2004 Dodge Dakota Owners Manual – Entirely newly designed for 1997, Dodge’s pickup again assessed between compact and complete-dimension. Powertrains and suspensions have been essentially carryovers. Double safety bags were actually now common. Normal-cab Dakotas arrived in two styles: 111.0-” wheelbase with a 6.5-ft. cargo bed, or 123.9-” by having an 8-foot bed. The Membership Cab, which added a 3-place counter seat and 19 ” to the back again of the cab, rode a 131-in. wheelbase and arrived only with the reduced your bed. All body styles were available with rear-wheel drive or on-need 4-tire travel that is not for use on a dried out pavement. Rear antilock brakes were normal; 4-tire Abdominal muscles non-obligatory. About three engines had been accessible: a 2.5-liter 4-tube with 120 horse power; a 3.9-liter V6 that produced 175 hp; and a 5.2-liter V8 with 230 horse power. A 5-speed guidebook transmission was standard; 4-speed automatic recommended simply with the V6 or V8
Dodge decreased the 245-hp 5.9-liter V8 for ’04 and substituted the 175-hp 3.9-liter V6 with a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. Also fallen this year was the sporty R/T model.
Dakotas, in the beginning, came with a selection of 4 engines: a 2.5-liter 4-tube, a 3.9-liter V6, and 5.2- or 5.9-liter V8. 5-speed guidebook transfer was normal; 4-speed intelligent transmission non-obligatory (normal in high-performance R/T). A new overhead-cam 4.7-liter V8 changed the 5.2-liter in 2000 and the 4-cylinder was dropped in 2003. Also in ’03, a 5-speed automated changed the non-obligatory 4-speed on the 4.7. Decreased in 2004 is the 5.9-liter V8, and the 175-hp 3.9-liter V6 was exchanged by a 3.7-liter V6 creating 210-hp.
Read more: 2003 Dodge Dakota Owners Manual
The tougher frame on this generation of Dakota evidently made a visible difference, as a 2WD Membership Cab model turned out to be impressively strong on rough roads. Ride quality was also attractive. The suspensions presented a secure and stable journey, with only a very little jumping on curly surface areas. A 4-tire-push model, on the contrary, does not really feel as secure or comfy, jiggling much more than lumps.
The 5.2-liter V8 is softer and quieter than just before, giving solid velocity and completing power. Fuel usage is another narrative. We averaged only 13.3 mpg with the V8, though that included generally downtown traveling. The business expense-camera 4.7-liter V8 that substituted the 5.2 in 2000 also furnishes strong velocity. The base 4-cylinder engine is just as well weak for a vehicle of this weight and size. The V6 makes a reasonable give up. The Dakota R/T delivers impressive acceleration but is distracted by a rough journey and shortage of 4-tire drive.
Even though the Dakota is roomier than rival compact pickups, the rear table seat in Group Cab models does not have enough lower-leg area for grown-ups. Stepping into the rear seat is a press, also. As an added bonus, the rear-seat pillow folds up to disclose a pair of helpful, flat-topped storing spaces. Rear entrance doors on the Quad Cab are not officially whole-dimension, nonetheless they available separately from the top entrance doors to make admittance/get out of a lot more practical. The Quad Cab also provides a lot more rear lower-leg place than any rival’s expanded cab, although long-legged grown-ups nevertheless will see their knees pressed into the front side seatback.
This Dakota’s dash panel seems far more contemporary, but it is engrossed in lightweight plastic-type. Within door panels are produced of affordable-searching molded plastic that is not going to appearance or sense tough. In basic, although, supplies are corresponding to those in most rival trucks. Visibility is excellent all around. Stereo and climate controls are very easy to get to. Two cupholders are shaped into the center unit.