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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/25/2001
22:17:54
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 Subject: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
This being my first winter w/ my dak, I have a simple question for all of those without the luxury of 4x4
How much weight do you throw in the back?
What is your tire pressure for front and back?
Right now, I have 210lbs. of sand in the back, and my front tires are at 31psi , back at 29.
Any suggestions that may work better?
I'm still trying to find the comfort zone. Yesterday I was doing 40km/h and lost it. I had 33psi in both tires.
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intense99dak
Dodge Dakota
12/25/2001
22:35:07
|  RE: ? for the 4x2's
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I used to keep a 5 fin 36" high cast iron radiator in the back of my Dak. It weighed about 140 lbs. I built a frame out of 2x4's that looked almost like an H and went in front of and behind the wheel wells. I put the radiator in that frame and it stayed directly over the rear tires.
I believe I was running 35psi in my 255/65/15 Badyear tires, but I can't remember (I'm not running my Dak this winter). Basically, you want to keep a lot of pressure in the tires so they can try and cut through the snow. Kind of the same priciple of the skinnier tire the better with where snow is concerned.
I would try less weight in your bed. If you have too much it can take too much weight off the front tires. I'd rather spin a little on take off than not be able to turn my Dak because there's not enough weight on the front end.
Chuck Robbins
www.intense99dak.com
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/25/2001
23:28:40
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
good point, but it's not front wheel drive. the weight in the back HELPS with traction. I also have heard, and this might be wrong, that the stiffer the tire, the more chance of losing control. The softer the tire, the more it forms over snow.
I also heard the rebuttle that the more air in the tire, the more the tread opens to grip.
Who the f*ck knows, eh?
I tried with no weight in the back, and I was fishtailing like 90. Atleast w/ 210lbs. in the back, I have a bit more control.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
12/26/2001
13:17:28
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
i use 2 60 lbs sandbags one next to each wheel well in the bed
i also have a cap so i dont know how much it weighs
about 32 psi in each tire
i seem to do fine
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Lesley
GenIII
12/26/2001
14:33:28
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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I have 4 bags of sand, and I may pick up 2 more. I got smart this year and bought the closed kind, in previous years I just got the ones that they fill, and it always ends up all over the back of the truck. The "H" frame is a good idea that I have heard from other people, I haven't tried it yet but I have noticed more stability when the bags are over the rear wheels.. I'm about 32psi also.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/26/2001
16:29:04
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
Right now I have 3 bags, or 210 lbs. lined up across the rear axle underneath about 50 lbs. of snow. I have noticed my front end up a little more. I guess I should unload. Anyone know where I can get a bedliner that isn't $400 like the dealership is selling.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
12/26/2001
20:08:48
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
i just have a rubber mat that was made to fit the bed
easy to take out and wash down but stays down great
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/26/2001
21:58:54
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I'm selling my truck, that's final. I did 25 in this sh*t and wiped out. I can't do this. I already had ONE claim for insurance, some old f*ck hit my pass. door. I'm not going to do it again.
I love this truck, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't afford the 4x4 at the time. I'm paying for it now.
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Lesley
GenIII
12/27/2001
00:50:13
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
Dodge Mick, I live in Canada, this is my 4th winter with my dak. Are your tires okay? Have you tried placing the sand over the rear wheels? Good luck to you.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
01:54:45
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I'm tellin' ya, it's brutal. The tires are only 6 months old, of course they're Goodyear, so they would suck normally.
Problem is: I'm not confident w/ the truck. I know with a car I can control it. I lost control of this truck doing 25km/h. That's sad.
The sand is directly across the axle.
I'm going to see the wife's great uncle about setting me up w/ a Stratus or something.
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
01:55:55
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I also notice you have skinnier tires than I do, perhaps that's my problem.
