05 DODGE DAKOTA REVIEW, Best Work Truck for Any Job, Can This Truck Really Do Anything? Dodge Review

[@trumanfenwick8409]

I work at a salvage yard. I drive around in super bumpy gravel picking parts from cars and throwing them in the back of the bed. We had gmcs and Chevy s10s. They shit the bed within a couple months of being in the yard. The rangers lasted longer but ultimately suffered the same fate. We have 2 and gen Dakotas and 1 3rd gen Dakota. We’ve had them in the yard for over a year now. They’ve proven to be much more reliable trucks. Mind you, these trucks are dirty and usually don’t get worked on unless absolutely necessary. Also they have more clearance on bumps than the rangers and s10s. I drive a ranger in the yard because that’s what was given to me. However I own a Dakota as a daily. Don’t sleep on these trucks. They’re still priced pretty fairly and you can still find them everywhere. Not to mention the 2nd gen Dakota imo is the sexiest truck of all the small size trucks maybe besides a good taco.

[@russellwolter5153]

Search for Dakota suicide door cable repair kit. Roughly $10. These are metal clips that hold the cable in place. OEM are plastic and they break, not allowing the cable to be pulled but the entire mechanism which won't unlatch the door. You remove the interior panel while closed and then you open the door. Fix is straight forward for a guy like yourself. I had a fleet of them and agree with everything in the video.

[@bruceleealmighty]

Not the best video Ive seen but kzbin.info/www/bejne/nofQdGeFdpuZY5I

[@BLOATEDLUNATIC666]

I just sold my 2005 Dakota with 123,000 miles for $2,000 and found a 2009 with low miles I bought. I’ve had 3 Dakotas so far and love them.

[@KingOnema]

I just got myself a 2009 Dakota SXT with 110 miles on it for $6000

[@graybenyo6735]

@@KingOnema how's it been treating you??

[@PyroFizz_NE]

I own an 08 Dakota SLT crew cab 4.7L, and its got a few dings and dents here with 101K miles on it. Bought it about a year ago with 93K miles for 8 grand, and it still works like a charm and it even has a few mods like a train horn kit and a bit of a sloppy paint job that I did myself. I love it anyways. I'd love to get my hands on a 2nd gen though.

[@dk0751]

Bought 05 4.7 Dakota 1 year ago. I love this truck. Seat heat up and drives so good when it’s working! 4 of the 12 months it’s been at the dealer lol. But I still love it. Really does do everything. And I think now I’ve gotten all the kinks out 😂

[@brandonGCHACHU]

I have the 05 Dakota Laramie V8 with dual exhaust. I beat the heck out of this truck daily and its still going with over 230k miles. Its a terrible riding truck empty, youll feel every bump but with a little weight in the back it feels ok. My truck is only getting about 15 mpg. The radios on these always have a messed up volume control but theres another volume button behind the right side of the steering wheel that lots of people dont know about. It has alot of issues but I love it.

[@cesareborgia-78]

This is a good video to watch before buying one of these. You will learn about a vehicle before you buy something that you'll later regret.

[@arturovazqez]

I just bought myself a 2005 v8 Dakota it only have 60,000 miles I really hope it works out!🙏🏽I have faith

[@Kingswood7189]

I love and miss my '10 dakota with the 3.7l v6. While the mpg savings(?) over the v8 are minimal at best (22-23 highway) , id say in the time i owned mine (i had to sell her so we could move to our home), the v6 was honestly an adequate performing, reliable engine. The extended cab was basically useless for transporting people, but i didnt care. Really, the only thing i would have done to make it better was make the 5-speed available for the v6. I had issues with the tpms sensors and the factory remote start working only half the time, but she was mechanically sound. :)

[@kaiser_Chaos]

My first vehicle was a 2008 4.7 v8 4wd 4 door Dakota i got from my nana for 300 bucks and i loved it, the 4.7 ended up blowing up with 390k miles

[@pattschetter]

"none of the rear doors open" was not a problem that I remember on my '05 Club Cab Dakota that a) I ordered at the start of this series' run, II. was built in December 2004, 3) that I drove into 2017 and replacing it with a new Ram 1500 'classic'.

