3.9l V6
 

Anybody have any experience with them? Im going to look at a 2002 Dakota with that engine for my pap and washer to make sure it's a good motor. I always stayed away from V6s as they are known to be weak compared to V8s. The four said the only known is it will shut off sometimes but will start right back up. My dad's 06 Ram does that, so any suggestions there? I talked the guy down from $1500 to $500.
Thanks guys
Also he's coming over from FORD lol

Just in a Dakota. They are weak, don't really save on gas from the v8s. I averaged 15 highway and City it didn't matter. Good for a daily if you don't haul/tow allot. I pulled a goldwing on a 6'x12' trailer the truck knew it was back there, it was pathetic lol. But it got the truck itself around pretty good, never had any trouble, just a water pump after 110,000 miles.

Goog to know! He won't be towing at all, he maybe hauling some house stuff (boxes, tables, etc).

They aren't bad, they're just as reliable as their 5.2 counterparts, mine currently has the 3.9 and she's trooped along since December 2000. All thats been changed heavy maintainence wise is a water pump. They endure a lot and are pretty strong, but they lack the power v8s do. Only reason I'd see using a v6 is if you were to doing light duty work like hauling garbage or lumber or such. As much flak as they get they aren't that bad of a motor

He won't be doing heavy hauling or towing so he should be fine

They run good and are reliable but they don't have much power, even with a 5 speed my 3.9 feels slow. I had a Ford Ranger automatic with the 4.0 V6 and it would run circles around this 3.9. I plan on putting a V8 in it soon.

He wanted a v6 truck so I figured a little Dakota would give him a little bit better gas mileage as that's what he wanted

I average about 13-14 mpg in mine.

That's what I get in my 2500 360!

Supercharge the 3.9. :) Probably get better gas mileage too. :D