Hello,
Newbie here so this may have been answered but a search of the forum didnt lead me to the answer. About a year ago I bought a 2001 Club cab SLT 4.7 / Auto. Wonderful truck and just the right size. It only gets driven a thousand miles a year. I got it as a second car that could haul things home from Home Depot or Lowes but still be an enjoyable vehicle.

What I want to do with this truck is make it durable, in other words get rid of the weak links and make it last. Secondly, I am not looking to burn the tires off the rims, but what performance mods would you suggest that are easy and do not requiring tearing into the engine? I would be ok with a new exhaust system but do not want to get as involved as doing cams, headers, intakes etc. I really just want it to sound like a V-8 and if I can "easily" increase power that would be great, along with increasing its reliability/durabilty.

 

Performance wise, K&N airfilter (just replace the airfilter, it is dead simple), SCT tuner or superchip tuner (again dead simple, it even comes with instructions), exhaust is expensive and most likely just leave that to professionals. These three will liven up the vehicle quite a bit.

As for durability, I'm going to emphaizes the obvious keep it maintained!

 

Thanks! In my other cars I always used synthetic oil and changed it BEFORE it comes due by about 500 miles or so. What would you suggest for the Trans/Dif/Coolant? I used whatever the local oil change place wanted in the past.

 

I wouldn't use a synthetic motor oil in your case, one advantage of a synthetic is extended oil change intervals. I'd suggest any good quality oil and filter change it at least once a year.

The low miles is going to do in your truck more so than any lack of maintenance. Just by it sitting seals are going to dry out and parts are going to rust (the oil film only lasts so long). Be sure to take it out and warm it up at least once a week.

 

Personally Id skip the k&n filter as they dont filter all that well. I run an afe pro dry with a outerwears on it and it keeps my diesel happy plus you cant see light through it like you can the k&n. Exhaust is easy when doing a cat back system. Go on youtube and search dakotas and find what muffler you like. Performance wise sct tuner and fastman throttle body will make a heck of a difference. I have found a truck that sits actually rusts quicker then one that is driven everyday.

 

Ya do your maintanence based on months not miles. At minimum drive the truck once a week. Keep the truck parked on the road not earth!! A) you can find leaks just walking by the truck B) you will keep it from rusting (trust me, there is science on this)

 

Thanks everyone. The truck is garaged so it is out of the weather. But, I hadnt thought about being sure to drive it weekly. I think I will make it a habit to at least take it once around the town on a weekend. ( Its a small town ) I really love the Dakota. It was just the right size, not tiny like the Tacoma and not so big as the full size trucks which wont fit in my garage. I really love this one. The prior owner took very good care of it. It still looks new. Still has the original owners manual and even the business card of the salesman that sold it new.

I really want to make it last. New trucks cost way too much!

 

My '01 4.7 has almost 1/4 million miles on it. You take care of these trucks, they will be a Dakota for a long time. For those who may not know, "Dakota" is Sioux for friend or ally.

 

I think pretty much any vehicle that you take care of can last a long time. There is a guy I know that has 2,000,000 miles and counting. Granted its on a cummins but still thats A LOT of miles.

 

the biggest thing is maintenance on time or ahead. just a few simple tweaks cvan make your Dakota's life that much better. use good oil ( castrol,pennzoil,mobil etc ) with a good filter. ive switched from k&n to spectre. same quality, but no need to oil, and much cheaper. also a better flowing exhaust will make you much happier