This is my first post. I have an opportunity to trade my 2000 S-10, 4 cylinder, automatic for a 1998 Dodge Dakota Sport, V-6, automatic. Both have basically the same mileage showing on the odometer, but the Dakota has a fairly obivious dent on the passenger door that goes into the bed. It does have some nice after market rims on it. The rest of the truck looks good, except for a small dent behind the drivers door. I would say my S-10 is worth more, being newer and without body damage, like the Dakota. But I pull a 6 x 12 trailer with two lawn tractors on it to mow grass at various locations, i.e. mom's, church, etc. The S-10 is at it's limits when pulling this load, and I'm thinking the Dakota would be a better at doing this. What are the things to look for in 98 Dakatos? There is a noise in the front end which I'm thinking is a stablizer bar bushings going bad. Is this a problem with Dakotas? Anything else to look for. Thanks.

 

I have a 2002 dakota and it's a piece of s**t! It has had the tranny worked on (only 30K on it); I've had the ball joints replaced twice in the last 6 months (I received a letter from Dodge about extending the warranty on this part to ten years - in lieu of doing a recall); I had to have the rear window removed to enable them to repair a "bad seam" that allowed water to puddle under the club seat and flow into a second puddle on the passenger floor. I've had it in three times for the shifter getting hung up in park ( I can get it to shift if I move the tilt wheel up and down a bunch of times -- they tell me I need to replace the $700 steering column to fix that.) If I were you, I'll haul *** the other way!

 

Having owned two Dakotas, one a V6 and the othe a V8, I can honestly say they are great trucks. Every car company has a few bad trucks/cars in a production line, so to base it on just one or two bad reviews isnt good enough.

As for trading your truck for an older model V6, you're wasting your time. If you are going to make a trade, go for a V8 only. The gas mileage is pretty much the same on the V6-V8 models....and you'd sacrifice a newer truck for really no major gain.

I can honestly say the difference in gas mileage between my V6 Reg. Cab and my V8 Club Cab was maybe 1-2 mpg tops....and I loved the V8 a lot more. I regularly hauled 1500-1700lbs of dirt/drywall in it, with no problems.

I loved my Dakota, and would definitely consider owning one again.

Two things to be concerned with, the 99-03 models you want to check the ball-joint recall, and make sure you either have a fully covered warranty on the ball joints, or make sure they've been changed. The other thing is to have the transmission looked at. Dakotas generally have a decent transmission, but I've seen them have problems with bad pan seals thus allowing them to leak.

I'd also toss the stock air box and get a cold air kit or a ram air kit for it. Runs so much better.

 

I've got 40k miles on my 03 V6 atx, and it's treated me well thus far. I do beat on it a little and it still runs well. It's a little rougher now in the cold, but it smooths out once its warm. I do agree that if I had to do it again I'd opt for the V8, as my V6 gets pretty crappy gas mileage and I'd rather get the same gas mileage but be able to tow and haul more. With the V6 and 500 pounds of stuff in the bed, I had to take it off OD going up some not so big hills. I intend on towing my race car come spring. Overall I love this truck.

 

I'm the proud owner of a 2001 QC 4.7 5 speed 4x4. I've had it for almost 3 years and put 130,000k on it. My experience has been overall good. Sure the ball joints can go (mine were fine but did the recall anyway on the uppers......Why didn't they change the lowers while they were at it?????? cheap buggers) Sure my fuel pump went ($$$$$$) and an odd thing happened where the cruise control cable rubbed through the very thin aluminum A/C line (watch for that!!! more$$) a bad design flaw in my opinion but the dealer thought I should pay........BUT I still love my truck. Like the other guy said, all vehicles have glitches but Dakotas look good even when they're in the shop I put on a cold air intake, headers, dual exhaust and spent a bit on stereo but mostly I listen to the V-8 stereo (yeah baby)
My 4.7 gets 17-18 hwy and has more power than the V-6. 5 speed kicks on auto in my opinion, especially for towing or hauling.

that' my 2 cents