I'm with Tom on this one!............seeing it for myself will also make or
break it for me!
I'm just disappointed that a Regular cab won't be offered!...
The Club Club's rear hinged doors will be LONG OVERDUE!
Seeing that Chevy's S-10 and Ford's Ranger have had rear hinging doors for
several years now!..........
Dodge should have done this on the GEN-3 Dakota long ago... IMO
Ron-
01'Dakota Sport 3.9 4WD
www.scsilverdak.1colony.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terrible Tom" <SilverEightynine@aol.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 1:47 PM
Subject: DML: 2005 Dakota - More Info (cars.com)
>
> http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/story.jsp?autoshow=Chicago&autoshowyear=2004&story=coverage_02_04_04&aff=national
>
> Sorry for the long URL
>
> here is an excerpt
>
> ---------------
>
> "Four-wheel drive comes standard with a part-time transfer case, and a
> full-time four-wheel-drive mode is optional. The two- and
> four-wheel-drive models share the majority of suspension components,
> including the coilover shock front suspension. In turn, ride heights are
> the same between the two- and four-wheel-drive models. The rear
> suspension is a leaf spring setup revised from the current Dakota.
>
> Like Dodge's Ram and Durango, the new Dakota features a fully boxed
> frame. Its increased torsional rigidity will mean better handling, a
> quieter ride and improved crashworthiness. The Dakota's octagonal
> front-frame rail tips -- borrowed from the Durango -- absorb more energy
> in an impact and are replaceable for better, easier, less expensive
> collision repairs."
>
> ---------------
>
> Ok this really chafes - The RIDE HEIGHTS ARE THE SAME!?!?! Good side to
> that is its now coil over - which would allow for more flexibility when
> implementing a suspension lift. Much easier to work with coils vs
> torsion bars.
>
> At least we finally get a fully boxed and hydroformed at that, frame.
> As for my 2 cents on the body style - here goes. The more I look at the
> truck the more I like it. I love the rear end - sorry to those who
> don't like the after burner tail lights - I happen to think they look
> great on the Dakota. The Front end I like - I'm not crazy about it -
> but I like it - some aftermarket stuff might enhance its appearance. It
> certainly does NOT look like Caddie front end. The side view is a
> different matter. As I have never been a fan of Quad Cabs - this won't
> come as a surprise to those who know what I am about to say heh. I do
> not like the new Quad Cab - the body lines are less graceful now than
> they were before, ant the truck looks even more out of proportion than
> ever. However having said that - I DO like the lines and proportions of
> the Club Cab. They seem to flow and look better. I welcome the rear
> suicide doors. I am scornful of the interior as well - the sparse look
> - - kinda sucks.
>
> I can't wait to see it in person and I would love to test drive one. I
> think I will be able to accept this new Dakota and maybe even love it
> hehe. Afterall - there are those of us on the DML who are more partial
> to certain year trucks than others heh. (Don't start a Gen Flame War!)
>
> I'll say it again - seeing the truck in person will make or break it for
> me.
>
> --
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Mar 01 2004 - 00:34:02 EST