Dodge Dakota owners?

 

Here is why I ask...My 1998 Ford Ranger with 4.0 v6 engine and 247,000 miles is finally to the point I'm no longer comfortable pulling the pod with it.  I'm starting to see signs of mechanical problems and don't want to put the money into a truck that old with that many miles.  So I went truck shopping today   I have it narrowed down to 2 vehicles.  1 is a 2003 Ford F150 with 4.6 V8 Triton engine.  I'm very familiar with Ford and the reputation that goes along with them.  I have nothing but good things to say about my Ford.  It has been a damned good truck!  I drove the F-150 today and really like it.     I'm also considering a 2004 Dodge Dakota with 4.7 V8 Magnum engine.  I haven't had the chance to drive it yet.  Car Max has it at another location and is bringing it to my local store on Monday.  Each vehicle has it's own pros and cons, but it's a neck and neck race at this point.  One thing I really like about the Dakota is it's size.  I've never really wanted a "Full Sized" truck.  I love the size of my Ranger and the Dakota is supposed to be 'in between' the big boys and the compacts.  I like the idea of the smaller body size but the full size engine.  I've done some research on the Dakota and was hoping I could get some real life input from actual owners, preferably ones who pull campers with it.

 

Any and all comments will be appreciated.

 

Drove home my new (to me) Dakota.  It's a 2004  club cab with the 4.7 V8 Magnum engine.  Factory tow package, all I need (which I've already ordered from e-trailer.com) is the wiring harness thing-a-ma-jig to plug in my P2 brake controller.  Auto transmission which will take some getting used to since I've had a stick shift for as long as I can remember. It's white (not my favorite truck color) but some new graphics will dress it up and 'make it mine'!

 

Now here is where I have to plug Car Max.....The best vehicle buying experience I've ever had.  They transfered the truck to my local store from 2 hours away - no charge!  It has a 5 day satisfaction guarantee and a 30 day warantee.  I purchased an extended warantee at a great rate.  They gave me an incredibly fair price for my 1998 Ford Ranger with 247,000 miles.   The salesmen get a flat rate for their sales and there was NO pressure.  I can't say enough nice things about these people and the whole experience. 

 

I don't think the weather will be ideal for a camping trip this weekend, but I can't wait to pull the pod with it.  I'm real anxious to really go places now that I have the extra ponys and some peace of mind of driving a more reliable vehicle.  The clutch was about to go on the Ranger and the engine was starting to some funny things.

 

I will take pictures of our new set up soon and post photos as well.