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00:42:53 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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Rpeck
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
11:57:14
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 Subject: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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Hello All,
I just bought a 99 Dakota 3.9L 5 Speed 56k Miles last night, my first ever Dodge. I plan to do a search to find out some of the info I am looking for but I thought I would drop this post here for some feedback in the mean time.
The black bumpers seem quite faded, almost gray looking I was wondering if anyone has had any success with a product to restore the color, or anything like that? Or can they be painted any suggestions?
I assume that it’s okay to use synthetic oil in the Tranny, and the Engine? 10W-30 & 75W-90 oils respectively are the information I have, does that sound correct?
How long to those serpentine belts tend to last?
Are there any internal belts to replace? Such as a timing belt? Or is that all chain driven?
What brand spark plugs do you guys recommend? Platinum? Foreign or domestic? Also what brand of plug wires? Does the type RC12LC4 sound correct?
I think that will get me started, Thanks a bunch ahead of time for the info, if I left out anything important to know about my fist tune-up please let me know.
Robert,
N. California
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Todd W
GenIII
1/23/2003
15:35:36
|  RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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Robert,
I don't know about the bumpers, you may be able to paint them though...
There are a lot of people running Synth, I run the half-Synth stuff because it seems to work for me. I'd probally go full Synth if I could afford it, can't at the moment.
The serpentine belt should last something like 36000+ miles, at least that is where they recommend checking it. I replaced mine when I changed the crank pully at 32000, and it was just fine. I think the belt was $12, so if your concerned, go ahead and replace it. It's not really hard.
There are no internal belts, it has a timing chain. The Timing chain in the 3.9, 5.2, and 5.9L are prone to streatch though, from what I've heard. I haven't heard of any jumping yet though, you can replace them with a good-quality double-roller for a decent price.
I'm running Autolite 3923s in mine, they are a heat-range cooler than stock and reduce pinging considerably. I also here that the Bosche Platnium are nice, I've got a set to try but I'm waiting for the Autolite's to go bad. As for the wires, I'm not sure, I'm running JBA 9mm wires on mine. If your going to change your plugs/wires, go to Napa and get a new Cap/Rotor with brass contacts. My stock contacts were -very- pitted when I replaced them at 28000 miles or so.
If you are going to be replacing the Thermostat in th engine, seriously consider getting a 180 degree high-flow T-stat instead of the standard 190 degree, again it reduces pinging and detonation problems. Dodge runs the 190 for emmissions purposes, it's kind of a hack to meet Federal Mandate. The engine runs better with the 180 and cooler plugs, smoother idle :)
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Rpeck
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
16:12:27
|  RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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Todd W
Thanks for the great info. Can you recomend a brand name, or a part number for the 180HF Thermostat? Also, how hard is it to change that bad boy on the 3.9? it's not any harder than a typical car is it?
I forgot to mention a Cap and Rotor on the above post .. but i am going to get those for sure also. I was thinking about going to Pep Boys... so i will prolly end up with a Borg Warner Cap & Rotor, and BW wires, and the Autolite plugs you mentioned above. Does anyone see a problem with these parts? or that combonation?
BTW: I love the truck :) about a 150 miles on it so far ... I am delighted. I just want to do a good tune-up cause i'm not sure when it was last done ... this way I can start from Zero 'per-say'
Thanks Again,
Robert
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Shad
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
16:42:20
| RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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i'm using the NGK v-power plugs part #zfr6f-11, in my 3.9, i used the autolites and i think the NGK's are much better.
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dakotajess01
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
18:56:47
|  RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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armorall it, it may take a few sprays to get the shine back but it dose work mine were gray too when i got my first dak, my new dak has chrom bumbers, hope you enjoy you truck
01,QC 4.7 flowmaster delta flow, more mods to come
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Rpeck
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
19:35:28
| RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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Ahh, One more unrelated question;
My father has a 99 ram SLT, but it came with a radio/tape deck similar to the one mine has. But he said that the dealer told him that deck has hookups for a external CD changer, and the current deck he has will be able to control a CD changer.
How can I tell if my Radio/Tape combo deck in My base model 99 Dakota is capable of controlling a external CD changer?
Thanks Again,
Robert
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BobbyD
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2003
21:46:18
| RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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Do any of the stereo present buttons say Disc up, Disc down, Up, Down, Random, or anything like that?
If not you should be able to tell if the stereo has CD changer capablities by matching the stereo face with the diagram in the owners manual. Once you do, read it's capabilities.
Not sure on Dodge stereo capabilities, but you might have to get a Dodge changer to work with a Dodge tuner. Another alternative would be to get a changer that has RF. This allows the changer and tuner to communicate using radio waves. I had a Sony RF changer in my last two cars and it sounded fine. I'm sure some audio geek will tell you it sounds bad, but for the guy that doesn't plan on spending a few grand on a system, it sounds fine.
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Rpeck
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2003
01:09:19
| RE: Couple ?'s about my first Dakota
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No, I don’t see any disk related buttons. I will have to ask my old man if his has them. I would look in the book, but I got this truck used and I did not get the factory owners manual with it.
Well, the good news is I got home at 6 tonight and by 9 I was all done with stage 1 of my tune up. I changed the plugs (I went with the bosch plats.) plug wires, Distributor cap, rotor, PCV Valve, Air Filter, Oil & Oil & Oil filter. I am glad I did the ignition stuff, it was in bad shape… I think it was all original, or damn near. The plugs were champion and were gapped at like 0.75! The distrib. And rotor were pretty badly pitted also .. im really surprised it ran as good as it did.
So this Saturday I will finish up the rest; Serp Belt, thermostat/coolant, Tranny & differential fluid. Am I missing anything?
One more dumb question; (I need to pick up a service manual, I know) But how do you check the coolant level on a 99 3.9L?
Thanks again,
Robert
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