I am needing some advice on purchasing a 2000 dakota extended cab. It has the 4.7 motor and some light front end damage. Is the 4.7 a reliable good motor? I have done research and it seems to get mixed reviews. some say that it has headgasket problems and others say that it has been one of the best motors they have owned. I want to get some advice from you guys since you own and drive these daily. What problems do i need to be aware of or to keep my eye out for...?
I am very mechanically inclined. It seems like a great price. guys says it runs rough and has misfire and the slight damage in the front. He only wants 600 cash. Thoughts? Any advice would be greatly appreciated... Thank you.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The 4.7 is a fine motor - IF it is taken care of. I'm at 150k on mine and have never had any work done to the engine, just plugs. I do change the oil and filter at 3-5k miles.

If it has been overheated then you can expect head gasket problems. This isn't unique to the 4.7 though. Any aluminum head engine can have problems after an overheat.

Check the truck thoroughly. You may see some "snot" on the oil filler - this is NORMAL if it's driven on short trips in cold weather. Check the ball joints - this is probably the weakest part of the Dakota.

Good luck.

 

Loved the 4.7 in my Dak. Stout engine. With superchips, she was a real screamer!

 

Awesome, thanks guys for the help. 00DakDan, I figured as much with the ball joints. Usually those are the first thing I check out on any vehicle I purchase. The truck has 179k miles on it already. I was looking to buy and use it as a winter vehicle so my wife can put her Lexus (gs400) away for the winter. I'm new to the mopar world, but have owned several aluminum engines over the past years including the 99 4runner I have now and the wifes Lexus gs400. I didn't want to get myself in over my head.

 

262K on mine. Runs smooth and tight.

Good cheap ball joints here.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ll-joints.html

 

I don’t like the (misfire) that could mean a head problem like it was overheated and at $600 I would think why the low price? something is wrong.


Blown head gaskets?

 

Even at 600 id say its a good deal if they body is in decent shape minus the light damage.. Heck a good bed can bring about 4-500. Doors in good shape can bring around 200 a piece so right there you can have your money back.

 

I've had my 4x4 SLT dakota since 2000. It is my daily driver and I have about 130k on it. I've always used synthetic oil and change it every 5-7k. I did have one of the gaskets go out on the headers in 2013. Since the mechanic was going to do all that work anyway, I had him put some new gibson exhaust headers on it. I can just start to hear the valves clicking a bit when it first starts up. So I may need to have them worked on in the future.
My average fuel mileage varies from 12-16mpg.
I recently replaced the front ball joints and wheel bearing/hubs.

Overall, it has been very reliable and dependable.

 

I love mine 2000 SLT 4 x4 248,ooo miles no real problems , i also have heard story about the engins some say if you get 150.ooo miles out of them you did good, dont know what going on with the front end but prices can be high for some of the parts,

 

Ive got a 2004 with the 4.7 and manual 5 speed.

My dad bought it new. right now its sitting at 136,000 miles and nothing has ever needed done inside the engine, or outside to the best of my knowledge. He was always good about getting oil changed and most services were done at a dealership.

I have squeezed over 20mpg out of it on long highway trips