Hello,

I am looking at buying a 2004 Dakota SXT Club Cab, 4x4, 3.7L, 5 speed manual. 110k miles.

Looks like a great truck, well maintained, etc. My main concern is the MPG. I know I can buy a similar size truck and get significantly better mileage, but if this is truly a solid reliable truck then I will most likely buy it.

My questions are:

What kind of gas mileage should I expect? Is there any way to improve the MPG other than driving easy? I know it is rated at 14 city, 17 combined, 20 highway.

It has 110k miles on it, so is there any kind of maintenance that I should make sure was done before I consider buying it?

Let me know what you guys/gals think of your Dakota's and please share any pros/cons you have about them.

Thanks!

 

First of all its a truck so you cant expect car like mpg out of it. The 5 speed will get you better mpg. Pretty much treat it like any other used vehicle check it all over and make sure it shifts smooth and doesnt leak anything. The most problematic area is the ball joints. If it were me and I were buying it I would plan on doing all the fluids(axles,engine,anti freeze, tranny and transfer case) Its pretty cheap insurance and I do that one every used vehicle I buy.

 

Do you need a 4X4 I ask because any 4X4 becomes a $$ pit in upkeep as they age same with an automatic Trans.

Unless you absolutely need a 4X4 I say stay away

The milage is no problem if it was kept up the MPG is not so good on these its a truck

 

if you dont need a 4X4 do what i did. i put a posi in my truck. do check if you have 8 1/3 rer end or 8 1/4. check this out http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...d.php?t=120497

 

True you could somewhat change out the front end but the front is usually were the problems start and removing and changing it all to a 2WD Dakota may be not so easy or cheap to do there is more to it than you may think.

 

The important part: What's the asking price?

Balljoints are indeed the primary issue.

 

Jacob - Another data point - I just bought my 2004, STX, Regular Cab, 4x4, 3.7L, 5 speed manual with 160k+ miles. My first tank - 17.2 MPG. I didn’t get it for MPG (it isn’t my DD), but I needed a 4x4 truck to haul wood/trees.

 

Price is $6500 OBO. Blue Book is right around there.

Here is a link to the ad and what it said:
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http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3606156085.html

2004 Dodge Dakota SXT. 4WD. Manual Transmission. 112,000 Miles. Premium sound with single CD, after market speakers, amp and a 12 inch subwoofer. Tonneau cover over the truck bed. Oil changed and tires rotated every 3,000 miles. Have all repair history paperwork. $6,500 OBO.
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I do not need the 4WD, but I have been looking for a small truck to haul around my dunebuggy or a small trailer. I know it is a truck and its naturally not going to get great MPG, but as far as I know from most of the other trucks in its class, this has one of the lowest MPG ratings.

I would not want to convert to a 2wd unless you guys STONGLY think that buying the 4wd is a serious mistake.

 

it's not really a mistake. It just is something else to need your attention, if anything did. Not having 4x4 I'm not sure why, but I know that there are more issues with them. IMHO, 85% of dakota's problems are in the front suspension. The automatic transmission happily consumes the other 15%. HVAC is so minimal it's hardly worth mentioning.

Closely check out the upper and lower control arm bushings (likely shot), wheel bearings/hub, balljoints, and power steering fluid. Go over the repair paperwork looking for anything to do with the front end and note the mileage at repair vs current mileage.

For the age, options, and what not, the price is alright.

 

I bought mine off Craig’s List too. I need new tires, I replaced the brakes (rotors and pads), a turn signal light bulb, some dash light bulbs, the stabilizer bar bushings (the front end was squeaking), gas cap (I have a P0040 code and I’m hoping this will fix it), upper radiator hose (it was leaking), and a cap for one of the wheels. I’m also in the process of changing out all of the fluids and other maintenance things. My 4wd seems to be working fine. Here’s a pic of mine:

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