tie rod had some play in it,I replaced it,a very EASY job..Front shocks were leaking a little oil,I also replaced them.

The guy I bought it from had a big important job with Chrysler and drove it 110 miles a day on the freeway to get to/from work..I bought the truck with 100.000 on it,but I did'nt worry because most of them miles were freeway miles.He said he did regular oil changes,but has not done a flush/fill of the radiator yet?[Anti freeze still looked real green though]..I'll take it in for that tommorrow.He said he did take it in for a complete tune-up.

What really floors me here is how much MAINTENANCE my owners manual says is needed!

A GM truck does not call for tranny service until 100k.You dont put spark plugs,or new anti freeze in a Gm until 100K either.

The Dakota says to replace the anti freeze,spark plugs,and tranny service at about 30k..Thats 3 times more frequent service on the Dodge than a GM?

I'll call the tranny shop tommorrow and get the tranny fluid and filter changed along with the bands adjusted.Maybe have them change the front/rear diff fluid too.

How difficult is it to change the spark plugs on one of these 4.7 engines and where/how to I order the spacer,FIPK ect from?How much does this stuff cost and is it easy to install?

Thanks so much,you all are alot of help to a rookie like me.

Bill

 

Umm... Yeah, Put your tailgate down. [:-] I'm gonna start doing that, I get 200 to a tank and I only have a v-6, whats my problem?

 

Actually, that dont help with the 2nd Gen Dakota's,and plus its just an old wives tale. I used to own an 88 Chevy Silverado and it didnt help. When the 2nd Gen first came out in '97, the smooth aerodynamic design was to eliminate that. I remember seeing that on one of the car shows when the 2nd Gen's first came out!

 

Im getting a little less than 13 mpg on the freeway at about 75 mph..This really SUCKS..I allready installed a fresh set of spark plugs and it did'nt help much.

Any suggestions to UP my milage?

 

18 a gallon???? With the v6 probably but not the 4.7 I would say about 15-17 and if your only getting about 13 a gallon, throw a bottle of seafoam in your truck, I did that and I gained about 3 mpg just with city driving. You can get the seafoam at any type of auto parts store.

 

What are the proper spark plugs to use in my 2003 Dodge Dakota 4x4 SLT+ ? Are there really proper plugs or will any work ?
Also, I have 38,500 miles and have not changed out the original plugs. Does not changing at the 30,000 miles mark cause any engine damage?
Is it acceptable to change the plugs myself, (as "I have the mechanical ability of a fish) ?