2008 Dodge Dakota
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
The thing I don't like about so many of these new cars and trucks are these plastic bumpers. I had an 04 Trailblazer 4x4 and I had them damn things tore off the first time I got into a tight situation. No I have to stay with the older junk. My 86 F250 4x4 with metal bumpers hold up way better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: PA
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
The only thing the K cars remind me of are how gullible the
American car consumer is.
That snake oil salesman, Lee Iacoca, would stand in front of
an American flag touting the all-American K-car and at the same
time bash Japanese cars.......not mentioning one time that nearly
every K-car had a Japanese/Mitsubishi motor in it.
American car consumer is.
That snake oil salesman, Lee Iacoca, would stand in front of
an American flag touting the all-American K-car and at the same
time bash Japanese cars.......not mentioning one time that nearly
every K-car had a Japanese/Mitsubishi motor in it.
The K-car was not a bad car in it's day. Seriously, what did any american company make that was better? The tempo?, escort? cavalier? beretta? corsica? All crap.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by 92f150I6
No. Most K -cars had the American made 2.2L or 2.5L engine in it. The Mitsu 2.6 was available, as was the 3.0 V6 made by mitsu. The 2.2/2.5 are the vast majority of K-car powerplants are not Japanese engines.
The K-car was not a bad car in it's day. Seriously, what did any american company make that was better? The tempo?, escort? cavalier? beretta? corsica? All crap.
The K-car was not a bad car in it's day. Seriously, what did any american company make that was better? The tempo?, escort? cavalier? beretta? corsica? All crap.
Semantics and I miss-wrote............How about ALL upgraded motors (read V6 and bigger 4 cylinders) were Japanese.
The fact remains that Iacoca bashed the Japanese but still used their powerplants.
It reminds me a lot of the atmosphere here at times.
As far as what did America make that was better in that class during that time ......you're 100% correct.....what a sad era.
(Even though the Fox platformed LTD with HO was a favorite of mine, lesser 4 cylinder Fairmonts were junk)
Last edited by DOHCmarauder; Feb 6, 2007 at 07:44 PM.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
Semantics and I miss-wrote............How about ALL upgraded motors (read V6 and bigger 4 cylinders) were Japanese.
The fact remains that Iacoca bashed the Japanese but still used their powerplants.
It reminds me a lot of the atmosphere here at times.
As far as what did America make that was better in that class during that time ......you're 100% correct.....what a sad era.
The fact remains that Iacoca bashed the Japanese but still used their powerplants.
It reminds me a lot of the atmosphere here at times.
As far as what did America make that was better in that class during that time ......you're 100% correct.....what a sad era.
I bought a new LTD in 1983 with the 200 six. In 2002, the car was still running without any powertrain work, and had 125,000 miles. In fact, the only thing I did was a carb replacement, and brakes...once.
Never tried toein10000pondsupasteaphilltho..that wooda killedit.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Feb 6, 2007 at 07:57 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
What engines did the first Chrysler T&C/Plymouth Voyager mini vans use? I recall the cylinder head was made in Italy, and a bunch were defective. The local CP dealer had over 10 customers vans waiting for cylinder heads back in the 1980's. Chrysler keep sending new ones...and all were full of sand casting holes.
I bought a new LTD in 1983 with the 200 six. In 2002, the car was still running without any powertrain work, and had 125,000 miles. In fact, the only thing I did was a carb replacement, and brakes...once.
Never tried toein10000pondsupasteaphilltho..that wooda killedit.
I bought a new LTD in 1983 with the 200 six. In 2002, the car was still running without any powertrain work, and had 125,000 miles. In fact, the only thing I did was a carb replacement, and brakes...once.
Never tried toein10000pondsupasteaphilltho..that wooda killedit.
I think the minivans had all the same choices and later included an "American" 3.8 V6.
Interesting question about "Italian" heads.........I know the Maserati TC was a POS K car with some tuning. Wonder if that's the castings???
Dude, that 200 six could have outpulled any truck of that time.....I6's have a torque factor that no other engine has.........for instance, the 300 I6's 300 pound feet has to be multplied by 2.3.....giving a REAL rating of 700#'s.
That would put your 200 I6 at around 425#'s !!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
From: central TX
Looks like they added some power to the 4.7 too.
290 hp & 320 tq. will do quite well in that truck. I drove an 05 and, while it definitely wasn't underpowered, it could have had just a little more kick to it.
As much as I agree they need to update the Ranger, there will be plenty of people who mourn the day it happens (or doesn't happen, if they just let it die).
290 hp & 320 tq. will do quite well in that truck. I drove an 05 and, while it definitely wasn't underpowered, it could have had just a little more kick to it.
As much as I agree they need to update the Ranger, there will be plenty of people who mourn the day it happens (or doesn't happen, if they just let it die).
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: MA
01-04 Dakotas were very nice trucks, and probably the best
05-07 Dakotas are terrible
The 2008 Dakota looks MUCH BETTER
05-07 Dakotas are terrible
The 2008 Dakota looks MUCH BETTER
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
LOL!!!!..............I think Chrysler must have had some old K car grills left over!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by Monsta
That cross-hair grill is Dodge's signature look. It's on all their cars & trucks.
Kinda.......other grills seem to be more rounded with the cross hairs, but that unequal parallelogram between the 'kota and K car is darn close.....IMHO.
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