Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
07:52:22 - 03/29/2024

Dakota Performance
FromMessage
donn
Unregistered
 Email

3/27/2001
18:56:18

Subject: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
I want to buy a dakota
97-01 club cab or quad cab
which engine should I get?
I will love the r/t with the 5.9
but I am concerned a bit with milage
how do the 5.2 and 4.7 compare with performance/milage

I am not sure how much I want to spend buying he truck yet, but I will be getting aftermarket parts after
thanks
-donn




Brad
GenIII
 User Profile

3/27/2001
20:18:43

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
If you check out the third page on this forum there is an extended debate on that very question. The thread is "Which is better 4.7 or 5.2"
Should answer most of your questions. If not, drop another message in this one and I'm sure you will get lots of response.

97 5.2L

Dodgekilur
Unregistered


3/27/2001
21:23:36

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
Buy a Chevy. hahahahahahahaha



donn
Unregistered
 Email

3/27/2001
21:32:44

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
first,Dodgekilur, I will not buy a chevy,
been a crysler corp/daimler-benz person all my life
(as in before the merger)
second, thanks for the info, somehow I missed that one article
, how is the milage on the 4.7 and 5.2 like?
thanks




lando981
Gen III
 Email User Profile

3/27/2001
21:45:41

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
Chevy's are nice and dependable trucks but there are way to many on the street. I get tired of seeing them. I am the person who started the debate between 5.2 owners and the new 4.7 owners. We have agreed that the 4.7 has an edge on the 5.2 but the 5.2 or the 318 has been in exsistence for ever, and has a damn good reputation. The aftermarket part would be no prob if you decided to go with the 5.2. But you should check out the third page on the performance forum.

Landon 97, 5.2 5spd, 3.90lim.slp.

donn
Unregistered
 Email

3/27/2001
22:00:37

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
I know about the 5.2
my old 79 ram van used to have it, never any problems with it.
also my 91 ram van has it also.
that 79 when it was newer could give a mustang some nice competition



Blizzard
GenIII
 Email User Profile

3/27/2001
22:03:04

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
If you're buying new you've got the 2.5, 3.9, 4.7, and 5.9 to choose from. 5.9 is only available in the R/T and the quad cab. I opted for the 5.9L cuz it's been around forever. As far as mileage goes, it's pretty much a toss up. 4.7 gets 1-2 mpg more (or so the Dodge folks say). I've had my truck for 360 miles and I'm averaging around 10-12 mpg. But I knew what I was getting into when I ordered up the big V8! hehehe


2001 Black Quad Cab Sport 4x4, 5.9L, 3.92 gears, loaded for bear

Mar
GenI
 User Profile

3/27/2001
22:48:51

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
I know a few mechanics that work at chrysler and they all hate the 4.7s guts. Not because its a bad engine but because it is a pain in the ass to work on. They also say that the reason chrysler got rid of the 5.2 is because they were not making enough money of parts. The 5.2 is one of those engines that never dies. like the slant 6. The 5.2 is also easier to do maintance on like oil changes. And they are many more aftermarket parts for them. However in my opinion its time to let this motor go and get on with the newer engines. I own a 5.9 in a durango and it has a industructable feeling and also a lot of mods avalible for it. But my vote is on the 4.7 because the engine is making good hp and has a auto tranny that feels seamless. Its a good package.


MaRty

godgmbler
GenIII
 Email User Profile

3/28/2001
19:22:18

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
If you don't need much power, go with the 3.9 v6. It's got enough power to do everyday work with some off roading if you wanted. However, the best choice would be the 4.7 v8. Not too bad on gas mileage, you get the v8 with lots of power and it will probably last in the long run. I personally have a 3.9 and wish i would have gotten a 4.7. My explorer has a 5.0 and it's just a strong and fast as can be.

Steve
1999 Dodge Dakota Club Cab SLT
3.9L V6

Russ
GenIII
 User Profile

3/28/2001
20:00:58

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
Donn - Take a 4.7 out for a drive it will win you over after a couple of blocks.Then you will see why we are all so crazy about our little motors.

2000 CC SLT 4X4 4.7 L-SLIP AUTO 3.55

Broeheem
GenIII
 Email User Profile

3/29/2001
03:38:59

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
I have one neighbor who has the 3.9, and another who has an R/T (5.9). The 3.9 gets horrible MPG for it's size, and the 5.9 is getting around 10 MPG. Before I bought my 4.7, I rented one for a week (in a Quad), and I was absolutely knocked out. Silky-smooth delivery of a near-astonishing amount of acceleration (with the multi-speed automatic) and after driving it 1,500 miles, it was returning the same MPG - 16-18 - as I was getting with my Chevy S-10 4.3 V6, which was frustratingly gutless. My vote for everyday driving (and my personal choice) is the 4.7.... and I haven't even started with the mods!

Patriot Blue '01 CC SLTplus, 4.7/multi-spd auto/3.55:1 LS

donn
Unregistered
 Email

3/29/2001
13:02:08

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
thanks for the replies
really helpful,
how big is the club cab really?how comfortable are the passengers.
I just want something faster and bigger than I have right now, but hate to sacrifice my milage,
currently have a mercedes-benz 190d, 30mpg. My van is to big for everyday driving, 1991 ram wagon 250 5.2l.
My benz is not really, made to carry rear passengers, probably the club cab has about the same space?
thanks
-donn



Mike C
Unregistered
 Email

3/29/2001
13:30:37

RE: Buying a dakota.which engine?
IP: Logged

Message:
I bought my 2001 CC 4.7 just 3 weeks ago and my wife is already calling me compulsive. (She may be getting jealous...) All I knew when I bought it was I wanted a small truck for offroading and it had to have a V8, and knew that 5.9 was way too thirsty for my long commute. I truely believe I got the best of both worlds, power/mileage. I have 1700 miles on it and it is getting about 16mpg and improving. Accelleration is simply awesome. I feel like I am in a sports car, and the sound is just awesome too.

If being able to say you have a 5.9 is more important than what you spend on gas each week, then go for it. But if you aren't racing, the 4.7 with an automatic is the way to go.

IMHO, Mike C.



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.