So last saturday I rolled my 04 slt 4x4. I loved this truck. I am currently not so happy about having to buy a 3rd gen dak! Can any one tell me of any major differences in handeling, ride, and performance? I like the way the 2nd gen sat up higher in the 4x4 models and i was reading that all the 3rd gens ride at the same height. Does this affect the wheel sizes I can now put on it? The wheel wells just seem that much smaller then my 04. I am currently looking to buy an 05 slt 4x4 with only 17K miles on it. I think it was a leased vehicle.

Thanks,
Larry

The largest tire you would probably want to go with stock is a 265/70/16 or similar diameter. That's a 31" tire which is decent for stock. The front end is a lot more mushy than the gen II. It almost rides like the struts are blown and it get's rather annoying. From the sounds of it Monroe and Bilstein are both coming out with some aftermarket options for us. July will be the earliest for that though. That's my only real complaint about the truck so other than that I love it. The handling is pretty good as long as you aren't going over some b***er bumps at a high speed. I like the performance but I also didn't want a race truck. It has plenty of power and speed for what I need it to do.

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Jap Crap Dak!

Yeah i am deffinatly going for the off road capabilities not the racing style of the truck. I have a motorcycle for going fast. The truck is all about getting off the road

That I can't really say much about. I haven't had the chance to get it on a trail yet because there's still too much snow here in the Colorado rocky mountains. It does do very well in the snow though. I've only put it in 4wd a few times and that's because I was playing.

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Jap Crap Dak!

I hear you there. I live in Vail. I am not looking forward to the stock tires... as I think they suck in the snow! Its a shame I can't take my snow tires off my 04. I just don't have anything to put back on it.

yeah my BFGs do awesome in snow...and i have a 2wd. If you liked how the 04 models were so high up, then maybe look into buying an 04 dak 4x4, might be able to find a really nice one that was well taken care of for around the same price as a middle of the road 3rd gen dak

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Jimmy Clack
2005 Dakota QC Laramie V8 4x2

K&N 63 | Flowmaster 40 | DeeZee Bull Guard | 6x Hella 500 | CB Radio | Full LED Conversion | HID Headlights / Foglights

thats the first thing i did. Unfortunately mine had really low milage and all the ones i am finding have almost 20K on top of mine (42K). I also work for a hospital and have to be on call so I need to get it rather quickly. I don't have the ability to wait to find the one I want The value of my 04 would have been $20,600 (kbb)...so to buy a truck that cost that muchandhas more milage...i might as well buy a newer one! I am surprised they are selling this 05 for $16997....guess it has been on the lot for about 4 months now and they have lowered the price down from $23300.

Wahoo!! Another person in Colorado! You live in a better place than I do though. I live about 15 miles north of Denver in Northglenn. My goal it to eventually get a place in the mountains. I love it up there and head up tothe hills as often as I can for whatever the reason is. That sounds like a pretty good deal on that '05. Does it have the 4.7 in it?

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Jap Crap Dak!

But of coarse! Wouldn't take anything other then the 4.7! A dealer down in denver on monday tried to sell me a gorgious truck. All was good until he lifted the hood. Then he said he would get me a truck with the 4.7...but the lowest i could get him to go on price was $26,800. I payed $22000 for 04 when I bought it new and it had 4 wheel disc breaks which apearently the new ones no longer have as an option?

Casper50 what tires are you running on yours? I just remember how bad the stock tires sucked on my 04 on wet pavement let alone the snow we get up here. I am a fan of nokians myself, but would be interested in what is working on the new daks?