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47Dak03
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
16:02:13
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 Subject: Disappointment...HELP
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Well, after test driving the 4.7 03 Dakota Club Cab 4x4, I was hooked for my next Dakota! I previously owned a 98 Dakota CC Sport 3.9L 4x4.
I have to say, after having it for 4 weeks I am somewhat disappointed with performance. Don't get me wrong, it is much smoother shifting and running than my older 3.9 was but I thought it would have more of a kick-in-the-pants difference. Did anyone else feel this way after upgrading to a V8?
Well, I still love Dakotas and my new truck, but I had fun modding and playing with my 3.9. The best thing about the V8 upgrade is that I can put a louder exhaust on, the 6er just sounded a little weird loud, this one should be strong.
Later!
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4.7
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
16:27:26
|  RE: Disappointment...HELP
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hate to say it but we told you so........................
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RTSpeedDemon
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
19:14:00
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Now if a R/T owner had posted your message the 4.7 guys would be jumping all over us.
First off your barely broken in so your truck will still gain some speed as you put a few more miles on her.
What axle ratio did you get as the 3.92 ratio would be noticebly better than the higher 3.55 ratio.
Other than that do a few basic mods and i'm sure it will get to where you want it.
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paysonbadboy
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
19:25:09
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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I have a 3 week old 4.7 4X4 QC. After driving mine up the mountains a few times I think mine seems to be getting better. Maybe the computer getting "trained" has something to do with the crappy gas mileage and performance issues when first "out of the box"?
I'm not sure but I think mine is getting better gas mileage now and seems to shift a little more appropiate on the larger hills than the first time I drive it. There was a hand full of cars crusing up and down the hills the last trip I made this week and my truck did some pretty good ass kicking over them econo boxes and other "mid sized" trucks. Once my waranty starts to wear out, then my lil' 4.7 will get some boost perhaps. But it is just a 4X4 that I can fit my whole family into. If I wanted a sports truck, I'd get an R/T and leave the family behind!!!
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ian
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
19:47:57
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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you gotta be kidding me you jumped up 60 hp and 70lbs of torque and you can't feel much of a difference?
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teamfast
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2003
22:22:45
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Thats what im thinking...was this 3.9 supercharged or what!
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47Dak03
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2003
03:23:24
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Well, I have the 3.92s in the new 4.7. No, it was not a supercharged 3.9 that I owned before, just some intake mods, F&B TB, K&N FIPK, 1.7 roller rockers, gibson cat-back. The 3.9 also had the 3.92s.
Guess my disappointment comes in that I wanted to go full-size this time and all-out with the HEMI Ram. I test drove it reminded me of my Roadrunner 440 6pk days! They only offered a 5.9 Dakota on the lot in a Quadcab which I did not need, wanted more bed space. So I was kind of stuck with the 4.7L. Seriously though, other than being a bit quicker off-the-line and having a small amount more power on the hills, the 4.7L wasn't the V8 jump I was expecting...guess I shouldn't have driven that HEMI as well. Anyway, went with the 4.7 over the 3.9 because the price difference was almost nothing at all so might as well get the newer technology right?
I think the 3.9 and 4.7 power difference is more noticeable in the 2wd manuals. From what I hear, without any mods, the 4x4 Autos seem a lot more close, that is just the word I hear out there. I do know that in comparing my two Daks, I would have no problem having to drive that 3.9 again at this point.
Anyway, saving up next time for the big bang and going HEMI!
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teamfast
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2003
04:32:50
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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dont they have a 30 day exchange policy? Aside from giving your engine a little time to break in, i think the economy V8 will grow on you, especially in the numbers dept.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2003
08:48:55
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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What the ...? Maybe there is something wrong with your 4.7, it is a much stronger motor than the 3.9. More likely you were kidding yourself thinking at first it reminded you of a 440-6 because it was so much stronger than the 3.9, than you remembered what big block torque is like. the 4.7 isn't a 440, and the new hemi isn't the old hemi. I doubt the new hemi in the heavier full size truck is significantly quicker than the 4.7 in the lighter Dak. If you're looking for big block performance you were going to be disapointed either way, just be thankful you don't have big block (single digit) gas milage.