[@caseyriggs1478]

My 05 slt V8 extended cab has been the best truck I've owned. I've beat the piss out of that truck and it's still going strong at 236k

[@arturovazqez]

I have the same one I got it for 1O000 with only 50,000 miles I love this truck is a beast!

[@dakotainthesky]

Previous generations had the longbed options. Second gen is rare but you can still find them. First Gen is fairly common

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

13:17 Neon and the K car before it. Glad you mentioned they don't have a entry car nowadays. Mopar needs to build a long term customer base, they can't do it with a 30k Hornet.

[@mikegomez2448]

Had a 2006 Dakota crew cab 4x4 v6 I contract pumped (oil field) 100,000 miles the only thing it needed was a front drive shaft around 50,000 miles had long boxes down the sides air compressor and loaded down with tools I used a block kit on rear and a leveling kit up front and it was set level, I bought a six pack camper slide in for it on towed it like a champ best truck I ever had

[@leifpedersen3464]

I have an 05 Dakota ST with the 3.7, the engine has never had any problems. Apart from the transmission going out a while back, it's been a good truck

[@stevieceballos876]

same here brother

[@hitmanslayer3003]

188k and still going

[@arturovazqez]

Same here I replace the transmission and runs like a charm so smooth! I love this truck

[@williamk2516]

To replace my '02 4.7 Dakota extended cab (valve seat dropped after 190K, sigh) got an '05 Laramie 4.7 p-ssy wagon (as they say in the trades) to replace. I then upgraded to a work truck with rack and holders. Previous owner had every 3K mile oil and service CARFAX record. I told my wife if I wasn't married I would be now! The ladies in my apartment complex have complimented me and say they love the "lipstick red" color. The ladies don' lie! But 20MPG? Hella' lie! Where that from? More like 13 if I'm cool and don't punch it.

[@bluecollarbuilds]

I personally prefer the Dakotas from 97 to 2004 especially since you can get the 5.9 magnum in it

[@matthewduff7334]

I love the sound of the 5.9 I was close to buying a r/t Dakota but they don’t come with 4x4 and thats a necessity where I’m living

[@akutan04rt50]

Quad cabs could be ordered with 4x4 and the 5.9​@@matthewduff7334

[@matthewduff7334]

@@akutan04rt50 my bad didn’t do my research all the rt dakotas out where im at are all 2wd

[@akutan04rt50]

@@matthewduff7334 R/T are rwd only, for 4wd its just quad cab SLT for 4wd

[@soundsforsleep674]

no reason to WANT something x2 in gas use, just grow up man.

[@weegeemike]

Based on the amount or Mopar and Dodge videos you post I know you're a closet Mopar fan...you can't hide 😂 I really like the look of the first gen Dakota after the refresh when they rounded it out a bit...on3 of my dream vehicles is a '95/'96 Dakota ext cab with the 318. My dream truck as a kid was a late 90s Dakota red on red ext cab with the 318 or 5.9 Magnum special edition...those were super cool and while I don't get the 4.7 hate (my uncle has an 06 ram 4.7 with over 300k, all he's done is maintain it and it still runs great) the Dakota with the old 318/360 Magnum are cool as fuck, great engines

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

They are NOT a small truck. If you want a small trick get a S-10 or a Ranger. They are mid size truck even in Dodge advertising. Personally I have two 1st gen Dakota's which I perfer for mechanical reasons.

[@ET03jd]

I have 05 4.7 Dakota, she’s runs great!

[@PepBull]

My 06 I had filled with gravel in the back for my grandmother's driveway and it was 2200 pounds, I maxed out the suspension and it drove like a boat. But it still drove across town without a care in the world

[@ishta]

I have the 6 speed manual. Even get's better mileage. It's firewood gathering season in norther New Mexico and I am loading it with wet heavy pine at roof level through muddy and sometimes snowy forest roads. No complaints Try doing that on a Tacoma or Frontier. It does look like a gardener truck rather than an outdoor life style vehicle.

