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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
08:01:50
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 Subject: Help me folks
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Due to gas prices I'm thinking really hard about trading in my '04 Quad Cab 4.7 for an '07 Caliber and need's y'alls input.....I love my truck but also drive around 50-100 miles per day and economy would be nice....And I've put in the K&N air filter and flowmaster exhaust but still seem to get between 16-18mpg right now, so any help there would be nice and appreciated....Lemme know, thanx a million, and God bless.....And of course, if y'all talk me out of trading it I guess I'm gonna have to "join" this site instead of browsing all the time....ha ha ah
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
08:38:30
|  RE: Help me folks
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if you can afford it, try to find a beater that makes better mileage for about 2 grand and keep the dak.
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bigdave
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
10:05:34
| RE: Help me folks
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Got the same prob, Just bought a 2002 Kia Spectra for 3,000. It gets about 38 miles to the gallon. I will use it for a couple years than give it to my little sister for her first car.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
13:33:49
|  RE: Help me folks
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I don't really have the room/space for a 2nd car so would definitely only be able to have one vehicle...Guess I gotta do some soul searching to decide if I really need the truck part of the truck or not..I don't haul anything very often but just knowing it's there makes it that much better....these dang gas folks are really ticking me off....Thanx for the help and input; it's definitely appreciated...
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crow318
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
15:13:08
| RE: Help me folks
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Not too much you can do to get better than that. All the people that claim they get 22 MPG consitantly either wont share thier secret, or just got lucky with a perfect truck.
Depending on what type of driving you need to do, a motorcycle is also a good option. They get good mileage, take up only a little space, and are a blast to ride.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
16:03:27
| RE: Help me folks
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My fiance' keeps telling me I'll regret it if I get rid of the truck and I'm kinda sorta believing her...Really love it. "Almost" stopped by the Dodge joing a few minutes ago to do a 2nd test drive in the Caliber but decided to turn around and come on home. Keep thinking maybe I can just suck it up, drive a little less around town, and just keep what I got....Sure is a pain wondering what gas prices are going to do, but I like my truck, and also, still got 40k miles left on 7/70 warranty and would kind of hate to lose that...Sorry about all the whining; just not sure what to do...
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Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
16:07:18
| RE: Help me folks
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aint no secret and if I knew I would tell you. but maybe my truck was setup different. I know my last trip I got 24 MPG. this isnt no lie either. truck is basically stock besides my programmer. but i was getting almost 24 without it. 03 QC 4x4 4.7 V8 auto. so guess luck of the draw I guess. could change the plugs, check your 02 sensors. why kinda oil you running. so manythings to suggest.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
16:13:58
| RE: Help me folks
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Dang jecht, definitely beats mine, but I did change the plugs last week (used Champions as tag stated just to be safe) and always change my oil every 3000 miles or less...Used QS5W30 this time....Also got the K&N air filter but no K&N intake system.....To be totally honest, I haven't truly measured the mpg in probably 6-8 months but that's whaat I was getting then...I'm heading for the coast ((4 hours)) next week, so guess if i keep it I can do a new up to date check......
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Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
19:35:18
| RE: Help me folks
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maybe clean your TB and IAC sensor? I am using autolite plugs. running reg penz 5w-30. could have the death flash also. I dont know if that could mess with mileage.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
20:11:47
| RE: Help me folks
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Hey jecht, is there a good thread on cleaning these 2 in here ????? I never thought of it when changing the plugs and had the air filter housing off...Never have cleaned it and got almost 30k miles so definitely couldn't hurt..So any good thread or site to give me some instructions on the "how to remove, etc" would be awesome......and thanx again !!
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jerry
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
21:59:37
| RE: Help me folks
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Hell, I only get about 12mpg in my R/T. but then I have fun driving it. It did get about 17 MPG on a trip. But think of the extra $$ you will be paying in finance charges. You can buy a lot of gas for your Dak for that amount. I think you're just trying to talk yourself into buying a new car. LOL
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
22:09:43
| RE: Help me folks
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I was jerry, but now I think I'm gonna go for jecht's advice and try and clean the throttle body and iac sensor if I get a good site/thread to help me with procedures..I'm sure it's pretty simple and I've got decent vehicle aptitude so just need a good thread and walk thru.....But I really "think" I'll keep it....
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Jecht
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
22:17:27
| RE: Help me folks
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well as far as a web site dont know. but its real simple. think 3 or 4 bolts holds the TB on. disconncet the IAC and the TPS cannon plugs. remove the TB. to take the IAC off its one torx screw. one thing with the IAC dont twist the plunger or push it in all the way when cleaning.
like I said real easy. its easier to take the tb off. than to clean all the carbon in it lol. have some TB cleaner and have fun.
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stevo
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2006
23:09:22
| RE: Help me folks
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u could get a chip for ur truck to get better gas mielage, i got a hypertech that gave me better gas mileage
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
07:22:43
| RE: Help me folks
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I think I'm gonna shoot for cleaning the TB and Idle Air Controller (?) 1st but can't find "exact" way to do it...Gonna hope I can take off air filter housing and kinda go from there....Will call local Dodge dealer and talk to a buddy of mine who works in parts and see if I need any o-rings or gaskets, but think that's the route I'm gonna go 1st...That or go for a dadgum Caliber.....I like the 25+ mpg soooooo much right now, but know I'll not like the power....
