Searching around for a replacement for my 2001 GMC Safari, I like the Dodge Dakota.
Any body have any comments on those ? Not new but used 2001 and up should get me a low mileage truck.
Pros/cons V8 versus V6 ?
The GMC is up for sale now only has 60k on it , I prefer a smaller truck. Could dump a lot of money in the 64 ute and use it as a daily.
I have a 2000 Dakota 4x4 Quad cab with the 4.7 that I really like. It's done everything I asked it to do including towing my race cars up to 300 miles one way through the mountains. I did take it easy on some of the hills but not sure I had to do that since it has the tow package. Good luck with whatever you decide. Mike
We have an '01 Durango which is a Dakota chassis. It's been a very good rig. One set of front brakes, a set of tires @ about 92,000 and a set of plugs. It's a 360 and not all that great on fuel mileage although that's my wife's driving and about 50% in town. I can guarantee I would do better.
Hewy wrote:Searching around for a replacement for my 2001 GMC Safari, I like the Dodge Dakota.
Any body have any comments on those ? Not new but used 2001 and up should get me a low mileage truck.
Pros/cons V8 versus V6 ?
The GMC is up for sale now only has 60k on it , I prefer a smaller truck. Could dump a lot of money in the 64 ute and use it as a daily.
The Dakota is like getting a slightly smaller truck atop of
a large truck frame. They're beefy. My dad
owns an '07 Dakota 4x4 Quad Cab with the 4.7L V8. He
[and mom] really like it.
John
My step grampa had an 01 durango. He plowed through a stop sign at 50, and no damage to the truck, minus a SMALL dent in the bumper lol... They are very stout trucks. I remember hearing about a ball joint issue with some of the older ones, but not sure which years it effected ...
Kevin. Loyal dodge enthusiast since I could hold a wrench
Put your seat belt on. I'm gonna try something
1968 D200 318 727
1972 D100 360 4 speed
1973 d100 318 727
1973 W100 440 727
63d100sixer wrote:My step grampa had an 01 durango. He plowed through a stop sign at 50, and no damage to the truck, minus a SMALL dent in the bumper lol... They are very stout trucks. I remember hearing about a ball joint issue with some of the older ones, but not sure which years it effected ...
Our '01 was in the recall for that. I had them replaced @ the dealer but the tech said there was nothing wrong with them and nothing wrong with any of the sets he had replaced.
I did forget in my first post about the right front wheel bearing going bad. Was an easy fix but it's a complete hub now. Can't just replace a bearing.
When we first got the rig I jacked it up and crawled around underneath to check it out. I was really surprised at how sturdy the undercarriage is. The frame is really stout.
Last edited by RussRoth on Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
I had a 91 Dakota. I cried when my wife made me sell it for my swepty. It had the LA 318 in it. Truck would go anywhere when the front hubs worked. I dug trenches in the dirt on a corner up the street from my house sliding off the road one winter. They where as deep as the wheels. OOPS! Oh well my josie is gone and i now have my violet.
I had a 01 durango with the 4.7 and thought it was a great ute for the wife. it towed my 20' boat to canada a few times with no problem at all. if you get a dakota, make sure it is a extended cab. my daughter also had a 03 dakota reg. cab and there wasn't enough room in the cab. you couldn't recline the seat at all. it was like sitting in a box.
I have owned 4 Dakotas (88 451 ,90 3.9, 94 318 ,01 4.7) and my wife drives an 08 Dakota quad 4wd with the 4.7, all have been great trucks , except the 88 MPG really sucked . My best friend has 2 the 87 has the 3.9 with about 260,000 with no major work and his 90 318 4wd has 170,000 and has been abused by several owners. Also I agree with M.O.M reg. cabs are small all of mine but 1 have been ex cabs.
Oh ya no small cabs for me. Club cab is perfect. As soon as the GMC is sold I'll begin the search.
No big hurry still will have the 64 green D100 to get me around.
Still haven't sold the van, but in my search I have paid a lot of attention to Dodge in general.
Included are Dakotas,Durangos,and full size trucks, even keep looking at Jeep Cherokees, to replace the old 86 Cherokee I once owned.
I really like the looks of the new RAM.
Curious about the ads though, no mention of Dodge. I'm wondering now that Fiat has a finger in the Chrysler pie, if maybe the Ram will wind up becoming a stand alone brand.
Hewy wrote:Curious about the ads though, no mention of Dodge. I'm wondering now that Fiat has a finger in the Chrysler pie, if maybe the Ram will wind up becoming a stand alone brand.
I thought it has been that way for a while already.
. My best friend has 2 the 87 has the 3.9 with about 260,000 with no major work and his 90 318 4wd has 170,000 and has been abused by several owners. Also I agree with M.O.M reg. cabs are small all of mine but 1 have been ex cabs. 
