Well i am thinking about buying a 2011 Dakota 4.7 but i cant seem to find a whole lot of info about them. Who's got one with the 4.7? Am i right in thinking they are kinda rare with the 4.7? If you have one how do you like it? What dont you like? Any and all info good or bad would be great. Thanks guys

 

I have a 07 with the 4.7 most of us on here have the 4.7. the only complains I have is the weak front end, no real lift YET, lack of aftermarket support, and the little amount of power they sucked out of this engine 230 at the crank come on I know they could have done better. But the 08 and up 4.7 have 302 at the crank. oh and they didn't make very many with a manual trans. but other than those things I love my truck. I beat the $h!t out of it and it takes it and asks for more.

 

4.7 is super common, 6spds are super rare. not much aftermarket support. really none at all. ball joints, tie rods, struts, shocks, and occasionally wheel bearings, are kinda sketchy.

 

What do you guys mean by no aftermarket support? What is it you guys want that you cant find?

 

Hello, and welcome! Everyone here is talking about add-ons, or non-stock upgrades such as lift kits, heavy duty bumpers, and the like. There is much more support in this area for other trucks as the Dakota is not as popular as the Ram, Ford or Chevy.

There is plenty of aftermarket support for maintaining the Dakota (like if you needed to replace an alternator, brakes, etc). Most auto part stores have what you need!


Hope this clears it up! Also, don't get too freaked out when you first start looking on here....it can be a little overwhelming to see "all the problems" with this truck, as one will tend to think there are a lot of problems!
Every vehicle has its weak spot (or spots), and what these fellas are saying in this thread is just that...the parts that could have been made a little more heavy duty.

Let us know what you decide....and get the 4.7L

 

I have been a jeep guy forever. I have had more than i can count and currently have a 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9 and a 1995 Cherokee lifted on 33's so im not new to the aftermarket world. What id do is K&N filter, Exhaust, Tint, Debadge, Billet grill, possibly OEM ram brushed 20s, 2-3" lift, and the normal bed liner, bed cover, things like that. It seems all that stuff is easy to fine through ebay. Looks like they dont have any real big ligts or anything like that but im ok with that. I was looking at the new ram but loaded the way i want it i dont know i can afford it. I saw the Dakota and really fell for it. Seems like it would be real nice with the 4.7 also. I think the 4.7 is a little small for the ram.

 

The mods that you've mentioned are available for the Dakotas, and the Ram wheels are a perfect fit. A few guys here are pissed because they want a suspension lift, which isn't available yet, or ever. The only 'lift' available is a leveling kit up front, and a 3" body lift. I am very happy with my Dak, and 4.7 is definitely the way to go.

 

I have seen lifts listed for the dakota up to 2010 is the suspension different on the 2011? Body lifts look like crap id rather stay stock height.

 

Yes there are lift kits. They consist of front coil spring spacers and rear blocks. Max lift suspension wise is 2-3". would not go more than 2" with a 4x4 as it puts the cv joints at a bad angle

 

The 2011 has the same suspension & parts as the 2010.