I had a 2004 Dakota for 9yrs and I loved that 4.7 and had no issues.
But I'm not sure I'd like it in a full size truck as it's likely under powered for any hauling
Well put it this way, since the electric can fail, they have a tool to shift it in an emergency and the manual shift doesn't need a backup plan cause it just works unless you break it
Would maybe help to know what the dealer did try, as it could be a number if things!
Fuel filter restricted?
Dirt in the carburetor fuel jet?
Air intake leak?
Or if it's running rich and smoking it's the air filter.
Or maybe they were trying to tell you that you gotta slow down!
Somewhere in Western Canada, maybe Saskatchewan. Looks like decent product and if you're in the USA then you'll have a big dollar advantage on purchase. So it depends what dealer support you have in your area
I know a guy once said for a gas engine if you take out the spark plugs and put in brake fluid and let it soak in there you can sometimes get them freed up. But you already have the head off?