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wahrsuul
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
07:37:08
| RE: Help me folks
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But you have to look at Total Cost of Ownership. Meaning; how much extra will you pay for the new car? How much will you lose trading in yours? How much extra in interest and insurance? All these things add up into the TCO.
Focussing on just the improved mileage is a bad way to decide things. My bike gets 45-50 mpg; over twice what my truck gets, but when you consider parts maintenence and especially tires, the TCO isn't as good as it seems.
If you just want a new car, go for it. But don't kid yourself that it's just for the mileage increase.
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
11:23:21
| RE: Help me folks
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Marty,
This is the site I used as a guide when cleaning mine. Same engine and throttle body, so you shouldn't have any problem. And.. there are pictures! Yay! We love pictures.
www.wjjeeps.com/service/tbody.htm
It is really easy to clean the whole TB. I used carb/throttle body cleaner and a soft bristle toothbrush to clean the IAC plunger. Careful not to let the fluid drain back into the motor (hold the IAC plunger-side down when cleaning). The O-ring on the throttle body is reusable.. no need to get another. Also, while you're at it, use some good electrical contact cleaner on the TPS and IAC connectors as they might be getting corroded. After doing all this, you should get a better throttle response, consistent idle, and maybe even better mileage.
Good luck!
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ObieWonDakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
12:23:27
| RE: Help me folks
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Marty, I'm in the same boat as you. Actually have a FOR SALE sign in the back window of my 2001 Dak, 4.7L already. I put approximately 20K miles per year on my vehicle. I test drove the Caliber and loved it, but I'm still looking. I would tell them to take the "4 can cooler" and stick it up their ass for the extra $1K that thing adds to the total cost of the vehicle. I can bring along a cooler with ice if I need that.
Right now I'm leaning towards a 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S which I can get for about $12k with only 20k miles on it. Test drove it and it's peppy enough and with mpg anywhere between 30-35, it will save me a bundle. Kid in college is my reasoning besides the higher price of gas which will get back up to the $3 per gallon range in the summer. Friend owns a gas station and guarantees this will happen with those greedy oil execs. I've owned a Neon before (still looking at them) as well as a Ford Escort GT, so going small car won't be a real shock to me. The Sentra looks good to me now, but keeping an open mind to the Neon, Caliber (if I decide to go new) and Honda Civic.
Yes, I will miss my Dak, but sometimes you just have to do what you need to help with the financial situation. Without a doubt, the Dak is the best vehicle I have ever owned and it has 92K on it with nary a problem. I hope my next vehicle will be just as good, but I'm pretty anal when it comes to taking care of my stuff, so all should be good. Keep an open mind and a closed wallet.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
12:51:59
|  RE: Help me folks
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Wow folks, thanks so dang much for the replies and the help..Of ocurse, I'm still torn as heck about what I'm going to do but I 'm "pretty sure" it's this....Going to go ahead and clean the parts as described on that site jpkomm sent me, drive it to the coast next week, and measure the fuel mileage that route..Until then, go ahead and go test drive the little dinky 2.0 CVT Caliber again and just see if I could handle the lack of "get up and go" and muscle the Dak has, and decide next week what to do..To be honest, the dealer here in Austin is already willing to sell the thing at $100 below invoice, so I can get a pretty loaded SXT with everything but the speaker set-up ((I'm 43 and don't need the boom boom stuff anymore)) for right at $16100, plus I won't be upside down on my truck if I trade it...Sound like a decent plan to y'all ??? I am torn but am also scared (good word?) about the gas stuff..Drive right at 40-50 miles a day, and insurance would be about $10 less a month with the Caliber or similar....Thanx again !!
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ObieWonDakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
13:18:38
| RE: Help me folks
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The SXT with the 17" tires will give you a better ride than the SE model with the 15" tires.
Not trying to sway you either way, but my research shows this for me:
If the Sentra gets 33mpg like it should based on people that I know who own them and I get 17.5mpg with the Dak (had to figure in winter sandbag mileage to come up with that number) and gas is $2.59 per gallon; I save $1390 per year based on my 20,000 miles driven per year. That savings goes up to $1605 per year based on $2.99 per gallon. For me, it's economics. I hope I didn't add more stress to the decision, but I do hope cleaning the TB improves your mileage to where it would be feasible for you to keep the Dakota.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2006
13:24:23
| RE: Help me folks
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Obie, it didn't really change much. I'm still confused as to what to do but the parts buddy of mine at the dealer is going to "lend me" a can of Mopar TB cleaner and I'm going to go from there...He also said he put the K&N air intake system on his 01 Durango and gets right at 1.5 mpg better than before, so that's a possibility...Sure, I'll spend $$$ to save more mpg but I really like "Catfish" (my fiance says the grill looks like a catfish so that's the name I gave it when I got it..kinda silly, bu....)) and am leaning towards keeping it...
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