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pat
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2002
20:38:19

Subject: 4.7 Dakota?
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I was just dreamin again. I'll be getting a new truck within the year. Most likely a Dak 4.7 reg cab.

Opinions on a couple of things please:

- 5 speed or auto (3.9 5 speed right now but shifter seems a little long)

- which gear ratios?

- should I get a cap or a tonneau cover or just leave it open?

- 4x4 or 2x4? i want it to go fast but its also pretty snowy here in the winter. will i be able to manage the 2x4 in winter with bigger tires or will i be stuck left and right? can 4x4s get into 14's?

- how fast is the manual vs. auto?

anything else i'd wanna know? opinions? suggestions?



Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2002
20:41:16

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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what do you plan on doing with this truck?



Detho9000
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2002
22:07:35

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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I just got a 2002 dakota...
Specs:
4.7Liter Magnum V8 Sport Extended Cab
Graphite
5 speed manual transmission
2x4
3.22 axle ratio (better MPG)
Open bed

Opinions:
Hands down the truck is eveything I wanted and more. I'm more than happy with it. The two biggest problems I have with it is the lousy gas milage (16-17mpg highway :/ ) and the turn radius (it turns like a tank).

I custom ordered it specifically so I could get the 3.22 ratio, the 5 speed manual, and the v8 engine. With the truck stock, I can blow the doors off of low-end cameros and mustangs (v6s) with a couple mods I'll be able to take on the v8 cameros and mustangs.

I'm planning on doing an exhaust and intake upgrade, computer upgrade, and a hard tonneau cover that's flush with the bed rails.
In the long run I'm probably going lower it a little, put on performance tires and rims, sway bars and ground effects.
In the long long run I'd like to shave the handles and antenna but by the time I'm ready to do that I'm going to need to have the truck repainted after I shave everything which will jack the price up big time.

I'd definently get a bed cover or a cap. It will improve your gas milage a lot. I think stick shift is a personal preference more than anything. I personally wouldn't drive anything that wasn't stick shift but that's just me. I do notice that stick travel distance is pretty long and it hinders me when I'm making the kid in the mustang look bad in front of his friends and/or girlfriend.

I got the 2x4 because I don't go off-roading with my truck and the snow removal service in my town is awesome. I didn't really feel like spending a lot of extra money for something I'd use a couple times out of the whole year. The hell of it is that if I lower it or do any major body mods, I'm probably going to put the truck under a cover for the winter and get a beater secondary car.

But what are you planning on doing with the truck?

-D9K



TonyC
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2002
22:13:12

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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I have the Quad Cab 4.7 4x4, 3.55's in the rear. I got the 5 speed because I live on a mountain and found that engine braking allows for better control down the hills during the winter. I love my truck the way it is. Even with snow tires, with the truck in 2 wheel drive, I wasn't able to make it up most hills, so definately get the 4 wheel drive. You won't be sorry. Besides, the 4.7 sounds really bitchin when going through the gears!
I have a tonneau cover on mine because I use the truck for hauling dirt and other things that require an open area to "dump" things in. The hard top requires you to drill holes into the body of the truck, the tonneau doesn't. The disadvantage to the toneau cover is that there is no security, at least you can lock the hard top.
Either way, you will improve your highway gas milage. Around town, it will make no difference. Good luck.



pat
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2002
22:09:58

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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Thanks for the replies guys.

Well, I plan on pulling a small trailer about once a year. Some camping, some drag racing, stuff like that.

it gets snowy up hear in the winter (northern alberta, canada) however I will be moving soon, not to sure where though. so im not sure if i need the 4x4 yet. Can a 4x4 be as fast as a 2x4 by any possible chance?




xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2002
10:43:05

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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Hrmm...

drag racing = 3.92s
Towing = 3.92
Hauling = 3.92

Where ya at?

I live in Kalispell, MT and my truck is a 4.7L 2WD RC 3.92 5spd w/ the limited slip. The limited slip is a MUST, but I didn't need the 4WD this winter at all. I went jumping in deep snow drifts and stuff like that. Yeah, I got stuck sometimes, but with 350-400 pounds on the back you should do just fine.

A 4WD is slower, it's heavier and built different; it's always going to be slower with the same modifications on the same thing. It depends on what you are doing. For around town stuff, up in the mountains and decent trails, a 2WD does pretty damn good, but nothing like a 4WD does. Then again, that's why we have a '83 4WD Toyota...


can 4x4s get into 14's?
Yeah, supercharger :)

The 4WD does kick a lot of ass in winter, I'll admit that, but I didn't find I use for it. I did pretty good driving on back icy/snowy roads hookey bobin' with my truck this winter. If you get into the deep stuff, just DON'T STOP, haha.



pat
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6/11/2002
11:52:06

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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So, ok I checked the price for the truck I would want if it was a 4x4 and it was 30 000 canadian. Which sucks. So i'm pretty sure it'll be a 2x4 heheh.

How fast in 1/4 do you think a 4.7, anti spin diff, auto tranny, RC, 2x4, 3.92 gears would be?



Demon Dakota
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6/11/2002
14:25:57

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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When you find out, let me know. I drive a '02 4.7 with the auto. I already have one performance oriented vehicle with a stick, and didn't need another. My Demon still runs pretty well, and I'll be taking it to the track really soon to see what it will do. And as to engine braking and having a manual for that, it's nonsense. There are other gears listed on an auto for just that reason. Downshifting an auto is slightly less hazardous than the manual because you don't allow and freewheel speed increase like when you press in the clutch on a manual.



pat
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6/11/2002
17:52:12

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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As for engine braking with a stick... I use it all the time in my Neon. But when i'm autocrossing it matters the most, not that im gonna be doin that in the truck. However when im downshifting i ALWAYS "heel toe" in the Neon, I never just let the clutch out slowly. i know some people think that is engine braking for some reason.

Anyways, auto is fine for me. i dont like the long shifter.



pat
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6/11/2002
17:55:15

RE: 4.7 Dakota?
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Does your dakota feel like pulls pretty hard, Demon?



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