Kinda new to Dodges
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Kinda new to Dodges
Just traded my '05 Mustang in for a 2000 Dakota Quad 4x4 w/3.9L. I already own a Caravan and my wife had a 99 Ram Sport when we got married so I'm familiar with Dodges alittle. Just curious as to any issues with the Dakota I might need to watch for or ideas for some cheap mods Thanks
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Joined: Jul 2005
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RE: Kinda new to Dodges
Welcome to the Dakota club!!!! I've personally had the pleasure of owning 2 Dakota's and they are awesome trucks. I'd rather have a Dakota then a Ram to be honest, least the gas powered ones anyways!!!!
The main issues with the Dakota at least between 99-03 is the ball joints. I would take your vin# and look it up on www.dodge.com to see if your truck has a recall, needs it performed, or if your truck wasnt in need of it. Certain trucks did not need the replacement but were given an extended 10 yr warranty on those parts. I know, my 01 Dakota got the warranty.
Beyond that, I've heard of very little that really affects the Dakota. Each truck of course has it's issues, but this is one truck you wont be too upset about!
Oh, definitely change out the factory rotors/brakes to mid-level/midgrade aftermarket rotors/brakes. The OEM one's are horrible and arent worth a sh*t. Going to an aftermarket set will reduce brake dust and also improve your braking and extend the life of your brakes/rotors. I would also do that on anything you purchased from Chrysler/Dodge. They use an almost inferior quality metal for their rotors and the brakes just eat them alive.
Good luck with your Dakota and welcome to DodgeForum!!!!
The main issues with the Dakota at least between 99-03 is the ball joints. I would take your vin# and look it up on www.dodge.com to see if your truck has a recall, needs it performed, or if your truck wasnt in need of it. Certain trucks did not need the replacement but were given an extended 10 yr warranty on those parts. I know, my 01 Dakota got the warranty.
Beyond that, I've heard of very little that really affects the Dakota. Each truck of course has it's issues, but this is one truck you wont be too upset about!
Oh, definitely change out the factory rotors/brakes to mid-level/midgrade aftermarket rotors/brakes. The OEM one's are horrible and arent worth a sh*t. Going to an aftermarket set will reduce brake dust and also improve your braking and extend the life of your brakes/rotors. I would also do that on anything you purchased from Chrysler/Dodge. They use an almost inferior quality metal for their rotors and the brakes just eat them alive.
Good luck with your Dakota and welcome to DodgeForum!!!!
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Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,521
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From: Spokane, WA
RE: Kinda new to Dodges
ORIGINAL: DevilsReject
Welcome to the Dakota club!!!! I've personally had the pleasure of owning 2 Dakota's and they are awesome trucks. I'd rather have a Dakota then a Ram to be honest, least the gas powered ones anyways!!!!
The main issues with the Dakota at least between 99-03 is the ball joints. I would take your vin# and look it up on www.dodge.com to see if your truck has a recall, needs it performed, or if your truck wasnt in need of it. Certain trucks did not need the replacement but were given an extended 10 yr warranty on those parts. I know, my 01 Dakota got the warranty.
Beyond that, I've heard of very little that really affects the Dakota. Each truck of course has it's issues, but this is one truck you wont be too upset about!
Oh, definitely change out the factory rotors/brakes to mid-level/midgrade aftermarket rotors/brakes. The OEM one's are horrible and arent worth a sh*t. Going to an aftermarket set will reduce brake dust and also improve your braking and extend the life of your brakes/rotors. I would also do that on anything you purchased from Chrysler/Dodge. They use an almost inferior quality metal for their rotors and the brakes just eat them alive.
Good luck with your Dakota and welcome to DodgeForum!!!!
Welcome to the Dakota club!!!! I've personally had the pleasure of owning 2 Dakota's and they are awesome trucks. I'd rather have a Dakota then a Ram to be honest, least the gas powered ones anyways!!!!
The main issues with the Dakota at least between 99-03 is the ball joints. I would take your vin# and look it up on www.dodge.com to see if your truck has a recall, needs it performed, or if your truck wasnt in need of it. Certain trucks did not need the replacement but were given an extended 10 yr warranty on those parts. I know, my 01 Dakota got the warranty.
Beyond that, I've heard of very little that really affects the Dakota. Each truck of course has it's issues, but this is one truck you wont be too upset about!
Oh, definitely change out the factory rotors/brakes to mid-level/midgrade aftermarket rotors/brakes. The OEM one's are horrible and arent worth a sh*t. Going to an aftermarket set will reduce brake dust and also improve your braking and extend the life of your brakes/rotors. I would also do that on anything you purchased from Chrysler/Dodge. They use an almost inferior quality metal for their rotors and the brakes just eat them alive.
Good luck with your Dakota and welcome to DodgeForum!!!!
Welcome to DF. I'm on my second Dak also. My first one was a 99 Sport. Never had any problems with it other than the ball joints. When I took it in to have the front end realigned, Dodge told me that they couldn't without replacing the joints. This was just before they did the recall.
My second Dak is an 05 and I love it. Almost crunched it a couple of times because of traffic out here in the Portland/Vancouver area. Nobody out here knows how to drive.
Anyway, have fun with it. You can find all kinds of great aftermarket stuff. A couple links here in the Forum will take you to the sites you want. One to check out is www.KRCPerformance.com. They specialize in Daks and Rams.
I can't
