Hey dodgeforum members,

As of yesterday afternoon, I own a 2000 Dakota 4x4 SLT, 4.7L. Just like with everything I buy, my first step is to mess with it. It needs a few little things, mainly cosmetic, aside from the super touchy brakes. I was headed home after buying the truck, going 15 mph on the freeway, not 115 just 15mph, portland traffic sucks, and as I applied brake pressure the front brakes locked up and kicked on the abs pump. Brake fluid looks dirty as can be, i'm sure it's OE from 16 years ago.

Aside from that, she seems rock solid.

What's the latest and greatest for these little dodge's? What are the "necessary" upgrades to gain mileage and performance?

Thanks,
Cody

 

Welcome to the forum.

There isn't much you can do to gain MPG. Only a few performance accessories are available for the 4.7 and most of them are probably discontinued for the '00.

Check your rear brakes, make sure they work and are adjusted correctly.

 

thanks for the advice, i'll look into the rear brakes.
Anybody have advice on a "chip" for the truck? I used to have a CTD Ram 2500 and chipped that, which gave huge performance gains.
I'm fully aware the performance gains with a gas motor are a fraction of what you get with a diesel, but, does anybody have a chip? Does it help with performance?

 

Don't waste your money. I had the chip installed on my '00 Quad SLT 4.7, auto, at about 180,000 miles,with nitrogen aired to 35psi and thought my mileage increased about 1.5 mpg in overall driving in mountainous SE Tennessee.

However, at 225,000 (+/-)miles, I got aggravated at the constant blowing of the electric fan in summertime hot weather, and called the chip supplier to ask if the chip was the cause. They were adamant that the chip would not do that. Using common sense, I didn't think it would, but just wanted to try. Therefore, I then disconnected the chip and then found the elect.fan to NOT energize as often in hot weather; AND my overall mpg is still about the same.

I'm now a bigger believer in nitrogen in the tires. For those who are not convinced about nitrogen, should visit the many websites explaining the benefits (primarily safety) of nitrogen and how you do not have to air-up your tires every month or so with moisturized air (as explained to me by a chemical engineer friend). Also, nitrogen in your tires will give you consistent MPG!

SAFE DRIVING TO ALL. STOP ALL THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS who tailgate everybody!

 

How do we do that? Slam on the brakes?

 

nitrogen in your tires = not better than air only minor things make it better Ive seen the way over the top claims its better like most its hyperbole with small gains.

just my opinion

I would say the quality of your tires is way more important than nitrogen had a set of goodyears that lost air constantly my Michelin tires almost never lose air. The goodyears were decent tires but lost air constantly.