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19:56:36 - 04/25/2024
General Dakota Board
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rock sniffer
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2002
23:38:49
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 Subject: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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First post here and I hope I don't make any enemies. I don't mean to dis anyone's newer Dakota, in fact I am considering replacing my 97 V8 4*4 Club Cab Sport with an 03 Quad Cab 4*4 Sport. I just got back from test driving a new quad cab and came back with mixed feelings.
First off: What? Still no damn tow hooks? I guess Dakotas are still never getting stuck. Come on Dodge, raise the price $20 and give me some hooks, PLEASE.
1) Seats: The first thing I noticed on the Quad was that the seats are definately a step down from what was put in the 97's. My old seats felt much more substantial and perhaps more comfortable but the biggest thing was that the new seats offer NO whiplash protection for anyone even close to 6' tall. For a company now owned by Daimler I can't understand this at all, it seems like a cost cutting measure to me.
1a)Cloth interior: The newer material feels a lot thinner and cheaper than what they used in the 97. At least this is how it appeared to me. Again cost cutting.
2)Engine noise. The new 4.7 with 5sp auto felt a little softer than my old 5.2L with 5sp manual down low but the new engine revved out nicer. A draw on power (I am just used to the torquier feeling 5.2L). What I did notice was that the new engine was much louder, looking under the hood I discovered part of the answer; no engine noise deadening material on the underside of the hood.
3)Dash design/Guages. Personal preference but I think the 97 is better. 97 steering wheel feels a lot better than the 03.
4)Brakes: The new four wheel discs are better (feel and stopping power), no question.
5)Steering: The new truck has a quicker steering ratio and feels lighter than the 97. This is both good and bad, making steering easier but maybe too quick for what the ultimate cornering capabilities are. The new setup tracks better than the old one though.
I still think the 03 Quad is a winner although some of the above really annoy me. The quad is close, but it didn't completely steal my heart. Has anyone else noticed the same things?
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custman
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
07:33:45
| RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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I just got my 03 a week ago. Compared to my friends 98 I like my 03 better. I have leather buckets and notice what you said about whiplash protection since I am 6 feet tall. The brakes are a plus and I have 4 wheel antilock which is a definate improvement. Most of the cost cutting doesn't bother me.
-underhood insulation isn't a big deal with the 5.9 no interior noise noticed.
-lack of badges is a plus
-still think they could use a moon roof
-leather is nice especially with small kids
-steering is "over responsive" but once used to it is a good feel
- feels good on ther highway except for a series of bumps in the concrete roadway it likes to "hop" over them maybe has to do with tow package
- rode better with 10 80lbs bags of mulch the bed maybe cause of tow package again
all in all I am very satisfied and alreaady have 1200 miles in a week :)
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Dak03ta
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
08:50:44
| RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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I went from a 98 to an 03. Cloth seats feel about the same. I did notice they are not as high, that was the only problem. I would think the difference in feel could be partly due to the old ones being broken in.
I think my truck rides quieter and just as smooth as my parents buick Regal. The rear end does hop over the series of bumps mentioned above, but the old one did the same when it was new.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2002
10:17:08
|  RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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Rock sniffer,
good analysis, must have been off the crack rock shen you posted this one. your handle-'rock sniffer' - J/K about the crack rock.
My 01 QC 4.7 REAL 5spd-manual,
-has a nice layer of underhood insulation, friewall as well, early 01 SLT package.
-test drive, or better yet, just ORDER a QC 5 spd, manual that is. You WON'T be sorry.
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Terry
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2002
05:11:48
| RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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I had a 97' up untill an 18 yr. old ran a red light, causing me to hit her broadside. Anyhow, it was totaled and I just took possesion of a 03' about a month ago.
I ordered as close to the same thing as I had before, seeing as I had not one problem with it.
4X4, V6, 5sp. manual, 3.55.
My main beef is this one has a different trans. They say it is stronger, which is cool, but 4th and 5th gear is taller. The motor lugs in 5th gear, and has no power.
The dealer says it is for better mileage, but the window sticker says the same estimated mileage as my 97'.
It is misleading. I choose the same gear, expecting the same performance. and Dodge goes and changes the gearing in the trans, on me. Had I known this, I would have ordered the 3.92, to make it the same as my old one.
Now I understand why so many other owners out there claim the V6 is a dog. It's all in the gear.
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rock sniffer
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2002
10:26:05
| RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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If and when I sell my 97 Club cab for the 03 Quad I am taking my hood insulation with me! Especially if I am trading the old one in.
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Michael
DakotaEnthusiast
11/20/2002
16:53:19
| RE: 97 vs 03, an improvement? or not?
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Yeah I noticed the same thing on my dads 2002 Ram 1500 Quad. No hood insulation, so at that point I figured I'd brag to him about my insulation with the Ram logo imprinted in it on my 00 Dak Quad. hehe
I think they could have kept the insulation.
Z-Tube, R/T Rims, SSB Rear Disc Conversion, Alpine Head-Unit, Infinity Kappa Speakers, SilverStar Headlights, HO Cams & Intake installed.
Got H.O. ?
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