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Random Quote: Work hard, play hard, catch fish.....or tell lies
Location: SE Pennsylvania / Pirates Cove-Manteo, NC
Posts: 3,000
2000 Dakota?
Service writer at my dealership is selling his 2000 Dodge Dakota, xcab, 4wd, 93k miles. It's has the v8 Magnum. Says it's been a great truck and has kept it up mechanically. Brand new Reese tow unit.
Truck looks very nice all around. Tough to find a 4x4 xcab v8 truck for the price.
Anyone have or had one? Problem spots to look for?
Thanks.
__________________ 2009 Key West 186 BayReef - Yamaha F115
FOR SALE - 2001 Scout 175 Sportfish - Yamaha 115
----------------------------------------------- Send lawyers, guns and money, the "crap" has hit the fan.
I haven't owned one but the "saying" is that the only thing that is weak on that truck is the tranny. No problems with the tranny after Daimler bought them. If I wanted the truck, I'd put the biggest aftermarket cooler on the tranny that's made. One other thing that might make you feel better about the purchase, usually most problems are fixed by the 100k mark.
That truck has the 45RFE trans. It's been an excellent tranny. Just make sure the fluid is clean pink/red. The 4.7 V-8 is prone to sludging if the oil hasn't been changed like it should. So make sure he's not BS'ing you about that. The ball joints in the front control arms can get noisey. There were some issues with the emissions system turning on the engine lite that can be a hassel, but does not effect the way the vehicle runs. Overall, there's really no common problems with those trucks.
I had a 99 4x4 V8, loaded, I loved the truck but it was basically a lemon. I had it to the dealer in Springhouse 17 times for warranty work. You name it, it broke or was replaced. 2 radiators, power steering, complete transmission. The last straw at 30K miles was the 6 of 8 bolts that hold the mainifold to the engine snapped (inside the block). I had the truck for 19 months and they basically bought it back from me. I hope you have better luck.
__________________ God doesn't bother me. His fan clubs do.
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I've got a 98 4X4 extended cab with the 5.2 and it's been a great truck. It now has 148,000 miles on it and still going strong. I did have the trans rebuilt at 127,000 miles which set me back $2600.00 but thats been it. I would like to buy a new Dakota if I could get one for the right price.
had a fleet of them. great trucks, a little heavy on the fuel. check universal joint on the steering shaft, look above drivers tire, tends to get dirty and then worn. Check sway bar links (if it has sway bar). exhaust manifold bolts snapping off. that was about it, very reliable. I worked the hell out of those trucks and they held up very well. now all the dodge dealers near me closed.
I just sold my 2000 EX CAB 4X4 DAKOTA in AUGUST. It was a really nice truck. Power was more than adequite as I towed a HEAVY box trailer with it a few times(close to 7,000 pounds, but it stood about 10 1/2 feet tall and 8 1/2 feet wide) and power was never an issue. Check the ball joints as 00 was dead in the middle of the recall ones, and as mentioned make sure it has been serviced regularly as missong even a few oil changes WILL kill the 4.7L. The 45RFE trans is a good piece, and has proven VERY reliable. Mine had 3.55 gears with the 31X10.50X15 tires and would get roughly 18-20 MPG running a steady 60 MPH, but it dropped to 16 running 70(add 2-3 MPG to those numbers before E-10 made it to the pumps). Towing my 20 foot HYDRA-SPORTS though would yield me about 10 running 55-60, and 8 if I pushed it up to 70.
2000 Dakota? 
). Towing my 20 foot HYDRA-SPORTS though would yield me about 10 running 55-60, and 8 if I pushed it up to 70. 
