2003 Dodge Dakota

JimS · Mar 16, 2015

Probably the wrong forum, but the advice here is the most solid.

I have a friend with a 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with an engine that has water in it. It has sat for a while so the engine needs to be replaced. Engines run between $1700 and $2300 used (I might get lucky, pull a head, find a bad gasket and sneak of with a honing, new rings and gaskets). What's a fair price for a no engine truck of this make and model?

Morgan Flowers · Mar 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:26:02 03/16/15) Probably the wrong forum, but the advice here is the most solid.

I have a friend with a 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with an engine that has water in it. It has sat for a while so the engine needs to be replaced. Engines run between $1700 and $2300 used (I might get lucky, pull a head, find a bad gasket and sneak of with a honing, new rings and gaskets). What's a fair price for a no engine truck of this make and model?

I would say $600-800.

jimg.allentown · Mar 16, 2015

As a general rule, I would look up the price of a "good" or "average" one on Kelly Blue Book. Deduct from that the value of the needed repair. Retail.
For example, take a car or truck that books at say $10,000, but needs a transmission. If a transmission job costs $3500, then the fair price of the vehicle should come in around $6500. Maybe even deduct a bit for the "convenience" factor.

These days, getting into major engine work is a spendy proposition. Aluminum components, single use fasteners, timing chain/belt components, and needing to raise the cab on pickups for service all makes for some very expensive repair work. AND...just because you may be supplying the labor, that does NOT de-value the repair. It only saves you cash out of pocket.

JimS · Mar 16, 2015

I don't follow your post. I don't see what to
click on. Is there a link that didn't work or...?

Jon Hagen · Mar 16, 2015

You don't say which engine, but the V6 had intake gasket problems that would leak coolant, possibly inside the engine.

If there is not already too much water damage, you might get lucky and find a cheap fix.

Mark-Ia · Mar 16, 2015

At the top right corner of your original post it says Modern View. that is what his posting says to click on.

JimS · Mar 16, 2015

Sorry, 4.7 v8

Married2Allis · Mar 16, 2015

Just parted with a good running 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 5.9 w/150k. I would have been lucky to get $2500 from right the person, so I took the first $1000 mainly because I didn't have time fix all of the minor issues it had.

It depends on where you are, but I could hardly give it away here near Harpers Ferry, WV because there a bazillion Dakotas for sale on the local craigslists, used car dealers, etc. (basically market is flooded). Most of these trucks now have 125k+ miles so you're competing with the low mileage creampuffs that are left out there and are going for 5,000 and up.

So without a motor, it's not going to be worth more than a few hundred selling it whole.

If he has the time it's probably worth finding out what's wrong with it. Unless it turns out to be a bad engine computer or bad transmission those trucks are overall pretty rugged.

Married2Allis · Mar 16, 2015

If the motor needs cylinder work beyond honing, has seized up, or has deep scoring from what I understand the Dodge magnum V8s tended to have very thin cylinder walls and could not really be bored past 030 over.

RGMartin · Mar 16, 2015

The 4.7 is no fun to work on. No such thing as a simple "pulling the heads". Timing chains running every which direction on them. I have one here that needs head gaskets, been putting it off, over and over...

wisbaker · Mar 16, 2015

The 4.7's were not one of Chrysler's better ideas, there was a range of them that develop head problems and start chucking cam followers out about as fast as you can put 'em back in. Close friend of mine was a Mopar guy for years, bought a Dodge truck with the 4.7, so impressed he drives a Ford now. Used engine supply is nonexistent yards around here can sell 2 for everyone they get. To add insult to injury it's about impossible to go back to the 318/360 push rod engine or to go forward to the Hemi has computers and transmissions don't match up easy.

Rollie NE PA · Mar 16, 2015

If you decide to replace the engine. be sure you get a engine with the correct tone ring. There are two different 4.7 engines. Simple test; does your PCM have 4 plugs on it?

4 plugs - NGC, 32T tone wheel

3 plugs - JTEC, 16T tone wheel

JimS · Mar 16, 2015

Wow. Thanks.

2003 Dodge Dakota

JimS

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Morgan Flowers

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jimg.allentown

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Mark-Ia

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JimS

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