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GB2000
GenIII
6/14/2007
12:42:35
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 Subject: Am I Missing Anything?
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Transmission filter kit
New tranny solenoids/sensors
Tranny drain plug kit
Brass Cap
Brass Rotor
Taylor Spiro Pro 8mm wires
Autolite 3923's (at least til I can afford some of the more expensive ones recommended on here)
195*F thermostat
A sh!tload of Mopar ATF+4 (clearance rack at Walmart for $3.50/qt)
Seafoam
...am I missing anything? What brand O2 sensors are recommended these days? I know Larry mentioned certains ones don't produce the right signal or something like that on our trucks and I'd like to avoid those...I think they were the Bosch ones? I'd like to get those changed out soon since my truck's got almost 80k miles. I realize they can go 100k+, but unlike my grandpa who holds the philosophy "Don't fix it if it ain't broke!" I believe in preventative maintenance, even if it costs a lil extra in the long run.
My plans have 3 purposes. Gonna replace the sensors in my tranny, tighten the bands to spec, and replace the fluid/filter...trying to make it shift like it's sposed to. It's got a lot of weird issues. Already replaced the TPS sensor twice...didn't fix it...so I'm gonna try this and if it don't fix it, I'm guessing it's something with the internals, and I ain't gonna keep it long enough to have to pay over $1,000 to have it rebuilt.
The tune-up stuff is dual purpose...giving it a general tune-up to keep it running good/make it run a lil better...and trying to switch some stuff back to get my gas mileage up a lil more (ie thermostat).
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2007
17:32:39
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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NGK O2 sensors
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GB2000
GenIII
6/14/2007
19:45:19
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Thanks, those were what I was thinking were the right ones, but I wanted to double check. Once my damn tranny drain plug kit arrives, I'll be starting on everything.
If my transmission is working like it should after I replace everything, I've already decided that I'm gonna pay off my second credit card and then use it to buy a Hotchkis TVS lowering/handling kit (2" front, 3" rear) and new wheels/tires. Plus I'll be getting my hood painted and installed, a rollpan, and a new front bumper. Got lots of plans...just wanna make sure I got a good working truck before I start messing around with it.
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Curly
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2007
19:54:23
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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for what its worth
ive been running NGK v power plugs for a very long time
last tune up i did no one had the FR5's in stock so i went with autolite 3923's
all i can say is i got the FR5's today and cant wait to get them back in
the truck ran better with them and i could stretch gas farther
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2007
20:02:58
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Yup. NGK is the way to go for must. Champion truck plugs are next. Myself, I prefer the champion truck plugs. Just my choice. Not telling you to buy them.
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GB2000
GenIII
6/14/2007
21:10:22
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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lol, thanks for the replies guys...I'm glad you guys said NGK plugs since right before I checked this post again, I ordered 6 NGK FR5-1's. Those are pre-gapped for our engines right?
Also ordered new NGK O2 sensors.
...was gonna order some of that VHT Niteshades for my tails too due to them being severely sun-cracked, but they wanted me to pay an additional $21 hazardmous material handling charge...and when 2 cans of the Niteshades cost $24, screw that. ha.
I'm gonna change the gear oil in my differential soon too...as well as replace my antifreeze. I don't think either have been done since I bought the truck. Now I just need to get my damn a/c working and I'm set. If I fill it, it's nice and cold for about a month...then it's just pumping "cool" air...the compressor cycles waaay more than it should too. I'm assuming I've got a leak somewhere.
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legendracer97
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2007
02:00:36
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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the only way to completly flush the tranny is the torque converter drained. And be sure to put in nuetral when filling and running. I just did a flush on my 3.9L, and drained the converter using a flush machine, and it ended up using about 15 quarts of +4. but if u aint got a flush machine look for a plug on the converter to drain it. Be sure to run it all through the gears many times and to use weather strip adhesive on the pan gasket, and torque those long torx screws that hold the filter on to the right spec...
