If memory serves me correctly, the dakota DID start out being marketed as a
"mid-size" pickup. It wasn't selling a whole lot (compared to S10's,
rangers, etc), so they started marketing it as a compact. Personally, I use
mine to tow a load with a 10' open trailer when moving people, or mulch, you
name it. I've also taken it to the track where I run mid-upper 15's with
the 5.2L. I've made numerous mod's to it (bolt-ons), but kept the towing in
mind while doing that. I did occasionally have pinging wihle towing with
the Hypertech PCM, but I think with the addition of the headers and M1
intake, that no longer happens. I can go WOT with a load, and have no
problem with spark knock. It's a fine line I have to walk in doing mods,
but in the end, I get the best of both worlds. I've had to scratch any
thoughts about lowering it, etc due to needing to tow heavy loads at times,
and occasionally using the full 1 ton capacity payload. I'm still working
on getting it into the 14's, keeping it NA, and not taking away from it's
towing capabilities either. I think Dakotas do very well as a mid-size
pickup that you can drive as a sport truck, or use it to do heavy hauling.
Ken Allgood
97 CC SLT 5.2L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Droo" <03dakotacc4.7_4x4@comcast.net>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 5:56 PM
Subject: Re: DML: 2004 Dakota update!!!
>
> On Fri, 8 Aug 2003 17:09:18 EDT, <Tubamirbls@aol.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > Reading the PR piece on the 2004 then seeing the comments from many List
> > members leads me to conclude how far apart Chrysler's product planners
> > are concerning the Dakota, whether it be the 2004 or any beyond that,
and
> > so many of you.
> > I can only assume that Chrysler planners have some sort of computer
> > record on the demographic of their current Dakota owners and that based
> > upon the majority of them they have (hopefully) made their decisions on
> > 2004 power trains and all the rest. Obviously they have to keep two
eyes
> > on the competition in this product segment too but we assume buyers have
> > selected Dakota over its competition because of what it offers that's
> > important to them.
> > It seems that most of you view the Dakota from the standpoint of a
> > personal vehicle which must perform like a rocket and boast engine
> > statistics to back up such performance. Most of you moreover, want
> > aftermarket suppliers to offer a wide range of additional performance
> > modifications. Some of you are into off road activity and push snow
> > around in the winter. A few pull good size trailers with your boat
> > aboard or whatever else.
> > But believe it or not, Dodge sells a great many Dakotas to be used as a
> > truck, a necessary companion for people to get their daily work done, in
> > which cases, exotic high performance dual overhead cams, a plethora of
> > optional axle ratios, massive way oversize tires and all the rest is
> > utterly irrelevant. They need a decently powered workhorse and little
> > else and the 3.7 and 4.7 will accomplish that in the majority of cases
> > with ease. Chrysler continues to be in deep hot water concerning its
lack
> > of profitability. In times like this, the beancounters in the company
> > pull lots of weight. No doubt the 2004 Dakota announcement details
> > reflect exactly this situation. If the 2004 fails in your estimation to
> > qualify as the hotrod you seek then maybe Chrysler's planners found in
> > their owner and potential buyer analysis that the market for persons
with
> > interest far different from yours are where the sales volume lies??
> >
> > Paul Sahlin
> >
>
> I don't think everyone here thinks that every dakota should be making 13
> second quarter miles. Alot of what you read are those that are interested
> in seeing a model offered that has high performance. That's what the R/T
> was all about. It fills a niche market with a mass market product. A
> product like that helps sell the average dakota as well. It gives the
model
> name more recognition. The same way the raceteams do. In comparison to the
> v6 club clab dakotas out on the road, there aren't very many R/T's. I'd
> also like to say that the dakota isn't a compact truck. It's midsize and
it
> really isn't a fair comparison to the s10's and Ford Rangers. They are a
> lot smaller. But the dakota really fills that middle ground for the
public.
> FOr people who don't have the money or desire to ride around in a full
size
> truck, but still desire some muscle for chores they need to do every now
> and again. This list in no way reflects the entire dakota owner spectrum.
> Most people come to the list because the have the desire to modify their
> truck. Most people don't do that. We are 3l33t here. :D
>
> --
> -Droo
> Email: 03dakotaCC4.7_4x4@comcast.net
>
> http://www.granroyal.org/dakota
>
> 2003 Dakota Club Cab 4x4, V8 4.7L, Manual Transmission
> Rhino Liner
> Alpine CDA-9807 CD/MP3/WMA Player
> Apline SPS-!70A 6 1/2" Speakers
> Alpine XM Tuner / MTX Thunder 311D Amplifier
> Sony P5 8" Subwoofer / Q-custom Enclosure / Business Consoile
>
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