[twisted_fate]

Hi This is my first post so please forgive me for my question if it sounds dumb. I'm new to Dakotas and/or Durangos, but im not new to dodges. I have a 99 ram with a 5.2 in it and im looking to get an 03 Dakota quad cab or Durango with the 4.7L. my main purpose for this post is questioning whether or not my choice between the two or either of them. Can either tow my 56 F100(3800lbs) on an open trailer SAFELY for about 300-400 miles either way?

That F100 is my baby but id like to have a little fun off road on some light trails with my daily and can picture either of these trucks to be fun.

What should I be looking for Option wise, is there anything you could recommend adding(other then an electronic trailer brake, and tranny cooler)?

Basically is it a good idea(in your opinion) to go from my full size Standard cab to a mid size quad cab or suv.

 

[twisted_fate]

One Last Question:

Would I be better off going with a newer model/body style? would that help in my Towing debacle?

 

[euba0149]

if you want to tow , get a 5.9 durango slt ! comes with full towing package and tranny cooler abs brakes its the whole 9 yards for towing !

 

[twisted_fate]

So you don't think A 4.7l with a tranny cooler and brake controller would be a good idea? Honestly I was leaning towards the dakota 4x4 haha

 

[Primus]

The 4.7 can tow just as well as the 5.9, just not as much, even with the factory 3.92 gears.
Both engines come with their positives and negatives regarding the drivetrain, as they are both completely different from each other.
4.7
Positives: Likes to rev, responds to mods like headers, catback and P&P'ed throttle body very well, gets good FE for a V8 in a 4500lb. truck/5000lb. SUV, 545RFE automatic is stout and not prone to breakdowns
Negatives: Does not like to be overheated, aftermarket support is way less than the 5.9, is a lean burn engine so oil needs to be changed according to the owners manual or it will sludge up
5.9
Positives: Lots of low end torque, a lot of aftermarket support still even after being out of production 12 years, responds to mods very well, rock solid reliable(look at my sig, it was a 5.2L V8 but the 5.9 and 5.2 are the same)
Negatives: Intake manifold is a two piece design which came with a steel plate on the bottom that causes the gasket to move a lot and cause a wide range of drivability issues, is a huge pig on gas; a lot of owners complain of getting a max of 15 HWY even after mods, 46RE transmission has a lot of design flaws that reduce it's service life and even those with rebuilds are complaining of the same issues as before the rebuild
I've towed with my 4.7 QC 4x4 automatic and it has never had any issues while towing. It even gets decent FE while towing, 9.7-10 mpg, which when towed near the limits of what the factory rated mine at is not too bad.

 

[twisted_fate]

WOW! Lots of info! Thank you primus! I'm happy to kind of see that I'm not looking like an idiot trying to have a daily toy I can have fun with and tow my f100 I'll definitely give it some more consideration.
You said you towed towards the limits of the vehicle... What was it you said you towed, and for how far? Also how did it handle? Was it thrown around and moved on the road?

 

[Primus]

I've towed and my dad has towed his 21ft. Hurricane 210 deckboat to and from Kimberling City, MO to St. Joseph, MO and back a couple times before he parked the boat down there permanently and he never complained about lack of control or being pushed around. The wide wheel base helps with stability a lot. That is where I found out it's towing FE of 9.7 to 10 mpg and that was through a lot of hills.
Then there was the numerous times I have had to tow my Neon on a car trailer because parts break down, transmission failure, and most recently, overheating issues. Each time I towed with my truck, it never felt like it was being pushed around and I had plenty of brakes but I have also been on the same EBC pads and rotors since 2010 and they hardly look like they have worn any. That is where I noticed a difference between stock style rotors and EBC's slotted and dimpled rotors.
It does, however, lack oomph off the line but that is because I have the factory 3.55 gears but I do have the LSD option(though, I think it's been bad for quite a while ).

 

[twisted_fate]

Alright! Excellent looks like I'm buying myself a quad cab 03 Dakota... And sorry in advance because it looks like I'll be sticking around these forums for quite a while haha... No that, that's been settled anything else I should look into buying aftermarket after I pick this thing up that will aid in the tow ability of the vehicle?