And yeah, your AC sound like it has a good sized leak. if u take it a shop, they can pull vaccuum on the system, and inject a uv dye so u can find it. seems like a waste of R-324a to just keep recharging it... but whatever
good luck
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2007
08:22:49
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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R-324a??
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2007
08:55:55
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How many miles on the truck?
while you're doing the coolant, might as well do hoses. what about belt? checked it? PCV? air filter? checked suspension boots?
seafoam? run that in oil, fuel and air intake?
- Dan M
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GB2000
GenIII
6/15/2007
22:17:43
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Just under 80k miles...
Most hoses look good...the main coolant hose off the radiator was split when I bought the truck, so we changed it a while back and it's still good. Also changed the belt a while back...last I checked, it was still like new.
PCV prolly should be replaced...how would I go about checking it?
Air filter is a K&N...has been cleaned fairly recently, but I'll be cleaning it again when I do the tune up. I greased my tie-rod ends a lil over a month ago...blew out the damn seals after only one pump, so now I guess I'll just keep greasing em more often to keep water from getting in and doing damage. It's 2wd so I can't grease the ball joins and such...I checked those recently for wear and tear and they look good. I'll be buying the lowering/handling kit in the near future so when I finally get it and we install it, we'll be checking all the suspension components and replacing anything worn out.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2007
22:48:28
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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"PCV prolly should be replaced...how would I go about checking it?"
pull it out and take a look and shake it to see if it rattles. if it looks gunked up change it out but, don't buy one of those $2 pieces at A/Z.
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GB2000
GenIII
6/20/2007
05:09:06
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Just an update...
Installed a new PCV valve, new NGK FR5-1 plugs, Taylor Spiro Pro wires, Brass cap & rotor, NTK 02 sensors...also switched back to my ported tb (which I ported a lil more). Kept all sensors on the tb the same except I stuck on a spare OEM TPS sensor since Larry mentioned the Wells ones don't work like they should in our trucks.
Also hooked up the Superchips tuner I got off of b1llyw and tuned my truck to the Performance setting...I thought they said the Superchips tuner is supposed to INCREASE gas mileage. I used almost 1/8th tank driving the whole 5 miles home from work. =P ...okay...okay...when I fill up next time, I intend to try to get a semi-accurate measurement of my gas mileage before the tune-up/tuning and after. I won't be able to pinpoint WHICH stuff helped the most...but quite frankly, I don't care...I just want better gas mileage and a lil better performance.
Also changed my anti-free...well...part of it. I siphoned everything I could out of the radiator (stupid drain is clogged and won't drain)...and I couldn't figure out where the drain plugs in the block are based on my Hayne's Manual's descriptions. So I got about 1 1/2 gallons of fresh anti-freeze in there. I'll save the rest and get a buddy to help me do a complete FLUSH one day and we'll do it right.
...AND...I changed the oil in my rear diff. Filled it up with Mobil 1 75w-90 gear oil.
Left the 180*F thermo in my truck cuz I didn't wanna risk making it ping with the Superchips tuning AND the CPS-mod both installed.
Now once my farking drain plug kit comes for my tranny, I'll get all the sensors swapped out and everything adjusted in it. From there, I'll be starting on the cosmetic "mods". Got a small can of refrigerant/leak stop/red dye stuff for my a/c system and another small can of PAG oil or whatever it's called...maybe it'll fix my a/c system...or at least maybe I can find the leak and fix it (with the help of a buddy who has a vac pump for the a/c system and stuff).
...and finally...if all that just wasn't enough. I caved and bought new eD 10" subs. I have 2 of their 10's in there now, but they're just a tad too deep for a regular cab Dak and my passengers keep leaning their seat back against one of the subs. So I got a set of their 10" slimline subs as well as a set of component speakers...for those of you who saw the install cmillet86 posted on the custom audio forum, he and I will be doing a very similar one for my truck within the next couple days.
That's the end of my book for now...
