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23:51:22 - 12/19/2024
Off Road
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rmihalko
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2003
09:25:14
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 Subject: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
Hi,
back in june I got a 92 dakota CC 4x4 3.9 magnum. Had 149k on it, but after looking it over
and 5 different test drives it seemed ok. It has been doing ok so far.
I have never owned a 4x4 before, of any kind. this is my 3rd truck, previous were two dodge's a 78 and 81, 2WD work trucks.
Any way we had our first few snow storms this year and I found my self using the 4WD and it made life very easy on the highways.
I have the original owners manual, the original stickers for operating from 2WD to 4WD are still in tact on the visor and have a haynes general repair book.
I gather from all the reference's this is part time 4WD, not to be used at all on suny day dry pavement, due to possible drivetrain damage.
I never got above 40 miles per hour in the snow storms, but wasnt sure of the speed I was supposed to maintain below. The Owners manual mentions something about 4L mode but I dont see that selection on the Shifter for the transfer, so that had me confused.
I apologize if these questions seem basic but I am trying to learn and moving forward wouldnt mind doing some modifications if its worth the time and effort.
Questions:
1. Deducing that its part time 4x4 or 4WD, what is the top speed I should go when weather conditions(heavy rain or snow) or going off into a field for sporting events or such?
2. Is it possible to convert this to be able to use 4WD on hard pavement( my reason would be various, I know Gas mileage is affected and so forth)
3. Any tips or links to info on problems with the
4WD system on the '92 dakota.
I like this truck, after the snow storms I like the option of 4wd, and am considereing getting rid of my chevy lumina and getting my wife a 4WD vehicle of some sorts as well, as a added saftey factor(something SUVish so she can haul the kids around)
Any info would be great can post hear or send to my email rmihalko@hotmail.com
Thanks much.
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forexfour
GenIII
12/26/2003
11:20:50
|  RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
You should not be cruising the freeway or roads in 4lo at all. Do you have 4H? That is what you would use to drive on the roads in bad weather and at no more than 60 to 65 mph.
The reason you do not want to drive it on dry roads and pavement is the front wheels in 4wd are turning at the same rate, when you turn the wheel the inside tire on the turn will turn less than the outside tire in the turn. This will cause the tires to chirp/skid as they have to break traction to turn at the same rate. The same would happen if you had a locker in the rear axel. This is why it will cause drivetrain wear. Off road on dirt or in thick snow covered roads you will still have the smae thing happen but the tire can break traction easier not causing wear on the front diff and drivtrain.
To be able to use 4wd all the time on roads you need to have All Wheel Drive all the time selection. There is a limited slip type diff that will account for the need to break traction in turns and prevent slipping/skidding and tearing up your diff and drivetrain.
As far as info on the 92's, I have none myself but maybe others can help you out.
Chris
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
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Timberwolf
GenIII
12/26/2003
12:21:43
| RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
Don't worry about going too fast in 4wd. If weather conditions are bad enough to warrant needing it, you won't be able to go fast enough to hurt it. If it's raining during warm weather, I don't even use 4wd on pavement. I don't use it in the snow either until I have to. Remember this: people new to 4wd try to use it every chance they get, people who have had it awhile try to get through as much as they can in 2wd, just to see how much it takes to need it. As far as full time 4wd. Those are complicated animals, and, no there is no simple conversion. If you're looking for a good value with AWD for your wife look at the Subaru Outback. My wife had one for 4 years and loved it. Too many kids forced us to trade it for a minivan, or she would probably still be driving it.
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Mopar 4-ever
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2003
15:02:16
| RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
I agree with Timberwolf and Forexfour. I'd just like to add that a lot of brand new 4wd owners think that they are invincible now when they engage the 4wd. 4wd is awesome when you use it for what it's designed for. It is a learning experience that if you use a little common sense and good judgement you'll never want to go back to 2wd again. One thing I would like to point out is that in snowy/icy conditions be careful not to go too fast. 4wd will help you take off and keep you more stable at lower speeds than 2wd. Don't go too fast because if you have to stop suddenly it doesn't matter what you're in on ice and snow you'll slide out of control. Watch out for black ice! A police officer friend of mine told me I'd be surprised to see how many 4wd trucks and SUV's wreck in snow and ice because the owner thought they had a magic carpet ride and were going to fast. Use 4 High to drive in snow, ice, mud, sand, dirt, leaves, etc. Use 4 low only when you HAVE to. Think of it as just that- for LOW speeds when you have to apply the maximum torque possible. For example,if you're pulling a vehicle out that's stuck or trying to make it up a steep, low traction incline like a steep, muddy hill or rock-crawling. Keep in mind 4-low uses a lower gear in the transfer case which brings the rpm's up on your engine much faster than 4-high. This puts the torque to wheels faster since the motor is using its power-band more. Of course all of this puts extra stress on everything so use 4-low wisely and sparingly. I don't know how much you care about learning about 4wd's, but do this. Talk to people that own them, and ask questions . Go free-read a few 4wd magazines or even buy a couple of them. Go to the library and see if you can find book about them. Keep asking ?'s on this site and you'll find a-lot of helpful people like Timberwolf and Forexfour. Check out Forexfour's website. It's really cool. Maybe you'll get the bug like the rest of us make your wife wonder why you've always got mud on truck.
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rmihalko
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2003
08:02:10
| RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
Excellent advise from all thanks much.
The past two storms we have had I was in 4H mode and I was being pretty carefull as the handling of the vehicle was definatly different. I will check the manual and the Shifter again to look for 4L I didnt see an indicator for it but might be there.
I will get some more info on 4wd mechanics and check out the websites.
Again thanks for the info!
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2003
15:50:06
| RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
Its a fulltime 4x4 unless you push the leaver to 2WD.
I got a '95 4x4 V6 with a 5 speed transmission.
I like the low gear ratio's for a 4x4 because its best suited for crawling down slopes.
Truth is the Dakota 4x4 is only good for trails that does not require much ground clearance. So you can rule out feild use. If you need a truck for going across a feild then look for Ram Off-Road deal. Even the FX4 F-150 is a good option.
Also you'll need to look for leaks around the Transfer case. The NP-231 is well known for leaks.
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forexfour
GenIII
12/29/2003
11:04:19
| RE: New to 4x4 world
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Message:
JOe,
Not bashing you but I do disagree with your statement:
Truth is the Dakota 4x4 is only good for trails that does not require much ground clearance. So you can rule out feild use.
My buddy who helped me get started off road had a 92 I think it was Gen II. He had no lift but had some blocks in back and Torsion bars cranking. He used this truck for Hunting and trailing Often. I have seen him in some very serious terrain, Montana, Utah, Minnesota, Nevada and CA. He did have a winch but he was in lots of situations where he was not even on a trail making his own at times. He finally upgraded to a Gen III Quad cab Dakota but he really loved his Gen II and beat the hell out of it.
Chris
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
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