Dodge dakota 5.9 v8

[rb437]

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.

[phatdaddy]

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.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

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.

The running hot issue was pretty much taken care of by 00-01 or so. The 5.2/5.9's did have some issues, but DODGE came out with a revised fan clutch, and some seals for the shroud. If the cooling stack is dirty they will run hot no matter what, but otherwise they are pretty good. I know my 00 with a 4.7L NEVER ran hot. I know I towed ALOT more than I had any business towing with it(at least 7500 pounds of an 8 foot wide box trailer that stands almost 11 feet tall), and it never even remotely got hot. And mine had 3.54 gears in it which weren't ideal for power. The mileage will suck with the 5.9L VS the 4.7L, and be pretty close to that of a 1500. The 5.9L is just a fuel pig no matter what it is in.