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V6 Dakotas
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2005
08:25:01

Subject: V6 next time?
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Hay, you guys with the 3.7 V6's. I have a 02 4X4
with the 4.7 V8 and with the price of gas going up
and up, I'm thinking my next Dakota might still be
a 4X4 but I may switch to a V6 insted. I had a 90
4X2 with the 3.9 auto and kept it eight years. It
was a great truck! I then switched to V8's and
4X4's in 98.

My questions are; Anyone out there have a Dakota
4X4 with the 3.7? What tranny do you have, a stick
or auto? Do you do RV towing with it? How's the
gas mileage? Any problems with the 3.7?

Thanks... Bill in NW Ohio






mike m
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2005
17:26:54

RE: V6 next time?
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i have a 01 dak 4x4 v6 3.9 auto. gas mileage is only a 2mpg difference than the v8. i get 16.5 average 2/3 city 1/3 highway. get the v8, the power sacrifice is not worth 2 mpg.



i agree
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2005
20:42:16

RE: V6 next time?
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listen to mike the power you get is worth the difference in the money you save. i get 15 mpg all in town and usually 16-18 on the highway (depends if i am driving 65mph or 90mph. stick with the v8.



Jae
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2005
01:37:07

RE: V6 next time?
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i have an 04 cc 4x2 v6 its been great. Gas has been pretty good i drive to work half way is city and half is highway i am getting an average about 19-22 mpg. I dont use it to tow or haul anything so its been good i know the v8 is faster but if i wanted speed id just use my 01 mustang gt now if i need to haul or tow id just go with a fullsize truck.



red rock
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2005
09:55:31

RE: V6 next time?
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-own an '04 3.7 v6, manual five speed, 4x4 club cab.
-runs adequately under no load
-attach even the lightest trailer, say hello to 4th gear for your entire drive.
-underpowered and under engineered
-look at another brand before you buy



rhino_rkw
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2005
11:58:48

RE: V6 next time?
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I have a 2wd 04, and love it. I am running the 5 speed, 3.55 gears in the city i am getting 19 to 23 mpg. It towes well. Pulling two sandrails and a couple of quads i am in 4th and 5th most of the way and i still get about 18 to 20 mpg. All around i have been very happy and impressed with it. I have about 20k on it and have had no problems knock on wood with it, and i drive pretty hard.



hmmm
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2005
14:02:34

RE: V6 next time?
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RadioMan, don't buy a truck if you're worried about feeding it. I have a 2WD 3.9 now but I had a 4x4 5.2 before this one and the 6 just doesn't do it for me. I've driven the Liberty with the 3.7 and it's pretty capable in that but I would never opt for a 6 in a pick up again. Just not enough power and the small difference in mileage isn't a good trade off if the truck won't do what you need it to do.

I'm starting to look for a used 2WD with the 4.7 but those seem rare. So many 3.9's.



V-six
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2005
19:52:54

RE: V6 next time?
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I have a 2001 fullsize Ram 3.9 5 speed manual that gets an average of 19 mpg combined driving. Never gets worse than 17. You don't really notice the difference except when accelerating on ramps to the interstate and towing. I like the six and would get another one.



Jesus_Saves
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2005
04:22:31

I like the V6
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I own a 98 3.9 4X2 and I must say this engine is very reliable. I have 59000 miles and no problems thus far. I get plenty of power, plenty of torque. I'm not the kind of person that needs to tow anything really. I have used my truck to help people move and stuff like that and it is very useful. The only thing I don't like is that the 3.7 has more power. But a few mods on the 3.9 and you can reach the 3.7 and even the 4.7. Anyway, I don't know much about the newer V6 but if it's anything like the 3.9 I would consider buying it again. The truck handles great and drives excellent. Decide what your needs are as far as towing and off roading and make a decision from there. If you just need something to get you around, that drives great, and is more than adequate for carrying anything in the bed then go for the V6. If you tow often and really heavy loads go for the V8. I had a buddies Dodge Neon engine in the back of the truck and it drove great.



wdw
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2005
22:29:12

RE: V6 next time?
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I wish I had a V-8! I bought a regular cab Dakota Sport new back in 1996. It had the 3.9 with 4 speed auto and had lots of power and got reasonable gas mileage. Usually would get 19.8 highway mileage and got as good as 21 on the interstate. I put 100,000 miles on it with no problems. A year ago the family grew and I had to have a bigger cab. I've kicked myself for not buying the club cab back in 96 so this time I decided on the quad cab. I bought a 2003 quad with the 4 speed auto and the 3.9 expecting to have adequate power. Wrong move! The new truck does horrible on gas, best I've seen is 18 and usually it's around 16.5 or worse. As for power, I bought cruise control and its almost worthless. The truck just looks at a hill and has to downshift with the cruise on to keep the set speed. Drives me up the wall. After realizing my mistake I've test driven an 04 and 05 quad cab with the 4.7 and the power is a lot better and I doubt if the fuel mileage is any worse then my 3.9 Unfortunatley I just can't take the beating that the dealers want to give me for trade. So I guess I'm stuck with this dog for a few years until I get some stuff paid off. Next time it'll be a V-8!



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2005
14:31:52

RE: V6 next time?
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Well guys, many thanks for your input. After
reading the above replys, I'm sure I don't want
the 3.7 V6 in manual or auto to pull my 26'
Trail Lite travel trailor down I75 at 70 MPH like
my present 4.7 V8 does now.

The ONLY and I mean ONLY thing I don't like about
the 02, 4X4, 4.7 V8 right now is its auto tranny.

After reading the above replys, my next Dakota
will be what I have right now but the 5 speed
manual.

Thanks again!! This site is where it's happening
for Dakotas and their owners.




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