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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2002
18:27:27
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 Subject: Ground effects for QC
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I'm looking for ground effects body pieces for my '00 QC. Valance, &tc., primarily to increase the aerodynamics (reduce drag) and give me a little better MPG on the highway. I have found that the addition of a toneau will reduce the drag cooeficient by approximately 11% and plan to add a cover soon. (http://mars.acnet.wnecc.edu look under "h", for Eric Haffner, and 'Did you know?' for an interesting study of aerodynamics on the Dodge Dakota). If anyone has info on body pieces, I'd appreciate the input.
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Marks DQC
GenIII
2/28/2002
20:57:56
|  RE: Ground effects for QC
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The bed cover made zero difference on my mileage.
The street scene Gen 2 Front Valence is pretty sweet and should be functional. A roll pan in the rear should help smooth out turbulence. Leveling out the truck with about a 2/3 or 2/4 drop should help. I've done all these for looks not MPG.
See My Truck Here
Combined maybe 0.1 MPG increase? Payback in about 800,000 miles... Not worth the investment to get a return on your money...
Cal Vu mirrors are about 1/2 the area of the factory mirrors, that should help.
With that being said all those changes my not make a measurable difference. I've seen solid data that a good cat-back and intake can add 3 MPG. A lot better investment if MPG is your only consideration.
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate
Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers, Painted Grill Shell with Ram inserts, S/S Bumper/Valence Cover, Billet Antenna, Precision Roll Pan, APC Clear Corners, Airaid Intake
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2002
10:29:38
| RE: Ground effects for QC
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Nice looking ride, Mark!
Looks like you've done a nice job with your rig. [Valence might take a bit of modification to fit around the Westin bars I've installed on mine, but should be do-able]. I've seen posting on intakes-the M1, I believe, but don't know much more than, "...put it on, pulls great,...". Story/information?
To date, I've installed an AirAid, throttle body spacer and a 3" cat back. Seems to run out ok and sounds nice. I'm not looking to race Blue Truck, just want it to be as cost effective and strong as I can make it. Make it nice, not waste money, which is why I've asked for input!
With that said, appearance is nice also. What's the skinny on the 2/3 drop? Is that 2" front, 3" rear? Obviously I've got no information or expertise on truck suspension mods (yet!). How was the install? Where did you source the parts?
(The main reason I've got no interest in racing my truck is I've built a Pro-Street '64 Ranchero to perform that task. Yeah, I know, EVIL FORD!! Well, I had it as a base and went from there. I learned the hard way how an "inexpensive project" can turn into a gut-wrenching $-pit when done properly, which is how I did it. Hence my reluctance to waste money! But,since the Ranchero it is a pre-DEQ car, hopefuly its age will not cause me to be teased here too badly!)
Thanks for the input!
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Tim Althoff
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2002
11:04:05
| RE: Ground effects for QC
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sorry to burst your bubble but we are driving a brick on wheels! if you want better gas mileage drive a metro...if you want the least amount of drag try a viper/vet or at least a small car.
you can add all the things you want but you will not improve it that much...sure a bed cover will help, but noticably??? probably not much? maybe a 3-4 miles per tank. remeber that you may have less drag w/ the cover but you now have more weight...a soft cover would be the best but your still stuck with the same brick! i don't think the roll pan would do that much...noticably??? probably not... mirrors? getting pretty picky. All that would be great if it was a race truck but a dayly drive...nope. an air filter exhaust will help out a bit but i still don't think much.
I agree with Mark! do it for looks! BTW great truck!
Tim Althoff
99 RC V6 5-Speed
http://go.to/yllwdkta
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2002
11:53:38
| RE: Ground effects for QC
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I absolutely agree with y'all that no matter what I do, fuel mileage will bite the big wet weenie. I realized the 5.9 was a bit of a fuel-swine when I bought the rig, but accepted it as 1) I tow a small trailer from time to time and 2) there is no substitute for cubic inches [too bad the V10 isn't available in the QC].
Oh, I've owned a Metro-my kid called it the clownmobile.
I just want my ride to look good, run well and reliabily, get as good fuel economy as it can (note verbage-as it can) and, from time to time embarass the children with the saki-mobiles.
Rock on,...D
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Marks DQC
GenIII
3/01/2002
22:23:35
| RE: Ground effects for QC
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Message:
Yes the 2/3 drop is 2" in front and 3" in rear. I went with Hotchkis for my drop kit. The Hotchkis kit is expensive, but it is very well engineered. There are many competitors, Western Chassis and DJM seem to be very reputable. There are several ways to achieve a 2/3, 2/4, 3/5, or even a 4/6 drop. The lower you go the more drastic the changes that are required. I would recommend you go to the Lowered/Slammed forum and read up on the posts there.
I installed everything myself, but it is quite a lot of work. There are many shops that can do the work for you if you don't want to tackle it.
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate
Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers, Painted Grill Shell with Ram inserts, S/S Bumper/Valence Cover, Billet Antenna, Precision Roll Pan, APC Clear Corners, Airaid Intake
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/04/2002
10:05:24
| RE: Ground effects for QC
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Mark, thanks for the input! Guidance from someone who has already done the task really helps in decission making.
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