I've got a '06 Dakota Quad Cab Sport model with the 4.7 and a few problems. Since day one, the truck has experienced severe vibration around 60-75 MPH. Before I got the truck, the truck sat on the lot for about a year at the dealership. The dealer found 3 out of the 4 Goodyears, flat spotted and replaced those 3. Unfortunately, the problem still persisted. I've heard about ball joint issues and vibration problems with the 4x4 models, but mine is 4x2. I'm thinking that perhaps the driveshaft is unbalanced, but just not sure. If you all have any ideas, please let me know. In addition, I've noticed that the truck seems to short shift in the 2-3 and 3-4 gear range. Is there any way to obtain firmer shifts and increase the time in the gears? Finally, the truck just doesn't seem to have the power I feel it should have. From a light, I've had numerous Ford Rangers leave on me and the Dakota just doesn't seem to run 'em down like I feel it should. I've also got a Hemi Durango and the Hemi is a totally different animal. It runs like a scalded rat. The Dakota, well, it's just another cup of tea...Thanks for any input....traintrackker

 

i cant answer the vibration thing because my 05 cc never did that. as far as the shift points everything is computer contoled. what you need to do i go on a long back road and go through the gears manually. low 1 all the way up to drive. the truck needs to learn your driving habits. also having the 4x2 it should scoot. when these trucks came from the factory most of the spark plugs were gapped incorrectly. you could pull one plug and it would be gapped at .040 which is correct and the nexted one would be .055 or .035 depending on the person who installed them. this is a big factor. also stomping on a hemi then going to the 4.7 could be conflicting. also open up your glove box. in the back it tells you the gear ratio you may have the 3.55 instead of the 3.92

 

Just some input on vibrations. I now had this chance to drive two TRX4s daily and never had a problem with vibrations. The TRX suspension is slight different in that it has a 1" lift and the shocks are suppose to be heaver-duty. I don't know if this has anything to do with no vibrations. I will say get rid of the OEM Goodyears. They are notorious for the condition you talk about at those speeds. Even the replacement GYs the dealer installed won't help you as they thought. I could almost feel comfortable betting it's still the tires. IMO

 

another thing that helps out alot is the tire pressure. the door jam says 35psi and the max tire pressure is 44psi. i went in between with 40 psi and noticed a better rolling resistance off the bat

 

Thanks for the replys, I just wanted to add that the truck has the 3.55 rear gear with the 5 speed automatic. As for the tires, I've tried to encourage the dealer to switch them out for something from BF Goodrich as I don't like Goodyears (had Gatorbacks on a Mustang back in the '80s and wore them out in less than 3 months...sorry tires). Its just so odd that the truck, which has the trailer tow option items and a limited slip rear, seems to lack the off the line punch I've seen other vehicles have and then, my Hemi just roars compared to the Dak...As for the tire psi, I've been running 35, but I'll try the 40 psi as most of my driving is interstate...traintrackker

 

Traintrackker I installed an electric fan in my 05 club cab 4x4 V8 and I also have the 3.55 rear. Since I put the fan in my truck it launches pretty good. I have noticed though that when you really get on it it takes some time for the truck to really move. This is the first truck I have owned with an automatic tranny. I really miss the manual.

 

Update, or lack thereof....dealer says that they've tested my truck and that tires are fine...dealer also claims that all the Dakota's of this generation have "vibrations" at highway speeds, but I find this hard to believe that others wouldn't have thrown a fit with Chrysler...Have any of you heard of similar problems? TIA....traintrackker

 

Yes, I kinda thought the dealer was blowing smoke on the "vibration" issue and I'm working on my next plan of action regarding that...As for the power off the line, I didn't realize that the Dakota was that heavy...Considering the weight issue, it would be nice to have the Hemi as an option as I'm of the opinion that any more, a truck needs a minimum of 300 hp/300 lb torque and the more the better, especially in light of of the growing hp wars amongst Toyota, GM, Nissan, and Dodge. traintrackker