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Steve C.
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2003
16:11:38
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 Subject: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
Just wondering how easy/hard it is to replace the struts on a 2000 Dakota 4X4? I was changing the brake pads and noticed one of the struts is leaking, the body is wet with fluid, so I want to change both fronts. The truck is stock, no body or suspension lift. Also, are the rears easy to replace? I think I can get four Rancho's for about $150 so I might just do all four at once.
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Kyle
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2003
18:55:50
|  RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
4x4's dont have struts. only shocks.
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4wDakota
GenIII
7/23/2003
20:43:40
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
They are both easy to change 2 hours max
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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Steve C.
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
10:51:51
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
Two hours for both front shocks (not struts as I learned)? Sounds great, thanks! Once I take the wheels off, do I simply unbolt the shocks and slide them out, or do I need to take off the steering knuckles or anything?
I mostly drive on the road, very rarely go offroad (live in Northern Virginia so there isn't much dirt to be found.) Would Rancho RS5000's be a good choice?
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Wow
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
11:29:00
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
Two hours had better include the trip to the parts house to get the new shocks. You don't need to take off anything except the shocks themselves unless you want to take the wheels off just to give yourself more room then I guess you can add on a few minutes. You compress them by hand and slide them right out. Assuming no broken/seized bolts, it shouldn't take more than a half hour to do both. I'd also replace the stock shock bolts with Grade 8s.
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Steve C.
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
11:49:50
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
You can compress them by hand? Aren't they under pressure? I was thinking I would have to use a piece of rope or allthread or something.
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
13:13:08
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
Shocks, although they do have some pressure, are simply dampers. "Wow" has the time and variables just about right.
They do not support anything. They are inplace to control (slow) the rate at which the suspension moves. Don't know that the bolts need to be replaced. I have read twice on here about bolts breaking. I have the original bolts in my 95 with no problems. ?? Just opinions and personal experiences I guess.
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Steve C.
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
13:22:49
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Okay, I might be the dumbest person in the world, but does my truck have springs in the front? I looked under it and didn't see any, but I assume there must be something holding the front end up because the shocks don't. I just went down and looked at it, and there don't seem to be any springs.
BTW 2000 Dakota 4X4, club cab, 4.7 V8
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
13:26:11
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Yes, there is something holding it up. They are called torsion bars. Do a search on here. There is more info than you can digest.
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Wow
Dodge Dakota
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7/25/2003
11:22:14
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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You can compress them by hand, it just goes a bit slow. While springs get harder to compress or stretch as you go through more distance, dampers are harder to compress/stretch as speed increases. As for the bolts breaking, mine have broke and I know of probably five other people who have had similar situations on 97 and up models.
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Rob454
Dodge Dakota
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7/25/2003
11:24:31
| RE: Strut replacement on a '00 Dakota 4X4
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Message:
Your truck has springs. But instead of being the normal coil they are a long bar called a torsion bar. its bolted to the bottom A arm and then to the frame cross member. its the 2 round tubes that go from the a arms straight back towards the middle of the chassi
You dont need to remove tires to get to the shocks but it does make it a little easier. the fronts are a piece of cake the rears are a little harder.
Rob
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