Hello all Im thinking about buying a 05 Dakota with the 4.7 V8. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to Dakotas soI have a few questions for all of you.

1. What has your overall experience been with your truck?
2. What kind of "go fast" parts are out there for the truck?
3. What is the MAX whp and wtq with your basic boltons (Intake, headers, exhaust, chip etc etc) without forced induction (S/C or Nitrous)?

Thanks in advance for all of your time and input. Your responses will greatly influence my decision.

 

I have had two daks now. First one was a 99 Sport. I now own an 05 Laramie. My so far experience is very good and I love my truck. I wouldn't trade it in for anything.

Currently, you can get a selection of exhausts. I would suggest getting a Gibson Cat Back dual extreme. You can also get a number of CAIs for your truck. I just bought mine from Premier Trucks for $210 with S/H. It's an Air Aid.

Stock I believe that the we have about 176 whp. Not sure of the torque... probably closer to 230 at the wheels. You might get close to 250 max without forced induction.

The new Daks are very comfortable to drive and very smooth. It can turn almost on a dime. Get the dealership to demonstrate that. I was very impressed. You don't hear much for road noise either. Very quiet in the cab. I have a QC and there is enough room in the back for

Hope this helps.

 

I can only speak to the experience so far as its been with my truck

05 Dakota QC /w 4.7L
I've been using it primarily as a dialy driver and overal impression is good. Its got good pickup and is a ery comfortable ride as i have been using it for day long trips and i never got fatigued driving. I've encountered a couple of problems though as when the truck gets hot, and i mean HOT as in driving through phoenix, az middle of summer in 120 degree heat stop and go on the highway, the truck would get VERY stiff and sluggish. This was only when the temp gauge read greater than about 60% though, in cooler weather (mid 80's) its run like a champ. Only other thing i encountered was the driver airbag light not going off one day, wasn't able to duplicate it since. Got it up to 110 on the freeway last weekend and was easy to control even on some fun moutain curves, got around 17 mpg on a 400 mile drive through both mountains and flatland.

 

Thanks for the info does anyone else have any input? Also has anyone taken theirs to the track? If so what are your times? Thanks again for the input

 

mmmmmmk anyone? anyone at all? come on now i need some opinions now come on dodge owners lol?

 

I have an '05 QC Laramie. It is primarily a grocery getter and totes the kids around. I've pulled with it and it is effortless (only 2k lbs). K&N + Flowmaster makes getting groceries more fun, though. Mine has optional AWD as well as locking 4x4, and I love the fulltime AWD option. Super stable in rain and dirt roads, never wants to "step out." Drives nice, looks great, and there is a growing body of aftermarket support due to it's popularity. It is faster than it feels as the big V-8 is not rev-happy like some of the Jap 6 cylinders, but it is easy to go...just hammer it and watch the gas guage plummet. It gets decent mileage (15-17) as long as your right foot isn't too heavy.

4.7 motor is pretty solid from what I have seen (my mom has had 2 4.7 Durangos and no problems). Although I have had a problem with the security system shutting the truck down and it not being driveable. Other than that, the thing is a Cadillac with a bed (well, maybe not quite), but it is wicked comfortable.

 

I agree, I took 3 guys up to Seattle from Vancouver, WA, to watch the Mariners play. It's a 345 mile round trip. Two of the guys were over 6 foot, and one of them rode in the back seat and was comfortable the whole way. Took my in-laws on a vacation trip down the Oregon Coast and they were fairly comfortable riding in the back seat.

I have the AWD also. Can't complain, other than I can't do any brake stands (if I was really into that). I can take an off ramp with the nice tight curve in it at at least 40-45 mph with out hearing the tires squeal. I wouldn't buy any other truck if I had to.

 

We rented one for a month after totalling our Explorer and it was fantastic. The power in the 4.7 liter was just amazing. I don't think the Ram 2500 V8 laramine compares to it personally. The ride was semi-smooth, the exterior was sleek. The interior was cheap though. It reminded me of an economy car in a way, but was better then the Explorer. Seating was great as well, it was very comfortable even on long trips.



-Matt-

 

thanks for the reply's folks............keep them coming!!!!!!

 

I have an 05 SLT Club Cab 4x4, 4.7, 5spd. auto. Extremely happy with this truck, a major improvement over the 03 Ranger 4x4 I traded in on it. Easily hauls my 3 quads around (one in the bed, 2 on the trailer). Truck has been perfect so far, no problems of any kind. Interior is very comfortable and considerably roomier than any other midsize truck out there. I test drove a Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado before dropping the coin on this truck. No regrets at all, it's way more truck than the competition. I have a True Flow cold air intake (I prefer foam filters to cotton gauze), custom MagnaFlow cat-back system with stainless Flowmaster tips, and will purchase a Superchips programmer when they finally get around to releasing one for the 05's. Very satisfied with the performance of the 4.7 for both work and play.