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Black SXT
Dodge Dakota
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5/17/2003
07:02:39
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 Subject: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Well i finally got some mpg figures with the bolt on mods i did to my 03 CC SXT(Auto trans 6K miles) I drive the same route to work daily 80%strait 55mph 20% stop and go. I figured I would pass on the info to anybody who is trying to get better gas milage from there Dak.
Stock the best I got was 17 mpg, by adding a soft tonneau cover it increased to 18.5 mpg. Phase 2 of the mods consisted of an Intense CAI, JBA headers, and a Gibson Sweptline Catback. I also changed oil to Mobile 1 10/30. The mileage increased to 21.2mpg(with a very noticible increase in throttle response).
During strait freeway driving (70-75 mph with the A/C on) I have been getting 22.5mpg. Durning a recent road trip on two lane 55 mph back country roads (driving 55 and no A/C, but window open) I managed a past so far of 24.1 mpg.
My next phase of mods is going to be an electric fan and the ignition system. I hope this info helps with anybody who is looking to increase there mpg
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Jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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5/17/2003
15:24:09
|  RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Hey there. I have an 02 SXT, and so far i've only made some minore improvements to the trottle body, but that did help. I have and K&N intake on the way and i'm looking to get an exhaust. What kind of tone does yours have?
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Black SXT
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2003
05:04:24
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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well to tell you the truth . it doesn't make a lot more noise than the stock muffler. It sounds a bit deeper, at least from inside the cab. I don't know how it sounds a full throttle from out side the truck but it sound ok from inside
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Tucker Ludlow
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2003
22:16:17
|  RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Hey, BlackSXT - I bought a used '02 SLT a few weeks back after driving an '87 Custom D50 for 17 years. Wife had three new ones (2 of 'em Dodges), boy got my '72 Malibu, then went through 2 new ones (both Dodges), girl is on her 2nd new one (neither one of them Dodges) - and I decided it was, By Gawd, MY TURN!
After I got the Dak, needless to say, I was rather shocked at the mileage out of the 3.9/auto. I thought that after all these years and with technology having grown as it has grown, Chrysler would have the BEST V6 to be had, with correspondingly good gas mileage. Even the confounded web-sites stated that Dodge had the best "cost of ownership" over a 5-year period. (Ooooooo! Where did they get THEIR information from?)
Well, me boy - "Best" BARELY pulls, and if it's uphill, I honestly think that my old 4-banger D50 would do better; "Best" has been 20mpg on a roadtrip at 67MPH (WITH a K&N filter); worst about 12 around town - compared to driving 350-400 miles on a tank in the old D50 (Mitsubishi in disguise); "Worse" is meeting the (over-50) wife sitting at a light, and having her clean my freaking clock with a Chevy VentureVan with a 3.4 V6. AND IT'S HEAVIER!!!
The little computer was telling me yesterday that I was getting 14.5. Unfortunately, most of my driving is "around town", and Son, I can tell you, 14.5 ain't going to cut it - the Dak will go and I'll go back to puttering around in the D50 (yeah, the dealer that I bought from offered me $600 for a MINT '87 D50 - so I kept the thing).
I HAVE put a K&N filter on the Dak, and noticed about a 1MPG increase and MAYBE a little extra kick when I'm ready to go, but that's really the only mod that I've made so far. Considering the throttle-body and then an exhaust - and that will probably be it. I'm not after speed. Rather, I'm after mileage, low-end power (hells-bells, it don't shift into OD until 47!) for towing the 28-footer (actually, it's aluminum so it's light) and comfort. I like the way it drives, and at nearing the 60-mark, I like my comfort. But something has to give.
Larry (at J&J), one of these days I'll have to take a road trip just to meet you - you've posted some good info here.
My question for you, BlackSXT, is: with all the info on this site about best bang for the buck, why haven't you done a throttle-body conversion?
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Wg34
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
04:18:18
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Tucker ,
Have you replaced the stock Distributor cap and rotor,plug wires and plugs ?this may improve mileage as well.Most of the mods for the 3.9will improve mileage i.e. CAI,TB,Headers,Plugs,wires,cap,rotor ,muffler,hypertech.They will improve speed ,but only if you have a heavy foot,driving conservatively will get better mileage.
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Black SXT
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
04:19:01
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Tucker I geared all the mods i have done based on increasing mpg, I am not sure replacing the throttle body would do that. I have found that the 3.9 has enough power to do what I need it to do . I do plan on replacing the clutch fan with an electric on this fall when it cools off some. and when it is time for a tune up I plan on upgrading the spark plugs , coil etc. As things need to be changed I will also add Mobile 1 trans fluid etc.
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wg34
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
04:44:19
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Yes the TB will improve mileage.
I forgot to add 1.7 roller rockers to the list of mileage improving mods.
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
09:20:19
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Message:
95 sport 4X4 shortbox
My truck when it was stock on the highway it only
got 17 to 18 mpg.
With all the mods I am pulling last three checks
over a 1000 mile average 21.8
this also included a 90mph cruse for about 3 miles
245 mile run 22.4
104 miles 21.1
I must of had my foot in it more on the last
check.
For a 4X4 truck it runs nice and get good gas
milage and is actualy a fast little truck what
more could you ask for.
