Assuming that they are both in good operating condidtion, I would suggest getting the v8 4wd. Not only does it have better mpg and more power for towing/driving, you will not be able to get around in the sand at all with a 2wd. Whenever I go out to Glamis, or other desert dune spots, I watch people with 2wd's get stuck left and right if they are towing in the sand. Some poeple even have a hard time towing with 4wd in the sand. The sand is unlike any other terrain; very unforgiving for people who don't know what they are doing.

 

i would recomend instaling a posi in at least the rear... just my .02

 

These trucks don't come stock with limited slips?

 

I think most if not all 4x4's come with posi. it will say on a sticker inside the glove box.

 

well before you buy any of the trucks. hook them up to your trailer and see which one you would perfer., i would get the v8 4 x 4. i recently pulled two tons of wood stove pellets with my 05 cc 4.7 and it did not fell like anything was behind the truck. the tow/haul button does its job and worked great..also see if both trucks come with a tranny cooler. and ask if they have ever towed any loads. you wont be dissapointed with the v8, my mileage on the highway was 20/22 and around town 18/19, now i have the cam kit installed and a pcm flash, mileage dropped overall by 2 miles on both, thats because of the heavy foot. but i have power in all ranges and no dead spots. the v6 would tow great as long as you were going down hill both ways.

 

Amen.

 

Thanks guys. BTW: they're both 5 spd... I can't stand autos.

 

A 2wd v6 will get better mileage than a 4wd v8. While towing it may not, but unloaded there's about a 2mpg freeway and 1mpg city benefit to the v6 according to the EPA estimates.

I would wager that most dakotas didn't come with limited slip. They all should have, but none of the ones I looked at had one.

The v6 would do just fine with 500 pounds. More than that and it would really get doggy. a 2wd reg cab would be pretty light as far as dakotas go, so it shouldn't be too bad. Give it a test drive if that's what you're leaning towards.

However, going out on the dunes you may want the 4wd. I personally would go for the v8.

 

4wd all the way

V-6's only get 1 to 2 mpg better then the V-8's but the power is alot better so i would give up the lesser of the mpg wise and go for the power