I need a good DD, something turn key that I can do basic stuff to that won't let me down. I've decided against the ram because of its transmission and the same goes for the Durango, I'm assuming these share the same components but is there a Dakota that I can look for that is reliable?

What years are the best? What engine and transmission combinations won't give me trouble if any etc?

 

Any year really 1997-04 (second gen dakota) is good. As far as reliability goes, my 3.9's been very reliable, haven't had any problems at all. I will say if I could do it over, I'd probably get a 4.7, because the two engines get about the same mpg, but you get quite a bit more horsepower with the 4.7. I'm pretty sure everyone on this forum would recommend a Dak.

 

Any dodge for a fact is going to have a tranny problem. I would suggest ram for the fact of being bigger(I wish I had gone that route but my dakota was a good price). Pretty much 97-04 dakota as long as it had been maintained it will last awhile. 5.2 v8's have been around forever and they are pretty much bullet proof. The 4.7 isnt far behind tho. 5.2 has a bigger aftermarket then the 4.7. The 4.7 has about the same power as the 5.2 and gets a little bit better mpg depending how you drive it.

 

I bought my '97 new and it has been a pretty good truck. I have kept the fluids changed and have worked on the brakes a couple of times, new battery a few yrs ago. Put a water pump on it, tuned it up a couple of times. Just put ball joints and tie rods on it. I think it has been a pretty good truck, worst thing about it is the MPG's, doesn't seem to matter what you do, 13-15 MPG is all I can get.

 

Forgot, replaced the transfer case and U joints also.

 

I agree with everything that has been said, Mpg suck but its a truck, how good will it get? Also, I have had to replace a fair amount of suspension components and engine parts on my 4.7 but mine also is in the 135000 to 140000 range now so it was sort of expected... I agree with the comment about the ram, I wish my truck was a little bit bigger sometimes, but the size grew on me. Good luck in your findings.

 

My 98 Dakota base 2.5L 5 speed manual has been a fantastic truck for me no major problems just the usual small stuff. This year was my rebuild year sunk about $1K into a bunch of preventative repairs and upgrades before they happened. Before that I had done almost nothing to it.

I also think a Ram 1500 is my next truck for the size and a newer model about a 2004 to 2006 with the V6 not a V8 way more spare parts available for the Ram 1500 than the Dakota.

 

Wish my rear bumper looked like that ^

 

I think almost any auto can be a long lived car it all depends on the owner how well they treated it and how well they maintained the car other factors like parking in a garage helps keep the paint in great shape and of course were you live makes a difference. Like rust from road salt lots of rain living next to the coast the salt air.

I steam cleaned my engine bay two times a year just stay away from all the electrical components and the A/C system and you will have a clean engine for years.