[@wccrispy]

I've got a 4-door '09 V6 Bighorn. Payload of just over 1,600 lbs. Bed cover installed. Factory plastic liner. Less than 100K miles. Factory wheels and factory 265 width tire size. Those are the ones you need.

[@Theloudestguyyouknow]

Mom had one of these, bought brand new, was nothing but problems, more warranty work than you can image. Traded it in for an f150 and didn’t have an issue since

[@arturovazqez]

F150 is by far the word truck it will give you all kinds of problems!

[@Theloudestguyyouknow]

@@arturovazqez depends on the years, some of them a rock solid, some models are riddled with issues. Same can be said of all trucks

[@williamk2516]

@@Theloudestguyyouknow Yes. My '85 F150 had nothing but problems with computer.

[@poorromanz]

I love my 05 SLT Dakota as well. I've spent A few long nights cursing while banging my knuckles but, that only improves the bound i have with it.

[@nymsnot_your_mommaz_stream5683]

I have 05 quad cab dual exhaust sounds mean get complimented on it all the time have 185,000 miles on it still going strong! The best damn purchased vehicle domestic or imported Ive ever made hands down everyone wanted to bash them because the v8 magnum because its made by diamler but this truck hauls my camper no problem, actually surprised by its tow capabilities!

[@southmark]

V6 Magnum engine is just fine. I've owned one for 17 years. Tonneau covers for the 4 door are readily available ( I have a Lund) I have to agree you may have to order tires... But it's been a great truck in factory Detonator Yellow paint.

[@RecSquadVR]

would this be good for a first truck?

[@SuperLurkerman]

that was a good show

[@mayhemquads9147]

The purpose of these trucks is they have 90% of the capability of a full size (more in some cases, they can have a 1800 lb payload capacity whereas a lot of Ram 1500's would have under 1500 lb payload). A LOT cheaper than the full size's in the 90's to early 2000's, but not the drawback of having to drive a big truck around. Other compact trucks (late 90's) had 500lb - 1000 lb rating, so it just blew them away, and wouldn't suffer much because of the torque. Add in Car-like handling, just great all around performer. Gas mileage was the biggest issue, automatics were a bit of a slush box. What killed them was, just like all the other compact/mid-size trucks, they kept getting bigger and adding more features, to where they were essentially the same price as a full size, so why not just buy the full size?? My parents still drive my '97 5.2L clubcab with 250k+ miles.

[@epicraptorman]

My mother has an identical looking one. But with the 3.7L Still sub 40k

[@creaslin]

I have an 07 and I put small klenex tissues where you put business cards. I have a 02 mercury sable with the same holder in the center console.

[@SpyroTDragon]

I have mine for 19 years. Manual transmission.

[@rileywillard139]

My 2005 Dakota has the 2 bolts to tie onto in the front under a mat and I always seen 2 nuts by the tail light and had no idea what it was for turns out it's supposed to be a tie down point only found that out because of this video

[@brucebeamon5460]

This is my exact truck and my rear doors WORK …. And had been searching and found 2 or 3 on line with intact bodies to replace mine ( but they all were out state and I didn’t have time to go get either one of them ) because I’ve got the wheel well RUST , My heated seats burned out years ago and the driver automated seat and the manual handle no longer entirely work …. Just spent 3,500 dollars on oil leak and suspension problems …. Ideally I would like to keep this or find another in GOOD CONDITION.. bought it in 07 with 25,000 miles on it , now it’s has 120,000 .. I’ve been WAITING for the new Ram Dakota ( extended cab )but every year there’s only been procrastination I may end up with that rampage with only a 4 door version 😒

[@S1D3KlCK]

You could get these in a 4.7/5 speed/4 door combination which was probably the best spec.

