2003 Dodge Dakota SLT 4.7L V8 Review & Test Drive

This time it’s hands on with this 03 Dakota.

[@mymisty7]

I own a '03 SLT quad cab 4x4 with the 4.7, I'm the original owner. 86k original miles. Clear coat is coming off and it needs a headliner. Very reliable

[@nicengel9004]

I owned 2 Dakotas - one was a first-year 4x2 which did amazingly well in Central Plains snow and another two years later that was a 4x4 and went through all kinds of bad weather with no problem. Both were trouble-free and made great gas mileage with the Magnum 3.9.

[@megadawg342]

At the beginning you say some negative things, but at the end you are much more flattering to this truck. Yes, they are really good. My '03 4.7L 2wd crew cab SLT with 200K miles just pulled a loaded 15' enclosed trailer from SoCal to Oklahoma at about 65 to 70mph the whole way with dirt bikes in the bed. Ran like a Swiss Watch. I need to replace the starter soon. $88 at O'Reilly. Paint is good, not a spot of rust. Yeah,... she's a keeper. Change the oil regularly, 2500 miles, filter every other time with a WIX. Air filter too. I did need to have the interior roof liner redone, in BLACK. $160. Sounds just like that one, and your comments at the end were spot on.

[@Dick_Swinger]

I have an 04 with the 3.7 v6 and it's redeeming quality is that it doesn't have enough power to break anything. It's gutless I'd be nervous pulling hills with a single axle uhaul

[@scatpack68]

In the 16 years I've owned my '04 SLT, my next door neighbor bought 3 new cars, all of which had the factory clearcoat eventually dull. The bright silver still looks like the day I bought it.

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

In the 2000s Dodge improved their painting process.

[@robi.1919]

I watched this just because homeboy's reviewing a 21yr old truck! LOL!😂 A fine example, sir. I've owned my '00 RT since '04. Modern classic, IMHO.

[@frankleespeaking9519]

I had the exact same truck in patriot blue and loved it. Sold it because of a kid on the way and wanted a four door. I still think the styling(exterior) could fit in today.

[@NXT_LVL]

They were under appreciated (especially the 4.7s) due to lack of aftermarket support. $800 for a set of really good shorty headers that might net you a 5-8hp gain. Thats why if youre in the know with these you start diving through junkyards to find parts from later 4.7s. HO cams, intakes, etc Now with the Hemi swap kits, people are upgrading to 5.7/6.4 or Hellcats in these.

[@guardian7773]

I inherited my father’s 2003 Dodge Durango (which is basically this as an SUV) and as much as I love it, I’d love something with a bed like this. Even being 6’6 I have a good amount of space in the Durango

[@mitchellkalina8191]

I used to have an 01 Sport quad cab 4.7 auto. Needed a fuel pump when I sold it with 165,000 but was rock solid otherwise and very reliable. Currently have an 01 SLT quad cab 4.7 5-speed. I like it more than the last one I had and I liked that truck a lot. This one will die with me.

[@castromotorsports4611]

Great Review!!! You forgot the Dakota 5.9 E/T in Regular Cab and Extended cab. Please do a review on it 🔥

[@edwardmoreno5558]

I have a 03 with a 4.7 and I love that thing.

[@USNVA11]

I own a 2000 Dakota SLT Quad Cab 4x4 with the 4.7 V8 that I purchased new. She has 40,000 miles on the odometer and looks like the day I bought her. It was my dream truck and I plan on keeping her until I’m pushing up daisies. 😁

[@MichaelSmith-kr9qw]

I still own my 99 Dakota Club Cab 5.2l with the 5 Speed Manual with the 3.90 Sure Grip Rear end, I bought it in December of 1998, It has been a wonderful relationship of 25 years. It does everything I have ever needed out of a pickup truck. I use it now for my lawn care business. I am however looking for a Clean example of the Quad Cab Dakota 2wd with the 5.9l Magnum they are very rare.

[@ProtegeTuype]

I wish he would make reviews like back in the days

[@djdoesgaming5749]

i love my 2002 dakota slt

[@dylano7242]

My mom gave me her 2003 dakota quad 4.7L 4x4 105k miles. I never drove it much but couple times towing , and would overheat on mountain passes. Apparently the lifters, piston rings, head gaskets, timing chains are notorious in this engine. I plan on keeping it, babying as much as can, wont tow but light loads so wont over heat. And if engine blows do a hemi swap. If you plan on buying one , don't the only engines good this era were the big magnum 5 .9L. And the seats are horrible uncomfortable, the suspension is stiffer than a rock. If you want a cheap reliable used truck get a chevy/gmc 1999-2007

[@Dick_Swinger]

Yeah the 4.7/3.7 will 100% shit the bed if you overheat it. Gets too hot the aluminum head expands and the interference fit steel valve seats will fall out of the head and block a valve open.

[@user-sm7bu3et4g]

I have a 97 Dodge Dakota with a 5.2 with 200,000 mi and it runs like it's brand new the SLT model the two-wheel drive

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

This truck, driven ten miles a week to and from the car wash.

[@form109]

The ranger had a 5 speed auto first lol in 1997.

[@nelsonmartinmusic]

I could be wrong, but double check that. They had a five-speed manual, but I don't think the Ranger offered a five-speed automatic until much later.

[@johnperkins8884]

Had a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab Sport 4.7l 4WD. Great truck. Poor frame design and the resultant rust killed it at 192000

[@M67v]

6:44 Did bro run a red light????💀💀💀💀 Also which one do you prefer? I6 or V8?

[@tall_dude1233]

There wasn't even a light there...

[@luisortiz1187]

Should I repair my Dakota? I still drive it but it going down

[@Jbe_theName420]

I got an 01 Dakota that I've gone a put money into and now I can't stop driving it. I had to replace ball joints, hubs and bearings, inner and outer tie rods, sway bar links, tires, spark plugs, oil, oil filter, pcv valve, water pump. I still need to replace the power steering pump, the high and low pressure lines that go to it, and the rack and pinion. Some of the work I did myself and some I let shops handle it. I don't know what condition your truck is in, but it would be worth it to fix it little at a time. Say you start with the suspension and work your way up to the engine or reverse, engine then suspension. Either or, be careful not to drive with suspension issues cause that is dangerous. I had a ball joint pop out of the knuckle while driving in town at a very low speed, imagine if that had happened on the freeway or highway. Seriously don't overlook suspension parts on that truck, your life depends on it. Try working on it a little bit at a time, you know, spark plugs and oil one month, and other things another month. Before you know it you'll have a reliable pick up because you would have done all the work it needs leaving you no doubt that it will run good for you.

[@DarkSim77]

@@Jbe_theName420 "it going down" What does that mean?

[@Jbe_theName420]

@@DarkSim77 I don't know what "it going down" means actually. I figured"it" is the Dakota but "it" was missing a "s"

[@tayloranderson8375]

Oil gauge doesn’t seems very responsive

[@Dick_Swinger]

It's prob a fancy idiot light

[@user-tm6nq3ou1v]

The 4.7 was a piece of crap made by mercedes . A guy had one in our car club and he hated it .

[@scatpack68]

Not really. I still have my '04 I bought in '08. I put an additional 120k on it and had zero issues with the engine.

[@2H2521]

Excellent review as always! I always thought these were pretty junky trucks though.