ok, i am new here and i am looking for some advice. i am looking at a 2005 dakota extended cab 4x4 with the 4.7. also i am looking at a 2006 quad cab 4x4 with the 3.7. i am torn between the two. the prices are very similar, now i do tow a 17 foot aluminum boat, i know the 4.7 will pull better but i would also like to have the extra room in the quad cab. so now i am looking for any opinions on both of these trucks to try and help my decision. thanks for any help.

 

First, welcome to the forum!

Second, I have a Club Cab with the V8. I love it, but I also, generally, don't have the need to put a lot of people in the back. The back seats just collect crap. I usually won't even let anyone over 5'5" sit back there for too long, since it's rather tight. The CC will tow better, so that something to consider...the QC V6 can only tow 4600lbs., whereas the V8 CC will tow 7000+ lbs. if it has the 3.92s and an auto. Even with the 3.55 gears, you'll be able to tow 5500 lbs. or so. I would also imagine the V6 would be a bit anemic when towing, too.

How's the mileage on both of them? How much does your boat weigh? That weight will probably play a big part in the decision...

 

yea i guess that info would be helpful. lol umm the mileage on the '05 is right around 25,000 and the mileage on the '06 is around 12,000. the boat, although i am not real sure of the exact weight i would guess it is no more then 3500 with fuel, livewells full and gear. the thing i was worried about with the '05 was since it was the first year since being redesigned there are problem in that truck that were worked out in the '06 but i could be wrong

 

the one thing you have in your favor with either the '05 or '06 is that the 3.7 and 4.7 both were out since the early 2000s for the 3.7 and 1999 for the 4.7....so the engines were already tried and true by the time the '05 came out.

as to any specific problems with the '05, i can't attest to that. my '06 is solid so far, with 16,000 miles on it already.

 

Ya, there has been a HUGE braking issue. Like, the brakes shake, and the whole rear end goes into convulsion like shaking. Or so this is how everyone on here is making it sound. I realllllly would not get an 05 if I were you.

And check the build date of the 06. If it's after February, you are safe for sure!

Good luck hunting. Check other dealers around the area as well.

 

I agree with frenchy, I have an 05, I do have to say my brakes have not been the best possible. I had MAJOR problems when i first got the truck with the brakes, had to get new drums and a caliper froze on me a few months after getting it. Get an 06, and if you're pulling anything like what you are thinking, get a V8. I'm sure there's a good combo out there on a used dakota. that is an 06, 4.7 and QC. Of course I dont know where you live, out here in Los angeles there's tons of cars for sale...

 

thanks for the info, well there are a few dakotas for sale around here but not many red ones. i want a red one to match the boat. i guess i will have to wait around for another one to go up for sale. there is a 2006 r/t asking 20 and some change for it. not sure if i am going to go look at it or not, since from what i have read about them is you only get extra horsepower if you run premium which i dont really want to do. when do the 2008's come out? maybe when they come out with the added horsepower people will trade in their 06 and 07 and maybe i can get a good deal on one then. oh yea i am just outside of cincinnati.

 

I'd do that then, wait for the 08's to come out, should be August-ish..

Do you HAVE to get red? I mean, if something else popped up, and was perfect, except it was black or silver, would you jump? Or not?

 

well i have been thinking about that, if good deal came up on a black one i might take it. although my first choice would be red cause i matches the boat. dumb i know but i am picky. i want one with the, i believe they are 17inch chrome wheels. the 06 i looked at had the chrome wheels, chrome running boards, chrome door handle covers it looked sweet. i just need to find one like that with a v8. plus if i wait till the new ones come out it will give me more time to pay down my current truck. we will see i guess. i check online everyday, and the magazines every week. wish me luck. lol

 

my 05 4.7 cc just hit 34000 on it. and i still beat it everyday. only thing that has been changed on it was the spark plugs, still have the original brakes, tires and everything else. but if you want a nicer truck, wait for the 08. as for performance it will be equal to my dak