[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by bjrrockwell

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).