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

Great video! I had a 97Dakota Magnum, with a Bose sound system.Loved it(until the transmission died at 36k😞🤔

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

36k miles and the transmission went… that’s unbelievable. I wonder if it’s manufacturing error because that ain’t much miles. That sucks I like the older ones with the 5.9 in em

[@kennedykrewoutdoors5392]

Both of my suicide doors work on mine lol. I bought mine to hunt out of. Awesome little beater. 800.00 baby

[@SurvivalofTheFittest101]

Never met a mechanic that was also a comedian 🤣

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

The mistake they made with this truck was incredibly simple. The base Ram 1500 from 2005 cost $20915. The base Dakota from 2005 cost $26295. In 2008 they replaced the front which looked worse than what's on this one. The 2nd Gen Dakota sold what the Tacoma sells like after 2005. Basically, everyone who would have bought the Dakota got the Tacoma instead. I agree the V6 is garbage. But on paper before 60k miles the issues don't show up. The power numbers are about the same despite 2 less cylinders. It's after 60k miles that the real difference shows. Bad head design and weak transmission. The good thing about the 4.7L over the 5.7L is the cylinder de-activation. The 4.7L was basically the last of the SOHC V8s from Dodge with no cylinder de-activation. The 5.7L, especially the first ones had issues. For the door, the rubber on the cables gets brittle and breaks. Only solution is to replace the cables which isn't fun. You gotta remove the top seat belt mount, pop open the panel from the top, then reach in and grab the bottom lever to open it so you can fully remove the panel and replace the cables. It's a bit easier if the cable at the top is the no good one. I tried the metal replacement for the rubber boots, but they seem to have issues, so an OEM replacement would be better in my opinion with a light coating of grease/oil. Doubt it will last 20 years like they do new since they were probably made in 2004, but probably better than the junk aftermarket rubber. Also at about 20 years, the cable for the window regulator breaks.

[@kingdz6712]

3.7 205k just a rebuild trans no problems but those dumb fog lights thats always go out cause of alot of water

[@DemonDomo360]

is the 4.7 better in the dakota? I heard they are better with the 3rd generation and in smaller vehicles

[@brandonsvlog8533]

They’re better here cause in the Dakota the 4.7 isn’t over stressed it feels very powerful in the smaller trucks

[@dustinplemmons]

what killed the Dakota was the price point, u could buy a Ram for not much more and have a fullsize truck.

[@jacobosanchez4778]

Really good video.

[@arindryn]

they use to have neons

[@brandonnauertz4639]

how in the hell are you getting 20 mph??? i got a 07 4.7 v8 flex fuel when im not driving like an ass highest iv seen is 15 when towing average is 12-13mpg

[@michaelstepp2214]

21mpg? Mine only gets 15 on the highway, it’s 2005 dodge Dakota slt 4dr 4x4 with the 4.7 though.

[@hitmanslayer3003]

yeah i think his numbers are off

[@larrysepicmovies5044]

That business card holder is actually for a small pack of Kleenex.

[@tacticalbt1023]

Why every truck u get RWD? Jw great video tho

[@GrumpyMonkeyGarage]

@@tacticalbt1023 I live in the south, we don't get snow, and these days most of our roads are atleast gravel if not paved so we rarely see 4x4 trucks.

[@tacticalbt1023]

@@GrumpyMonkeyGarage do u recommend the Dakota?

[@danielsmith4090]

I'd rather take my 4.2 f150 with standard cab and long bed

[@bread-gz3rl]

If you wanna change the opinion back buy a jeep TJ...

[@infernoking7504]

Nope ford fucking ranger!!!!!

[@daltonbrink9924]

Nah, 2nd gen Dakota.

[@arturovazqez]

Nah! Dakota has bigger space inside on a ranger big guys like me can barely fit, you can’t not even move! My Dakota SLTV8 is a beast!

[@protectorofsouls111]

I have a 05 and I have a camper top fits air tight.