>From: Ed and Kristi Townsend <townsend@ainet.com>
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
>To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
>Subject: DML: My Daimler Chrysler Nightmare (I wish I could wake up!) -
>LONG
>Date: Sat, 08 Jul 2000 04:11:10 -0800
HEY ED, BEFORE YOU GO BUY THAT NEW TOYOTA YOU NEED TO KNOW THEY AIN'T THE
SAME. MY LITTLE BRO' HAD A 87 AND TRADED IT IN ON A NEW ONE. THE OLD TOY HAD
280,000 MILES ON IT AND HE DRIVES RANCHS HERE IN SO. TEXAS ALL DAY LONG
MOSTLY IN FIRST GEAR. THE NEW ALREADY HAS HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED. IT
HAS ABOUT 70,000 ON IT NOW.
LIKE YOU I HAD A GOOD TRUCK, MINE WAS A 98 RANGER 3.0, AUTO, LOADED. I'D
STILL HAVE IT EXCEPT FOR THE $5,000. HAIL DAMAGE AND 53,000 MILES ON IT. I
BOUGHT A 2000 DAK CC,V6, SLT+ WITH ALL OPTIONS. BESIDES THE FACT THAT THE
FACTORY DIDN'T HAVE THE REAR AXLE ON CORRECTLY (THANK GOD THAT DIDN'T KILL
ME),YOU DON'T RUN FOR THE TRUCK WHEN IT RAINS CAUSE IT'S JUST AS WET INSIDE
AS OUT (DEALERSHIP THREE TIME-SIX DAYS TOTAL), THE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT
CORRECTLY, POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END, STALLS ON COLD MOTOR, AND GETS 15
MPG'S NO MATTER HOW I DRIVE IT( MY 5000 LBS, 4WD,V8, BRONCO DOES BETTER-
GETS 17, AND MY LINCOLN GETS 24)I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WHEN THE
2001 RANGERS COME OUT- SOME OTHER IDIOT IS GOING TO OWN THIS DODGE. I HAVE
HAD DODGES BEFORE(OLDER ONES -70'S) THEY WERE BULLETPROOF, BUT THIS GAS
GUZZIN' JUNKER I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE. I AVERAGE OVER 150 MILES A DAY AND
THE GAS BILL IS KILLIN' ME.
I WOULD SUGGEST YOU RETHINK A NEW TOYOTA, MIGHT WANT TO SEE ABOUT AN OLD ONE
AND REBUILD IT. ALSO, MOST OF THE 3.0 TOY MOTORS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM AND
IF IT METS A CERTAIN CRITERIA ON THE COMPRESSION TEST, THEY WILL REPLACE THE
MOTOR- FREE. MY SISTERINLAW HAD THIS DONE ON HER 91 WITH 115,000 MILES ON
THE CLOCK. BEST OF LUCK
LARRY
LEESCHHP1@HOTMAIL.COM
>
>Man!
>
> I think that my truck thinks that it is yellow instead of driftwood!
>Last year I decided that I would get rid of my poor tired little '86 Toyota
>4x4 turbo. It was at 140,000 miles and I thought that I should get rid of
>it
>before it started draining my bank account. It was still on the original
>turbo, and a new replacement (just parts) would have run $1497. Toyota
>decided to manufacture their own turbo-chargers instead of using any of the
>aftermarket units widely available (Rotomaster, Schwittzer, Rajay, KKK and
>others that all other car makers use). That explains the high parts price.
>Toyota seems to believe that all of their parts are made from precious
>metals and exotic materials.
>
> Getting rid of it was my first mistake.
>
> Buying my '99 DAK SLT CC 5.2 was my second!
>
> First off this story is condensed, didn't feel that I needed to list
>every rude response and lie that was given to me by the dealer.
>
> The first 11,000 miles we rather enjoyable. But from the day I bought
>it, the rear end howled between 40 and 50 MPH. There was also a strange
>ticking noise from the area of the driveline. I suspect a needle bearing in
>the rear u-joint.
>
> At 11,500 miles I took the truck in to get the yearly detail job
>(which
>sucked) and have these what I thought at the time 'minor' issues taken care
>of. Well, as far as the rear end, the dealer replaced the ring and pinion.
>That did not solve it. So they ordered a complete carrier and r/p setup. On
>the same warranty visit, I was told that the ticking was addressed in a TSB
>and that it wouldn't be a problem. The dealership attributed it to a
>problem
>to the rear leaf springs. In any event, parts for both problems were
>ordered.
