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V8 Dakotas
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Ray
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2009
00:48:02

Subject: v6 or v8 dakota?
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Just wondering what motor you guys would recommend getting. v6 or small v8? Im looking to buy a 4x4 dakota. prob about 99-02 with less than 90k or 100k miles at the very most. definitly want atleast the ext cab but leaning more toward quad cab. i dont haul anything except a 350 lb fourwheeler now and then. probably get 31-33 inch tires. im only 18 so im looking for a little power but looking mostly for the better mpg. let me know what motor you guys would recommend



stevedak
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2009
08:06:28

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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Be careful, from 99-02 DC was transitioned to a new v6 and new v8. I had the old 3.9 V6 in my last dakota. I liked the truck but I expected better gas milage. After a lot of mods, I got it up from 17 to 19 mpg and I am a light footed driver. I now have a 4.7 v8 in my 2002 dakota and get the same mpg's with a lot more power.....love it!!! In general, I think the newer engines (3.7 v6 and 4.7 v8) are better engines for mpg. In a 99 dakota, if you had a v6, it would be the older 3.9. Not sure exactly what year they updated engines to the new family 3.7 and 4.7



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2009
09:02:45

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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the 3.7 liter did not hit the dak until '04. the 4.7 liter didn't come until '00. if you go with a QC 4x4 auto trans, i wouldn't get the 6. i have an '00QC 4x2, 3.9 & 5spd. i haven't towed anything with mine but have loaded the bed up to around 800lbs and everything. was good.

note, the QC bed in only 5.5ft long. maybe a little short.



Jim
Dodge Dakota
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5/12/2009
08:00:49

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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Don't get the 3.9L. It does not have enough power. The 4.7L is the way to go.



motorsportdak
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2009
16:23:58

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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4.7 , very good engine. Don,t even think of a six and a quad cab-too much weight.



4.7
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2009
12:50:16

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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MPGs won't be great either way, but my research showed the 4.7 was a little better when I bought my 03 QC 4x4 4.7, and the power is good. I did read good things about the 3.7 in the 04 and up. But the v8 still makes me smile every time I fire it up.

The 5.5' box is one of the only things I don't like about mine, but I've hauled 16' lumber, 17' ladders, multiple couches, mattresses, camping gear and other crap and never really had a problem. I find the back seat and rear doors more useful than I'd find another foot of box. That said, my next truck will have 4 doors and a 6.5 foot box if I can.



Vanschlick
GenI
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5/25/2009
14:36:19

RE: v6 or v8 dakota?
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when I bought my 4.7 quad cab dakota in 00 the v6 sticker said it got 14-18 and mine was 14-17, though I get almost 20 mpg according to the trip computer at about 70 mph.


my big ol polaris atv fits just fine in the bed of my quad cab, with the tailgate down...

I need more cowbell!

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