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Everything you could possibly want to know about the 2005 Dodge Dakota. Info taken from DCX.
The 2005 Dakota has been given a new frame, more power, better gas mileage, and a larger size, yet it should be more refined and handle better. It continues to offer the only V8 in its class, with full-size styling and power, and the ability to outpull some full size pickups.
New front and rear suspensions deliver improved ride refinement, yet still provide a best-in-class 7,000 lbs. plus of towing capability and a gross combined weight (GCW) of 11,500 lbs.
Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, said, "Dodge buyers like the ‘right size’ of the current Dodge Dakota, which is more fuel efficient and maneuverable than a full-size pickup, but can still get the big jobs done.”
“Dodge created the mid-size segment with the original Dakota and the new Dodge Dakota is still the only mid-size truck that hits the mark,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing.
The 2005 Dodge Dakota is 3.7 inches longer than its predecessor, primarily ahead of the front axle, to provide added crush space for improved impact performance. The new design reflects a balance between added safety features and the maneuverability of a true mid-size pickup. The bumpers are also extended slightly farther fore and aft to increase their protective capabilities in low-speed impacts. The body has been widened 2.7 inches.
Capability and comfort in the Dodge Dakota
New interiors improve comfort, with more interior room than all other mid-size pickups. The Dodge Dakota Quad Cab offers the most overall interior space in its class with available six-passenger seating. The 2005 Dodge Dakota also becomes the first mid-size pickup to offer heated cloth seats.
The Dakota Club Cab becomes the standard cab offering of the all-new Dakota. With forward facing rear seats and new standard rear-hinged access doors, the Club Cab’s individual rear seats provide seating for two adults in greater comfort than the previous three-passenger seat. For added versatility, folding rear seat cushions provide 30.0 cu. ft. of storage behind the front seats, an increase of 4.0 cu. ft.
At almost seven inches wider than the new Chevrolet Colorado, the new 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab is roomier than all other mid-size pickups, providing adult-size rear seating for three. Both front seat tracks on Quad Cabs and the driver’s seat track on Club Cab have 8.7 inches of travel to improve comfort. The Club Cab front passenger seat has an ample 7.5 inches of travel. With the rear seats of the Quad Cab folded, there is 37.1 cu. ft. of storage space behind the front seats, an increase of 7.2 cu. ft.
The Dodge Dakota’s capability advantage continues with more room between the wheel wells compared with the competition, but Dakota maintains its bed wall height for easing loading. The Dodge Dakota Club Cab features a six-foot, six-inch bed and the Dakota Quad Cab features a five-foot, three-inch bed.
Engines
With a powerful standard 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 rated at 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, the new Dodge Dakota offers a six-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and improved power over the old, LA-based 3.9-liter V-6. The 4.7-liter V-8 is rated at 230 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, while the new 4.7-liter High Output V-8 further eclipses the competition in both power and torque (thanks to added tuning features) with 250-plus horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. plus of torque. Both V-8 engines are rated between three and four-percent more fuel efficient than the previous Dodge Dakota V-8 engines, which were based off blocks designed in the 1950s but updated with new heads and fuel delivery systems.
The only V-8 offering in the mid-size segment allows the Dakota to boast class-dominating power, torque and a 7,000 lb. plus towing capacity.
The High Output 4.7-liter engine will be available only on SLT and Laramie models and requires an automatic transmission. It has more power, faster acceleration, and better gas mileage than the old 360 / 5.9.
Both 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engines are available with to the 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission.
For 2005, the 4.7-liter V-8 was modified to improve fuel efficiency approximately three to four-percent. A new electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) allows partial lock-up of the torque converter at low speeds for improved fuel efficiency. Dual knock sensors allow more spark advance while preventing potentially damaging engine knock. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) improves fuel economy by replacing some of the incoming fuel-air mixture with inert exhaust gas.
The 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 returns as the only standard V-6 engine in the mid-size segment and is fitted with an all-new Getrag six-speed manual transmission that delivers improved fuel efficiency and drivability. Available on both two and four-wheel drive Dakotas, the 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 delivers 210 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. A 42RLE automatic transmission is also available with the 3.7-liter engine.
Refinement, noise, vibration, and handling
A stiffer frame, with box-section rails throughout, helps the all-new Dodge Dakota achieve excellent bending, torsional and lateral stiffness for NVH control. Box-section rails extend the full length of the frame aft of the rail tips. The frame sections are stamped or roll formed and all joints are welded for maximum strength and stiffness.
A new lower-control-arm cross member connecting the rear lower control arm pivots also increases torsional stiffness, and increases the frame’s lateral stiffness to enhance handling. The transmission, fuel tank and spare tire cross member designs required special attention to meet the torsional frequency objectives.
Ride and handling
The Dodge Dakota retains its best-in-class steering feel, and handling precision while achieving a more comfortable ride. The new Dakota’s improved ride dynamics benefit from enhanced spring and shock absorber tuning capabilities provided by a new “coil-over” shock absorber configuration and a stiffer frame. The steering system, stabilizer bars, spring rates and bushings are also fine-tuned to achieve optimum handling qualities. An all-new rack-and-pinion steering gear, used on both 2WD and 4WD models, facilitates fine-tuning of the steering response characteristics.
