Yeah, I got one. 2005 4.7 QC 4wd. Knew what I was getting, so not complaining one bit. No problems, don't expect any. Here's my take on why the Dakota V8 doesn't live up to promises for power (I copied my post which occured at the very end of a previous thread and few probably saw it)....

The lackluster towing performance of our V8 Dakotas is not the engine's fault (doesn't matter what year V8), its our good old 545RFE tranny thats to blame. Dodge's legacy is crappy gearing. The 545 is really a 4 speed auto with an extra overdrive. Tacoma and Frontiers have real 5 speeds with 1 overdrive allowing lower 1st gears and better ratio spacing. Dodge took the 45RFE (4 speed) from around 1999-2002 and added an extra overdrive and calls it a 5 speed (technically true, probably saved a bunch of money), but check out the ratios. First gear is pedestrian 3.0:1 with a large dropoff to second gear, 1.67:1 (optional 1.5:1 'prime' which is kinda pointless IMO). Third gear at 1.00:1, 4th .75:1 and 5th .67:1 (Tacomas 5 speed: 3.5:1, 2.04:1, 1.4:1, 1.0:1, .71:1, lower 1st gear gets things started easier). The 545's 3rd gear is the Tacoma's 4th gear. If it was 1999 again, our Dakotas would be right there at the top of the list on acceleration and performance. Same reason the new 2009 Ram with 390 hp Hemi still can't outrun a Tundra and is even with 317 hp Titan...they have better gearing. The 545 is a fine transmission from reliability standpoint, but it is what it is.....a 4 speed. You V6 guys have a legacy 42RLE 4 speed that I had in my 1993 Dakota. Also a fine tranny, but outclassed by the 5 speeds competition (not the colorado, I mean real competition) uses with their V6's. Dodge oftentimes takes the cheaper way out in drivetrain engineering by trying to use brute force (e.g. larger, cheaper engines than competition, although Dodge's V6 is now neither the largest nor most powerful as was my 1993 180hp 3.9) rather than spending the money to address the drivetrain as a whole. Dodge has a 68RFE 6 speed that matches up much better to the Tundra's 6 speed that would put the Hemi on even footing with the iForce, but its not offered in 1500s. Why? Compatibility? Maybe, it (68rfe) is offered with the Cummins in Heavy Duty, so maybe it won't match up the Hemi...but I would bet that cost has more to do with it though, because the 68 is architecturally very similar to the 545. See what I mean?

 

Easy but expensive fix, our 5th gear is so tall it is there to help the EPA figure better gas mileage. The overall gearing including the rearend being 3.55 or 3.92 is there for the EPA's liking in my opinion.

Easy fix is get 4.10's or better yet 4.56! Tow what you want all day long. We even have a 4.88 option for 2wd's! 4X4 cant use them due to the front IFS being limited to 4.56 for the aftermarket. Unless you went solid axle in the front, but that is for a whole different kind of thread.

 

Should've got a stick. Guess what, my tow rating is no better and I got 5 gears at 1:1 or lower, but I can get a third gear scratch at 55mph every time.
I thought all of Chrysler's five speed autos were Mercedes designs.

 

Its dishearten to see KIA, Hyundai & Nissan and the like with V6 engines with more HP and very respectable TQ specs. The line up of Mopar engines even with the new 302/305 hp 4.7 still falls short for a V8. The MPG is in the gutter for almost the entire Mopar engine line. To add to this Consumers Report just released their best value summary that includes line items such as reliability and Chrysler was near the bottom of the pack of ALL manufactures. Now you can hate CR but the consumer (the buying public) does pay attention to such reports and Chrysler has to do far better or die from within.

 

I have the 6 speed manual, and I am glad I got it, with Dodge's Auto Tranny Track Record.

 

Hey now dont go bashing my slush box, I have had great success (borat) with them. This is my 3rd auto in a dakota and loved them all. Smooth power for the 545RFE and it chirps the tires through the first 3 with my older 28 inch goodyears.

 

302 HP out of a 4.7L is 64 HP/L. The new Hemi is 68 HP/L. So, the new 4.7 hardly 'falls short' in terms of power from a relatively small V8.

The transmission ratios and efficiency are what kill performance. Even my V6 with 3.21's pulls hard in 1st gear, but it's a 4.23:1 ratio vs. 3.00:1.

 

WTF, are you serious???

LB

 

My 2004 Hemi Durango Limited had the 545RFE and 3.92 gears and it was All Wheel Drive. It was quite an acceleration beast. Turn off traction control and I could spin the tires (just barely but it wasn't bad since I live above 5000 feet). Kick it down on the highway and hang on because it would snap you back in the seat. It was pretty good for a 5000+ lb. vehicle. But my '08 4.7L feels nothing like that at all. And it weighs considerably less (about 900 pounds I think).

All I want out of my new Dakota is that very same feeling I got in the Durango. I would be happy then.

Just to inject some rumors into this thread, I read on the flashpaq forum that DCX possibly uses a break in program in the computers of the '07 Hemi auto's. Around 5000 - 5019 miles the break in period is done and things change. Now, I've not seen one shred of evidence to support this anywhere else but the Super Chips fellow that was posting the info said he was getting some weird stuff on the dyno and when the truck finally passed 5019 miles all their problems went away and the truck was shifting awesomely. Take that for what it's worth but maybe the new '08+ auto Dakota's with the drive-by-wire have the same programming?

 

I am very serious. Couldnt believe it myself. If I came around a corner and punched the gas, spun the **** end around, let off the gas then punched it again, it would accelerate squeeling the tires in the first and second gears and in thrid I would get a squeek but still some spin. I think it was due to the small bald goodyears mind you.

Oh and I like our auto, I came from a v6 minivan engine in a Jeep with 35's I have all power I need. Its all relative my friend.