I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quadcab SLT 4X4. It has the 4.7L V8 engine, four speed automatic transmission, 9 1/4 inch rearend (same as the Ram 1500) with 3.55 gear ratio. It also came with the a/c, cruise, power window's, power lock's, tow package, heavy duty cooling, heavy duty electrical system, larger tires (265/70 R16). I have just over 20,000 miles on it and just had to have front brakes put on it. I get 10 (winter) to 12 miles per gallon, most of my driving is in the city. I also drive to get to where I'm going, not to save fuel if you know what I mean! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Like I said most of my driving is in the city so brakes and gas mileage isn't gonna be good anyways.
I think the 4.7L V8 has plenty of power in the Dakota. I tow a 8x14 foot trailer with four ATV's on it with no problems at all. My friend has a full size Ram 1500 4X4 with the 4.7L engine, I think its "to much truck" for the engine, but its great in the Dakota.
My wife has a 2003 Dodge Durango SLT 4X4. It has same opinions my truck has except the transmission is a five speed auto instead of the four speed that mine has. I like the "four speed" better. It just seems to be in the "right gear" more often the the "five speed" does. The gear ratio is closer together in the "four speed" or so it feels, it doesn't shift as much as the "five speed" does. It fits my driving habit's better. My wife likes her Durango better then my truck. We haven't had any trouble with either of them so far! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
