Just found this forum, great stuff.

I have a 1995 extended cab Dakota with 181,000 miles. It has given me good service.

I am looking at buying a 2005 extended cab Dakota. Some things
I have read elsewhere talk about the V6 is not too powerful and the V8 is gas thirsty. The 2005 is a V6.

Any comments about the 2 engine sizes and mileage for the V6 and V8?

In central Ohio.

Thanks!!

Doug

 

I wouldnt say theres much of a difference on the gas mileage between the V6 and the V8, on my 07 I went with the V8 just because it had more power and the mileage was only different by I think 2 mpgs. Right now I am getting around 17-18 city and 20-23 highway and the only upgrade I made was a Tonneau Cover

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

I have an 05 with the 4.7. From what I've read on here I'd recommend the 4.7 if you can find it. Seems like the guys with the 3.7 are getting almost the same gas mileage most of us with the 4.7 are so might as well get the extra power. LSD is nice if you can get it too, I don't have it and the whole one tire spinning gets old pretty quick (Especially since the factory tires have no grip).

 

Ditto.

 

Ive got the V6, get around 22ish highway, 16-18 city. There is a lot more aftermarket for the V8 and it has more power. Im trying to make my V6 as powerful as a V8 now

 

there seems to be no reason to consider the v6. i suppose it costs less initially. lsd is nice. i have it on this truck, as opposed to my last truck.

 

They both suck fuel!

 

I have a '05SLT which has the 4.7L and it has a rough idle that nobody seems to be able to fix. My dealer has been working on it since Oct. '07. From what I've found out on this site is that a lot of the 4.7s have this problem,,,,the V6s don't seen to have idle problems. So if you start looking for a 4.7 pay real close attention to how it idles.
As for gas mileage,,,17-18 in town and 20+ on the highway is about average for me.

Good Luck,,,

 

Ive had a 2006 Dakota V6 with the 6-spd manual, and havnt had any hard feelings about it. I have driven much slower trucks and jeeps. I would'nt call the V6 a dog, but nothing to brag about. On the plus side, I had hauled near the full payload capacity several times, and the V6 performed nicely. I have about 27k miles on the truck, it's never been into the shop for any engine/tranny related hickup, it idles fine, and everything seems good thus far.

I have also driven a V8 2005 dodge dakota rental, about a year before I bought my dakota, and remember it being a bit stronger then my V6, but still nothing I'd consider amazing compared to other V6's in the mid-size pick-up market.

I say go drive the V6 and judge for yourself. For the size and weight of the truck, the V6 is what i expected.

I think the last time I checked the mileage at the pump, I came up with like 17.6 mpg, and thats with mixed town driving, no highway.