Evening all,

I'm newbie to this site. I'm looking at purchasing a 2004 Dakota 4x4 stick shift. I'd you'd be willing to share any issues specific to this year and model I would really appreciate it. It's the v6 model.

Thanks,
Sung

 

I have a 2004 Dakota with the V8 . It has 105,000 miles and I am the original owner. A few issues are due to my truck not being driven a whole lot.
I can tell you what I have repaired on mine . Maybe it will help you out.

Although you will see and hear people say the 2nd generation are not that different from year to year, don't listen. LOL . They are vastly different.


Replaced all ball joints around 80,000 miles- the rubber was all dry rotted and grease gone - currently waiting on a little warmer weather to do inner/outer tie rod ends and passenger side lower ball joint that failed due to the tie rod failure I believe.
Just replaced front and rear sway bar bushings and shocks all the way around. I strongly recommend spraying bolts with PB Blast or any penetrating oil well before you are doing any self repairs. Things were a bit difficult to come apart.

Rotors all the way around twice and pads IDK how many time and parking brake ( the parking brake has been a less than fun project)
The pads failed due to the lack of driving and me buying cheap crap.

2004 has a bunch of options so when looking things up verify the exact model you have .There are a whole lot of parts out there that say they will fit correctly but will not. Depending on where you get the parts and how they describe it are key things to pay attention to.
Example. The brake systems you had the options of 4 wheel drum, front drum with rear disc, 4 wheel disc with rear ABS and 4 wheel disc with 4 wheel ABS. I believe there were 2 model wheelbases so that changes a few cables in the rear depending on what model you had. There very well may be more options but that is what I can come up with right this second.

I had one fuel injector go bad on me in the 95,000 mile range

Replaced the water pump and thermostat around 95,000 mile range

I just discovered a whole lot of rust / rot under the bed area and a few places in the cab area. Spring time project for me. The bed will be removed and all places I can find will be fixed. I have done an in depth inspection under the truck and I have my work cut out for me but I love this truck and I think it will be worth my efforts.


It has been a very reliable truck . I feel like those issues are just general wear and tear . I have also done a bunch of aftermarket "performance" modifications as well.

K&N filter
70MM throttle body
Stage 1 jet chip
Compaq Performance program
Aftermarket exhaust -dual from muffler out

I will say my truck runs awesome and sounds great. I love it.

Hope I helped in some way

 

Maybe not exactly what you asked, but I'd look for a V8, if it were me. This is for the simple reason that there isn't much of a difference in gas mileage. You may need to do "truck things" with it and need the extra power. Aside from that, look for a model that came with the factory tow package. Those will have a nice sized transmission cooler up front. Better cooling over it's lifetime should greatly help with its longevity. Owner receipts showing ATF changes are important too. Mine is still shifting perfectly at 272K

 

I have the 3.9 since new. It has served me well for what I do with it including hauling some serious loads. However the load hauling has been done on flat ground. Driving the truck in the mountains of Western Massachusetts I could see an argument for a V8 is you need to drag heavy stuff distances. True the mileage on the V6 is probably no better than the V8 but for me the V6 is fine. Any issues have been mostly age related.