Long story short is there anything in particular I should look for or check out? It's a 2006 SLT, extended Cab, 4wd, 4.7L 6 speed, and is a Night Runner edition (which I didn't even know existed on the Dakota platform). I'm not really a truck guy, but I love fishing, bought a boat and the Maxima doesn't appreciate the huge tongue weight of this trailer. So I'm trying to decide whether to trade in the car or sell the boat and stick with my jon boat. Also what kind of gas mileage can I expect out of this thing, 17 or so?

Jason

 

a quick browse around here will show that these trucks can have some front end issues. i tow a bass boat with mine, but ive also done a few of the popular mods for extra power. youll read about those here too.

fwiw, i hate to say it, but if i hadnt already bought the dakota & wanted to tow a boat, id look into a nice used 1/2 ton full size pick-up for towing. gas mileage is going to be about the same & most are built up a little better than the dakota.

but if you got your heart set on a dakota, they can do the job adequately & you'd be hard pressed to find a cooler looking one than the night runner,those are very sharp.

 

A night runner 6 speed? Drool

 

I'd kill for a nightrunner 6 speed.

But yea, OEM front end parts are junk, balljoints, swaybar end links, tierods, and struts.. expect to have parts to replace, and doing the work yourself saves a ton on labor.

17 is a good estimated if you drive a lot of highway, think around 15ish mixed.

 

The night runner looks sooo nice, and it's a 6 speed...

I towed a mobile home before with my 4.7 and it did fine. it was about a 30 footer. I doubt you will have problems hauling the boat, these engines don't have much stock HP, but a ****load of torque.

Re-do your front end and you will have a different truck. I just did mine and i'm sooo happy with the results.

for hauling you might also want to get an xtra transmission cooler, thy are about $60 from autozone and a 15min install.

If you do get the truck, PLEASE post some pictures of that beast

 

Four of the best words I have ever heard
1. 4.7
2. 6 speed
3. 4 wheel drive
4. Night Runner

That might be the only one like that.

 

I thought it was probably somewhat rare. I'll probably go take a closer look at it one evening this week (originally saw it over the weekend whn the dealership was closed...beast time to look). It also looked like it had some kind or stereo stuff between front seats, not sure if it was factory or not. Windows are tinted and it was kind of hard to see.

 

is there an ad for it somewhere where we might be able to help you out with it? (not that someone one here would try to steal it out from under you *cough*...)

 

Buy it man..sounds like a fun truck!

 

This sounds like its the one he is talking about. Autotrader is our friend.

More pictures are available on the dealer's website. Its their only Dakota. Tricked out audio inbetween rear extended cab seats, audio controls on steering wheel, manual transmission, V8, night runner.

I'd have it thoroughly inspected with that many miles. However, if it passes a good visual and mechanical inspection, I'd definitely consider it if you like the extended cab style.