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Need advice on buying used Dakota, what engine to avoid?

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  #11  
Old 02-25-2011, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by n_i_c_k
If you want economy and power go with the 4.7L. The only problem is you need to watch for engine sludge. Even with strict maintainance, the oil may tend to bake at the edges of the heads if using conventional motor oil. It is a very reliable engine though. Went to full sythetic not a problem since.
Thanks for the tip, I had read somewhere that could be an issue with these engines.
 
  #12  
Old 02-25-2011, 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by MaximRecoil
Why do you say that?
Just wasn't sure Dodge offered the V6 on these models. I am not educated in the Dodge engines, and I don't have any experience with their torque and horsepower :-\

From you profile, it looks like you own a V6 4x4. What are you thoughts? Are they less prone to engine issues than the 4/5 liters? Easier to work with/on?
 
  #13  
Old 02-25-2011, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Dakota1089
I also have a thread going as im about to be a second gen owner but if im nt mistaken doesnt the magnum V8 put out 250 hp vs the 4.7L's 230? i guess it depends on the L but the 5.9 is 250 and the 5.2 is 225 so i think is safe to say power is pretty much the same, for upgrading ability a magnum would be easier id imagine? Im looking at a 99 4x4 SLT 5.2L V8 magnum with 50xxx and an 04 4x4 quad cab sport with the 4.7L with 40xxx both auto trannys? dont know which to go for?

P.s not trying to thread jack
I was talking V8 vs V6 and he said 00 or newer so that puts the 5.2 out of the question. There is more stuff for the 5.2 if your looking to go in depth with mods but for basic ones and the improvment in fuel mileage Id say 4.7.
 
  #14  
Old 02-25-2011, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by TexasCoder
Just wasn't sure Dodge offered the V6 on these models. I am not educated in the Dodge engines, and I don't have any experience with their torque and horsepower :-\

From you profile, it looks like you own a V6 4x4. What are you thoughts? Are they less prone to engine issues than the 4/5 liters? Easier to work with/on?
a 3.9 is basically a 5.2/5.9 missing 2 cylinders. the 4.7 is the new family motor that is the baby brother of the hemi and big brother of the 3.7 v6 thats in the 04 and ups.
 
  #15  
Old 02-25-2011, 06:12 PM
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usually the awd drives are always using 4 wheels when the 4X4 have away to put it into 4WD or 2WD, icould be a little off
 
  #16  
Old 02-25-2011, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by TheePlaymaker
I was talking V8 vs V6 and he said 00 or newer so that puts the 5.2 out of the question. There is more stuff for the 5.2 if your looking to go in depth with mods but for basic ones and the improvment in fuel mileage Id say 4.7.
oh i see, fyi dodge made the 5.2 and 5.9 from 97, 98 - 03
 
  #17  
Old 02-25-2011, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Dakota1089
oh i see, fyi dodge made the 5.2 and 5.9 from 97, 98 - 03
can you check your years that they were in the dakota because thats what this thread is related to and what had a 5.2 after 99, I know the 5.9 was in them still and have stated that earlier in this thread...i think this is correct minus the 4 banger they put in them.
97-99 3.9, 5.2, 5.9
00-03 3.9, 4.7, 5.9
04 3.7, 4.7
 

Last edited by TheePlaymaker; 02-25-2011 at 07:06 PM.
  #18  
Old 02-25-2011, 07:05 PM
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i was talking about dakotas i know the 4.7 replaced the 5.2 in 00 but i read somewhere the magnum was still used through 03 or maybe just supported? i dont know either way i read wrong?
 
  #19  
Old 02-25-2011, 07:08 PM
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i looked at some sites and they said that the 5.2 was offered from 1997-2003 may just not be as many as the 4.7 or 5.9
 
  #20  
Old 02-25-2011, 07:08 PM
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they were most likely talking about the 5.9...I wasn't trying to come off as an *** or anything haha. It (the 5.9 magnum) was in the R/T's as a 2wd and then it was also in a AWD configuration but that was all that you could get with the Magnums. Even though my 2000 says magnum on the air box and I have the badges still that year, it is a Powertec or whatever they called them, thats why the 01-04's don't have the badges I guess they just threw the new motor in the first year and didn't have time to change the badging.
 

Last edited by TheePlaymaker; 02-25-2011 at 07:11 PM.


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