Need Some dodge V6 help/advice 3.9L

[Kintore]

Hey guys, well most of you know im getting a truck.

Ive narrowed it down to either a dodge 1500 V6 3.9 5speed, short cab and box
OR
Dodge Dakota V6 3.9 Speed, short cab and box.

Any specific problems vs the dakota and the general 1500 model?

Any other help would be greatly appricated, btw its going to be around 97-00 model if that helps.

Thanks guys, something just like this-
http://images.trader.ca/autotrader/4/47/3690024.jpg.fpx?large
98 Dodge 1500 V6, 5 spd., red on grey int., CD, very clean, new tires, Fully cert. and e-tested all for $3500.

OR like this-
http://images.trader.ca/autotrader/7/10/3558940.jpg.fpx?large
Only $3970,V6,5speed,ps, pb, radio, cass, dual air bags, 4 new tires, rims, bed liner, excellent drive. Very clean in & out. Well cared truck

What would you get, those are just examples of trucks around here of what I want. Im leaning towards the 1500 model due to a little more room and the fuel mileage according to the ecomony guys is pretty much identical.

[greg85tri-z]

the dakota 4x4 are ball joint prone and you have to replace the whole a-arm but they are good trucks as far as the 1500 don't get one with a 3.9 it is to big for that motor and you wind up with bad gas mileage anyway just get a 5.2 if you go with a full size mine is a 5.2 5 speed even towing my car trailer at 75 with the air on my gets 15 mpg towing :w00t: thats great my friend cummings only gets like 17 towing my trailer with the same car on it good luck greg oh i work for mopar for 4 year and am a factory trained tech

[Red Rider]

Kintore, I have a '99 Dakota Club Cab 4x4 with the 3.9L V6, and I agree with Greg, while that engine moves my Dakota just fine, I think the full size Ram would be a little too much for it.

[Kintore]

So you would reccomend a dakota with the v6 then and not bother with the V6 in the 1500, and go the 318 route?

[Red Rider]

I'm real happy with my Dakota, as it does everything I need it to. If those are your only 2 choices, I think you'd be happier with the Dakota, but if you want a full size truck, I'd wait until one with at least a V8 came along.

[Kintore]

K thanks for the Help Red Rider, I really appricate it. I dont really need a full size ram, so im thinking a dakota. Little bit smaller but who cares, and I dont need a 4x4 either. Ext cab or not.

Anymore comments?

[Kintore]

Red Rider, what kinda mileage you getting? and any 4x4 problems? I really love the look of a 4x4 dakota.

[Mr. Clean]

I have a ram 1500 with the Hemi and love it. My buddy has a 2000 dakota with a four cylinder and it has been a very good truck. With the four cylinder he is able to tow his boat around no problem. Very reliable, it has only required the normal maintenance you would expect. Just like this forum you can find dodge truck forums.
I agree if you get the ram get a v-8.

[team-red-rider]

we had a 96 dakota with the 3.9 it had 189,000 miles and it was still running great when we traded it in

[Red Rider]

Red Rider, what kinda mileage you getting? and any 4x4 problems? I really love the look of a 4x4 dakota.I average about 16 city & 18-19 hwy. No 4x4 problems yet, but then again, like most city dwelling 4x4 owners, it doesn't get a whole lot of off-road abuse. In it's 70,000 miles, other than regular maintenance, I've had to replace a waterpump, and a power window regulator. The motor for the window was still good, but the cheap little plastic/nylon rollers were starting to crack & break up, which in turn caused the tracks to derail. The extreme Las Vegas heat could have something to do with that though. I've ridden in a few regular cab Dakotas, and they're still nice & roomy on the inside.

[max]

HOW MANY MILES ON THESE SWILLS. NOT KILOMETER:lol:

[team-red-rider]

ours got around 18mpg city 22 hwy and it was 2x4

[xman23]

yea i wouldnt get the v6 in a fullsize truck, my grampa had one and it didnt do very well for gas milage, my friend has a dakota and its been a real strong truck cept for a tranny problem but his is a auto.

[Preddy05]

Ext cab or not.

Anymore comments?

Get a ext cab That extra space in the truck is always nice to have. I have an ext cab s10 zr2 and i don't know what i would do without that extra space and its always nice having that extra seat never know when your goin to use it.

[Red Rider]

Personally, I wouldn't get anything less than an extended cab. All of the new crew cabs are pretty nice too, but I don't like the shortened bed in exchange for the full size rear seats & doors.

[oldsking86]

Stay away from the dodge's automatics because they are horrible... THe stick shifts aren't to shabby so you should be fine with that. Are you sticking with a v6 for gas mileage? Honestly, your going to want to have a v8 because a truck isn't like a car, you need that power to move it. A magnum would be a pretty nice peppy motor, the 318's are pretty reliable when taken care of. The 360's are a hole other animal but then your losing gas mileage.

If you want the best of both worlds ( and not because I'm biased haha) but a nice chevy truck with a 350 is a great platform for a truck. The 4x4 is reliable, the power surpasses all in it's catagory and your options for power in the future are ENDLESS haha