The 2005 Dakota has been given a new frame, more power, better gas mileage, and a larger size, yet it should be more refined and handle better. It continues to offer the only V8 in its class, with full-size styling and power, and the ability to outpull some full size pickups.
New front and rear suspensions deliver improved ride refinement, yet still provide a best-in-class 7,000 lbs. plus of towing capability and a gross combined weight (GCW) of 11,500 lbs.
Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, said, "Dodge buyers like the ‘right size’ of the current Dodge Dakota, which is more fuel efficient and maneuverable than a full-size pickup, but can still get the big jobs done.”
“Dodge created the mid-size segment with the original Dakota and the new Dodge Dakota is still the only mid-size truck that hits the mark,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing.
The 2005 Dodge Dakota is 3.7 inches longer than its predecessor, primarily ahead of the front axle, to provide added crush space for improved impact performance. The new design reflects a balance between added safety features and the maneuverability of a true mid-size pickup. The bumpers are also extended slightly farther fore and aft to increase their protective capabilities in low-speed impacts. The body has been widened 2.7 inches.
Capability and comfort in the Dodge Dakota
New interiors improve comfort, with more interior room than all other mid-size pickups. The Dodge Dakota Quad Cab offers the most overall interior space in its class with available six-passenger seating. The 2005 Dodge Dakota also becomes the first mid-size pickup to offer heated cloth seats.
The Dakota Club Cab becomes the standard cab offering of the all-new Dakota. With forward facing rear seats and new standard rear-hinged access doors, the Club Cab’s individual rear seats provide seating for two adults in greater comfort than the previous three-passenger seat. For added versatility, folding rear seat cushions provide 30.0 cu. ft. of storage behind the front seats, an increase of 4.0 cu. ft.
At almost seven inches wider than the new Chevrolet Colorado, the new 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab is roomier than all other mid-size pickups, providing adult-size rear seating for three. Both front seat tracks on Quad Cabs and the driver’s seat track on Club Cab have 8.7 inches of travel to improve comfort. The Club Cab front passenger seat has an ample 7.5 inches of travel. With the rear seats of the Quad Cab folded, there is 37.1 cu. ft. of storage space behind the front seats, an increase of 7.2 cu. ft.
The Dodge Dakota’s capability advantage continues with more room between the wheel wells compared with the competition, but Dakota maintains its bed wall height for easing loading. The Dodge Dakota Club Cab features a six-foot, six-inch bed and the Dakota Quad Cab features a five-foot, three-inch bed.
Engines
With a powerful standard 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 rated at 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, the new Dodge Dakota offers a six-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and improved power over the old, LA-based 3.9-liter V-6. The 4.7-liter V-8 is rated at 230 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, while the new 4.7-liter High Output V-8 further eclipses the competition in both power and torque (thanks to added tuning features) with 250-plus horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. plus of torque. Both V-8 engines are rated between three and four-percent more fuel efficient than the previous Dodge Dakota V-8 engines, which were based off blocks designed in the 1950s but updated with new heads and fuel delivery systems.
The only V-8 offering in the mid-size segment allows the Dakota to boast class-dominating power, torque and a 7,000 lb. plus towing capacity.
The High Output 4.7-liter engine will be available only on SLT and Laramie models and requires an automatic transmission. It has more power, faster acceleration, and better gas mileage than the old 360 / 5.9.
Both 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engines are available with to the 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission.
For 2005, the 4.7-liter V-8 was modified to improve fuel efficiency approximately three to four-percent. A new electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) allows partial lock-up of the torque converter at low speeds for improved fuel efficiency. Dual knock sensors allow more spark advance while preventing potentially damaging engine knock. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) improves fuel economy by replacing some of the incoming fuel-air mixture with inert exhaust gas.
The 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 returns as the only standard V-6 engine in the mid-size segment and is fitted with an all-new Getrag six-speed manual transmission that delivers improved fuel efficiency and drivability. Available on both two and four-wheel drive Dakotas, the 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 delivers 210 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. A 42RLE automatic transmission is also available with the 3.7-liter engine.
Refinement, noise, vibration, and handling
A stiffer frame, with box-section rails throughout, helps the all-new Dodge Dakota achieve excellent bending, torsional and lateral stiffness for NVH control. Box-section rails extend the full length of the frame aft of the rail tips. The frame sections are stamped or roll formed and all joints are welded for maximum strength and stiffness.
A new lower-control-arm cross member connecting the rear lower control arm pivots also increases torsional stiffness, and increases the frame’s lateral stiffness to enhance handling. The transmission, fuel tank and spare tire cross member designs required special attention to meet the torsional frequency objectives.
Ride and handling
The Dodge Dakota retains its best-in-class steering feel, and handling precision while achieving a more comfortable ride. The new Dakota’s improved ride dynamics benefit from enhanced spring and shock absorber tuning capabilities provided by a new “coil-over” shock absorber configuration and a stiffer frame. The steering system, stabilizer bars, spring rates and bushings are also fine-tuned to achieve optimum handling qualities. An all-new rack-and-pinion steering gear, used on both 2WD and 4WD models, facilitates fine-tuning of the steering response characteristics.