>
> 2 weeks later (after not getting any phone calls, due to a wrong phone
>#
>that I HAD informed them about) I took the truck in for the repairs. When
>I got it back the whine appeared to be gone, but the ticking noise seemed
>to
>be worse. I looked up the TSB on the AllData system where my stepfather
>works. Funny thing, the TSB addressed SQUEAKING leaf springs, not ticking.
>And now that they did the TSB fix on my perfectly fine leaf springs, THEY
>SQUEAK!!!
>
> I informed the dealer of the problems, and told them that I would try
>to
>diagnose the problem myself (with the help of the repair shop my stepdad
>works for).
>
> It was about 2 weeks before I took the truck back in with my
>diagnosis,
>and within that time the rear-end started howling again! In addition, I had
>a pop in the front end, leaky thermostat housing, faulty passenger power
>window, AND THAT DAMN ANNOYING SQUEAK from the leaf springs.
>
> I have come to the conclusion that the techs at this dealership got
>their certificates from a box of Froot Loops!
>
> Anyway, I took the truck back in (#3 time) and they had it from Sunday
>the 2nd until this evening. Not a phone call during all that time to let me
>know what was going on! I went to pick up the truck, and come to find out,
>all they did during the period of a week (short 1 day due to the holiday)
>was pull the door panel and lube the window track, and lube the front end
>which had recently lubed during normal service. The dealer said it fixed
>the
>problem (yeah right). Star, the DC tech service that they have to report to
>for repair authorization, suggested that the drive line should be replaced.
>This is after the dealer told me that it wasn't a u-joint problem. Now what
>else can go wrong with a driveline other than cracks (which do not exist in
>my truck according to the dealer) and u-joints? As far as the rear end, DC
>says that there is nothing else that can be done until they come up for a
>replacement gearset, or other fix. And no timeframe was given for this. So
>now I am supposed to drive a noisy truck that might pop a rear end, and
>just
>deal with it! And I know deep in my heart that the drive-line will not fix
>the ticking noise! I suggested that they might try the 3.92 rear end, but
>they wouldn't even think about it.
>
> Well, I found the arbitration papers in the back of my manual, and
>they
>are filled out ready to drop in the mail soon. DC will not even consider
>replacing the truck or refunding the money spent on it (Calif Lemon Law
>states that either option is available, buyers discretion) without going
>thru arbitration. I am fed up! This is my first new vehicle, first American
>vehicle, and my first V8. I have to say that my faith in US auto makers has
>been shaken.
>
> I know that I am gonna get flamed BIGTIME for this, but I think it is
>time to go back to Toyota. My old truck was the epitome of reliability. No,
>it didn't have the power of the Dodge, or the comfort, but I wasn't worried
>about what might happen next with it, since nothing happened in the first
>place!!! Fast is nice, but not at the price of reliablility!
>
> A word of advice when dealing with the service department. KEEP
>RECORDS!
>Document all conversations, with whom you spoke , what was said, and
>date/time. Keep all receipts, and play their little game. In a situation
>like this, all you can do is cooperate until there is no more repair
>options
>(or 4 consecutive repairs for the same problem within the first 18months,
>18,000 miles according to California Lemon Law) From what I gather from the
>DML, it is an ongoing problem with the 3.55 rear end, and DC knows about
>it.
>They are doing their best to keep it under wraps. If you have any of these
>problems, get them looked at now. And be prepared to be treated like dirt
>and kept in the dark!
>
> I really was impressed with this truck when I got it! Power, handling
>and good looks: what more could you ask for? I have to say the Toyota is
>UGLY compared to the very stylish Dakota. And space is limited. But the
>reputation of Toyota pickups can't be beat. I am gonna miss being on the
>DML
>(great bunch of ppl here!). I just can't justify getting back into another
>Dodge and risking the same problems.
>
> I thank the individuals that responded to my private e-mail request.
>Your input has helped me make my decision.
>
> And thanks to everyone else for the hospitality (and flame wars!). It
>has been a great experience. I have to say that this bunch (DML) is unique
>and fun-loving! I am gonna continue to monitor the list and give updates on
>my 'Howler' (makes you wonder if that was the origination of the 'Prowler'
>nameplate) until I no longer own the truck.
>
> Thanks again, and I am already ducking the impending flames!!!
>
>Ed Townsend
>townsend@ainet.com
>zr750@mac.com
>Modesto, CA
>
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