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Curly
Dodge Dakota
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6/20/2007
11:18:44
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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the 180 could be the cause of the poor MPG's
i switched back to a 195 i got at napa
it runs far cooler then the orig 195 from the factory
if you get pinging switching back try 89 oct. gas
i know it might cost a few more cents at the pump but if it gets rid of any pinging your MPGs should improve
i had a 180 in for a few months
noticed no performance gains at all
and it made my truck a total gas pig
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GB2000
GenIII
6/20/2007
14:27:29
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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I'm running 92 octane gas already...Superchips recommends minimum of 91 with the Performance tune. I'm just afraid it's gonna ping on Performance (in conjunction with the CPS mod) if I switch back to a 195. Not really wanting to go through all the trouble of switching it if it's just gonna ping. But I dunno...I may give it a shot. I guess if all else fails, I can put it back to stock programming til I can put the unmodified crank position sensor back in.
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GB2000
GenIII
6/27/2007
03:32:55
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Just a quick update:
Still haven't gotten the tranny parts installed...got my ass ripped at work for slacking off so much and I'm now banned from working on my truck there so I gotta wait til I can get it into my buddy's grandpa's shop...or at his grandpa's house (just somewhere where we can get it on a lift).
It's too early to tell how much of a mileage improvement there is, but it looks like there's gonna be a significant improvement with everything I've done to it so far. My gas gauge is just under 3/4 tank and I've already got over 70 miles on the odometer. Before installing everything, I'd be lucky to have 50 miles on it by 3/4 tank. We'll see when I get low on gas and fill her up though...all driving lately has been city driving and I haven't been driving all that much so it could be another week before I know for sure what my average is for this tank.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2007
05:46:36
|  RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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50 miles @ 3/4's?
I routinely get 100 @ 3/4's.
But my QC has a 24gal. tank, vs your 22.
I've gone over 400 miles before filling up on road trips a few times, with gas left of course.
2001, heavy Quad Cab SLT, 2 WD, 4.7,manual, ......
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Big Ed
GenIII
6/27/2007
07:05:59
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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I hear ya Todd, I get 90 to 110 at 3/4 in both 4.7 daks. A 2000 SLT and 02 Sport, both 4/4's too. It's all relative to the weight of one's foot on the throttle though!
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GB2000
GenIII
6/28/2007
04:37:20
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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I'm almost positive I don't have a 22 gal tank...discussed this a while back with someone who mentioned it and said that they only offered 22 gallon tanks for Dakotas in 1998. From all the research I just did...every single site says 1998 Dakotas have 15 gal tanks. Which would explain why it takes around 13 gallons to fill my truck up after my gas light kicks on. I agree there's still a decent amount of gas in there when that light kicks on, but 9 gallons would be a ridiculous amount...lol
Anywho...pretty sure my tank is a 15 gal tank...and I'm guessing they also probably offered an option for a 22 gal tank.
I'll average up my mileage soon enough and we'll see how my truck is doing.
I also still need to put my factory thermostat back in...that should bring my mileage up a lil more yet.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2007
06:05:21
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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Oh, I see.
The 2001's, like mine, have either the 22 for the RC and CC, and 24 for the QC.
A 15 would make a big difference in time to 3/4, etc.
When my light comes on, it has about 5 gallons left!
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legendracer97
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2007
13:33:45
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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My 2001 3.9L has a 16 gallon tank, and has about a gallon when the light kicks on. By the way, i know the fuel filter is in the tank, has anyone replaced this? was it easy or hard to do? thanks
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GB2000
GenIII
6/28/2007
15:29:06
| RE: Am I Missing Anything?
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I've heard mixed responses on the fuel filter...some say it's part of the fuel pump assembly and the only way to replace it is to replace the entire assembly. Others say it's replaceable. I've never done it so I can't tell you anything about it...
Should be pretty easy to do regardless...if you have an empty tank, lower the tank and it's prolly pretty simple to swap it out from there. Hardest part would be lowering the tank. Or if you'd rather go in from the top, unhook all the wiring harnesses from the bed, undo 6 bolts (I think I read there's 6) and have a buddy help you lift the bed off. Personally, dropping the tank would be easier...just make sure to have it mostly empty so you don't have to bench press 10 gallons of gasoline.
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