A buddy of mine is being sent to Africa for 3 years and if he will sell his truck Chevron will give him money for them not having to pay the loan note for 3 years. Anyways, it is a 2006 Dakota crew cab, 4.7L, Laramie 4x4. it has around 30,000.00 on it. Is there any common problems with these trucks? I have heard bad things about the front shocks and I have found that no aftermarket company makes them. What kind of gas milage have you guys been getting with this truck? Thanks!

 

Yeah you are basically right, the front suspension seems to be the most common problem. Right now I have 15k on mine and so far so good! There are aftermarket shocks out for the trucks now, Monroe and Rancho shocks. As far as Lifts or Lowering the truck, all thats out there is Body Lifts and Leveling Kits. We are kinda forgotten in the aftermarket scene. My mileage on my 4.7L has been 17-18 City, 20-22 Highway, although driving habits will kill that too... if I am hard on it, I get as low as 12-14, but thats from my lead foot. Hope that helps, BTW Welcome to the Family! Let us know how it all works out!

 

Some don't mind the front shocks, a lot do, personally I hate them but as bolt mentioned you can get Monroe Sensa-Tracs or Rancho 5000's to replace them. You'll like the 4.7, it goes pretty good especially with a few mods. So far the only mechanical trouble mine has given me was blowing the front shocks and had to replace one front ball joint and I rolled it and did 16k worth of body damage at around 8,000 miles (close to 30,000 now). I probably average 14-15, the vast majority of my driving is short runs in town and I tend to enjoy hearing the exhaust too much to drive for mileage

 

Well I've got an 06 as well and love my truck...for the most part. Wish it had more ground clearence sometimes but hey can't win all the time. Havn't had many problems with mine. Had to replace the ECM once, but that was from a short somewhere and it's been fine since then. I've got 80000km on mine now and although I don't love the floaty feel you get from the suspension, I dn't hate it enough to change it until I need some new shocks. Get pretty decent mileage if I don't drive like lightning and altair...

 

I just bought my 3rd Dakota and second Quad Cab (crew cab). Love the small trucks with big engines. The 4.7 is a great motor and fun to drive. The truck needs new front shocks and a spacer lift to make up for the lack of height. you can fit 265/75R16 on them without any real lift (32" tires) and they do ride very soft. Comfy for the pregnant wife but too soft for some. I have never had any problems with my Dakotas and just wish they had more for our trucks. The new 05-08 daks have a 5x5.5 bolt patter which makes for GREAT wheel selection. Also you could do a solid axle swap in the front and maintain the rear axle since its already to go with 9.25 ring gear and a 1/2 to 3/4 ton strenght. Just throw in a locker and 4.88 gears and in the front swap in a 5x5.5 inch dana 44 for an easier conversion. We also have coil buckets now with the addition of the coilover suspension up front. There is room for future mods, however expensive mods. Skys the limit really, but you have to be willing.

One more thing our daks can tow like a sumabisch, we have a uber strong frame that tows 7000 lbs!!!

 

I have found aftermarket rear shocks, but it looks like nobody makes aftermarket front struts yet. is this true?

 

Nope they make fronts and rears for the trucks now, just two brands, basically the same company... Monroe and Rancho

Heres some general info, mods and parts, check it out...

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...questions.html

 

I own that truck. Also be aware of a mean vibration from the rear axle.....that is not related to a misbalanced tire. Solved by applying TSB 05-002-06. I'm not saying you will have that problem, but if you do, you will want to read that TSB and save yourself a ton of grief. It deals with incorrect axle half shafts and drum parts. You are still under warrenty, and if it has the problem, you'll know soon.

 

You own the truck?

 

"2006 Dakota crew cab, 4.7L, Laramie 4x4" Sorry Bolt, I own a similar truck. If we would have said black, we'd be twins