shooter5635

Hey guys...


Sorry to say, but the Jeep is up for sale. I cant keep dumping money into it just to keep it running like this. Its getting a bit out of hand. Im not done with jeeps forever, just until im out of college and have a steady job and some spare income.

Anyway, im in the market for a new(er) truck. My father in his infinite wisdom wont let me get a full size truck but i want a v8...that means its gotta be a dodge dakota.

Im looking at roughly a 2006 55,000 miles 4.7L v8 w/ 4wd for around $10,000.

Has anyone had experience with these trucks? Anything to look out for? Should i turn around and run as fast as possible?

Bama91XJ

Every truck, car, SUV has it problems no matter what. Even if it something small. I have heard good reviews and bad reviews on the dakota. Personally I like the older body styles but I think they are pretty good.

I personally would just sell the jeep and get a Newer Grand Cherokee with 4x4 and v8 Then you could keep the Jeep and still be here with your buds while having a newer and bigger engine to play with.

Just my opinion.

shooter5635

Another Jeep is pretty much out of the question at this point. I need something with an open bed, but thanks for the input.

J-leblanc

You gotta do your research on the Dakota engines for that year. I know they had a few years with engines that had poor flow on the oil ports in the block. So if there was any oil sludge it would plug and ruin something. My brother had one. He lost a main bearing at 89, 000 miles. Just a heads up.

shooter5635

I've been looking into that. It looks like the 00-02 had that problem the most (sludge). People who took extremely short trips and never let the truck get to operating temperature experience it the most...and those who didnt change their oil enough. *duh*

Metmknice

I prefer the 2nd and 3rd gen myself. BUt go check out dakota-durango.com Not sure where they all are, but there are some for sale on that site.

J-leblanc

Yep sounds about right.

1996XJSport

I'd say go for it. Dakotas are unkillable no matter the year or engine. My friend had a 1987 (the first year it was made) 2wd longbed with the 3.9 V6 in it. He bought the truck for $100 and it was beat to hell. Everything was rusted out, there were holes in it that were the size of footballs, and it had 190k on it. It burned a little oil because the last owner abused it, but it wouldn't die. My friend got rid of it last year because he was looking for something a little bigger and more powerful, the dakota still ran like crazy, and he made $700 off it.

I know another guy who's dad had a 2003 dakota with the 4.7 and he used it as his work truck for a roofing company. The thing was again, beat to hell and had 392k on it with no rebuilds or recent engine/drivetrain work done.


It just goes to show that they are extremely dependable and you can count on them to get you from point A to B and everywhere in between

I almost got an '08 before I got my XJ. I turned it down because it would have been a lease and I couldn't have modded it haha

93krawleroffroad

I have an 02 club cab SLT Dakota with the 4.7 and I love it. Not full size but not a ranger and v8 from the factory. I've heard the crankshaft and camshaft sensors can be expensive to replace but I am at 129k miles and no major problems to report.

shooter5635

Awesome. My dad absolutely DESPISES dodge for some reason, but i dont want another ranger and i think the s10's are garbage. And i like the idea of a v8

Irongrave

If you can test drive a 05+ frontier the 4.0V6 runs like a raped date plus you can get a 6 speed and a e-locker with it. it will waste any 4.7 dakota

shooter5635

How much are they going for? My price range is right around $9000-$10,000

Also, arent the parts expensive as all hell is something breaks?

Irongrave

not sure what 05s are going for these days but parts are no more $$ then anything else of the same era

shooter5635

Ill look into them.

93krawleroffroad

Are you looking for a 2 wd or 4 wd truck? Mine is AWD and has a limited slip and factory aluminum heads so it's pretty quick for what it is.