Thinking about a 2000 Dakota truck with 4.7 v8

[tevake]

I understand this engine came from jeep division, to be put into the Dakota.
Anyone familure with their reliability, longevity, maintenance issues?
Or with the second generation Dakotas in general.

Thanks Richard

[tevake]

Here is a link to one that I'm thinking about.
2000 Dodge Dakota Sport

Gonna send my sister to have a look.

Thoughts?

[yetibone]

Very thirsty for a smaller truck. No better that 17 mpg is what I hear.

Occasional valvetrain trouble when the little 'lifter' (actually, a fulcrum for the rocker arm) collapses, and the rocker falls away.

[Laneco]

Look for regular oil changes. Extended service intervals are bull****. These engines do suffer failures from sludge. As long as sludge-ing is not an issue, the engines run pretty darn reliably.

angela

[tevake]

Thanks for the input. I had read about them being thirsty, but was hoping that was with the larger older designed. V8. I'd rather find a small to mid sized truck that can carry four, do some light towing and get at least 20/25 mpg. Any suggestions?

Cheers Richard

[Nostril Cheese]

My dad bought a 4.7 Ram new. It needed new heads at 36,000 miles. Something to do with the lifters. He didnt pay a cent for it.

[jim72911t]

I have a 2000 Dakota Club Cab with the 4.7 V8 and automatic. Bought it with 52K miles in 2008, and it has 98K on it now. It has been dead reliable, and all I've had to do is replace a battery, O2 sensor, and front brakes. Oil changes every 5K miles. Probably time for belts, hoses, tranny flush and a tune up.

I don't tow with it much, but when I have (mostly lighter loads), it is stable, torquey, and after a few miles, I forget that I have a trailer behind me.

Mileage around town is 15-17; on the highway I get about 20. Nothing to write home about, but I do no better in my M3.

[Tim Hancock]

My '98 Dakota was the biggest POS I ever owned. It had 8 issues in the 3 years I owned it from new in '98 to '01. traded it on a used Toyota and never looked back.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by tevake

Thanks for the input. I had read about them being thirsty, but was hoping that was with the larger older designed. V8. I'd rather find a small to mid sized truck that can carry four, do some light towing and get at least 20/25 mpg. Any suggestions?

Cheers Richard

Toyota Tacoma extended or crew cab, or a first generation Toyota Tundra (smaller than current model) extended or crew cab. If you can find one, a Toyota T100 extended cab also ticks those boxes. All phenomenal trucks that will last forever.

My brother in law has a 2000 Dakota with the 5.9, the truck is slowly falling apart around him. It is a poorly made unreliable POS.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

The 2001 Frontier I borrow for towing has 185K miles, been incredibly reliable and tows 3800lbs pretty well. Great truck.

[asphaltgambler]

We had one in our previous 2002 Jeep GC Limited. Very torquey considering the small displacement, very smooth overall. Never had one issue but we bought it with just shy of 60K on the clock and it was well maintained. We sold it with just over 200K. We did have to redo the trans as the lock-up clutch friction material in the converter peeled off and caused a major problem.

We loved that thing really...

[tevake]

It's so good having access to the knowledge of this forum! I do appreciate the insight shared, thanks!

Toyota is top of my list. But I really need to sell my targa here before. Making a move in Az. So there is more time to search out the right truck there.

My Mom lives with my Sister in Chino valley and is getting on in years and is in declining health, so I am looking into getting a RV to put on my sisters place so I can stay there to help out with Mom. So will need a driver to use while there.
I have thought of shipping the targa there to use, but they live up a roughish gravel road that suits a truck better than a Porsche.

Mahalo Richard

[unclebilly]

Those things are made out of broken. They are designed to barely survive the warrantee...

[speeder]

Probably better off with a Ford or Chevy small truck of that vintage if you don't want to spend the $$ for a Toyota. The Toyota is w/o question the best in that segment but you'll pay for it like you do with a Stihl chainsaw over a cheapo, etc.

[speeder]

I actually liked the looks of those Dakotas when they came out, also the fact that Dodge sort of aimed between mini and full sized PU with the size. The problem is that with the combination of older truck and rural AZ., (or rural anywhere), reliability becomes pretty important.

[carreradpt]

I had a 2004 Dakota 4.7L v8 auto 4wd and it served me well. Not a single problem. Sold it in 2011 with 90K miles or so. Towed my 911 (on trailer) from WA state to FL with it, in Jan thru the Rockies.

[cashflyer]

The 4.7 you mention is the same engine that is in my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500.
Chrysler PowerTech engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have 221,361 miles on that engine and trans. No major work. No breakdowns.
My oil change intervals are not what I would call "routine".

I get 15-16 mpg.
ymmv