I currently have an 2002 ram 1500 with a 4.7L, but i have been having some problems recently and was thinking about trading it in for another dodge. I've been deciding between a 05 regular cab ram 1500 and a 05 club cab dakota. Just wondering how these dakotas are? gas milage, power, problems, easy to lift and would it handle bigger tires, and any other information you have would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Greg

 

Personally?

I would stick with the 02 Dodge Ram.

There is virtually no aftermarket support for the 05-08 dodge dakota. There are no lift kits, just a 1.5" leveling kit. The truck can take 265/75 tires, wich is like a 32" tire, with stock suspension, IF your running the 16x7 wheels. (i have this setup) There are so many parts you can only get from the dealer. Now that some miles are starting to get on these things, People are starting to pop up with ball joint issues, struts that are finished by 30k-40k to be generous, other front end issues.

The trucks arent really Problem City. But it seems like alot of the same issues from the last gen dakota are going to be the same problems in the 3rd gen.

An 02 ram is nice. And if you must have another dodge, personally I would say get another full size.

Im sure you can find a full size ram regular cab, 4x4 with the 4.7l for a very similar price of a comparable dakota.

 

i have 63000 hard earned miles on my 05 cc. only issue is the bouncy frt end and replacing ball joints. still getting 17/18 around town and 20/22 on the highway maintaning 65,

 

26k, one rollover, I don't ever plan on giving mine up. As mentioned the front end isn't the greatest but new shocks will help a lot and once Moog or someone else makes greasable ball joints I don't expect much trouble out of it. I'm running the Trailmaster 1.5" leveling kit and ~32" tires. It doesn't sit high up like a lifted truck but it's got a decent stance. The 4.7 goes pretty good and while available mods aren't plentiful there are some (more for the 4.7 than the 3.7 from what I've seen anyways). The rear seats in the club cab aren't all that useful, people can sit back there but I took mine out. The little towing I've done with mine it didn't even feel like I had a trailer back there for the most part, even when I hauled close to 3 tons of mulch in our little utility trailer it towed very well.

Here's a recent pic with the leveling kit and the tires on it so you can see the stance, you can also get a 3" body lift which a few members here have and it looks real nice. Not sure how big you can go on the tires with the body lift but mine are about all you could fit with my setup.

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Thanks for the reply's, i was just considering a dakota because of the little extra room in the back and for 22mpg highway is alot better than 12mpg highway that im getting now. The qc ram i have now is just starting to get to big for my needs. I think i might kick myself in the a** if i buy a regular cab though, its really nice to have that back seat.

 

12mpg highway? Ouch. Have you tried a tune-up? My dad has an 02 Ram with the 360 and he gets around 15 highway.

 

just did one actually but havent been on the highway to see if it is better yet. I guess the 37" tires dont help to much either though.