Hello - I just found this board.

I currently have a 1999 Dakota Sport with the 318 V8. I have been very happy with this truck , but now it is time for a later model.

I am going to get either a Club Cab or a Quad Cab Dakota (prob 06-07).

After doing a bit of research - it seems as if there is not really much difference in fuel economy between the V6 & V8 engines, so my main concern is the reliability.

Anyone have any opinions of the overall dependability of one engine over the other? I usually keep my vehicles for quite awhile so I am interested in the long term reliability of the truck.

I do not use the Dakota for any kind of towing or heavy hauling. Just an occasional project involving a few sheets of plywood and or some 2x4s.

It will be my daily driver to & from my shop which is approx ½ hour each way.

My 99 Dakota with the V8 has always been very reliable & has not needed much repair.

I'm prob going to purchase a used vehicle with 15K - 25K miles on it.

Thanks in advance for sharing your opinions.

Mike

 

my 05 cc 4.7 is still doing very well considering the many improvents i have done to the truck. the latest being 125 shot of nitrous. truck has 63000 on it. still getting 17/18 miles around town 20/22 on the highway if i take it easy. on a regular basis, i get about 380 miles to a tank of gas. runs very well and i keep up the maintance on it. the only down fall to these trucks are the frt suspension. if you do get the truck go to monroe and have the frt coil over shocks replaced. the factory ones are terriblle.

 

Bought a 06 Laramie 4X4 several months ago, 4.7 fully loaded with 30k on the speedo. No complaints so far. To me, gas isn't that great but a 4.7 4X4, what do you expect. Good luck!

 

Honestly, the engine is probably the last thing you need to look out for in terms of reliability with this truck.

The V8 and V6 are both good. I have the V6 and think its a bit under powered. If you can get a model with the V8, go for it.

If your 99 was a 4x4, you probably want to know that the new 4x4 05+ Dakota's no longer have a torsion bar front end suspension. It is now setup like a 4x2 dakota, short and long-arm (SLA) independent front suspension system with a “coil-over” shock absorber module and a tall steering knuckle. To some this is a plus, to others a big minus. Depends what you plan to do with the 4x4.

Your probably going to want to have the front end inspected, check the ball joints, rack, struts seem to crap out really early, etc.

IMO thats what I would look out for.


Good luck its a great truck.

 

I have the v6 and no problems from the motor. With my bed cover I get 18 mpg in the city. I have not really tried on the highway. My only problem is that the motor is underpowered like monkeywrench said.

 

Thank a million for the info.

Is the V6 underpowered for daily driving or just for towing and/or hauling?

The only things I will ever be hauling is a few sheets of plywood for my shop and that is not even very often. Other than that, I will be driving approx 30 miles each way to and from work. The commute is about ½ highway & ½ city.

My main concerns with this truck is getting the best MPG & reliability.

Thanks again to everyone!
Mike

 

It's sort of hard to describe how an engine performs without numbers.

My V6 is mated to the 6-speed manual tranny in my 06 dakota, and I think it's just fine. Around town its great. On the highway, at higher speeds it leaves a tiny bit to be desired, but nothing down shifting can't fix.

Ive never towed with the truck, but i have had near the max payload in the bed several times, adn the V6 didnt feel taxed by it hardly at all.

If you want the best gas mileage, the V6 with the 6-speed is the ticket. In 6th gear, you can cruise at 2000 rpms at 70MPH. (with my rear end gearing) Not to bad.

I still think the V8 is worth it though, there is nearly no price difference, and the gas mileage is SAID to be similar, but I am positive that a V6 with a stick is the best combo for MPG.

Since this generation is still pretty new, reliability ratings are still pretty high on many websites. It seems with a Dodge truck, the major issues accross the entire full size and mid size line is two things:

1. Auto Tranny reliability

2. Ball joints


Some people have dodge trucks that have never had an issue with either of these things. BUT, the number of people who have are many. Just check the front end as I said, and make sure the tranny is in top shape.

It's an awesome truck.

 

I might as well chime in, my weighted opinion may be light, but anyways I have only owned the new truck just a yr, I have the 4.7L 4x4 with the Multispeed Auto and 3.92 rear gears, and I am happy with it. When I was shopping the reason I chose the 4.7L was based on the fuel mpgs comparison also and the fact the V8 had more power when I test drove it. I am not saying the V6 is weak, just personal preference. A couple of friends have the 4.7 in their second generation daks, and they had no problems so I chose the 8. The mileage is as stated on the sticker, I get right about 17-18 city and 20-22 highway, but it all depends on your foot too As far as the front end I havent had the problems yet but I am watching...hopefully it doesnt. oh yeah 13200 mi and counting

 

i personally, if i knew then what i know now, i would never of bought it. but then again i have my own reasons. i can say this, it is very strong and dependable. i have abuse the crap out of mine, it takes it and keeps on going. do not get me wrong, it has been very good to me; its just there is no aftermarket hardly and i am using a dakota to do a 3/4 trucks job.