2005 Dodge Dakota Quick Spin Bend OR

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Introduction

Dodge Dakota -- 2005 Review: It's ironic. With all the noise that Chrysler has been making lately with the successful 300 and Magnum, the new Dakota is about being quiet. Quiet, as in a quieter cabin for the 2005 edition of its midsize Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Less noise, more motors and a bigger size - that's the short story on the newest Dodge.

The 2005 Dodge Dakota is offered in Club Cab (with two rear half doors) and Quad Cab (four full-size doors) models, with three trim levels: SL, SLT and Laramie. In addition to the standard rear-wheel-drive setup, two four-wheel-drive systems are available - a traditional, part-time transfer case with low range; and a full-time, all-wheel drive system usable on any surface, any time. Prices range from $19,210 for a base Dakota SL Club Cab to $29,324 for a 4WD Dakota Laramie Quad Cab.

We drove an opulently outfitted version of the biggest and best Dakota, the Laramie Quad Cab, on the highways and byways of upstate New York.

Design

For 2005, the already-large Dodge Dakota stretches to become sort of a mid-plus pickup. It's about 3.7 inches longer by the tape measure, with most of that space falling ahead of the front axle. Styling cues tie the new Dakota with its full-size line mates the Durango SUV and Ram pickup. There's the familiar crosshair grille up front, while the side views show sharply drawn fender lines, more angular than the last edition. The tail treatment includes the "afterburner" lights first seen on the Jeep Liberty and Durango.

That new skin is stretched over an also-new frame. The fully boxed, hydroformed frame is said to be eight times stiffer than the previous version. The chassis is fitted out with a revamped suspension (independent short/long arm in front, multi-leaf springs in back), and the power steering has been re-racked: a new rack-and-pinion steering gear was developed to impart a lighter feel to the wheel. Brakes are front-disc/rear-drum with standard rear-wheel ABS. A four-wheel ABS system is optional, and it includes electronic brake-force distribution.

Interior

The 2005 Dodge Dakota's freshened interior takes a step up in refinement compared to the previous generation. The front seats are comfortably padded, with nearly nine inches of travel to fit both the short and the tall. The back seats are roomy for a midsize pickup, and legroom is only an issue if both rows are packing six-footers.

Following truck tradition, the Dakota's controls are simple and straightforward. In 60 seconds, you can figure out where everything is, and what everything does, without consulting the owner's manual. Sitting front and center is a big speedometer, flanked by two smaller circular gauge housings, all white-faced and easily read.

Care was taken to build a quieter truck this time around. Dodge installed front door glass that is thicker, and bolstered insulation in the floor and the dash panel. Even the exhaust system's mufflers get into the act - Dodge specified 30-percent larger cans, with twin resonators, to keep unwanted noise at bay.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.