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orangehat
GenIII
 
5/17/2006
09:05:39
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 Subject: I've been converted
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Message:
Hey everybody. just wanted to say hi. i have to confess that until a short time ago i had an acura that i spent all my time and money on until i drove my brother's 68 charger rt. i sold the acura and bought a dakota cause the v8 was just too fun. the site has been very helpful and i was wondering if this is just something i need to get aquainted with but i get hard shifts out of first a lot of the time. wondering if that's normal or if i need to get that checked out. already had all fluids checked. anyway thanks for any thoughts. oh and what would the stock gearing be on my dakota?
'01 qc 4.7 auto, k&n fipk, magnaflow catback
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/17/2006
11:58:30
|  RE: I've been converted
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Message:
If it has ATF +3 tranny fluid, it will shift a bit harder. However, since it is an 2001, I'd think it would have ATF +4. I'm not sure what year the changeover was for certain. I know my 2000 had ATF +3 in it and it had a problem with slipping between 2nd and 3rd or sometimes shifting hard. I had the fluid flushed out with Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF and now both my tranny and transfer case shift as smooth as silk. It may be something you want to look into if you are running ATF +3 fluids. How many miles does the truck have on it?
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modain
GenIII
5/17/2006
12:53:52
|  RE: I've been converted
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Message:
Welcome aboard!
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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orangehat
GenIII
5/17/2006
18:21:14
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
Thanks for the welcome modain and the tips jp. i'll look into that. the truck has almost 90k on it and i had all the fluids checked and they said they were good but amsoil is just an upgrade i guess? i'll check it out. any tips on gearing to get a little get up and go? thanks again
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modain
GenIII
5/17/2006
21:09:15
|  RE: I've been converted
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Message:
If you have 3.55s in it get rid of them for at least 3.92s. Most people that make the change just go with 4.10s if they are running a tire that's a little taller than "normal".
Search through the many posts and you'll not find anyone who regretted ditching their 3.55s for a more agressive gearing in the axle(s).
Since you have a 4x4, you'll need to get both axles changed to the same ratio should you opt to go with that mod.
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/17/2006
21:23:59
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
By checked, do you mean fluid level or actually taking a sample of the fluid to be tested at a laboratory? Amsoil is just a seperate brand (like Mobil 1, Royal Purple, Redline, etc) that sells many good automotive and multi-use lubrication fluids. All the stuff I've bought from them has been really good. Look into them sometime (http://www.amsoil.com), and we also have a resident site sponsor here that can clarify a lot more points than I can.
Modain is right about the gears. I want 4.10 gears soooo bad, but I can't quite afford them yet. 3.55s are "ok" but they really seem to dumb down the capabilities of the 4.7L.
Goodluck and Welcome to the forums. :)
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jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/17/2006
23:40:14
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
orangehat I had a harsh up shift that was cured by a flash of the computer by dealer. Ask a dealer if there is one for your truck.
03 qc 4.7 auto 4x4 3.55 open 72k
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orangehat
GenIII
5/18/2006
00:43:42
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
thanks jeremiah.....i'll look into that option also,....and jp i didn't get the fluids lab tested but they did pull samples at the lube shop and compared them to samples of new fluid and also checked levels.
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/19/2006
07:17:32
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
Sometimes it is hard to judge fluids just by look, atleast that is what I've been told. Just do whatever you think is best. :)
As for the flash, if this is the proverbial "Death flash" offered up by DC to fix problems, it could dumb down your truck a bit.. some people have reported it ending up being a brick on wheels. However, I hear that more commonly with the idle fix than anything else. You might want to ask around to see if the transmission flash does anything of that nature.
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jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/19/2006
18:38:13
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
The transmission flash I recieved did not affect performance.
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
5/19/2006
22:27:12
| RE: I've been converted
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That truck still looks SHARP for 5 yrs old and 90k. You're going to LOVE that truck.
Now YOU get to run OVER the Acura's :)
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orangehat
GenIII
5/22/2006
00:25:07
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
that's what i looking forward to. it's been great so far. i just learned that i've got 3.55 and a lsd but i don't know axle size yet. i'm trying to learn everything i can cause you do differant mods to v8's than you do with imports. by differant i mean better. i think i'd like 4.10's but i don't have any idea where to shop for good product and good price or what a good price is for gears. i put the exhaust and intake in myself but that's pretty basic stuff. i also need to keep in mind that it needs to keep its reliability so no crazy twinturbos or anything. anyway i'm happy to be in the mopar fam now.
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/22/2006
07:28:38
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
The easiest way to find out what you have is to go to Dodge's website and email them requesting a factory build list for your truck. You'll be asked your VIN number and some personal info. In about two to three days, they'll email you back with what all is one your truck and the associated codes. I ended up finding out I got a lot more with my truck than the dealer I purchased it from knew about. hehe
I'm in a bit of the same boat as you. I'd like to upgrade to 4.10 gears, but I'm not sure where to get them, what brands to get, or even what all I need to get. I have the 3.55 gears with LSD as well. Hopefully your rear end is a 9.25".. a lot more heavy-duty.
Just a bit of a tip I learned from the boards here when changing your oil. No doubt you have that irritating protective cover underneath your truck with the access cap for the oil filter. Do yourself a favor and cut a 2 liter soda bottle in half and, after loosening the filter with a wrench, put the bottle over it and unscrew it the rest of the way. The bottle should catch 99% of the oil and the filter. It will save you a big mess and keep the oil from running up your sleeves (not a good feeling when it is hot!). Anyways, goodluck, and I hope you enjoy your Dakota!
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orangehat
GenIII
5/22/2006
09:08:15
| RE: I've been converted
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks for the heads up jp, i'll keep that in mind. i'll email dc today to find out the rear end size. let me know what you decide to do with yours.
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
5/22/2006
20:17:11
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
Well if you want to know what axle you have, I have an EASY answer.
Go to accuautoparts.com
Go through the year, make, model, etc and it will clearly describe what to look for on each axle so you KNOW you are choosing the correct one.
I think our 9.25 is a 12 bolt. Maybe the 8.25 is a 10 bolt?
But it clearly describes each axle by the coverplate, etc.
They also have great prices for gears. I bought mine there.
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toolfan
GenIII
5/22/2006
21:32:14
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
9.25 12bolt, 8.25 10bolt, both are great axles, just ones greater.
welcome aboard!
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/23/2006
07:20:22
| RE: I've been converted
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Message:
Errr yeah.. I forgot about the 10 bolt/12 bolt trick. hehe
Question: Other than the ring and pinion, the only other thing we need is the LSD right? What is the difference between a "Posi-traction" and a Locker? I also seem to recall, Graphite, that you preached the need to get an install kit?
Ring and Pinions alone don't seem too horribly expensive, so I am guessing most of the cost is getting them installed.
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