Doubting my previous Ranger Choice. Need Helping deciding.

[Svadilfari]

PROBLEM SOLVED

So, for the past two-three months I've been deadlock on buying a Ranger. About a couple of weeks ago, with the helping of some members, we were able to conclude that the best option for me was to try finding a Ranger XLT, 4L SOTC Engine and 4x4 Obviously. Now, I'm finding myself torn apart between a Ranger and a Dakota.

I've always wanted a V8 and the only reason I am not buying myself a fullsize truck is because I'm heading back to school in a couple of months and financially, I don't know how I'll even manage. After calculating the Dakota general payments and gas, I arrive in my budget, barely, but I still arrive. Now the thought of having a V8 is something that just gets to me, call me crazy, its just a blast and I know my woman would love it as well. Plus Dodge generally just have that sexy and badass look to them. Especially the front.

Now where it gets tricky is that I do not see a lot of Dodge's or Dakota forums for offroading! There's a lot of Ram's 1500, but rarely do I see any Dakota's. Is there any reason for that? Are Dakota's just not made for offroading? Has the aftermarket not really followed up for this model and give the illusion that its no good? If anyone owns one or has more information on how this trucks drives in offroad situations, the help and information would be greatly appreciated!

I am explicitly talking 'bout Dakota's with a V8 and the 4.7L Engine. It's what I was looking at lately.

Thank you.

 

[Ozwynn]

having had had an 89 Dakota with a 3.9L V6/5spd, a 93 Dakota with a 318/5spd, 98 Durango with 5.9L/auto and a 99 Dakota with a 4.7L/auto .......

you would be better off with the F-150 unless you need a crew cab. I averaged 15 mpg with the V6, 15 with the 318, 12 with the 5.9L and 14 with the 4.7L (they got worse when I stuck my foot in the throttle)..... they are why I bought the Tacoma..... plus the 4.7L was crap. not a month went by with out taking a trip to dodge on a flatbed.


even in stock trim they were fine off road...... cept the V6 models had weak axle shafts in the front and they liked to snap CV joints.

 

[Svadilfari]

Gas Mileage isn't really what I'm afraid off. Seeing as I'm buying fairly new ones, something along the lines of '06-'09, the Gas Mileage rivals pretty much the newer Rangers as well. But I know Dodge consumes more Gas compared to Ford. Its why I'm not really wanting to look at the Ram model, even if its a small 1500.

I'm more curious 'bout the Offroading specifications. Do all Dodge just suck at offroading or do Dodge enthusiasts don't post online? Its possible. V8's Dakota's come with a 9.25 Rear Axel Shaft if I'm correct, I'm not sure 'bout that information, so I'm not afraid 'bout that.

I guess the lack of sites and information out there, on the big and wide internet, has got me a bit worried that the aftermarket just wasn't prone to Dodge's or at least Dakota's. You imagine buying one and wanting to upgrade the front axle to a solid one and not being able to because parts don't exist or aren't compatible. Seeing as the truck will not stay stock but will be upgraded with the necessary coils, springs, shafts and differentials and gear ratio's to the appropriate needs, I'm just wanting to know whether its wise to buy a Dakota over a Ranger or does it simply come down to preferences at this point?

 

[Ozwynn]

then what exactly are you worried about. there is an aftermarket support for a Dakota..... Personally I think they suck and are a pussified version of the older ones but that my own demon, it should not influence your decision. with a sawzall and a welder you can fit any front axle (straight) you want in it. an SAS is an SAS .... its the same procedure on anything you would swap a straight axle into.

The Dakota is bigger and you would prolly be happier with it but..... for the money I would rather have a Tacoma or an F-150 (both of which have an ass kicking aftermaket)

what about a V8 explorer sport trac?

 

[Svadilfari]

Not much for Explorers. I don't like the look of it. Well you basically answered my question really. Its just because after typing so many different combinations of offroading, dodge and Dakota and not landing on anything really informative, it kinda got me doubting 'bout the Dakota's aftermarket, but I guess you are right. Everything can be found and fitted.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Yea, for the price of ownership, I'd choose an F150 as well. More power, more truck, better fuel mileage, and tougher drivetrain for offroad. All wins in my book.

 

[4.0B2]

f150 or tacoma IMO..

 

[84bluebronco2]

The Dakota in general seems to be dwarfed out by the Ram series. A lot of people fall in the mindset of bigger truck, same engine, same mileage, why not? My buddy has an 08 2500 HEMI that averages 14. Taco are tasty, and Rangers are beautiful, F-150's are pretty badass, but the newer Dakota? Not so much for me. Give me an early 90's with a 318 and we'll talk... Do what you must sir because after all, you will be the one looking at it everyday.

 

[fix_or_repair_daily]

I'd stay far far away from a Dakota. My neighbor has a 2000 with the 4.7 and auto, and it has been a piece of shit since the day it was brand new. Transmission problems, gauge cluster failed and it wouldn't even run because of it, AC compressor locked up, steering rack leaks like a faucet, plus it is hard as hell on gas. Not to mention the exhaust manifolds started to fall off the engine because the bolt heads rotted away. Some of the bolts have been replaced twice now, and it hasn't even hit 110k yet. I'd stick with Ford, Toyota, or even Chevy before I would ever consider Dodge.

Josh

 

[straycat]

I'd stay far far away from a Dakota. My neighbor has a 2000 with the 4.7 and auto, and it has been a piece of shit since the day it was brand new. Transmission problems, gauge cluster failed and it wouldn't even run because of it, AC compressor locked up, steering rack leaks like a faucet, plus it is hard as hell on gas. Not to mention the exhaust manifolds started to fall off the engine because the bolt heads rotted away. Some of the bolts have been replaced twice now, and it hasn't even hit 110k yet. I'd stick with Ford, Toyota, or even Chevy before I would ever consider Dodge.

Josh

My brother-in-law has a lifted '05 4x4 4 door Dakota V8 that he bought new and drives it everwhere. He comes to Florida twice a year from Ohio where he works for Ford. He has been with Ford for 30 years this year and has never owned a Ford. He wife bought an 05 Spot Trac and has issies after issue with the POS. My brother-in-law has never had a single issue with the Dakota. He wheels it twice a month and it is a dd for him. I have friends who bought new F150's and Rangers and had nothing but trouble with them. Some people have bad luck. I never had any issues with my Jeeps or my Toyota trucks either. Neither do any of my friends. The Dakota is like the Ranger now...it is going away as well.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Every dakota ive ever seen has been junk....

I personally would get an older (92-96) F150, for what you save in buy in price over something newer you could put some work into it and have a bad ass truck, that will outperform every newer truck offroad and be roughly the same on mileage (12-15 depending on engine), plus you cant go wrong with the drivetrains, no matter what you choose (id put a vote in for the 300 inline 6)...

later,
Dustin

 

[Svadilfari]

Small trucks in general are going away, but thank you everyone for your swift response. I'm going to stay with the original Ranger XLT idea. I'd love to go with a F-150, but the money just isn't in my pockets. With school, borrowing-bank money and every day life expenses, just won't cut it right now. Hopefully, pretty soon, a year or so, I'll be able to say ''I'm BUYING my first full-size truck!'' and feel like a kid once again.

Until then, Ranger it is.

 

[Ozwynn]

good choice........