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MikeG
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
14:18:30
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 Subject: Dependable?
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Are the 3.9L Dakotas a dependable truck? I am looking around and i really like the dakotas, but i am hesitant becuase everyone tells me dodge/chrylser vehicles tend to have many engine problems. So are the Dakotas a dependable truck? I need something that will last a while without trouble.
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
14:59:44
|  RE: Dependable?
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Wow, you just opened a big can of worms here, but since this is a Dakota webpage, you will get all kinds of hopefully good feedback. So, I'll go first. I have a 1991 Gen 2 Dakota w/ 132,000 miles on it that I bought last year. So I don't have the full history of the vehicle, but I can tell you the 3.9 seems solid. It burns/leaks maybe 1/2 quart of oil every 3,000 miles, when I chage it. The 5-speed is great, geared nicely for the interstate and first is low enough to creep if required. Gas milage isn't super great, 15-16 city and around 20 strictly highway, not too unexpected. I feel confident that the vehicle will make it to 200,000 under my care, a few minor annoyances.
1. Timing chain rattles, I think this is a common annoyance.
2. Rack n pinion steering, went out not long after I bought it, that bummed me some, the one in our Shadow went past 200,000 miles so what is up with this one?
3. Gas mileage seems kinda low, have a 4X4 Jeep Cherokee w/ the 4.0 inline six (automatic) that gets the same gas milage as my 5-speed 2 wheel drive Dakota. Hoped the 3.9 would get 22-23 highway but no way, best I have ever got was 21 mpg.
4. Gas gauge doesn't work right until about 1/4 tank remaining, another common problem w/ the Gen 2 trucks, gas gauge is erattic.
Overall, my truck seems fine for the $2,000 I paid for it, I feel confident that I could hop in this truck and make a 300+ mile round trip w/ no problems, and do this regularly.
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rhinofromwa
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
20:38:02
| RE: Dependable?
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I own a 2000 Dodge 3.9L 5sp 2wd extra cab. It has just about 73,000 miles on it. I have owned it since new.
I have had to change the oil and filters and a new set of tires. I had a warranty repair in the first 2,000 miles of the truck on the clutch. nothign was found but everything was replaced as it wouldn't engage or dissengage consistantly....some times it worked fine other times it wouldn't at all. It was very sparatic.
The only other thing is I have recently replaced the thermostat gasket as it started to weep.
That is it. It is my drive around city truck...my motorcycle hauler (bed only) I haven't pulled a trailer.
I get mixed city/freeway dang near 20mpg (+/- a mpg) and the best I have got on the highway is 25mpg...but most of the time it is about 21-23. It gets better if I am going 50-60 and drops when I hit 70-80mph.
I haven't ran the engine as long as some others....but she has been pretty reliable for me. She is geared higher than I would like but that helps me get the good mpg I do.
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Fred E
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
22:36:46
|  RE: Dependable?
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I have a 1999 3.9 RC 5sp it has 48000 miles on it. I just replaced the uper ball joints with moog joints. I have changed plugs and wires I get about 23 mpg. I had to replace the thermostat gasket. Other then that I have had no problems I chage oil regularly The brakes and every thing is good. Im older so I dont hot rod it. The original tires went 35000 miles. So if you treat it good and drive it decent it should do a good job for you.Just do your home work before you buy. and MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE BALL JOINTS and not at a dodge dealer. Infact stay away from the dealer as much as posable. You might find a good buy at a dealer and a good truck go for it just remember dont let them get you. You get them first or they will get into your pocket big time
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MikeG
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
22:51:56
| RE: Dependable?
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Whats up with the ball joints? what is the problem. I have found a dakota at a chevy dealer near me, an 02 with about 25K miles on it. It still has a warranty and i can buy an extended warranty so that sounds pretty good to me. I have a friend at the dealer and he ran the vin number and nothing major has been done on the truck.
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marco
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
23:09:33
| RE: Dependable?
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i have a 98 3.9l and i love it. i did just rebuild the engine but thats after140000 miles of pretty insane abuse,trust me these things can take a severe beating.im gonna keep it for a long time.but these guys are right watch out for the notorious ball joints.my two cents. later
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Well...
Dodge Dakota
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8/09/2004
23:38:10
| RE: Dependable?
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Think of it as this....simple equation
239 (3.9L) = 318 (5.2L) - 2 cyl
318 = One of the best and most popular derby engines as well as one of Chryslers best motors
One of the best and most popular derby engines as well as one of Chryslers best motors = RELIABILITY
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Just Looking
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
01:48:31
| RE: Dependable?
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I can definently say the engine will take the abuse but here are the things that dont hold up if ur gonna haul/ pull trailers a lot like i do
The axle crapped out at 10,000 got it fixed under warrenty it went 6,000 mile more before it went again now it sitting in my drive way while i search for better gears and bearings since the dealer still says its fine heh pitted gears fine yeah right
The transfer case it just started to go on me with only 16,000 miles on it same for tranny
other then that it takes the abuse engine always starts even in very cold weather.I cant complain yet since it hasnt left me stranded
just the drivetrane on it is junk
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Black Dog
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
09:42:09
| RE: Dependable?
