I have an 07 ram RC 3.7L 2wd SXT and am thinking of trading for a 05 Dakota 4.7L QC 2wd with 55K miles.

can you guys give me pros and cons about your dakota?
also some things to look for before purchasing?
thanks.

 

As long as you don't want good gas mileage, or something easily modded. But other than that, I think this truck is very handsome, and has more aggressive lines than any other truck in this category I think. I'd make sure to check all the suspension components.

 

check the bouncy frt end, when you test drive it. listen for and snap crackle pops or squeaks in the frt end. the ball joints are terrible and break free from the control arm. if you hear this, they need to be changed out. i have an 05 cc 4.7 and rip the **** out of it. only issue was the frt end. also the factory struts are terrible. most of us went with the rancho, way better than stock. i have 90000 miles on truck now. drag race it asw much as i can. beat it everyday and it keeps begging for more, my ruck is solid. but the frt ends need work

 

Pros - best in class looks & towing
cons - independent front suspension can be a little weaker than desired.

Check service records if you can. The dealer would fill out the maintenance log in the glove box, and some of us home users fill it in as we go. Hopefully they kept the oil changed. But other than that, do like superdak said and check the front suspension. While on a test drive, hit a road with a bunch of small bumps or dips grouped close together and listen for noise. Hopefully the struts have been replaced before now @ 55k.

 

Dakota is great in trafic for parking because its not huge. gas milage not so great, but lots of power for anything I ever have needed. asuming mechanicly it is fine and your happy with it do it.

 

I would try to find an 06 with a 4.7L H.O. here are some of my favorite trims.

R/T


Night Runner


Sport

 

I've had my 05 QC 4.7 for 18 months, put 35k miles on it, change oil about every 4k, use 85octane (Colorado: high altitude) and am getting 19.6mpg average on the last 6 tanks of gas.

I replaced the front shock/struts at 30k with Monroe shocks and am much happier with the handling and ride. (Next time I am taking it to a shop.) It is roomy, quiet, comfortable and has enough power to pull my camp trailer and an ATV in the bed.

My only real complaint is the 17inch wheels that came on it. They are aluminum and plastic and evidently only about 1 out of 5 tire dealers around here know how to balance them. It took a month and 6 different shops before I got the Michelins I put on at 40k balanced.

This was a replacement for a 97 Ram 1500 with a 5.9L that I loved. But it had nearly 200k and never got better than 13.5 mpg. Good trade up, in my opinion.

No regrets...so far.

 

well i did it! and I am siked. the ram is what i traded in obviosly.

does anyone know how to tell what my gears are, i think they are 3.55's with the 9.25 rear end.?

 

It looks leveled out

 

Congrats, go to this link to get your vehicles build sheet. Send in your information, you will get your gears and all other vehicle info at the time it was built. Put that you want the vehicle build information for your records. You will get an email in a couple of days.

http://www.dodge.com/wccsapp/univers...ull&category=U