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Phil
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
17:32:51
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 Subject: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Guys and girls,
Before I buy, I would like to know if anyone could help me answer these questions (I intend to use the truck for daily commute and to go hunting with, no serious off-roading or hauling or any kind. I will be off-road with it a lot, though):
a. Is AWD, or full-time 4WD standard on 04 daks?
b. Is the 3.7 powerful enough for the QC? How 'bout with standard transmission? I test drove this truck but didn't get a chance to try it on grade or passing.
c. Is the standard 3.21 axel ratio OK, again climbing/passing. The SXT doesn't do 3.91, should I get 3.55? If so, how does that work with the dealer as it comes with standard 3.21?
Also, anyone with the 04 QC 3.7 standard with opinions good or bad on their truck I would love to hear your opinions. Thanks.
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04sport
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
22:51:24
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Pay the extra $690 for the 4.7...the 3.7 is a great motor and a world of improvement over the 3.9 but a QC 4x4 is a heavy truck...and if you get the V6 with lower gears to compensate for less power, you'll probably end up with close to the same fuel milage as a 4.7 with 3.55's
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Matt4.7CC
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
23:27:39
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Phil,
With a 2wd manual, 3.21 gears are standard. 3.55 and 3.92 optional. Autos get 3.55s standard. 4x4s
come standard with 3.55s with either transmissions. If you don't plan on working the truck hard, I think the 3.7 will be fine. I think I know why you are asking: You are looking at an '04 with a rebate, but the V8 4x4s are gone? If you can get a V-8, go for ti. Especially with a 4x4.
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Phil
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
00:15:57
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Thanks for the replies guys. Matt, you are mostly right, and thanks for the info. 04Sport, if it were just a matter of paying the extra for V8 I would do it, however, on the show room they are thousands more, not hundreds. I've spend hours looking for dealers in my state and it looks like I can only afford the V6 (I have to have QC), and, I prefer standard, which my local dealer actually has 1 of. I used to have an underpowered SUV (95 Toyota 4Runner) and never will I be that underpowered again. However, I won't be towing, ever, and my driving style is conservative. I just want to be able to go up a steep hill without shifting into 3rd gear and pass someone without any unwanted thrills. And, of course, to get into the woods to hunt birds with my dog.
So how about it? Anyone out there like their 3.7 QC 4x4?
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Matt4.7CC
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
00:34:35
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Phil,
Then by all means go for it! I found nothing wrong with the old 3.9, and the 3.7 is OHC, and has 35 more horsepower. Plus, the V6 is lighter and will improve weight distribution, which means better handling. Have you driven a 5-speed Dakota? First gear is really low. Can induce whiplash:)
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Phil
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
00:40:11
|  RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Matt, I drove it and loved it. Can't wait to buy it, but don't want to make a mistake when spending that kind off money.
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Pittdawg
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
03:18:53
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Get the V8...you will kick yourself in the arse later if you don't...think about it, is more power ever a bad thing?
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2004
07:13:01
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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I have a '95 CC with auto V6 (3.9). It's a great truck, I love it. Definately better than the ranger I had before it. I am in a similar situation to you, I do alot of highway and city driving but also some off road driving. I don't have skid plates, etc for serious driving. My truck also came with running boards so that cuts down on ground clearance. I now live in GA ,but previously lived in NC (charlotte area) and Indiana (Indianapolis area). I've seen my fair share of snow and ice - had no problems with the V6.
However, I can say next time I'm getting a V8. Why? For no other reason to know that the extra power is there and because they hold value longer and offer more potential for upgrades later.
- Dan M
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Brucifer
GenIII
9/21/2004
07:42:31
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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I have a '04 CC 4X4 with the 3.7L and manual.
Get the 4.7L.
The 3.7L is good, but bogs a bit on the hills. I had to downshift a fair amount on a recent trip to Sedona. That was with just a cold air intake. I'll be going back this Sunday with an extra person, but with a new MagnaFlow muffler.
There are more apps for the 4.7L, as Dan M said.
'Love Us with Money, or We'll Hate you with Hammers!' M&C
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
20:13:04
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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A V6 Quad is like if the first girl you ever screw is a fat ugly disgusting girl and you marry her because you don't think you can swing anything better. I test drove one when I started looking. First thought was "Not bad, it does the job." Then I tried the 4.7 with its effortless accelaration up from 60-65mph, and the V6 seemed woefully inadequate. So I waited and saved and I got the V8. Cause I don't trade or sell vehicles often. So I don't want anything in a truck that might make me unhappy in 2 or 3 years and give me that itch to loose thousands of dollars by getting rid of it too early in order to get what I really wanted in the first place.
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Scott1981
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
21:05:39
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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i have to disagree here. i have a club cab 4x4 with the 3.7 and it is more power than i would ever use. i have owned it for two weeks and only used half throttle once! this engine moves this truck at a very decent clip, although i do have the 3.92 rear end. i say get the highest rear end you can and go with the 3.7 im getting 18 miles to the gallon and can tow 4800 lbs. i love this engine, although be aware it is a little rough due to its design. if you dont mind a little bit of a rough idle but plenty of power and decent fuel economy i say the 3.7 is the way to go
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Maggadog
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
22:45:50
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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I have an 04 QC 4X4 with the 3.7. and an auto tranny.
Had it since November. I live in the hills and commute
about 120 miles each day. So far I have had no
problems with anything on the truck. The V6 seems to
have no problem with the hills I drive on daily. Once in
a while I manually take the OD off for extra power. Yes, I
am passed on occasion, but they usually have to be
going uphill at 60+ mph, since I usually have no trouble
holding 60 myself. I think you should be OK with the V6,
although I might be tempted to get the auto instead of
the manual tranny. Good luck.
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Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
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9/25/2004
02:23:15
|  RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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The reason V-8's cost $1000's more rather than $100's more is all the other stuff that the dealers order them with. You need to do 2 things:
1) See what buying service you can use; i.e. Credit Union, Costco, Employee discount (some big corporation's employees get fleet prices for example.) That will get you down to invoice or less and get you to work with a dealer's fleet manager.
2)Have the fleet manager or buying service do a locate for you. He can find the truck you want. You could also look at dealer's inventory from the Dodge website. That's how I found my truck - that one of the buying services said, "didn't exist." The fleet manager I worked with found several more.
Get the V-8. If you want better miliage, drive like granny. If you're tired of granny, tromp the load pedal - and leave her in the dust!
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Hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
22:12:30
| RE: Qs on 04 QC V6 Manual
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Not that you can but would'nt you like to test drive the 3.7 QC with all your hunting stuff in it, along with 2-3 other guys in it, and maybe towing the Quad-bike or the duck boat too.
My point......GET THE 4.7L...you will never regret it.
The 3.7L is fine , but in those 10% of cases when you need power it won't be there.
I have no problem accelerating from 30 mph to 85 mph with the family and the "cottage load" up a mile long hill on route to our cottage with the 4.7L. (to pass the 3-6 semis in the way)
Try that in the 3.7........Good Luck!
If money is the issue..buy used.
A 2002-2003 4.7 QC is around somewhere for a savings of alot more than the cost of the V8 upgrade.
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