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andrew
Dodge Dakota
9/26/2001
01:49:08
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 Subject: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Dont mean to ruffle any feathers but my vote goes to Walt's red genI sport in the pic. Its just BAD!!!!
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
9/26/2001
11:30:00
|  RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Thanks for the vote; I’m very proud of it myself though I do need to get it running well again. After the last trip wheeling, I developed a stalling problem where the truck just shuts off at random and will not restart. I broke down twice on Saturday requiring me to have it towed home the second time. I gave the truck a full tune-up, then I pulled two codes, 15 & 52, from the computer, replaced the speed and O2 sensors and it still happens. I haven’t had the time to dig into it any further.
I myself really love the way a Quad Cab looks lifted. I think Blizzard and Hawkeye both have some sweet rides and once someone comes out with an affordable suspension lift for them, those trucks will be hard to surpass.
Walt
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andrew
Dodge Dakota
9/26/2001
11:38:02
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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If I am not mistaken, your dak has a strait axle up front doesnt it? That alone is just awsome. True, Blizzard and hawkeye do have some rigs that make me drool, but there is just something about that boxy looking dak with nothing but light beneathe it until you see those wicked claws ya got under there. My hat is off to you.
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/26/2001
11:40:28
|  RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Walt, been meaning to ask you, How do you like the Mickey Claws that you have on the Dak? Hows the wear, the on road ride, noise, off road traction etc.? Just curious because I was debating between them and the Prop Comp X-Terrains that I have now when I was getting mine. A few people here have them but I havent been able to talk to anyone personally about them. Just heard second hand reports, most of which have been pretty positive. Thanks.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
9/26/2001
12:05:36
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
You said it, Walt ... an "affordable" susp lift!! Hmmmm ... wonder if that will ever happen? lol
I agree with Andrew, too. That Dak really sits up there nice!
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
http://shakin-notstirred.tripod.com
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andrew
Dodge Dakota
9/26/2001
16:06:32
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Of the QC's, I dont know who's I like better, Blizzards or Hawkeyes. The only way to find out is to post some pics of each one playing offroad, hopefully in the mud. What do ya say fellas?
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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
9/26/2001
16:21:12
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
Walt, I love the look of your truck
I especially love how the bottom of the body is even with the TOP of your tires. I wish my 98 could do that. Although the Gen III trucks have tall fenders and the open space would look funny.
I checked out your site again to see updates.
I've noticed your decals, they are really scuffed up. I bet if the dealer can't get you more I'm sure a good sign shop could replicate the originals.
Just a thought.
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Lesley
GenIII
9/26/2001
19:52:37
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Really nice website too - the design is first-rate. I liked the well-put together technical explanations too - I know absolutely nothing about lifts so it was interesting to read. Thanks.
97 3.9 V6 Sport Club Cab. Black
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
9/27/2001
10:15:28
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
Andrew,
No straight axle yet though I do have a Dana 44 front axle from a 79 Bronco sitting aside. It was in the works but I ran into a few logistical problems. The biggest problem is time and space. Ingrid and I are still in the apartment and we don’t have the room to dig into a project that big right now. When I did the IFS suspension lift, I thought it would be a quick 2-3 week project. It ended up taking much longer and costing way more than I originally thought. In hindsight, it wouldn’t have been much more time or money to have swapped in the Dana. We are planning on buying a house soon, and once we have a place of our own, I would like to redo the whole truck. Ingrid works as a metal and fabrication buyer and has a lot of contacts in the welding and fabrication field in our area. We spoke with one of the vendors she does business with and he is willing to help out with welding, fabrication, abrasive blasting, etc…
Hawkeye,
The Claws are the best off-road tires I’ve ever used yet they’re still well mannered on the street. They also seem to be wearing fairly well. They do make a little bit of noise on the street, but not as much as some of the others I’ve used. I think the Dunlop Mud Rovers I use to run were louder. Off Road, they Bite like mad. With the bead locks I have, when I air these down, it like having tank tracks.
4wDakota,
Yea, the decals are getting a little scuffed up though I’m surprised they have held up as long as they have. A few years ago I checked with the parts counter at the dealer I do a lot of work with. Those decals have been discontinued for a while and all that is left is old stock. I had them do a national search on the system for a complete set and many of them are no longer available. Eventually, when I redo the truck, I’ll probably have the body shop paint them on and clear coat over them.
