Greetings to ALL. I'm new here. I am interested in a 2ND GEN Dakota,4x4 Quad Cab. I am leaning toward a 1999-2002(price range). Looking for best fuel economy. I would appreciate any input about what to look for(4x4 type-manual lever or electronic) and what to avoid(full time 4x4 etc.) I am aware of the recall, but not of any other issues.
Thanks in Advance for any advice, Jay

 

Well, I will say that you should definitely try and get the 4.7L V8 if you are going to go 4x4. It's not pointless to get the V6 but I would get the V8 because the gas mileage is roughly the same.

Honestly, you could probably even get a good deal on an 03/04 if you shop around. Mileage is what's gonna do you on price....not much else will. Granted, more options will make it higher priced, but the mileage will do ya in everytime...

Wasnt sure what you were looking for price range....so I went with just a sticker tag of $15k....its not a bad price range...

2003 Dakota 4.7L V8 Clubcab $15k w/ 15k miles

2001 Dakota Sport Clubcab 4x4 V6 $12,5K w/ 45,370 miles

2001 Dakota QuadCab 4x4 4.7L V8 $14,5k w/47k miles

2001 Dakota Clubcab 4x4 V6 $11,5k w/47,600 miles

2002 Dakota QuadCab 4x4 V6 $15k w/ 49,600 miles

Now, I know you said you were looking for a quad cab....but alot of what I could find in your area was high mileage quad cabs with V6 motors....and honestly, in the Dakota....you should go V8.... Honestly, do you really need the 4 doors? If not, I'd seriously consider the clubcabs....they are pretty roomy all things considered.

Of the Dakotas in your area I could find....that first one is the best one I saw. $15k for a 2003 clubcab with 15k miles on it....and that even helps cuz its avoiding that 99-02 area of the recall. I'd still have it checked, but its one less thing to worry about.

I did these on cars.com and went in a search area of 30 miles from your zip code....just so ya know..

 

Yeah, I need the Quad cab(have 3 little kids and 2 mutts that will occaisionally be in the truck). I will be going to the Concord and Framingham Dealer Auctions for it and have been seeing them go for $10-11K. Unfortunately I don't know what years have what changes(electronic 4WD,Rear Disc Brakes,etc.) I also need to know the vin# breakdown to dtermine what options(Tow PKG, HD package,etc) these trucks have during the Auction preview days.

 

The 2000 is the first model year for the Quad Cab. It is the only year (speaking about quad cabs) that have the manual shift for the 4X4 which I am personally partial to. The 01 and 02 have the electronic shift for the 4X4 operation. The interior design is different for the 00 as compared to the 01 and 02. If you can look in the glove box of the trucks, there is an 'option' sticker that will give you most of the information you are looking for. The V-8 is a must wheather it's the 4.7 or the 5.9. I am very partial to the 4.7 because of the 45RFE auto transmission and the engine design itself. Don't omit the option of having full-time 4-wheel drive. I have had both types and changed my 2WD option one to the full time one. It is all about traction to me on regular driving situations and there is such a huge difference. There is no difference in mileage. Oh, one more thing if it concerns you; you can't get leather in a 00 but you can in an 01 and 02. That's about all I got unless you have more specifics.

 

I have an 01 Quad 4X4 with the V6. I have Two car seats in the back. Putting a third or another child would be tight but would work. With 85K on the odometer, my gas mileage is 16-18mpg w/a tonnea cover. I like the truck but have a hard time finding good service. My biggest compaints are the Brakes and the Sway bar bushings. Talking to other Dak. owners I here a lot of the same complaints. Brakes are noisy and I have had the Sway bar bushings replaced 4 times. I've talked to others who have had them done even more than that. (Push down on the front bumper and get the truck bouncing, if you here creaking - the bushings are bad)

For the price, I would recommend for a family!! If I had the money, I would probably buy a Tundra.

 

haha ... I was just going to thow a post up (jokingly) saying "Screw The Dakota, Get a Toyota Tundra!"

.... and actually I seen one yesterday at the Rec. Center parking lot that I was checking out -- Nice truck, 4x4, TRD Pkg, Ext Cab. They have a nice looking interior

.... oh wait, back to the good ol' American made, Dodge that jwe all seem to be partial too ...

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

01 Dak Quad.
I've got three kids (7,6 and 5) and two mutts, three boosters work well in the back, it is the fat lab that sits in the passengers lap with the chow-chow between us that make it a tight ride to the park! I've had the truck for 4.5 years now and it works well with a family!
However, when I bought the truck it cost $28,000 and if I knew then, what I know now, I probably would've went with a full size RAM 1500 Quadcab. I have the AWD and my trip to work is short so I am getting about 9mpg city and 12mpg Highway. My neighbor works down the street from me and he is getting 11mpg city and 15mpg highway with his 01 1500 Quadcab RAM. We both have the 4.7L and he paid 26K for his new!

Maybe a RAM with it's size might better suit your needs?

 

Funny. The Tundra is built here too by a Japanese company, the Dakota is built here by a German company.

Anyway, the 03/04 have rear disc brakes, the 00-02 don't. I prefer a manual t-case, but it wasn't available apparently in the 02 and I didn't want to get something quite so old as an 00 for it. I've got the 5.9 and I get about 8 in town and perhaps 15-17 on the highway, depending on conditions.