Geez, that is a lot of stuff!
My 98 SLT with 106k miles now...nothing has broken, but I have
Serviced the trans AND the lsd every 30k miles
Replaced the front rotors, (group buy with Powerslots), the stock ones were
not bad
Replaced all fours shocks, Edelbrocks, just for the better ride
One water pump
Replaced the U joints, THOUGHT they were bad, it was the lsd acting up,
after service, it was fine too
Replaced rear brakes at 90k, and they really did not need it
I have not had the ball joint problem that everyone else has had, mine are
original..go figure, may do it anyway just cause
Everything else works just fine, no rattles or squeaks.
Added the Roadmaster, just love it.
Some of my personal things...the blah blah usual Mobil One oil, (I am SURE
Amsoil would do great too!), changes every 3k, K&N Gold Oil Filters
K&N homebrew air
ALWAYS use the parking brake before shifting into park
Before turning off the truck, EVERYTHING, (radio too), is turned off
NEVER start it with anything running, (a/c, lights, radio, etc)
Have no idea if this matters, just a habit from way back.
Mine is a 2wd, still purring like a kitten. I use about maybe 1/3 quart of
oil between changes, but keep it topped off.
Rascal
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Josh Battles
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 11:37 AM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: DML: Re: Quality Not What It Should be?
"Terrible Tom" <SilverEightynine@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>
> There have been some recent posts detailing problems with Daks and
> Durangos that are only a few years old... which I find alarming. Josh's
> heater core, fuel economy issues, fuel gauge issues, electrical stuff
etc...
>
> the heater cores on my abused 14 year old Gen I trucks have never gone
> out... neither have the fuel gauges.. and up until I took Christine for
> a swim - the fuel pumps were both original.
>
> It really bothers me to think that problems of that nature would start
> happening in trucks only a few years old. It makes me worry about my
> new (used) Ram... I haved noticed some quality issues with it already.
> Primmarily cosmetic and superficial - but the drivers side door panel
> feels flimsy and lose... the drivers side window rattles as it rolls
> down.. and the drivers side power door lock switch is a little lose.
> Everything functions... but I think quality and craftsmanship has
suffered.
>
> Be it related to the take over of Chrysler by Daimler... I dont know.
> But I wouldn't be suprised if that had an effect.
>
> Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine
I've noticed that as well, Tom. It looks like the quality has gone down
severly. If this is the continuing trend of dodge vehicles, I don't know if
I could buy another one when it's time. Sometimes I want to sell the truck
and take the loss, if I can get something more reliable in it's place.
Then, other times I love it and wouldn't consider selling it for anything.
In the 51k miles I've had this truck, I've had the following replaced:
all 4 ball joints - 2 times under warranty
steering rack including outer tie rod ends
front brakes at 500 miles and again at 48k miles
rear brakes at 50k miles
passenger seat frame (the back broke)
business console trim
driver side window mechanism - twice
both front wheel bearings
shocks
driveshaft and u-joints
transmission
A/C condenser coil (the part under the hood)
upper and lower radiator hoses
cracked thermostat housing
left side striker for the tailgate was added - truck did not come with it
from the factory
swaybar bushings - warranteed at 30k b/c they were cracked
needs to be replaced:
LSD unit - it slips badly, with regular fluid changes at 20k mile intervals
(including friction modifier)
all 4 ball joints
heater core/hoses - yet to pinpoint the problem
seems a little excessive for a 3 year-old truck, yeah? I can't wait for the
2005 redesign of the mustang...
-- - Josh Lowered 2000 Dakota CC 3.9L www.geocities.com/lenny187/dakota.html
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