Hey everyone!

My 16th birthday is just around the corner (september 3rd), and i'm getting a 2002 Dodge Dakota SXT tomorrow!

It's the 3.9 liter v6, with 45000 miles on it.

Anything i should know about them? Any tips or tricks, keeping in mind that i've never owned a vehicle, let alone a truck. I'm used to driving my moms lincoln (Car), so i'm sure it will be a bit different.

Thanks!
I'l post pictures after i pick it up tomorrow

-Red

 

congradulations......sounds like a perfect first truck my 2003 was an SXT it is a nice package....only thing I noticed going from a car to a truck is they drive a bit different they stop slower and if you got crew cab or a club with the 131in. wheel base you will see they do not turn as tight as a car.....but then again it sounds like you have been driving mom's boat hehe......good luck and have fun

 

Sure, that makes sense. More weight = more momentum = slower stop. Its relatively new though, only 45000 miles, so i'm not expecting to have any problems with the brakes or anything really any time soon.

I'm sure i'l get used to how it handles

How often should i be changing my oil, etc? Is that something I should do once right when i get it, just to sortof have a fresh start and be able to track it from there?

What other kind of maintence do i need to be doing?

Thanks!

-Red

 

i pretty much drive the same truck but w/ a few more miles (86k). learn how to change your own oil. use synthetic perferably and change it every 5000miles. 3000miles if use use standard oil. I say do it your self so you can check and lube your ball joints...and so on, if they have lube ports. there was a recall/free replacement on the lower ball joints just so u know. the distributer cap and rotor will last just around 60k miles befor needing replacement. and so will the front disc and pads. and just follow the mantence schedule in the service book.
oh yeah, wax and do not buy oem(original equipment form manufacture) tires, they suck. thats my 2.

 

rhowe<------------you didn't tell red9535 that if he goes with the full synthetic he can't go back to regular oil.

 

i ran full synthetic and i ended up tearing my engine up because it had regular in it before. if you run sythetic dont switch if you run regular dont switch either always stick to what the engine is used too the mechanic that rebuilt my engine said from running regular oil it didnt seal as tight around the pistons and sence synthetic has smaller particles it caused it to seep through and burn oil. it kept getting low and it messed everything up. sence i redone it i ran 10w 40 Castrol GTX and its been a verry good oil for me i'll never run synthetic again because when we dropped the pan on my truck it was full of sludge from that Mobile 1 that i was running

 

Sounds to me like that truck wasnt taken care of.....

I've owned two Dakotas, one was a 2000 3.9L V6 Regular Cab Sport....the other a 2001 4.7L V8 ClubCab Motorsports Edition. Both were switched over to synthetic on their first oil changes....and I never had any problems with them. It's true that synthetics can hurt older motors.....ones with high mileage or simply just old to begin with....but a relatively low mile newer motor will have no problem.

If your concerned with running synthetic, Valvoline Max Life is a good alternative. I have ran that in several cars since it came out, as do my parents and my brother. It's a good quality oil. You should do oil changes roughly every 3500 miles.

Like rhowe stated, the lower ball joints are a recall/free replacement on these trucks. You can find out if it has already been performed or if it still needs to be performed by clicking on the this link below and typing the last 8 digits of the truck's vehicle identification number (VIN). This is found on the dash at the base of the windshield. If you dont understand it, your dad should.

Owner's Services Recall Info

These trucks are pretty solid vehicles. I'd definitely suggest a transmission flush on it, as the only real knock on the Dakota outside of the crappy ball joints (just ****ty stock oem parts for like 3 yrs), is the transmissions. Provided you maintain the truck well, it can last you a long time.

Since the truck is around 45k...it's time to change the front brakes/rotors unless its already had it done. It's also time to have the rear brakes checked and probably adjusted.


Beyond that, I cant really think of much else you'll have to worry about just yet.....but good luck with your truck....even better....good luck with getting your license and being a part of the driving world. Welcome to DodgeForum and hopefully this helps!

 

I have 2003 reg cab manuel trans 3.9 liter sxt. Its a nice littel truck i have done a decent amount of mods to it from engine to look. Gas milage is allright 21-23 highway. Use sythetic oil perferably id change my oil as soon as i got it with a new oil filter check all your fluids. It rides kinda rought thought due to rear end lightness and crappy shocks but thats fixable for 75 bucks shock rancho style. Its not goign to be fast lol but its desent to get you where you need. Id recommend as soon as you get some cash put a cold air intake (airraid i have) and a exhasut on it to let it breath will increase gas milage and let it get around alittle quicker (i went with the gibson nice sounding not to loud but hey). good luck with you truck

 

my 97 reg. cab is my first car period too.
you will be very happy with it,
drive safe
________
Zoloft Class Action

 

Some good advice on these posts for keeping your Dak happy. I have always changed oil every 3,000 miles and did suspension lube at same time. Transmission and differential fluids every 30,000 miles. I did new front rotors at 50,000 miles. Only problems I've had are a bad foglight switch and waterpump (warranty) and most recently the rear ABS sensor (which is common for Daks).
Thanks Devils Advocate for the link to Dodge recalls.