Well my buddy has always been a huge fan of these truck, and found one for a killer deal a few hours away. So tommorrow me and him are going to look at it. What are some areas that we should look at on these trucks. I heard the ball joints are prone to go out on the rt models somewhere as well as tranny problems. Does anyone know a good forum that specializes in dodge trucks aswell? Thanks
you got it - it's a chrysler... ball joints and automatic trannies.
also, if it's the original battery, have them put in a new one. chrysler OE batteries are also junk.
here are some forums....I am a current Dakota owner/lover
http://www.dakotausa.com
http://www.dakota-durango.com
http://www.dodgetalk.com
all the guys at these sites are extremely helpful, especially with the R/T trucks, they are good trucks, just watch the tranny, and make sure to check the VIN at a Dodge Dealership to see if the recall has been completed all ready, other than that should be all set. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns feel free to email me
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All i know is I hung with one in my Z24. not once but 3 times (please note i didn't say "smoked")
my Z was lightly modded (i.e. intake, exaust..the basics) The only thing i could imagine is mine was 5 speed...maybe his was automatic? All i know was he was in shock and we pulled over and talked a bit, he was a hella cool guy. The truck was nice.
I just wouldn't buy anything Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep. Except the Jeep Wrangler. Everyone i know has massive problems with their DCX cars and trucks.
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Gas mileage = teh suck. But they do look cool...and run somewhere in the mid/low 15's stock.
the dakota rt is awesome
very capable truck for speeed
.
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Then two wrongs make a roundhouse kick to the face.
good friend of mine has a 4x4 with 130 something on the 4.7. its been great so far. he's got a body lift, 33's ram srt-10 style ram air hood and just got a roadarmor winch mount bumper and piaa lights for it. sweet looking truck
women are like cars you have to test drive the new one before you trade in the old one
I used to semi-race one up the on-ramp to the interstate. Sometimes the Dakota R/T 4.7L was in front of me, sometimes behind me. The Cavalier was clearly faster off the line up to 60-70 mph at which point his R/T seemed to get its legs and hold its own. I love the Dakota R/T trucks styling and that they come with a small V-8.
"...nevermind maneuvers lieutenant, just go straight at them!"
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isnt the r/t the 360? i know my colorado will edge out my buddies dakota from a stop and a roll, i don't know if its the exception or the rule though.
women are like cars you have to test drive the new one before you trade in the old one
Are you talking about the R/T 5.9L?
Rob
Sold 2/2/05
the 360 was the only motor that ever came in the RT.
here's a good website for the year-to-year changes and common problems with Dakotas -
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Now that I think about it, the R/T had to have a 360 and not a 4.7 litre
"...nevermind maneuvers lieutenant, just go straight at them!"
-Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar
hand me down ram 1500 engine same drive train smaller truck
I edged out my buddy's 2000 Dakota R/T extended cab a while back when he first got it. My Z24 is completely stock and so was his truck. It really shocked the hell outta me that I won.
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Quote:
you got it - it's a chrysler... ball joints and automatic trannies.
And GM's Head gasket issue's are better? I work for Dodge and yes the trannies do fail but usually at about 120K. They are very easy to rebuild and MOPAR sells complete kits for them. As for ball joints I see them more on the late 90's Durangos more then anything. I have yet to see an R/T need them.
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I just have to say this, ANY vehicle will have ball joint problems, no one designs them to last longer than others, and they damn sure don't design them to last forever. It's not just Chrysler that has ball joint issues, every vehicle with a ball joint will have issues at some point in time.
1983 Camaro Z28
the ball joint issues they are referring to, are at about 30k intervals. but i believe thats on the latest generation, not the older ones.
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Option D wrote:Quote:
you got it - it's a chrysler... ball joints and automatic trannies.
And GM's Head gasket issue's are better? I work for Dodge and yes the trannies do fail but usually at about 120K. They are very easy to rebuild and MOPAR sells complete kits for them. As for ball joints I see them more on the late 90's Durangos more then anything. I have yet to see an R/T need them.
uh, i am just pointing out the obvious problems, no need to get defensive. that doesn't mean i dislike chryslers, but he asked for stuff to look out for when buying a dakota, and i told him. as and far as the ball joints only occuring on durangos, aren't they identical to the dakotas from the front doors forward?
cough, cough
No, don't get me wrong everyone. I'm not getting defensive at all. I'm just pointing out that I have seen none of the R/T's at my dealership needing them. Is it possable, yes.
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spin1r6 wrote:the ball joint issues they are referring to, are at about 30k intervals. but i believe thats on the latest generation, not the older ones.
I'm not going to doubt you, but I find this hard to believe without some kind of proof.
1983 Camaro Z28
my parents used to have a 1999 durango, and when they traded it in, it had 45,000 miles on it and already had the ball joints replaced once. i know i can't give you hard evidence, but it is true. though, i still like durangos a lot, and if i could find a good deal on one, i'd probably buy it.
My buddy at school has one.
I've driven it and personally love it.
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