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142,000 miles on a 1991 3.9l v6. Never need to add water or motor oil because it is tight. How can you get this kind of durability? CHANGE YOUR OIL AND OIL FILTER EVERY 3500 MILES OR SO. Maintenance, man.
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spt
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
10:29:54
| RE: Dependable?
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I have a 1988 Dak 4x4 3.9 with 300,000km on it (about 188,000 miles) and I have done the brakes, water pump, valve cover gaskets and U-joints, thats it. I also do regular maintenance. My truck does not get alot of abuse, it is mostly driven to work and back. I do take it off road for hunting and fishing outings. The motor is running strong and does not use oil between changes.
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what
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
15:52:47
| RE: Dependable?
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what ever u do man, if u get it and get the warentee make sure the tranny is coverd! 3out of 6 daks have bad tranny probs. the manual's are alittle better but still not great
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
17:02:36
| RE: Dependable?
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I have a '95 dakota club cab 4x4 with 3.9L. It now has just over 142,000 miles on it of which all but 39,000 I added. here is a summary of the issues I've had.
radiator / water pump
gas guage float (x2, reference another post of mine)
seat belt latch
pitman arm (needs to be replaced)
emergency break release (needs to be replaced)
a/c doesn't work - still investigating, not had time with work and all.
Otherwise just normal maintenace keeps it running well - oil, diff, filters, belts, hoses, etc.
I do alot of highway and city driving. I don't do as much as I used to off roading - fishing, camping, etc.
I recently (april) had transmission inspected, no issues.
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dwruger
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
17:46:50
| RE: Dependable?
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98 ex.cab 4wheel loaded. replaced ball joints. had problems with a/c,tranny leaking fluid,short in steering column,clutch fan,steering funny still,short in dome light and door locks. most have been fixed,but its never left me walking. i use it as a work truck a tow trailers and haul tools all day every day. put 29/10.50 on it took some of the power away. coution on running vin numbers. I did on mine also showed it clean, after first good wash job found many repairs have been done to the body...Yes i would buy another one, love it. 85000 and still going
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
21:14:25
| RE: Dependable?
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I have a 98 V6 club cab 2X4 100,000 and it's the
best truck ever I just do regular maintenace And
I have had nothing go wrong. It's a great truck
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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8/12/2004
14:01:21
| RE: Dependable?
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I agree with all of these people. I love my DAK. I have the 98 Standard Cab with 5 speed short box. I bought it used with 98k km (about 50k miles) and it doesnt owe me a thing! Best thing I ever did was buy that truck (is my wife looking?)HA!
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xmr
GenIII
8/12/2004
20:48:44
| RE: Dependable?
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Message:
'98 cc 2x4 I have 146,000 miles and the only repairs have been a belt tensioner, thermostat gasket(under waraanty) and about 2v months ago I had to replace the waterpump. so far all my mods have not messed up the truck. On a recent trip I got 26.1 mpg for a all freeway strech and an over all average of 23.3 for the entire 400 mile trip not bad for truck with that many miles. What more can you ask?
'98 cc auto /Home brew cold air with K&N,Dynomax, Superchip Tuner, 1.7 RR,, F&B tb. NAPA cap and rotor, 3923 plugs,tps mod,relocated & switchable iat, 180 t'stat, Crankshaft sensor mod.,PVI,Ported and Polished manifold, bosch injectors,Black Magic Elec Fan, msd wiires
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dak92
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2004
01:54:39
| RE: Dependable?
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Message:
My 92 3.9 is the most dependable vehicle i have seen yet. Dad bought it with 5miles on the od. I have been driving it since 99 I've put 85k on it, it has 160k total she gets 18-22 city/hwy she'll start in a -60 crosswind and she has weathered my driving which i have this craving to watch mustang headlights fade in the rearview. This thing will take anything you throw at her. Theres a reason you dont find these in the junkyard nobody drops em off until they are fubar. If you buy a dakota u wont have to worry about buying another vehicle til u get bored with it.
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92 Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2004
17:57:22
| RE: Dependable?
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I have 92 Dakota with the 3.9. I have $147,000, and the only thing I have replaced are the brakes (replaced at 60K and 120K miles), and the bumper, the latter because I backed into a concrete pillar in an underground parking lot lol!
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92 Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2004
18:01:27
|  RE: Dependable?
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Sorry Typo, not $147,000, but 147 thousand miles on it. BTW I have owned it since December 1991.
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wadak
GenIII
8/21/2004
03:32:28
| RE: Dependable?
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xmr,
I was looking at your mod list are running the superchips tuner and the crank position sensor mod? What grade of fuel are you using? I'm curios at this point. I have a 97 dak so the superchips tuner is null and void for me.
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xmr
GenIII
8/23/2004
14:06:37
| RE: Dependable?
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Wadak;
I am running 89 octane mid-grade with no problems. I have tried to go back to 87 oct. but it pings. I have been tempted to try the superchips setting for regular but have not done it yet.
'98 cc auto /Home brew cold air with K&N,Dynomax, Superchip Tuner, 1.7 RR,, F&B tb. NAPA cap and rotor, 3923 plugs,tps mod,relocated & switchable iat, 180 t'stat, Crankshaft sensor mod.,PVI,Ported and Polished manifold, bosch injectors,Black Magic Elec Fan, msd wiires
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