Lesley,
That was my whole idea behind the website. When I got this truck; I didn’t know anything about this stuff either. Over time, I found a lot of other people were asking the same questions I was. I figured I would share what I learned. Eventually when I move into the house and tear the truck down to rebuild, I will fully document it on the site for others to see how, what, etc… Like the straight axle idea, If you look back through the archives, the topic pops up from time to time and it’s always along the line of “How?” Sites like that also give people the idea to think outside the box. My brush guard for example is from a Range Rover and the suspension lift is actually for a 91-96 Dakota, modified to fit my ’88. Just because something is not available as a bolt on kit doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I truly admire those who come up with something different.
Walt
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Joe
Dodge Dakota
9/28/2001
00:36:09
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
Walter, I want to thank you for taking the time to post those detailed instructions on how to lift, engine swap, etc. And I agree, your Dak takes the best ride vote from me too. Maybe someday, my Dak will be as tall as yours. Yeah right. I am the guy with the 2wd lifted 5 in. Running 31's. Thanks for helping me and others like me out there!
Joe E.
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Dakota
Dodge Dakota
9/28/2001
09:24:42
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
So Walt... Can I come over and do the Dana 60 Swap in your driveway of the new house...when you get it of course.... hehe....
If I dont talk to you before.. ill see you up in Lebanon Valley...
-Dakota
Http://dakota2.4mg.com
98 Sport 4x4
3" Body Lift
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
9/29/2001
23:18:41
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
Hey Walt - I've had the same problem on occasions about the truck stalling. Has happened to me twice. I discovered the problem as being the computer. Both times it happened I accidently got some water up in there, and the truck was stalled for about 4 hours each time (waiting for the water to dry out so it would start again).
One time I went through an automatic car wash that did an undercarriage wash, and it got splashed up in there. The other time was my own fault.
That would probably explain the fault codes, and how replacing those items didnt really solve the problem because the computer wasnt working properly. It cannot diagnose itself because there isnt any fault code that says "Check for water inside the computer!"
This only happened after I installed the JET Stage II chip in mine, which opens up the stock computer and it becomes susceptible to water unless you surround it with the insulation provided.
If its not an H2O problem, you might tighten the screw that holds the computer in place. One time mine came loose just a little while doing some offroading, and the whole truck shut off. All I had to do was tighten that stupid screw - the one right in the middle.
Just a thought.
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pimpdakota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/23/2003
22:43:32
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Hey i was wondering if you guys know anything about live axel swaps. i have an '89 dakota 4x4 wiht a lift but i want to switch to a live axel set-up, i have heard you can take them out of like broncos but im not sure
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2003
16:24:13
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
Hey Walt. first off, love your truck. very nice. well i was chekin out your site and i saw you have the taillight guards for a ranger. I am interested in tailight guards for my dakota. Where did you buy them, and any technical stuff you got can you tell me.
Thanks again and great truck!
-Fitz
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94DktaSprt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/29/2004
15:31:21
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Hey Walt i had a Dakota just like yours it was a white 89 sport lifted 3" and it did the same thing to me, i put a couple grand into it and still nothing changed, so i tried and replaced the distributer cap the one day and it didnt do it anymore. Only bad thing about it though was that i had to keep replacing the cap every couple months or so when it started to do it again. Good luck.
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Big Dakota 97
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/08/2004
00:03:49
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
I was wondering if knobby, hawkeye, blizzard and the rest of you guys (and girls)want to look at my Dakota and give your opinion on it.
http://groups.aol.com/_cqr/daksofbtown?mmch_=0
If you go through it once and almost get stuck, i wonder what will happen?
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99Dak5.2L4x4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/08/2004
09:42:51
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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hey Big Dak 97
What all have you done with your truck?
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conig
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/08/2004
11:53:47
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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big dakota 97. Ypur truck does l;ook mean, I have a suggestiong though. paint the front valence or get a chrome one. the grey is just kind of off.
aside from that its a phat truck, I have it on my screen saver.
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tim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/08/2004
19:16:42
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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Message:
hey walt nice looking truck. i can provde plenty of details on the solid axle swap at least for a gen 3 i just completed one. by the way the 79 axles are a great choice. if your interested in checking it out go to the off road board under its done thread and check out the link. let me know what you think
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Big Dakota 97
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/12/2004
17:28:19
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
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99Dak5.2L4x4,
What do you mean what have i done with it, i don't quite understand the question. Lets put it this way i pulled my cousins 01 ranger and my friends 87 F-250 out at the same time with no help from there trucks. i've done alot with it performance wise.
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muscle man
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/13/2004
03:44:22
| RE: Meanest looking 4x4 dakota
IP: Logged
Message:
Walt- Nice truck, but my real interest is the barracuda--- Is it yours? Whats under the hood, What tranny, what kind of gears,and would you give it to me? Haha I tried!
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