Larry
J&J Auto
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
11:23:08
|  RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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hey Tucker
whatever you do, DO NOT use Mobil 1 ATF...Per Mobile 1, it IS NOT compatible with ATF+ Trans fliuds. I have a 00Dak with the 3.9/automatic, i was going to convert engine\trans\and rearend to Mobil 1, but i asked Mobil about it, and they said not to. I run Mobil 1 in the engine, no worries, the rear end is factory filled with Castrol 75/90 synthetic(with an odd ball additive) the trans is ATF+3 conventional. the only company i have found that claims compatibility (sadly) is Amsoil synthetic trans fluid. the have this statement in print on their website. I'm not putting Amsoil down, its a great product and i will be using it soon,it just seems like Mobil would have stepped up to the plate with an offering by now for our trucks. Please take heed, call Mobil 1, but DO NOT use their ATF in anything that requires a ATF+ fliud
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gg
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
12:37:30
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Message:
keep the d50,mopar v8 is almosttotal bolt in
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Blankie22
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
12:56:41
|  What to do?
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Wuz up guys I'm running a 1998 SLT 6 Cyl. 5 speed. I have a parttime job and am making payments but I was wondering what the best performance addition would be best to start with. Right now it doesn't get that great of MPG because all my driving is around town. I have gotten price quotes on exhaust and intake. A local shop would like to put 2 1/4 in duals, cat back, to a 3 in chrome tailpipe. For now I was wondering if the dual exhaust would actually make my MPG worse or better. And what else should I consider doing for performance/MPG. You can e-mail me or just reply here if you have any answers. thanx
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Demon
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
19:45:46
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Have a 2000 Dakota Sport V6. Only have tonneau cover installed and get 17-18 MPG running a small delivery route with lots of stops. 22-24 MPG on highway at 70 MPH. This is with no engine mods yet.
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diaedy
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
20:34:36
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Hey, BlackSXT -----you 2 or 4 wheel drive?
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blankie22
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2003
22:58:41
| Alright
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Wuz up, I have another question for ya. What do you think gave your dakota the most HP increase? So far I have heard that the dual exhaust is a big bang for your buck. I would like to know if that is true and whatelse would be good.
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2003
13:25:58
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Message:
1.7 rollers
V8 or aftermarket TB
Cold air intake
Computer upgrade.
These are the best mods you can do, after the
intake is done than do the exh.
A duel system is fine as long as you do not go
to big on the tails or you will lose a lot
of low end power. 2 1/4 would work good.
I run no cat and a 11748 2.5 in and out with a
custom made Y pipe and a single 2.5 tail JBA's
and it flows excellent and I am stroked and
ported, if it handles all the extra volume I am
pushing through it sure will handle any bolt on
mod
Larry
J&J Auto
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Martini
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2003
22:17:31
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Message:
Larry,
i've got a 2002 Dakota Sport with the 3.9 V6 and i wanted to get a computer upgrade on it. what would you recommend?
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2003
22:30:14
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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check with hypertech for a programer I
think they were 98 to 02 the only other option
is an ASE Chip
I have seen the hyper tech on V8's and it ran well
I have an ASE and they also work well
Those are about the only options mopar don't make
any performace computer they only made them for
the V6 92 93 and will only work upto 95
Larry
J&J Auto
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2003
23:50:24
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Hypertech doesnt offer a module for the 00 3.9L
Not yet, anyway
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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8/02/2003
20:35:23
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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Message:
You need to call Hypertech they do make a
programer 3175 I think the # is that will work
on the 3.9 I know it starts at year 98 but I know
it coverd the V6 up to some year in the 00's
If you check around you will also find that a lot
of places doing the flashes will not do the V6
anymore.
If Hypertech don't offer it for your year the only
other way to go is ASE.
I can tell you right now the more mods you have
the more benifit you will get from the chip.
The ASE showed 15hp on my truck before I stroked
it. good intake 1.7's and exh, msd.
The mopar computer I am running now on my stroker
on the dyno after 200 mile learn showed me 19 hp
over stock, The mopar also must have just a little
better fuel curve because the ASE would lean out
around 3500 after it was stroked before it ran
the motor very well and was very noticeable.
Larry
J&J Auto
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blankie22
Dodge Dakota
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8/03/2003
10:39:22
| cool
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Thanks for the info J & J. I think i'll go ahead and do intake first. One thing that i'm still wondering is if the 3" tips I am going to put on my exhaust would be too big. If so what would be a better size
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blankie22
Dodge Dakota
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8/03/2003
10:50:07
| Additions
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It seems that dodge dakota's have an ok factory stance but I would like to raise my about 3". I would also like to put dodge running boards (chrome or aluminum) to add to the effect. This would look cool with 31" tires and Cragar series 61 rims(17x9). If anyone has a 3" lift kit or the dodge running boards that they would like to sell then e-mail me at Blankie22@yahoo.com or just reply to the forum
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hemi1224
Dodge Dakota
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8/04/2003
23:35:12
| RE: MPG increses with bolt on mods
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ok I took my tailgate off and put a net on and I have a 3" dual custom cold air intake and I put a glasspack on that bumped up my mpg a lot but someone said headers I haven't seen them for under 400 to 600 bucks is there any better. I have a 3.9 2000 DK
I also don't know how much I can do to the motor without F@%#ing up my warrentee.
a TB spacer is another good Idea I just can't
my biggest gain was with the cold air intake. becuse DKs have at lest good exhaust stock
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