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blkSXT02
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2002
00:56:36
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 Subject: How to winterize a 4x2
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This is my first winter with my truck, and I'm just wondering, what do you do to winterize your truck?
Thanks.
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joe_himself
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2002
01:16:23
|  RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Winterize.. Hmm..
now all i did with mine when i drove it in the winter just for a bit not the whole time was made sure i had some good tires.. i didnt drive it long so no need to do anything else..
but you can add some sand bags to the box.. make sure you have the right mix of antifreeze,good thermostat. good battery,good wipers, and just anything else in gerneral that you beleive would help you out in winter driving..
now the sand bags will add weight wich in turn will decrease your mpg but not too much.. anyone else have ideas..???
joe_himself
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xplikt
GenIII
11/03/2002
02:10:45
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Stock Wipers = work great, don't worry about them. Just be sure to have plenty of washer fluid. I actually know someone who crashed because she tried to drive with a dirty window and had no washer fluid to clean it off. Yes, she was blonde too.
Bags = you need these for traction for sure. They cost a couple bucks for 60-80lb. bags at any ag. or hardware store.
Block heater = get one, and you'll love it. I reccomend a timer since it actually only needs 2-3 hours to warm up the block. All night is a waste of power.
Catch-All floor mats = If you would like to keep your floor in good condition, get them. I have the heavy duty ones. This isn't the carpet version, but it's great when I can just brush out any ice chunks in there. No leeking/seeping. I love mine and they worked so well last year. The heafty ~$80 mats ARE worth it.
Tire pressure = be sure your tires have the correct pressure in them all winter. Weekly checks as usual.
Oil = I know, this one is basic, but.. go to a lighter grade 5W30 works fine. Synthetic is preffered.
Waxing = There is rarely a good time to wax your vehicle during the winter season, so get a good coating on now before it's too late.
Be sure to keep a blanket, duct tape, flashlight and flare in the truck at all times. General precaution.
Rain-x = you might want to put some of this on your windows.
Clean your headlamps often. I have to clean mine weekly in winter. The muck that gets on them cuts visiblity around 30-50%.
Have you changed your tire on your truck yet? Learn how now before you do in a negative degree snowstorm.
That's all I can think of for now.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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asd
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2002
08:11:37
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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stock wipers work fine? buhahahahhahaha do yourself a favor and get some winter blades so the stock dont freeze up as your going into any real winter weather
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xplikt
GenIII
11/03/2002
11:50:39
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Mine worked really well. It kinda surprised me too. Wipers are cheap, if they aren't working you can go pick up a pair. Hell, it's always nice to have a set lying around too.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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QQQ
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2002
18:47:38
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Make sure your washer fluid is not mostly water! I had mine freeze a few winters ago (valvoline oil change guys) and had to pull over to clean the windshield every few miles for 3 weeks.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
01:59:44
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Oh yeah, keep your gastank more than half full at all times. It helps against moisture and you should anyways for cold weather climate.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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OttawaDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
09:58:39
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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That's a very good list xplikt! I'd like to add one thing. Throw a bottle of gas line deicer in your emergency kit as well. If you get a batch of bad gas and start freezing up in the middle of no where, you'll be glad it is there.
Now what about undercoating?
Cheers!
OttawaDak
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92dakotahd
GenII
11/04/2002
12:00:44
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Stick with stock wipers, there is nothing that winter wipers have that stock ones don't to keep them from freezing. If they're gonna freeze, they're gonna freeze.
K&N, '01 wheels, Window Tint, Harley-Davidson badging, red underbody kit, ext.
Window covers, Harley-Davidson mudflaps, custom cat-back exhaust,
head/taillight covers, ventshades side and rear, ram air on the way. Autolite 3923s, 180 T-Stat
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
12:12:54
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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The stock wipers are conveniently placed right above the front defrosters too. Turn those bad boys on and you're all set. I don't even use my other vents much in winter. Regular cabs are super easy to heat up.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
12:35:21
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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First, where do you live? In Sacramento all you have to do is ease up on the gas pedal. In Tahoe, you need a full set of chains.
As far as washer fluid, that RainX washer fluid works extremely good.
Tire pressure, might wanna go a couple PSI high. The tires aren't going to warm up as much because of the snow and rain and a higher pressure reduces the tendancy to hydroplane.
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Mark R
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
12:55:04
| RE: Attn: xplikt
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I have one question for you if you can, on the 5 spd tranny is first gear a creeper or just a normal gear. I am thinking of buying a 2003 cc 4.7 5 spd w/ all options but I wasn't sure about the tranny.
Thank You,
Mark
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Will
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
13:02:52
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Regular windsheild washer fluid works in the winter if you dump one of the 69 cent bottles of isopropyl alcohol in the tank plus it makes it flash off really quick which is nice.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
13:42:27
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Mark, it depends largly on the rear end gear ratio you choose. The 3.92s are just shy from being a creeper. If that bothers you, you can go to the 3.55s, which are standard. But, the 3.92s are so much more fun. Well worth the extra 40 bucks. What kind of driving do you do?
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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gregdakota
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
14:22:43
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Why would you put a bottle of alcohol in the washer fluid? All that will do is remove all the wax that that fluid gets on...there goes the idea of waxing your vehicle before winter, halfway through the winter all the wax on parts of your roof, hood, fenders and doors are gone. Just a thought.
