Hey all, Just went and looked at a few Dak's today, been window shopping trucks for the past 8 months or so and I'm finally ready to make the plunge.

Few questions about some of the options, i'm going to have a dealer be on the lookout for a truck, and I'm trying to come up with a list of things that would be nice to have, and things that i need on the truck.

I'm having a hard time finding a list of options, and also determinging what's what. LIke..the "Sport Package" What exactly is it? Was a spray in bedliner standard or an option? all the ones i've seen locally have it.

Are there any options you are missing on your truck you wish you got later? I've heard of people getting after-market split rear windows...anyone have experience with this?

Thanks guys, looking forward to getting my first real truck (have an 83 el camino...) and am anxious to start learning thigns from you all on this forum!

 

Lets start with what year Dakota you are looking at. They have changed so much over the years. This will help people answer your question.

 

sorry, any of the 3rd gens; in my price range 2005-2007 most likely. Are the 2008+ much different? I thought all the 3rd generation models were largely the same.

 

Ok... That will help

2005-2007 are pretty much the same
Things to note on the 2005-2007 the front end on many of them is a money pit. Factory shocks suck, which will cause premature wear on ball joints, tie rods, rack, and steering shafts.

I have a 2005 Dakota V8 4x4 Club cab. Probably on of the first owners of the new 3 gen.
Things I like
- only mid size truck with V8 option
- best mid size tow rating
- amazing body lines.
- large and comfortable interior.

Things I do not like
- Limited aftermarket support. You can get pretty creative with things and make stuff work.
- V8 seams way underpowered, but still beats the 3.7
- Truck has rust issues.

Things I did not have on my truck when I got it and wish I did.
- Towing package
- Aux input on radio, or upgraded sat radio touch screen

Bed liner was just an option when I got my truck. I payed for the bed liner on my truck. Was about $500 less threw the dealer than taking it to the Line X shop.


List of option that you will want
- Tilt steering wheel (some trucks did not have this option)
- I like having the option to open the back window vs defrost rear window
- Power windows
- Power locks
- Power mirrors
- A/C is always nice
- Cruise control
- 3.92 or 3.93 which ever it is, axle gears is nice, most have 3.55


In 2008 they changed the engine heads to have 2 spark plugs per cylinder, which added better gas millage, and uped the hp from 235 to over 300 which is nice

 

Wow, thank you a bunch for the info on the 2008+'s I had no idea they were that different...Oh well; no point worrying about them i can't justify stretching the budget for one of those!

Truck definitely does seem a little underpowered for a V8; but seems to have enough torque for what i'll need from it. If i get a need for speed i'll take the bike or my speed3 out


Any idea what the "sport package" is? something about trim pieces is the only description i could find. i don't think it's something i will be particularly picky on; but i've noticed some are chrome bumpers and others are painted bumpers...is that it?

 

the Laramie package is the top of the line, and usually has the chrome "cap" at the front bumper (i had that and painted it). I have the Laramie and it has everything I wanted, leather, heated seats, power everything, cruise, driver information center with the homelink buttons, the infinity sound system with satellite and u-connect hands free cell phone, auto dimming rearview mirror, chrome clad 17" wheels, tow package. there are also some safety options, mine has the supplemental side curtain and rear seat airbags as well as the standard front ones. If you want a 4x4 there are also two kinds, a part time and a full time. I'm not sure about the sport package on the 3rd gens, but if it is like the 2nd gen and Ram it has body colored bumpers and maybe some special decals or badges. oh, and try to find one that has the high output version of the 4.7.

 

Is there an easy way to tell if it's got the HO (I assume it'll have something on the motor) I don't really needt he laramie package (i had looked at it) but the satellite & uconnect would be cool...In the limited looking I did it looks like the HO is a stronger block and not just a new cam thrown in the same motor...So I'll definitely add the HO to my "must have" list; thank you!

 

The 8th digit in the vin number will be a J if it's an HO and a N if it's the Magnum

 

you guys ROCK! Thanks so much! I'm pretty stoked, I just hope this truck doesn't start askin for mods like my speed3 does...

 

take a look around....you'll start seeing something on someone elses truck and think: "hmm...that looks pretty good"...next thing you know your doing all kinds of crap to your truck...mine looks nothing like it did the day I bought it...and I've only had it 5 months....lol