All of the issues and problems to expect with these trucks and how to fix them. Whether you are thinking about buying one, or are already an owner, this should give you a good idea of what to expect down the road. Once you’ve addressed these issues, this truck and suv can be extremely reliable, capable, and practical. Since you can get these vehicles in a V8 over the V6, you can get great horsepower and torque for a good towing capacity and excellent highway manners. MPG sucks on all of these, so don’t think you’re going to save money there, but ownership is cheap otherwise. Our pickup is lifted and sitting on 35 inch mud tires, and I have videos showing how we did all of that, and I review the overall build as well. Comment with any questions, enjoy!
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Sway Bar Bushings Poly 2000-2004 4WD – https://amzn.to/3Dzf3gt
Camshaft Position Sensor 2000-2007 4.7l Engine – https://amzn.to/4gXNXhu
Radiator Dakota/Durango 2000-2004 – https://amzn.to/3ZU5P6d
Water Pump Dodge 3.7 4.7 Engine – https://amzn.to/3DCVhRv
Fan Clutch Dodge 3.9 4.7 5.2 5.9 l Engine – https://amzn.to/4gxujt1
Upper Radiator Hose 4.7 Engine 2000-2004 – https://amzn.to/3PhzGjX
Blower Motor Resistor – https://amzn.to/4gZy4ax
Power Window Switch – https://amzn.to/41UUq8T
Valve Cover Gaskets Dodge 4.7l – https://amzn.to/4j06Bak
Belt Tensioner Pulley – https://amzn.to/4gSngLd
LED Reverse Light bulbs – https://ebay.us/KyjMst
LED Turn Signal Bulbs (faster blink without resistor) – https://ebay.us/h1DsVV
LED Headlight bulbs 9007 – https://ebay.us/8Uo3mz
LED Marker Bulbs – https://ebay.us/cvt8GW
Clear Headlights w/black housing – https://ebay.us/tUkPAO
Led Taillights – https://ebay.us/6E9VqU
3rd LED Brake light – https://ebay.us/T6ArdP
2″ Rear Suspension Lift Kit – https://ebay.us/6D79pS
3″ Body Lift for 03-04 Dakota PA60153 – https://ebay.us/rRCrGI
3″ Body Lift for 00-02 PA60043 Dakota – https://ebay.us/kHwkIu
2.5 3.6 3.7 3.9 4.7 5.2 5.9 gas Dakota Durango sxt sport rt slt extended cab regular quad 2wd 4wd 4×4 4×2 ram 1500 2500 3500 off-road 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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I bought a 2000 Dakota Reg Cab for my daily driver, as my wife always had a 4 Dr SUV or ext cab Silverado or Avalanche for her daily and our trips. Before that I had a sweet 1995 Wrangler S I traded in for the Dakota. So anyways I had a Chrystal Granite Metallic Sport 5.2 V8/5 speed found, that had every option but automatic. HD payload and tow package that included 120 amp alt, trailer hitch and wiring, 3:92 limited slip, handling and tire package that came with rear sway bar, anti lock rear disk brakes,16×9” alloy color matching wheels 265/75-16 GoodYear Wrangler’s I swapped for Nitto Terra Graplers, 265/75-16. Plus I gained 1”+ in front with a crank on the torsion bars, adding Bilstein 5100 shocks all around. As far as issues? Minor were the heater fan relay was all, major front ball joints after 78,000 miles, the local mechanic/friend replaced with my help on his lift. We were able to fit the same ball joints that were listed for 1500 5.9 4×2, that were actually heavier on a mail scale than the original ones, all we had to do was bore out the spindle hole .05 to fit, using grade 8 hardware. Then normally 4 drilled slotted disks, with high performance pads and parking brake shoes. From the very first day I had that littlish truck I beat the daylights out of it on beaches, trails and hill limbs, plus chasing down 5.0 Mustangs and Camaros! The first summer I used it to drive from home on an island off Cape Cod to Armish Country in Ohio, empty going out at 20 mpg at 70. Then rented a 16” tandem axle UHaul to haul 10 70 lbs picnic table kits loaded in the bed of the truck and then another 70 in the trailer for a Cat Scale certified 12,013 CGVW. Across Rt 80 from Ohio to PA, NJ, NJ, to Tappan Zee Br. And Rt 95 in NY, CT and RI, to a UHAUL dealer storage facility in Prov. RI. Running 65 mph maintaining legal speeds on every long grade especially in PA on 90+ degree days, 8 trips in all, making $100 each table delivered and assembled on site for beautiful red cedar tables. On a couple of the longest 6-7 mile grades I was forced to downshift from 5th @ 1,600 rpm at 65, to 4th @ 2,800 rpm just feathering the gas pedal due to the temp gauge getting over 3/4 mark, that would drop to half way. Getting 20 mpg at 70 going out then averaging 10 mpg returning at over 12k CGVW! Handled like a dream. The trailer only had serge brakes, but the truck had 4 wheel disks all stock at 4,000 miles on the first trip. I traded that Dakota in for a new 2014 Charger R/T AWD. After 14 years and 156,000 miles of mostly trouble free service! Since the Charger we have owned a 2016 Colorado Ext Cab 4×4 Z71 for her, Charger for me, till we both retired and need only one car, so we got a 2019 Colorado Crew Cab 4×4, Z71, now we have a new 2024 Jeep Gladiator Sport S automatic hard top in Chrystal Granite Metallic same as the Dakota. All awesome mid size trucks. I rather get around in than full size, after having a couple Silverado an Avalanche 4×4’s. That are just too big and thirsty.
ANY DODGE WITH 4.7L WILL NEED A MOTOR(THE 3.9/5.2/5.9 ARE GREAT)
Happy New Year Bro
I feel EVAP issues should be on this list. Solid list though. And ball joints on the front