Oppopinions on Second Gen Dodge Dakotas

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5) 12/11/2014 at 16:11 • Filed to: None

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Hey guys I'm looking for a replacement for my Mazda 323 and the Second Gen Dakota's(1997-2004) are surprisingly affordable and still in pretty decent shape for the money. I'm only looking to spend $1500-$2000 as I only need this truck for occasional trips to the hardware store. Does anybody have any experience with them? Ideally an R/T with the 5.9L would be cool but I highly doubt I will find one in my price range. Most of the ones I'm finding that I would consider have the 3.9L Magnum V6 are those any good? I don't care if they are weak as long as they are reliable is all that matters to me. The ones I'm looking at have about 125,000 miles on it.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 16:15

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I loved mine until the day I headbutted a semi towing way too much with failed trailer brakes. The 5.2 or 4.7+5 speed combos are a blast. I had mine for 13 years and it never failed to make me smile.

Pro-tip: the V6 gets maybe 1MPG better. Go for the V8. And most people call the '97-04s gen 3.

Takuro Spirit > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 16:33

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Automatic transmissions are unreliable, rust is an issue, stay away from the 4.7L (even though they are speedy little bastards), make sure the intake gaskets are good if you get a 5.2/5.9L.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 12/11/2014 at 16:34

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Weird according to wikipedia these are second gen? I would prefer a V8 one for sure but it seems the 3.9 is a lot more common in my price range. I just want a good truck if I find one with a V8 great but if the 3.9L is a good engine I would have no objections getting that instead.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Takuro Spirit 12/11/2014 at 16:37

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I found a ton of rust free examples since they don't salt the roads here. I know the 5.2 is a tank and will last forever they are not as common tho.

here is one I'm interested in. (mileage is in Km's)

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

itschrome > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 16:38

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My opinion for them is the same as it is for all that period Chrysler products. They are junk! I mean sure yeah when they where new and in good shape for that brief period that may have been they had some good stuff. But time has not been their friend at all.. junk, junk, junk.. I know 4 people who have all sold that period Dakotas off this year after falling into some serious money pits and 3 of the 4 either junked or donated them. ECU issues, wiring issues, everything you can touch on the inside breaks, rust, rust, and oh whats that more rust. time is not the friend of any vehicle, but usually proper care can midigate that to a degree and all these guys where very fond of their trucks. Great car loving people who do all the right things. still that fact being what is is could not save these trucks for the doomed hand of poor build quality and shitty quality control in general

T5Killer > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 16:42

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I have yet to see a single cab R/T in the wild. Such good looking trucks

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > T5Killer 12/11/2014 at 16:44

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I agree it's a fantastic looking unit. I had a friend that had one back when they were new.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 17:00

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The 3.9 is just 3/4 of a 5.2. Many smaller parts swap. No major issues.

Basically, it's like this:

1987-1991: Gen 1

1992-1996: went to 6 lug, smoother nose, front end 4" longer to fit a V8 w/o electric fans, commonly gen 2

1997-2004: Gen 2 officially, commonly Gen 3.

2005-2007: Gen 3 officially, commonly Gen 4.

2008-2011: squared off styling, no more manual, more powerful dual spark 4.7s, commonly gen 5

Biggest issues they have are ball joints, but they're not expensive parts to swap out. Riveted in ones can be cut/ground off and new ones bolted on.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 12/11/2014 at 17:13

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Awesome thanks for the great info.

This is one of the ones I found that I'm quite interested in.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 17:31

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Looks like a grandpa truck. Never driven hard, never seen the north side of 100kmh.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 12/11/2014 at 17:34

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That's a good thing right?

Nibbles > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 17:43

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The 3.9 is a solid motor but no gains over finding a (generally more prevalent) 5.2 . For gof sakes, do stay away from the automatics if at all possible!

source: I've had a 1997 Dak 5.2 automatic and a 1995 Dak 5.2 5MT, amongst a flurry of other Dodge trucks

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 17:50

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Sure

bhardoin > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/11/2014 at 22:26

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-All of them have super shitty clear coat. If it isn't peeling yet, it will be.
-Automatics are godawful. Regularly go out at 140k, esp. with 4wd.

+Motors are brilliant.
+I really like the interiors on them.
+Cheap.
+Don't suffer the shitty vague steering that all other trucks do for some reason.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > bhardoin 12/11/2014 at 22:31

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I should add that this will NOT be a daily driver just something I will use from time to time to get some work done. I might put 3,000 miles a year if that on it. Likely it would be a 2WD 3.9L Auto.

I am well aware of the clear coat issues. Remember the Neons of that era?

bhardoin > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 12/12/2014 at 00:25

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Aaaw yeah. The "urban camo" look.