which 4x4 to choose

[huntinhick]

Alright I am looking for a used rig, I have narrowed it down to either a  2002 dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 with the v8 or a 2001 jeep Cherokee sport.  I know the jeep is a Strong 4x4 with tons of parts on the market and the Dakota as a good rep but I am not sure how the market is for repairs and parts any way what do you guys suggest the truck or the jeep?  I am leaning towards the dakota for the bed but I have a trailer I can tow with the jeep so it works either way.

thanks
carl

[bobcat]

I'd go with the Cherokee. I believe 2001 was the last year they made those. That should be a great rig.

[carpsniperg2]

i can't say one or the other i like both the funny thing is i have looked at the same 2 rigs for the wife. her suburban went tits up the other. so now i need to find her a good rig i like the dakota a little better myself. but the size of the jeep is a little better.

[Woodchuck]

ball joints, ball joints, ball joints. buy the dakota and this will be your motto and they aint cheap. buy the jeep  

[burrheadcountry]

Not a fan of the Dakota. My boss has had three and they all had transmission problems. My vote is for the Jeep. 

[DRobnsn]

Do you think you will want to modify it or are you just worried about parts availability. Also how hard are you going to be on it?

Also on the ball joints what brand were they replaced with. I found some for my 2001 2500 Cummins that are guaranteed for a million miles no matter what you do to them. Just so you know I have 176000 miles on my originals. The brand is XRF I have heard great things about them. I looked they do make them for Dakota's also.

I have heard about transmission troubles from auto dakota trucks to. Seems to be one of there major problems.On the other hand the Jeep's have very week front and rear axles any aggressive tires combined with aggressive driving will break things.

[deerslyr]

my dad bought his quad cab dakota brand new in 03 and he hasnt had any problems with the ball joints or tranny. Its my favorite truck to hunt in, had plenty of room, plenty of power, and a bed to put stuff in.

[bow4elk]

I'd take a good 4x4 blacktail over a 4x4 muley any day 

My only experience with the Dakota was my dad's old boss had one.  We were elk hunting up in the Bumping area during modern rifle years ago.  That dang thing went anywhere, pushing snow with the bumper and seemed to hook up everywhere we went.  This was a 90's year rig but thought it still might be helpful.

[C-Money]

I would go with th ejeep. My brother has had a few jeeps and they are hard to beat. He drove his 1998 out here from Pennsylvania with 260,000 miles on it and never thought twice about it. It had the 318 v8 and that seemed to be a great motor. Jeeps are good rigs.

[fair-chase]

I cannot express in words how much I dislike the Dakota. I owned an '03 and was quite possibly the worst pickup I have ever owned. Forget what they tell you about estimated mileage. You will average 12mpg in the city, add a hay bale for weight in the winter and it will drop to 8mpg. The engine has absolutely no torque, it's all upper end hp with the only power coming between 4000-6000rpm. This was with the 5.7L V8 with a manual trans. Also the transfer case exploded on me going over snoqualmie had an est 60K miles on it. My wife put it into a jersey barrier two years ago and after finding out she was ok I did a happy dance. So glad to not have that thing in my driveway anymore. I'm not really a jeep fan but would take one in a heartbeat over another dakota.

[gasman]

I would go for the Jeep also. The Dakotas are not know for fuel milage and the Jeeps are known for 200,000+ miles.

[shedcrazy]

Spend the dough and get a 4 door Rubicon edition Jeep. Lockers and off road ready from the factory. Plus it has dual dana 44s, and only a 3 inch lift will fit 35 inch tires

[gasman]

Spend the dough and get a 4 door Rubicon edition Jeep. Lockers and off road ready from the factory. Plus it has dual dana 44s, and only a 3 inch lift will fit 35 inch tires

      

[MuleySniper]

Spend the dough and get a 4 door Rubicon edition Jeep. Lockers and off road ready from the factory. Plus it has dual dana 44s, and only a 3 inch lift will fit 35 inch tires

      

Yeah, nothing like a $30,000.00 plastic toy with 44's front and rear.
MS

[D_morg]

I don't know how some people can pay that much for a rig and use it for hunting. I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee I use for my hunting rig, my truck stays home.