YO! I'm back after a long hiatus. Last I was on the forum I had a silver 2006 Ram quad cab. Well, I sold that to a friend of mine thinking I would no longer be in need of a truck.

WRONG.

Bought a 2001 Toyota Tundra extended cab w/ 4.7L two years ago, and I hate that truck with the heat of a thousand suns. The slightest slick surface knocks that turd for a loop. Could be the tires as we had snow a couple of weeks ago and I hit a minor slick spot that sent me flying into a ditch. Anyway, one consistent issue I keep dealing with on this truck is intermittent low battery. Could be an alternator or a loose ground, but I decided I'm done with this thing and want to replace it with a Dakota 4x4 extended cab with V8. I don't want a Quad Cab. Can't stand them.

General reviews have pegged some year Dakotas to be avoided. IIRC, 2003 and 2005 might be one set with 2008-2011 being the best to purchase. Any insight from everyone?

Meanwhile, I have searches running on several auto sites targeting trucks with under 125k miles, no accidents. Anything else y'all would recommend I take into consideration when evaluating a candidate?

I am more than open to anyone pointing me to a truck they find that's for sale.

Thanks!

 

Good to see you again. Welcome back!

Can't help ya on the Daks though, outside my experience.

 

Glad to see you're still around. Your post count sur exploded in my absence!

 

I spend way too much time here.....

 

Not knowing where you are located, I can't tell you where to look. I've had Dakotas from 1987 to 1997. They were all good trucks. I'd make sure to get one with the early Magnums not the later ones. I've worked on a couple of 4.7 engines and they just seem too problematic and dainty for me. The 4 bangers are okay for basic putting around. The 3.9 6 banger along with the 5.2 and 5.9 V-8's have plenty of power. Their design traces back to the 1953 241 Hemi. I personally prefer the looks of the 1997 and later models.

 

Fixed my profile. Forgit I'd tweaked that when I went into hibernation. I'm definitely going for a V8.

This is one I'm interested in: 2007 Dodge Dakota ST Club Cab

 

It's got good miles for the year. It's the basic work truck package. Does it have cruise control? Tilt, cruise and air are the only requirements I have for a vehicle. Anything else is just a bonus. I'm not a fan of the 4.7 but the only two I've dealt with were NOT taken very good care of. On the other hand, larger year V-8 engines can get almost as good of fuel economy if you have a light foot. (Unfortunately, I don't.)

 

How much of a difference would it make if I were to go with a V6 instead of a V8? Is the difference a matter of "The V8 is handy in those time when needed"?

 

You might get slightly better gas mileage..... But, it'll be down on power. If you plan on towing, I would hold out for the V-8.

 

I figured as much.