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JJ02QC
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
00:23:24
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 Subject: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I just bought a 19.5' boat with a double axle trailer a few weeks ago. I have a 2002 QC with the 3.9L and put on an intake and exhaust for better power and a class 3 tow hitch. For the most part my Dak is handling the new boat ok, but when I hit a 6 degree incline on the Grapevine I had to drop to FIRST GEAR and cruise at about 25-30 mph. I was getting passed by 18 wheelers easily. I also am getting quite a bit of sag in the back with the boat hooked up.
My question is what all should I look into doing to help? I have ordered a throttle body from Dan the Throttleman and should have that on next weekend. Will this help with the towing up hills with the increased HP? Should I consider moving up to 3.92 gears? I am also thinking I should put on an add-a-leaf from Fabtech to help support the back end (should also mention I have a 3" Fabtech suspension lift right now).
Any advice would be appreciated, I think I get more answers here than calling the dealership or a local 4 wheel shop. Thanks all!
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JJ02QC
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
00:59:22
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I should also mention that with the 3" susp lift I also have 265/75R16's (31x10.5) so I am sure that does not help either.
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dakattack98
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
01:25:14
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I had asked a question simliar to your and except I was gonna be towind a s-10 blazer from Fla to Ct. I was told that, that is to be expected. If you upgrade to the 3.92's it will help you towing but you gas milage will go way down. The TB will help you as well. What your looking for is to build low end toqure which the 3.92's will help in that it will gear the truck lower. Well that all I can give you hopefully other chime in and can give you some better advice.
Aaron
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gchemist
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
04:33:31
|  RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I think it's time for a V-8 conversion or towing gears. I know my 3.9 is really useless towing anything large or at least 1/2 tonage.
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shad
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
18:23:51
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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just my 2 cents, i have a '02 cc 4x4 dat with an auto ans 3.92 gears and it tows fine. i towed my friends '96 jeep cherokee that was as full as it could get with his belongings, as well as the bed of my dak was full of his tools ans tool boxs and even a gun safe and i towed it from tuson AZ to oregon, my dak did great, i had to take it easy on some of the steep pass's but it was'nt bad.
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SXT4ME
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
20:30:21
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I think you have a lot of things going against you. First of all, the 265/75/16's are 1.04" taller than the stock 265/70/16's are. That is just killing your gearing. That is giving you an affective gear ratio of 3.43. I just think the combo of the 3.9 and that for a gear ratio is killing you. Save your money on the horsepower gaines. It is all in the gearing with the little 3.9. I would put around 4.11's in. Or shorter tires. I have a 3.9 with the 3.92's and it tows fine. I am using 32x11.5R15 tires.
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JJ02QC
Dodge Dakota
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4/28/2003
21:43:26
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I am not sure if I want to spend a grand or more for new gears though. Like I said the worst part is the steep incline. Especially if my gas mileage will go way down.
Thanks for the input guys.
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Ernie Miller
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
10:40:52
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I have a 2002 Dakota SXT CC 4x4 Auto with 3.92s and the 3.9L. I pull a 3400lb 24' travel trailer with it and have no problems. The typical drive for me is from Pittsburgh, PA to Sandusky, OH to get to Cedar Point. I get about 16-18mpg each trip out. I do notice some lag on hills, but not much at all.
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Ernie Miller
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
10:47:35
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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Forgot to mention a few of the mods:
Intense Performance Stage II Intake 7" Big Mouth Filter
Dynomax Super Turbo #17748
Autolite AP3923 plugs
180 degree T-stat
Next install will be a Throttle Body
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refer
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
14:18:46
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I have a non magnum V6 in a 91 dakota. I've pulled a 5000# horse trailer for most of its life with no problem. The truck has a K&N filter,Dynomax muffler,Edelbrock headers, spiral ignition wiring and 3,90's out back.Have towed up and down the East coast. Gas mileage will not go way down. This truck got 20 mph when new. It gets 18 to 19 now but it has 202,000 miles on it.
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Bailey
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2004
15:03:25
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I persoanlly would go with the gears if you are looking for signifacant gains. Otherwise everything else you will do when it comes to towing will be very samll. I used to have a 96 Tacoma with 3" body and 3" suspension running on 35"s. Not to mind you that I had the 2.7L I-4 rated 150hp. I put intake, catback, plugs, and all of the other 'cheaper' mods. I had stock gearing which was 3:91 in the front and rear. Even after these mods, there was not a big difference when trying to pull my boat. I eventually put 4:55's in with the 35's wow huge difference. But again it is up to you, you will loose fuel economy when you gear it but it is all 'realative' if you want the performace. It comes down to what you can sacrafice to improve your truck. I eventually got rid of the Tacoma and now have 03 QC SXT 3.9L 5spd 3:92s and have no problems with my 18' Chris Craft hope this helps.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2004
15:42:24
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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The 92 Dakota that my brother sold me has a 3.9L V-6, 3.55 axle with 4-speed auto OD and 4WD on a club cab, and he towed a 22' sailboat from FL to CA with no problems. All stock truck. He did turn off the O/D and also on steep hills shifted to 2nd, and stopped periodically to let tranny cool, even with engine temp OK.
But if you're having that much trouble, I'd go to a V-8 first.
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shaun
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2004
11:15:37
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I have an 01 dakota club 2WD automatic, I pull a 4500# boat with mine. I put on the add a leafs wich helped with the sagging. I usually don't have a problem until it comes to hills. Going up the canyons I usually drop down to about 45 MPH, but on a steep incline I drop down to about 35 MPH. Don't worry about going too slow, when towing a boat it's always safer to go about 5MPH slower than the posted speed limit anyways. In addition, just make sure your boat is level when attached to the truck. Too much tongue wait, or too much tail weight will cause you problems.
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daffydak
GenIII
6/30/2004
12:53:02
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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WOW they put the 3.9L in a QUAD CAB!!! (no offense) i dont think you can really tow much with a QC 3.9L. thats alot of weight in the truck itself, let alone a trailer!! especially with 16" rims,
a cc 3.9L should be able to tow decent though. my 98 rc, auto, 3:55, 3.9L i had, could pull a 16' trihull boat pretty good.... now my 00 cc auto 4x4 4.7L (3:55 lsd) it can yank that boat, without even feeling it!!
just my .02
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2004
00:04:37
| RE: Towing w/ V6, 3.55
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I don't tow, but upgraded my 3.55 to 3.91 with no difference in mileage and I watch my mpgs like a hawk.
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