Is this a good engine? I don't know much about them. Found a 2000 Dakota with this engine, auto, 2wd. How are the transmissions in this truck? Has around 80k miles.

Thanks.

100k on mine
Everyone says they're great till 100k then they're junk. We'll see!

I like mine. Great engine for a mid-sized truck. Gets me 17 mpg overall, and on the occasion that I do tow, it does ok as long as total trailer weight is 6500 or less.

I tow on average.... Once a year. Mines an 04 auto, 2wd quad cab.

I'm @ 113,000 still ok. I tow with mine about 4 or 5 times a year. 2000 quad, 2wd auto 3.55.

My 02 was at 165k when I sold the 4.7 and dropped in the Hemi but you sure hear a lot of horror stories about them.

Oh yeah,mine was still running great.

I just traded off an '06 Dakota with a 4.7. It loved oil. I bought it with 20K on it and it had just under 60K when I got rid of it. Ran good, had decent power, got between 15 and 18 for mileage, just used oil from the day I got it.

I've had great luck with them and with consistent oil changes, the rocker arm tossing seems to be a non-issue. Trans coupled to the 4.7's are good as well.

Hmm. Right now I have a 95' GMC 1/2 ton with a 350. Hard to beat the reliability of this. Starting to get some rust, so either need to handle that and keep driving, or was thinking about picking something else up that got a little better mileage. I don't drive much (8 mile round trip to work).

Always like the Dakotas but am a little shy of this 4.7 after doing some research, especially with this one being the 1st year with the engine.

the 4.7 was first used in the 99 grand Cherokee so a 2000 dak is actually the 2nd year if that makes you feel better

177,500 on my 4.7/ AT/ 3.55 2002 Ram 1500....still getting 20-21 on the highway unloaded.

123,000 on ours; it's in a Durango. I like it a lot. The thing has great low end and does very well towing a car trailer for what it is. The gas mileage sucks but we don't drive it that much. I was speaking with one of my mechanic friends last year and he said that he sees failure with the 4.7 when people do not keep the oil changed on a frequent basis. He said that the oil pick up is very close to the bottom of the oil pan and the ones he sees that have issues are gunked up at the pick up due to people not changing the oil when they should.

Have 136000 on ours and use it. Towed race car enclosed before I sold car and trailer. Still tow a lot with it and get 9 & 10 loaded driving 60ish. i know the load is a little to far ahead with the hay but we made it home about 35 miles driving accordingly.

03 quad cab Dakota with 189k on mine, does not burn one drop of oil, about 18.5 MPG with 70/30 highway/city. change oil every 5k with rottela usually, never touched the trans not even an oil change.only engine work done was new exhaust manifold gaskets and hardware, and fan clutch had some play so replaced that along with a new water pump and belt at about 150k. Great truck!

This Dakota is a "Sport" trim level. Anyone know what gearing it would have? Standard cab no extended or quad cab. Kind of a no frills truck, has A/C but no power locks or windows, etc.

I'm not especially worried about towing.

Just need something to get me to work. Little nervous about leaving my GMC behind. I really like the 88-98 C/Ks. Had an '89 Chevy before this one. Rust is just starting (pretty good for a '95, but was really clean when I bought it 8 years ago), if I don't get it handled it will take over. Truck has 143k on it and runs great. Sucks on fuel, but I don't drive that much.

maybe 3.55 or right around there

And your 350 tbi is a good engine although still not roller cam equipped through 95 (many cars had the roller cams and the 4.3's, but the trucks("K" engine etc), did not get them until after 95), but a 2000 dakota will be right behind with some body rust issues most likely.

I rented one nine years ago. I was impressed with the power, but this particular one got horrible mileage (12 on the highway). It prevented me from buying one at the time. For towing I think I prefer the 5.9 that is in my Durango, but we never towed with the 4.7.

FWIW, '88 was when the 4.3/5.0/5.7 went to the roller cam. '96 is when they went to the Vortech heads on the v8s. I think the 4.3s were a few years earlier, maybe '94 for the Vortech heads.

On the rust, yeah I know... It is not worth it if there is any indication of rust starting. I am going to go look at the Dakota this week. I tend to crawl all over (and under!) vehicles when I buy, so I'll take a good look at the under side, brake/fuel lines, cab corners, rockers, doors, wheel openings, etc.

No way to know for sure on gearing. the standard gearing in the 8.25 axles was 3.21 with 3.55 and 3.92 being options, along with optional LSD available in all gear ratios.

however, being a V8 truck you PROBABLY have the 9.25 axle, and I've not come across a 9.25 with 3.21s, so chances are, it has 3.55 gears, with 3.92 being an option available. Again, LSD was available as an option in both ratios.

Dakotas have a sticker inside the glove box door that has the paint code, some trim codes, but it will also have the rear axle size, and gear ratio, as long as nothing has been changed from stock.

being a used, 13 year old truck, how knows if a prior owner swapped gear ratios, added a LSD, locker, etc. (my toy Dakota now has 4.56 gears )

Thanks for the tip on the glove box. That helps.

I've talked to the owner. This truck is all stock, original owner, etc.

We'll see...