Used 2004 Dodge Dakota
Buying Guide for the Dodge Dakota:
A new engine and a special Stampede package bolster the lineup
of the 2004 Dodge Dakota, the manufacturer’s rugged compact
pickup truck. That, and its combination of safety, versatility
and comfort, has earned the Dakota yet another Best Buy distinction
from Consumer Guide.
The model lineup of the Dodge Dakota is trimmed somewhat
this year. With the new engine, a 3.7-liter V6, Dodge drops
the old 5.9-liter V8. Last year’s R/T model has also been
discontinued, streamlining the family even more. Still, the
Dakota has the most snarl in the compact pickup class.
The 2004 Dakota is offered as a three-passenger regular cab
and as a six-passenger extended Club Cab, both with two doors.
The crew cab Quad Cab has four doors and sits six as well.
Regular and Club Cab have a 6.5-ft cargo bed, the Quad Cab
a 5.3-ft box.
Under the Hood
Dodge offers the new 3.7-liter V8 engine to meet the varying
needs of compact pickup owners. It generates up to 210 horsepower
at 5200 rpm and 235 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. 5-speed manual
and 4-speed automatic transmission are both offered. And of
course, the 2004 Dakota is available with a rear-wheel drive
configuration, or a four-wheel drive setup.
If you really need power with your compact pickup, you’d
better step up to the 4.7-liter Magnum V8. With 230 horsepower
at 4800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm, it is easily
the strongest in the segment. It can be mated to 5-speed manual
or 5-speed automatic transmission.
The result of this power is that the Dakota can offer a 6,600-pound
maximum towing capacity and a 2,190-pound maximum payload
capability. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on four-wheel
drive models and two-wheel drive models that come with a GVWR
of 5,350 pounds or more. An anti-lock braking system is standard
in the rear, with four-wheel ABS available as an option.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
The 2004 Dakota Quad Cab’s interior is the largest among
four-door compact pickups, with the most front and rear shoulder
and hip room as well.
The new Stampede package is offered with regular cab and
Club Cab Sport models. It features unique monochromatic custom
front and rear body-color fascia moldings, ground-effect side
body moldings, 16" x 8" aluminum wheels, wheel flares
and a rear stabilizer bar.
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