Hey all, I usually hang in the 3rd gen Ram section, so this is uncharted territory for me. But, hey all!!!

My wife has an Acura, that is paid for, and I would like to buy her a new car pretty soon. She was talking about the Toyota Tacomas, and how cute they look when they are lifted. I got to thinking, how could would it be if she had a silver 3rd Gen Dak, and I had a silver 3rd Gen Ram?

So, It wont be until the end of the year, but I am a research junkie. What should I look for in the Dakotas, what motor, should I buy one lifted already? yadda yadda yadda....

I want to lift it about 4-6", no more, and I dont think no less. I believe I want the 4.7... actually, i know I want the 4.7. But I think thats about all I know. I wanted to start my research here, because I know this is the right place.

I want a four door truck too... haha. thanks guys....

 

Well there are no true suspension lifts available for our trucks right now, there is a 2" leveling kit for the front and you can do a 3" body lift which gives it a nice stance, this guy on cardomain is running that setup: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2366753 Coondog05 is also running that setup, I think he's got 33's on it:



The stock front struts are kind of bouncy, you can get Monroe's or Rancho's to replace them though. You definitely want the 4.7, from what most have reported the 3.7 barely gets better mileage.

 

2" leveling kit is for 4x2 only. If you're looking for a truck specifically to lift it, the Tacoma makes more sense. I guess.

 

Cute? women... I'd definitely at least let her know that there aren't any suspension lifts for the 3rd gen dakotas. On the plus side, a dak can probably tow a crapload more than a tacoma, is bigger and looks better.

 

A Dakota has more or less a fullsize driveline and axle, and nearly fullsize suspension. A top of the line Dak can pull about 1000# more than a similar Taco. Does that really matter though?

I think the 4x4 and PreRunner Tacomas are much better looking trucks, espically since they still offer a regular cab. The 4x2 Tacos, not so much.

And, even though it has slipped a bit, Toyota reliability and value still smoke Chrysler. Balljoints, shocks, awful automatic transmissions still haunt Dodge trucks.

The deals are great right now on fullsizes. I like my truck, but would not buy it again. It would be fullsize or Tacoma Reg Cab 4x4.

 

This is a bummer to hear. What I was going to buy, was a Tacoma doublecab, with the TRD off road package. Wich has the lockers front and rear. Huge selling point. But I liked the Dakota, because it comes with the 4.7, and I would assume a bigger payload capability. Whatever little truck we get her, it will end up hauling a quad in the back, or even a small rhino trailer, havent decided yet. Both of which the Taco can do. I also figured, the for the price I will be paying for the Taco, I could get a V8 Dak.

It sounds like the Taco has your guys majority vote. Sucky...

 

Ford, Chrysler and GM's contributions after 9/11


An interesting commentary...You might find this of interest:

'CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM's contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.

The findings are as follows.....

1. Ford- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response ! team services and office space to displaced government employees.

2. GM- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the s am e number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the
New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation,
funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.

7. Audi-Nothing.

8. BMW-Nothing.

9. Daewoo- Nothing.

10. Fiat-Nothing.

11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001

12. Isuzu- Nothing.

13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.

14. Nissan-Nothing.

15. Porsche-Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.

16. Subaru- Nothing.

17. Suzuki- Nothing.

18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001.
Condolences posted on the website.

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep this information in mind. You might want to give more consideration to a car manufactured by an American-owned and / or American based company. Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States ...
It's OK for these companies to take money out of this country, but it is apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis. I believe we should not forget things like this. Say thank you in a way that gets their attention..

 

I understand what you are tying say, and I completely agree with you. I think A company that makes as money as these car companies, and oil companies, I believe a little kick down in a time of crisis is a great step.

However...

It is going to be my wife's truck. When it comes down to buying what she wants, its her decision. If she doesnt like the way the Dakota seats feel, I cant tell her justify her complaints of the seat with, 'yea, but dodge gives when a disaster strikes'.

I am one-hundred percent all-American. But sometimes, when making an investment, you have to be well rounded in your criteria, i believe, and make the best decision for you. Especially, if you are going to be the one to drive the truck everyday...

 

By the way, I looked up some specs on the taco and the dak.

Taco towing... 3500 lbs.

Dak towing... 'up to 7000'.

This is a more realistic reason to buy american. I can haul more $hit with it...

 

False, you can get leveling kits for the 4x4 also. Mine is a 4x4 and I have had the TrailMaster leveling kit installed for over a year now. We also have a member here that is planning out a solid axle swap.

One of my old friends from high school bought an 06 Tacoma, he has had nothing but problems with it. I would take Toyota reliability with a grain of salt. I have seen a few problems with ball joints here, I certainly wouldn't say they are common. How many posts about transmission issues have you seen here in 3rd gen? Superdak beats the heck out of his, if the transmissions were so bad you'd think he'd have had issues with it by now...

I would definitely buy my truck again, overall I feel it's tougher than the Tacoma, it can certainly haul a lot more, and it has more room.

The Dakota will haul better by a long shot, small trailer like that you'll be forgetting it's even there. As for majority vote, stick around, a lot of guys haven't chimed in yet.