Dodge dakota 5.9 v8
 

Well my 2001 Dodge ram 1500 5.9 V8 has some major $$$ problems and wont pass MA state inspection. It has been a great truck for 48 months , but now it,s time to replace it , I am looking at a 2003 dodge dakota 4X4 four door with a 5.9 V8 and a towing package . A 1 owner in great shape with 95,000 miles . The price is fair at $8,599 any one know much about these truck,s ???? before I buy it Thanks

Same engine you got now as the 5.9L was on it's way out and went basically unchanged from 01 to the end of it's run. It will most likely have the 46RE trans like your truck has, but beings it's a DAKOTA it could also have the 44RE in it. Essentially it was the same truck as the 1500, just in a smaller wrapper. The front end can be a problem area as the IFS in the DAKOTAS 4X4 had ball joint problems. And if it has the full time 4X4, I would pass. I have heard of quite a few of the transfer cases for the full time 4X4's failing.

Thanks for the reply , It has a shift select switch / 2/wd 4/wdH /4wd L on the dash . The truck is a one owner and has been garaged it,s whole life with no rott on the frame or shackels or body . I lifted it up and checked the front end out , and it was tight , I like the truck size but have always had full size trucks in the past , but my back dosent alow me to too get in and out without pain , I like the power to size of this new truck but dependabilty is a major issue ?

It is pretty much the same drivetrain as the full size trucks of it's day, just in a smaller wrapper. Very few things in the DAKOTA were different than the 1500's other than the IFS front end.

my experience
 

I have an 06 Dakota quadcab 4x4 with 4.7 and I can't remember size of the rear but I know it's the biggest you could get in the Dakota for that year. Again its an 06 not an 03 but it has given me a fair amount, buddy has identical truck and we laugh because we have pretty much the same problems... I have 83000 on it and have had the tranny opened twice (pump lost prime, solenoid stuck) brakes on front seized 3 different times and had to be replaced, rusting out in the rear wheel well, exhaust manifold bolts snapped off on both sides at 65000, on 3rd wheel bearing on front drivers side, oil pressure sensor failed while towing (that's always fun to see your oil pressure light come on while going 60 down the highway), oh and ball joints are a given. As far as towing its a beast, moves the V20 up some wicked hills no problem, but I have heard from many others that the Dakota's were prone to a lot of problems. Buddy of mine owns a shop and just informed me they are also known for failure of the front drive axle (4x4) and mine is going and apparently quite expensive for the part. Don't wanna ruffle any feathers for those Dakota lovers out there but just throwing in my experience and .02. Been told over and over when I'm in getting it fixed that I shoulda bought a RAM. Thanks.

COMPLETELY different truck. They don't share hardly anything in common with each other for the 03 to 06. I believe the last of the 03 style was in 04, after that they redesigned everything about them. I had an 00 DAKOTA with the 4.7L, and loved it. It just wasn't a full size truck, and I liked my SUBURBAN more so I built the BURB up and sold my DAKOTA. And if they want that much for an 03 with that many miles, I guess I gave my 00 away. It was a cream puff with just 36K miles, and I sold it in 09 for $7800(then again I bought it in 08 for $7000 with 28K miles on it).

Do you really need a pick up?... or is it the 4x4 that you like? My 05 Durango is simply a joy to drive, and the 5.7 Hemi is more than up to the task of towing anything I can hitch to it. They had some problems with the instrument cluster that they issued a recall on, and a transfer case that would lock up all by itself, but as far as I know those problems have all been resolved. Might want to look at/consider one.

I like the Durango's , very nice suv's but I need a truck because I haul a lot of stuff , and I am always helping friends move

I have a 03 Dakota 4WD with the 4.7 V8. I bought it at 36,000 and I just hit 90,000 miles. In the last month the transfer case stopped switching and will not come out of 2WD (bad switching motor I assume) and the drivers door window regulator went out. Otherwise I've had no trouble. Based on my experience, I would buy another Dakota. Condition and maintenance history means a lot. If you found a good one, I'd go for it.

i know you guys love them, but i've got an 02 w v6 and a full size 96 1500 w 5.9 and both get about the same mileage. i'd get 1500 and enjoy the room. i do know those dakota's had issues running hot when towing, not enough air flow through the grill.