Just a note.
Some of us old timers don't relate well to metrics.
For the sake of those reading this who are still grappleing with the influx of metrics into our American way of life, 1 Liter = 61 Cubic Inches.

 

Well, I have come in here and defended the Gen 3 Dakota's before. When Chad05 was doing his thing I made 2 particluar posts in the same thread. (1, 2)
I've come in there and said the Dakota's are reliable and capable. (1, see end of post).
I'm sure there are other posts I have made in this section as well.
So I come in one time and say the 4.7L could use some more power. Heck, theres people that want more power out of their class-dominating 5.7L HEMI.
My reason for not going out and buying a Gen 3 is two-fold, 1) no money, and 2) no diesel. There is no way I will go buy a brand-new truck if it doesn't have a diesel. Personal preferance. Other than that, I have heard much more good than bad about these trucks, and, in a few years, probably will own one (whenever my Gen 1 decides to die, which, doesn't look like anytime soon!).

 

I'm saying you have question or problem fire away,but to get on here jump on 3 or 4 threads and do nothing but run it down.Read graythang's post and response the only thing he likes about his Dak is the look, his words,previously he complained about the power,not having a glove box light, then he trashed the interior,quality in general and goes on about the Tundra super truck.If you think this is alright well great,on some furums I've been on he would be considered a Flamer and bounced,I think he's just trying to justify hitting the Toyota dealer.If I hated the truck that much, I trade it even if I'd have to get something a couple of years older.Maybe Graythang might get some love on the Toyota forums,I'm sure his expierence with his Dakota would be a real knee slapper over there.

 

QCDAK to answer your question no there is no law about this year is faster, better or what have you, But on the other hand and I am a loyal mopar fan, I just don't think that it is right when they advertise something that is SUPPOSED to be an improvement ie. 4.7 HO and then it turns out it is not.
Again I am not bashing dodge but I am dissapointed in the performance of my truck, plain and simply

 

ETXDak I have been a Mopar fan for over thirty five years. I have pictures of my cars. 62 Chrysler New Yorker Parent hand me down, 68 Hemi Charger, 72 340 Duster, 74 440 Charger SE, 95 Dakota 5.2 SLT, 2000 Caravan SE Plus A Z4 BMW and some others. So I know Mopars pretty dam well and supported Chrysler real well over the years. Plain and simple CC now DC is and has been in the not so good graces of many test reports and consumer type reports. I didn't do this to them, they did that all by them selves. There dealer service network has for many years been in the toilet for years and that’s a fact you just can't deny. It is also a fact that Toyota is kicking not just DCs butt, but everyone else’s in all the standing especially customer satisfaction. That may be why they took over DCs standing over six months ago as the third best selling vehicles in the US. That means DC lost a standing that has held for more years than most of have been alive. I supported DC again even knowing these facts and so did allot of you. DC is still to this day playing games and still set in their old ways that got them into this mess. So much potential but it may be too little to late. It is postings like mine and many others who are very disappointed with the product and worse the service and support that DC should be paying attention to. None of us went into the deal to get burned. I am starting to see where some owners who felt I was being too hard on DC and than only to see them later question their purchases with the onset of problem creeping into what they believed was one of the "good ones" I could play and say wonderful things about this truck but they wouldn't be true. At any time these problems can happen to anyone and in fact they are starting to show up bit by bit each week on every G3 forum. My $30k of support for DC came hard so don’t question those of us who feel rightfully discontented.

 

My point,you've already made your mind up,WE Get IT,you hate your Dakota,time to move on.You don't have anything to contribute to the forum but whinning and regrets,why bother.You think Toyota is king, great thats the forum you should be posting on.How do you expect people to react.Last time I checked this is a Dodge forum not Toyota.Just because you paid 30k for your Dakota doesn't give you a ticket to tell the rest of us we're suckers.

 

Gray,

I'm almost afraid to ask, but too curious....

What does YOGO stand for in 4.7 HO YOGO?

Again just curious!

My two cents.. Though by no means a scream'n deamon, my truck (4.7 Auto AWD 3.55 gears) pulls my boat (admittedly only 2200 lbs) no problem. And I am ussually driving all around Charleston including bridges with little or no problem. I do indeed use the Tow/Haul feature to make passes and keep speed on steeper grades. Fuel Economy is an unimpressive 15 mpg pulling or city driving, but I guess I expected it. I get 18mpg hwy which is also about what I expected. I had the high speed brake shudder and a cab water leak that was luckily fixed on the first visit. I also was fortunate to have bought my truck at DC employee price, its fully loaded (~$33MSRP) but I paid just over twenty, that certainly influences my satisfaction. I couldn't touch a Tacoma or Frontier (belive me I tried em all) with the options I have on my Dakota for anywhere near what I paid. The Tundra and Titans are even more untouchable and are full sizes, I don't understand why people would compare them to the Dakota.

Anyway, after many years in the auto industry I certainly under stand your frustration. If your issues are as real as you describe you should be able to work with DCX somehow to get some sort of resolution I hope. Be as courteous and professional as possible and hopefully they will respond.

Good Luck.

 

2 things....


These trucks are heavy......which is why they are "dogs" even with the 4.7 motor. In the previous (lighter) generation....they moved them around easily. More weight slows it down obviously
&
0-60 times are in the mid 8's for these trucks (V-8).....not over 9 like someone mentioned

 

Yeah mid 8's for the 3.92 geared club cabs maybe or a manual, I know my quad cab with the 3.55's is slower than our old Stratus 2.0 and it was a 9 second 0-60 with the 5 speed. They knew the truck was gonna be 500lb's heavier so they should have bumped the power to compensate. Usually cars and trucks get faster after a model redesign but I guess we are the exception to that rule!

 

I find it hard to believe that any of these newer vehicles are heavy or as to why anyway. I was told by a custom body shop that over the years the gauge and the amount of steel have decreased steadily. The body panels on today’s vehicles is like tuna can grade. Just lean on any panel and you can cause a permanent impression because of the oilcan effect.
The outer skin is not only lighter but also softer. That was a quote from a Dent wizard (paintless dent removal) service tech. He said it is more noticeable from the grade of vehicles. Lexus, Volvo and MBs he said where general harder to repair for him because of the metal grade. Where the extra weight must come from on the G3 Dak might be the slight increase in size and the heavier frame (hyroform full boxed latter frame). Horse power to weight ratios have not kept in pace so slower we go.