Hey Guys~
I'm a little new to the forum. I have a couple questions for you guys. I am looking at getting a 99 Dakota Club cab 4x4 with 72k on it. Are there any major problems that you guys have had with your trucks? Have there been any transmission problems like the rams had? I've read about the ball joint recall did that include 99's or should I expect to replace those? How are the 2nd gen's or 99's on reliability? Thanks for the help guys. Paul

 

#1, what motor? - the v6's have a short list of aftermarket parts
#2, what you using it for - 100% commute, work truck, tow rig, ect...
#3, auto or stick - that will help us identify with potential problems

Ball joints - just anticipate replacing them, go to a quality lift/lowering shop and have them do it. get the mogg greasable ball joints, I did it myself and only spent $250 and 4 hours. but i also have an extensive tool collection that includes air powered tools. Don't know if it qualifys for the recall????

2nd gens are great for reliability if you do the regular matinance.

 

I'm looking at the V6 3.9 Auto. And I would just be using it for commute mostly, taking it out on the lake in the winter for some fishing and going out in the woods for hunting, and maybe doing a lil mudding too but idk. Are there known problems with either of the trannys? Great ball joints hopefully they'll last a bit or at least been replaced with good ones.

 

you sound just like me, daily commuter and weekend (at the ones i can get off work) warrior. have the tranny checked out at a good shop that you trust, i've only had a faulty sensor on the trans that caused erratic shifting (dealer said i needed a new one [trans]) and that was just a $40 part and the normal service i would get anyway.

BTW: i get ~20-22mpg - just get the k&n, throttle body spacer, 3" exhaust, and use lucas oil treatment... the 50mm tb is just for accleration

 

Do the Dakotas and Rams have the same transmission? Do the Dakotas suffer the same transmission problems that the Rams have had?(PS: I'm talking about AUTOMATICS)

 

Anyone? Any information would be helpful.

 

same tras on the ram and dak v6's --- yes.
doesn't have the same problems of the early rams, mostly because the dak weighs a lot less
i haven't heard of any real problems with it, if the service schedgules are followed and you don't do anything stupid. (look how fast i can go in reverse!!!!!).

 

My 2001 dakota sport has 104,000 miles on it and NO problems what so ever knock on wood.. just had to change the battery today other then normal stuff, great truck

 

Thanks guys, now I just need to sell my Stealth so I can get the Dakota I'm looking at getting.