well looking to get my first dodge and was liking the dakota club cab with the v8. are there any things i should take special looks at when shopping. for ex. like how jeeps rust out near rear tire.
how can i tell if the v8 is 4.7 or 5.9. is there a badge or an easy way by looking at engine


thanks

 

Welcome to the site. I will move this thread to the third generation Dakota section,
FF

 

i just found the sticky about what to look for when buying. what years are for what generations. i think i'm looking for a 2nd gen 97-04??

 

Correct those are the 2nd get. I don't think they had the 4.7.

 

yes they did...

in 2001 they started putting the 4.7 in there as well...

 

There should be an emissions sticker right in front of the radiator that shows displacement. The 5.2 (318cu.) and 5.9 (360cu.) had a distributor and plug wires leading to plugs under the exhaust manifolds. The 4.7 has tiny wires to a coil on top of each plug which sits on top of the valve covers.

 

Right they offer all 6 different motors in the second gens as well 2.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.7, 5.2, and the 5.9, of course not every year offered them all...

 

If you're looking at the 2nd gens you'll get a lot more information from the guys over in that section. I'll move the thread over there, if you change your mind and want info on the 05+ models just send me a PM and I'll move it back (Or you could just make a thread in 3rd gen dakota, either way).

 

2000 offers the 4.7 btw

 

incorrect...2000 was the first year the 4.7 was offered,
1999 was the last year after the 5.2 was offered in the dakota

the 5.2 adn 5.9 has a "keg" looking intake on top and the throttol points strait up while the throttol body of the 4.7 comes out and point right at you from the front