-Greg
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
14:32:11
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Message:
Or you can just buy the Rain-X washer fluid for 1.29 at Wal-Mart.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
|
Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2002
14:48:39
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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With the 3.55 rear end and 16" rims/tire package, 1st gear ranges from 4-5MPH at idle to 35MPH at redline (6000). So it's not a granny by any means.
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hello
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
15:35:31
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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HELLO????
winter blades have rubber over the whole thing- making no ice buildup in the springs possible- hence a winter blade can still flex and wipe clean where a stock blade cannot.
use a stock blade and u get ice in the springs and mechanics and hence a stiff blade with no flex which = streaks and no cleaning capability.
You must not drive in a state that gets much snow.
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autocrosser
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
15:46:25
|  RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Buy some Firestone Blizzak snow tires and rims from tire rack. The only way you will get stuck is if you get high centered.
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
15:54:58
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Message:
It doesn't matter how well they work, an ice chunk will build up around the entire thing either way. That's when it's a pain in the ass. I've had it once where it's soo cold I couldn't keep my wipers from freezing up. I had to stop every so often to knock the ice off of them. That's WITH the heater blasting full onto the windshield.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
|
92dakotahd
GenII
11/04/2002
16:52:20
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
IP: Logged
Message:
We get our fair share of snow and I have never seen these blades your talking about.
K&N, '01 wheels, Window Tint, Harley-Davidson badging, red underbody kit, ext.
Window covers, Harley-Davidson mudflaps, custom cat-back exhaust,
head/taillight covers, ventshades side and rear, ram air on the way. Autolite 3923s, 180 T-Stat
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Mark R
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2002
17:13:26
| RE: Attn: xplikt
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Message:
I plan on using the truck everyday, with the occasional track use. Why do you think the 3.55's would be better for the street? How fast can you go in first with out revving to high?
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xplikt
GenIII
11/04/2002
18:53:26
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Get the 3.92s if it's going to see the track. You will be so glad you spent that 40 bucks to get them! They make driving on the street a little easier since it's more low end torque, but highway miles do suffer due to the increased RPM, but only a smidgin.
My first gear winds out at about 25 and second winds out at about 50.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
|
ripped
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2002
23:34:09
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Message:
goto any auto parts store and ask for a winter wiper blade- hell even walmart has them. Anco makes them.
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OttawaDak
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2002
09:12:07
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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The winter blades are basically just a regular blade with a rubber cover over the springs. I never found them to be that helpful. The thing I hate about them is they inevitably get water into them anyway and now it's under the rubber cover making it almost impossible to remove the ice when they refreeze.
Cheers!
OttawaDak
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92dakotahd
GenII
11/05/2002
09:38:25
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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I have normal blades and have never had enough ice build-up in the springs so that I could just pop it out while I was scraping the windshield. And the real problem is when the whole blade is frozen in ice or even to the windshield. Rubber just doesn't help that. The only "ice-proof" blade would be heated and the springs would be in a sealed chamber that is water tight.
K&N, '01 wheels, Window Tint, Harley-Davidson badging, red underbody kit, ext.
Window covers, Harley-Davidson mudflaps, custom cat-back exhaust,
head/taillight covers, ventshades side and rear, ram air on the way. Autolite 3923s, 180 T-Stat
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MightyDakSXT
GenIII
11/05/2002
09:53:22
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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Message:
've had those winter blades before and they're just as useless in really cold weather as a regular wiper blade. As mentioned above, when the snow melts, water gets inside the rubber boot and freezes up. Regular wiper blades with some -35°F washer fluid is all I use and it gets me through the arctic Wisconsin winters.
2002 RC SXT, 3.9 Liter V6, 5-spd, 3.55 rear, Extang Tonneau, Autolite 3923 Plugs, Borg Warner Cap & Rotor, Quick D Intake, Modified V8 TB, Gibson Exhaust, Robert Shaw 180° T-stat, Custom Grille, JBA 9mm Wires, Clear Corners, Window Tint, Weatherflectors
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JustRed
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2002
10:11:35
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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I feel the same way about winter blades -- why bother? I tried them a couple of times and it seems like they froze up just as badly as regular blades. Only now the hinges are covered so you can't spray de-icer on them. With regular blades you can at least blast the hinges with de-icer if they freeze up.
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Will
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2002
10:16:06
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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The reason I said about the alcohol is that it keeps the fluid from freezing and if you look in any "winter" washer fluid it will have some alcohol in it.
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2002
11:04:40
| RE: How to winterize a 4x2
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My previous truck was a 2wd. About the only thing I did different from what you'd do with any other car (check antifreeze, tire pressure, windshield wipers, etc.) was add about 210 lbs of sand (3 70 lb sacks of sand from the hardware store) and I could handle things that 4x4s without sand couldn't. The only time I came close to getting stuck in the snow my own stupid fault and I nearly beached the truck! I think my 4x4 could handle it now (it was a LOT of snow!) but the 2wd could handle a lot more than I ever thought a 2wd could.
jim
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Mark R
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2002
20:52:06
| RE: Attn: xplikt
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Thanks for the info, you just helped me pick out a 2003 cc slt+ 4.7 5 spd w/ 3.92. I am also getting leather, infinity radio, 4 wheel disc/abs. The only downside is the 6-8 week wait for the order. But I'll post some pics when I get it and the list of mods I already have in mind.
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