New Hunting Rig
 

Well my 12 year old F-150 died last week. The tranny is shot, and with the rust setting in all over the place it is time to retire the old girl.

Looking for new Rig

1997 Dodge Dakota 6 cylinder 4X4 Club Cab 54,000 miles

1999 Silverdo 8 cylinder 4X4 Regular cab 8 foot bed. 87,000 miles

Anyone out there own a Dakota? I like the price of this one.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I don't own a dakota, but my neighbor right across the road really likes his and has had very good luck with it. It has to be about the same year as what you are looking at.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I have a dakota, really enjoy it, but it does suck down the gas, but then again so does every other truck out there.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

my f-150 got 11 miles to the gallon:D

Is it better than that;)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

im partial to chevy/gmc. ive got a 2001 sierra 4x4 with a long bed, just like the silverado your looking into, but mine has 110,000 miles. i suggest the silverado for the bigger bed area as well, that is if you use a bed like i do. i HAVE to have my long bed for the landscaping i do. will you use it for any hauling besides a deer every now and then?

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Why not buy new? Warranty is your friend, and most manufacturers out there are giving killer deals on interest rates because they're all having a hard time selling anything that isn't hybrid.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

If I wasn't worried about re-sale.....I "might" look at the Dodge. Otherwise.....I wouldn't even consider it.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Justin for what I drive a truck a new one is over kill. I like to deal in Cash;)also.

I put 13,000 miles on my truck the last 5 years. I have a small car I drive back and fourth to work in.

Loosing 30% when I sign just drives me nuts, now my wife gets a new car, but I have no control over her;)

GMMAT I drive them until they stop, just like that damn ford did. The tranny sounded like a gun going off, LOL it was ugly

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Friend to friend.....I'd get an old Suburban.....even an older model.

LOTS of people drive these as company vehicles....and you can find some with high miles still in REALLY good shape.

THAT is what I'd do.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I clicked on this thread hoping to see a Cardiac ;)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

If I shot the deer you did I would geta Suburban, but I need a lot of room.[8D] J/K
I did not just say it, oh yes I did, LOL

GMMAT I am a truck man, I do not need an over grown station wagon:D

Cougs I took the Cardic Back I did not like it. I got a CRR34 instead:)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I'm with ya!.......That's why I have one of EACH!;)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Wait a second.......[&:]

First you ridicule the size of the deer I shoot......then you make a statement to ME about an overgrown station wagon?????:eek::D

WHO just bought their wife a FREAKIN MINI VAN????

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I sold the Minivan and bought her a Car;)

Malibou Maxx SS:D Yes I drove a Mini Van for 7 years[:o] I admit it

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I would never buy dodge. I don't like them, don't like the feel of the drive or the ride. I know way too many folks who have issues with them falling apart at 70k.

I have 275K on my expedition and it drives like the day I bought it.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Absolutely true ..... go GM .....it'll last you for a long time

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

best friends dad has a 97 dakota (8cyl) put 265k on it then put a new engine in it and works great......used as a commute truck, so i don't know about them as a non commute vehicle....

most vehicles are not the best if you don't use them but once in a while...

get a jeep and tarp....plenty of room in back to put the deer...get 20mpg...excellent 4x4 vehicle...can't beat them (could probably pick up a 6cyl grand cherokee around 94-97 for around $3500-5000) just my opinion

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

My last one did not[:@]

I am looking at both.

I have buddy put 200,000 miles on his Dodge, he swearsby them.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Germ, I ran the Fixed Operations (Service, Parts, Detail) for a3 store, 13 linedealership ....GM and Chrysler products included ..... hands down, without a doubt, GET GM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Preach

I wrote the code that test the Transmissions for GM for 6 years. I know things, LOL

I am looking a Silverdo tonight;)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

AHHHHH the Tranny ..... the WEAKEST link in the Dodge Trucks ....... did I mention that I would get a GM? ;)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

In 95 I showed are test system to Dodge, I think they were having issues, LOL

Dodge is still way better than ford[:'(]

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I don't agree .... the new Ford trucks are exeptional ..... the ole' straight six Ford wouldn't die...... I HATE Dodge though ....

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I have an 05 Dakota, Club Cab, V-8, 4WD with the towing package. It is a little hard on gas. Strange thing about that. When I got out of Maryland and started driving up here my gas mileage jumped 1.5 mpg. Things are a little further apart and no stop and go. I do love the truck but you better realize it's too small for a lot of things, like carrying oversized things. The beds are small.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I would get a Silverado with a 8ft bed!!!!! Sure is nice to be able to put a sheet of plywood between the wheel wells!:):)

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I have a landscape business, and have had to own a lot of trucks over th eyears.I tried them all, and have to say, hands down, that the Chevys have been far superior, in every way. Fords start to need everything replaced, except the engine after 75-80k miles. Fords have transmission problems, especially in the Powerstroke diesels. I tried to go around that one by getting a 5 speed, and have had to put in a new clutch about every 30k miles--at a very hefty price! Dodges--just not in the same class as either--especially the Dakota. GMC or Chevy and especially the Silverado is definitely the only choice.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

You wont go wrong w/ a GM...

My huntin rig is 13 yrs old w/ 200k miles on it. A 2500 Chevy Silverado Diesel.... she still prrrrs like a champ, and runs amazing...

If your lookin at a new truck still go w/ chevy.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Well I looked attwo chevy's, and they were not what I wanted.[:@]

Does anyone buy a regular cab 8 ft bed anymore[&:]

I found a Dakota Club Cabfor 8500 and is a 2001 with 51,000 miles. It has the 4.7 8 in it.
I have awhile so I am going to wait a bit. Chevy is my area are way over priced. 101,000 miles extened cab for 11,500, I laughed:D

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

I have the 4.7 in my '03 Quad Cab. I'd recommend the V8 over the 6. Things I love about the truck. Power out the wazzu. Hauls trailers like they aren't even there. Rides great. Handles great. Sometimes I actually forget I'm in a truck. :D

Things I do not like: Electrical issues. Bought the truck new and here's the list:[:'(]
Clock Spring
Fuel Pump
Starter
Windshield wiper motor
HVAC fan
Luckily happened during warranty. Nock on wood.

One more thing fails electrically though and I'm getting a Toyota Takoma. I live near the city and don't need a full size. [:@]

As for the Fords. The coils are on the top of the spark plugs built into the wire. He's had to replace every one of them since his warranty expired. After he bought it the alternator went. When the guy looked at it at the dealership he found out it was rebuilt. Evidently, Ford sometimes uses rebuilt parts for their new vehicles!!!! What kind of crap is that.

People who have Chevy's like them. GM models though not so much.

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

well the way the gas prices are in illinois here at 3.55 a gallon. Ill be biking it to the woods this year, if it gets any higher, but hey it might get me off my duff and lose a few pounds. william daughenbaugh pecatonica illinois

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

Germ you will know when the right one is in front of ya, it will be calling your name and have a spoon mural painted on the side [8D][8D]:D:DAll kiddin aside the Chevy would be my pic. Mines a 97 silverado 4x4 extended cab and just rolled over 260,000, with just the usual things that go wrong, batterys, water pump, etc. I drive mine like you, till they drop!! good luck findin one!!

RE: New Hunting Rig
 

You know they are built in the same factory, same parts. LOL

Kind of funny how we act with cars