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TheDonNonn
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2003
11:04:12
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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I used to have a 3.9 in my old Dakota. It was pretty much stock (except exhaust and intake)and compared to my 4.7 that engine is a dog. But then again I didnt have that TB or 3.92s....
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47Dak03
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2003
13:32:09
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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TheDonNonn,
The 3.9L takes a nice performance jump with the TB change. I at first did just exhaust and intake, which helped, but the TB was a night and day difference, much improved power through all RPMs.
This 4.7 really is nice though, hopefully more mods are coming, appears there aren't a whole lot of things I can do to it right now, but the engine is fairly new in existence.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
08:16:38
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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My new dakota was a dog when i got it (2003 cc 4x4 4.7 5-speed 3.92) compared to my old, modded truck (2000 cc 2wd 4.7ho 5-speed 3.92).... but after about 600 miles on the odo the truck really woke up and has been getting better since (5k miles now, 10 weeks old)...
Chirs
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kritter
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
15:02:54
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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2003 4x4 w/4.7 v8--6000 miles-has a constant engine stumble at idle. dealer says Dodge is aware but hasn't found a fix. anyone else have this?
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Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
15:55:17
|  RE: Disappointment...HELP
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I had a 1992 V6 Dakota 4x4 CC. It ran good (not as much power as I'd have liked when towing my Bayliner) and never had any problems. It was my first truck and until some $*()&(@*&(% idiot hit me head-on and twisted the frame, I was going to keep it and pass it on to a son or daughter.
Now however, I have a 1995 V8 Dakota 4x4 CC with everything, and I love it! Huge power difference, it rides a little higher than the 1992, and it rides smoother as well. I also don't have it shift up and down gears like crazy when towing my boat!
47Dak03:
Whatis this TB you're talking about and what does it do? I already run a K&N air filter with a Tornado Air device, Bosch Platinum 4 plugs and gold plug-wires. I want to do everything I can to get a good mix of performance and fuel economy out of my truck and if this TB (Turbo??) can do it, I may look into it. My brother is also getting me a flowmaster with dual exhaust for my birthday, and I hear that help with HP a little.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
18:25:01
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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kritter - what is your idle rpm ?
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jomama69
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
19:04:55
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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sephiroth, TB is a throttle body, It helps with putting more air into your engine. $300+ for about 5 HP, seems like a waste to me.
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47Dak03
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
21:31:45
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Got the F&B 48mm TB for $400 shipped, I had 30 days to return it if I was not impressed....never got returned so that should tell you something. It's not just the HP difference with the throttle body on the 3.9, it is the overall better performance and smoother running in my opinion. I really liked it, one of my best mods. I have not tried any TB changes yet with the 4.7, I'm kind of waiting to see what is all out there since I just got the thing.
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Sephiroth
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
22:24:01
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Ah, OK. Now if I got a new one for my V8 Dakota, would I have to get a new air-filter housing and such, meaning I lose my Tornado Air and K&N (combined those two DOMINATE for a cheap upgrade)? If not, then considering I already have a K&N (more air flow) and a Tornado Air (spins the air like a turbo, but not as well as a real turbo), that could give me some serious gain. Also, when replacing the throttle-body, how much disassembly would have to be done, since I could probably do it, but have never actually taken an engine apart and would be nervous as heck about doing so.
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steve
R/T
6/17/2003
23:19:58
| RE: Disappointment...HELP
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Sephiroth - The tornado is a hoax(I can't believe anyone believed or bought that scam)It does NOTHING that a turbo can do! So there in turn is NO serious gain. For the power gains from the K+N..... very minimal maybe 5-8 hp if you are lucky. I am not flaming you just trying to help you out man. And the TB is a quite easy mod just need the right tools.And you will be no where near disassembling your engine to do it! A friendly bit of advice ...you should try and learn what parts are what on your Dak before you start modding, if you don't know what a TB is you shouldn't piss with anything on you truck untill you know what they hey you are doing cause the throttle body is one of the basics my friend!Good luck and BE SMART
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