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Lesley
GenIII
12/27/2001
01:58:33
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
Mine are just Mopar's that I bought from the dealer, I was going to buy snow tires this year, but so far so good. I did have a few problems getting used to the truck the first winter, especially since my last vehicle was a Nissan Micra... but I just take it easy when the roads are bad. I always try to avoid having to brake suddenly.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors
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Joe
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
08:41:33
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I have had 6 different daks in a variety of body styles (reg cab 2wd sb v8, reg cab 2wd lb v6, cc 2wd v6, cc 4wd v6, cc 4wd ls v8, and the current 4x4 cc v8 ls.) I never had any problems in the snow. All of the trucks had been weighted in the back. I allow a greater stopping distance in the snow. All of the trucks had o/e tires and wheels. I am running the current truck at 40 psi front and rear. I am going to see how it will handle since it hasn't really snowed yet.
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
12:48:31
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
IP: Logged
Message:
It's not stopping for me. It's traction. I lose it. I have, w/ the snow piled up in the box, about 300 lbs. I slip, slide, hit ruts, and lose it doing 25 km/h. I had a '93 Cavalier that I could do 40 in w/ no problems.
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Lesley
GenIII
12/27/2001
13:10:46
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I totally understand - mine is great except on that slick black ice when it has gummy slush on top, which we had 2 weeks ago. There is all the traction of a rotten banana peel and it is pretty scary. I just take it easy. My worst experience was on the 401, our biggest highway (Canada) with sudden sleet last spring. There was a 50 car pileup, and we were kicked off the highway into a rural area that had not been plowed. I was trying to maintain control on a narrow country road, up and down hills with transports coming at me mere inches away, at one point I was sideways. People were upside down in the ditches, and I thought I was going through the guard rail, but I just took a deep breath and slowed down as much as I could. It was truly terrifying, when we finally re-entered the highway, there were transports that had crashed through the median - it was some white-knuckle driving for sure.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
13:36:49
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
Yeah, been there, done that. Right now, in Fort Erie, it's 1:41 pm, and it's been snowing HARD for the last 4 hours. I won't even take my truck out anymore. I took the wife's Neon, and man, it's WAY better than the Dakota. Sad to say, but I regret getting the truck.
My old Cavalier, I got stuck ONCE in the 3 years I had it. This truck, in the 6 months I've had it, been stuck TWICE! That's sad.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
16:44:21
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
IP: Logged
Message:
how hard do u step on it to accel?
have u ever tried just to idle and acccel only when needed?
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Joe
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
17:47:55
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
25 km/h is about 15 mph right? You don't mention whether you have an auto or a stick, but how about shifting into first gear in an automatic? it gives you more control and is like a creeper gear.
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
18:36:48
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
IP: Logged
Message:
I idle roll, till I hafta get going... No matter how deep or what terrain, I lose it. My gearing must be too much then, I might hafta lower the gearing... I heard 3.55 and higher is bad in this kinda weather...
I have an auto, so I don't want to think about driving stick.
I just got back from my wife's great uncle's garage (Patterson Chrysler in Fort Erie)
There's a 2000 Dakota 4x4 club cab, FULLY LOADED, I'm going to look at tomorrow... 4.7 V8 too... only thing is, has 120,000 km. on it..
Ideas? Suggestions? Solutions? HELP!!
hehe
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Joe
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
19:00:43
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
I have a 3.92 in my 4x4 and with the antispin, I don't have to use 4 wheel drive as much. As far as that other truck, if the price is good and you like it, go for it!
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Dodge MiCK
Dodge Dakota
12/27/2001
19:29:19
| RE: ? for the 4x2's
IP: Logged
Message:
basically it's going to be a straight up deal.
we'll find out Saturday when it comes in. The guys who currently owns it and is trading it in is some one I know. He's VERY particular about his truck. It's in MINT condition. It's just the miles put on it. But I'm thinking: If I get it for straight up, THAT'S A WICKED DEAL! Fully loaded, power everything, CD player, the whole works. In a few years when it's paid off, it'll be close to 200,000. No big deal, sell if private for $10,000 or so, and get me a new one.
I just can't believe how BAD this truck is. I LOVE IT OTHERWISE. Just can't stand losing control when rolling.
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John-Colorado
Dodge Dakota
12/28/2001
12:05:50
|  RE: ? for the 4x2's
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Message:
Sounds like some of you guys could use a few lessons in driving.
I live in Colorado and frequently drive through the mountains, and I have never ditched my truck CC(4x2) v6 00`. You've got to know your truck.
I take my time and use 200lbs of sand, no change in tires pressure or anything elese.
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