Hello, I am researching the Dakotas and hopefully will purchase one soon. Is there any easy way to tell if a vehicle has 4 wheel vs rear only ABS? I want 4 wheel and it seems like most of the base trucks (what I am going to buy) dont have it. I looked at the owners manual online for 2005's and it show that these trucks have an ABS light but is it the same for 4 wheel vs rear only?How wouldI know without driving it and slamming on the brakes? Thanks Tony

 

I believe there is an option for 4 wheel abs, I SUGGEST it big time, I hate how easily the front will lock up in a panic stop. I didnt realize I didnt have 4 wheel until one time I was in a turn and the front locked up and I almost hit a barrier. Stupid me I took the truck in saying the ABS didnt work and felt stupid when I was told I only had rear. I would have never bought it. Anyway been pretty down on the truck the last few days due to the poor handeling. I think I am going to sell it. Think going to pick up an 06 X5 4.6 been looking at.

 

Antjmar,
Definately get the 4whl ABS, I made it a point on all my dakotas(94, 01 and 06) to have this option. I grew up in the snowy north and found that rear wheel ABS isn't much better than no ABS, all it does is keep the back end from passing the front. You lose your ability to steer if you lock and skid your fronts(IE no avoiding objects). 4whl ABS ROCKS, its saved me coming down snow/ice covered mountain roadstowing snowmachines when another car cut meoff. It has come in handy many times and once you have it you can't go back. Its disappointing that its not standard equipment, my 94' dakota had it andyet 13 years later its still not standard...LOL.

You can quickly see if a truck has it by looking at the inside of the front wheels. In addition to the main brake line look for a small(.25" platic covered) line that runs down to the center hub, thats where the sensor is(see photo)

[IMG]local://upfiles/57176/BC9C2786E8C74D7286A8209A4243B6ED.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks guys,
I am looking for a 4 wheel ABS vehicle that is why I posted the question.I have had cars with 4 wheel ABS since 1996 thefore I dont want to take a step backwards. I think some non dodge dealers assume that the Dakotas all have 4 wheel ABS.
Thanks for the Photo Herkguy, now Ill know what to look for. I was hoping someone was going say that the rear wheel ABS was a different light on the dash (like in the older Fords).I guess Ill just have to crawl under the truck!!!

 

You can also tell by looking in the engine compartment. Look for the brake booster/brake fluid area. If there are two hard lines coming from it it's only 2 wheel ABS, if there's 4 hard lines coming from it there's 4 wheel ABS.

 

On the 07 Dakthe 4 wheel ABS is a $250.00 option on all models. It was standard like the heated seats where in the 06 Larime. 4W ABS is well worth the option cost. It will help to keep you out of trouble.

 

Yeah I really wish i had 4wheel ABS my fronts lock like nothing. My 03 Dak had 4 wheel disc with 4 wheel abs

 

I know that the dealers can tell you if you give them the VIN, found out from one today I only have the rear wheel abs on my new dak (well new to me). All he needed was the last 8 numbers of the VIN.

 

Thanks again for all the replies, after reading this and looking at new dealer inventory I decided I am going to buy a new one. Finding 4 wheel ABS isnt very easy, I cant understand why. I have found that less tahn 10% of the new truck have it. 3nearbydealer have none !!! So, I figured trying to find a clean used one with it at a good price would be nearly impossible. Plus the fact that you can get about $8k off a leftover 2006 seems like a no brainer. Hopefully thell still have a few out there when I have the money to buy one!!! BTW any idea when the 2008s will arrive? Dealers says November/December but I dontthink so.

 

Last we heard, they're supposed to start building the '08s in August, so sometime after that...maybe late Sept/Oct.

I had to order my truck (I couldn't find a stick with a tow package anywhere) so I added 4 wheel ABS to the order...I can't believe they still make them w/out it.