The GEN IV is on schedule for 2004 model year. One or the other - Durango
or Dakota, will appear before the Sept 2003 model begins. To separate the
arrival of a new look distinct look and not shadow the other model.
The outside styling of the Dakota will be an offspring of the Durango Power
Wagon, that was shown in 2000 Auto Show circuit. Just remove the back and
Walla! Instant Dakota truck...however it will grow in size but not in
wheelbase. Even the weight factor will drop a notch with the expansion of
the hydro form frames and changes in some materials for lighter weight
ratio. Those who seek the auto transmission, it will be standard with a
five-auto and an extra overdrive on the R/T model. Thus tranny will appear
in 2003 on the RAM R/T 5.7 and the RAM 2500 plus series. The only tranny
that can handle the torque factor from 1500 to 5000 RPM. Imagine! A 300
lbs of torque at 1500 RPM.
Next year-2003, you are right on with the four-wheel disk and will come with
the Jeep's version of the HO model 4.7. Also, the death of the Dodge 5.9
engine.
Soon, the heads will follow the same design of the 5.7 with a round
combustion chamber a dual plugs per cylinder. No change with the block
material. It will remain an iron cast product not the aluminum that will be
on the 300 series cars in that year.
There is now talk of a 6.1 hemi again, thanks to the other boys - Ford and
Chevy.
--------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
C2 IOW/IOS Engineer
C4i Engineering Branch, PSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, U.S. Marine Corps
Office (760) 725-2506 (DSN Prefix: 365)
"Never be content with somebody else definition
of you. Instead, define yourself by your own beliefs,
your own truths, your own understanding of who
you are. Never be content until you are happy with
the unique person GOD has created you to be."
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Levy [mailto:andylevy@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001 4:38 PM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: Re: DML: RE: Hemi Dakota Kit Information
I think, given that we've seen nothing "official" from DC regarding a new
body style for '03 thus far, GenIV will start in '04 at the earliest.
That's when the next Durango is due as well, though I hear that the Dak and
Durango are going to be diverging - they want to differentiate them more.
Interesting note - the '03 Durango will come with 4 wheel disc brakes. The
next generation Durango will be something like 25% larger inside. I've
gotten this from my father who's done the Durango plant tour 2 years
running - he got the dirt right from the Dodge boys there.
The '02 Ram was a massive effort for the DC truck engineers. I think an
all-new '03 Dak is a bit ambitious. We had 3 years between the Ram
revolution of '94 and the GenIII Dak in '97. If '04 is the new Durango, we
may not even see a new Dak till '05.
This is, of course, all wild speculation.
jon@dakota-truck.net wrote:
> Stlaurent Mr Steven <STLAURENTS@mctssa.usmc.mil> wrote:
> : So what is coming next is the GEN-IV model. Right or wrong?
>
>
> Yep, that's the majority consensus. (Based on body style changes)
>
>
> 87-90: Gen I
> 91-96: Gen II
> 97-02?: Gen III
> 03?-??: Gen IV
>
>
-- -andy andylevy@yahoo.com Maintainer, DML FAQ - http://www.dakota-truck.net/faq/ http://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/dakota/ '99 CC 4x4 318 auto
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:03:30 EDT