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GB2000
GenIII
5/27/2004
20:43:03
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 Subject: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Went on a shopping spree today since I cashed my first paycheck...spent all but about 5 bucks, lol.
Bought more Mobil 1 and a filter for an oil change...then it rained so I couldn't do it tonight. Since it was raining I decided to go spend the rest of my money. I bought a brass cap/rotor from Napa and then went to Walmart and bought Splitfire plugs to replace the AP3923's that just aren't running nearly as well as I hoped. I also bought a Graduation card for my girlfriend and a Father's Day card for my dad (the reason I'm mentioning this is to remind ya'll that Father's Day is coming up...lol). Anyway I had a couple questions...
My truck needs new shocks... what are a good brand from Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts that I should look into? I don't need the max ride...just something as good as or a lil better than stock. Also note that I do haul a 500 lb four-wheeler in the bed every so often so they need to be able to handle that...but I'll be buying helper springs before too long to assist with the load. How easy are shocks to change for your average not real mechanically inclined person? They just a jack the back-end up, and swap the old ones out for the new type job or are they an all day project type deal? I don't wanna get in over my head...if they are semi-difficult, I'll just take it somewhere and have someone else install em. Oh yeah, also planning on buying a set of sparkplug wires tomorrow... what's a good set to get that are no more than prolly 50-60 bucks. I was looking at the MSD ones, but the set everyone talks about are 87 bucks! I want something I can find locally... cuz I wanna buy them tomorrow. Local shops are Napa, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts and that's it I think...
Oh yeah...stupid question, what section of the store would I find dialectric grease?
Josh
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GB2000
GenIII
5/28/2004
02:23:32
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Anybody alive?
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dingo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/28/2004
07:47:11
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Would recommend Taylor 8mm Spiro-Pro wires, about $42.00 bucks at Racenet Performance url:-)
http://www.dakota.racenet.net/electrical.php
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GB2000
GenIII
5/28/2004
09:01:16
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Thanks for the reply Dingo...Those were the ones I had been considering, but I didn't know if they were any good or not besides reading the manufacturer's description.
Josh
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J and J Auto
GenII
5/28/2004
10:06:24
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Taylor 8mm are good low resistance wires
Some trucks don't like the colder plug
Larry
J&J Auto
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daknblk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/28/2004
10:50:42
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Josh,
I haven't replaced my oem shocks yet, but probably will soon, just for a better ride (on road). I must have searched several dozen shock threads in the past few weeks and it seems that everyone has their favorite (though not as heated as the motor oil threads). Seems like it comes down to how you use your truck (on/off road) and how much you want to spend.
~$40 ... KYB monomax & Monroe sensa-trac
~$50 ... Monroe Reflex (their top shock?)
~$70 ... Edelbrock IAS
~$80 ... Bilsteins
Again, I haven't used any of these, thought I'm steering towards the Monroe Reflex... I don't do much "off road" driving. If you go off road you might look at the Edelbrock or Bilsteins (or Ranchos?).
As for shock install... I've heard that its pretty easy- about 1-2 hour job for all four as long as you're somewhat mechanically inclined. I've also read that you don't even have to jack it up or remove the tires. I think "another mark" warned somewhere that you should remove the lower bolt first (otherwise shock expands up into the wheel well.) makes sense.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, just thought that I'd get the shock discussion rolling along...
John
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dingo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/28/2004
13:33:13
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
I've driven Sports sedans on both Bilstein gas and Koni oil-adjustable shocks, both excellent, also driven rally car on Bilstein's, which would be better for truck use I would think. Can't bet em!!!!!
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daknblk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/28/2004
17:51:51
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Dingo,
Just wondering, did you ever get that 180 t-stat?
John
(sorry 'bout going off-topic on your thread Josh)
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/28/2004
19:01:32
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
You should need only a 15mm and an 18mm socket to get your
rear shocks off. Remove the bolts at the axle bracket first. It's
easy to switch them out. Changing out the front shocks can be
a pain though on the top bolt.
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GB2000
GenIII
5/29/2004
01:21:52
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
No problem with you changing the subject John... I do it sometimes too:)
Thanks another mark and everyone else who provided their input... will do the shocks tomorrow. Just got a 23.99 (each) set at Autozone...wasn't looking for anything special. Just need to get new shocks cuz I get massive wheelhop going over bumps due to the current ones going bad.
I also changed my plugs (autolites to splitfires - SF522D I think...whatever is stock range), wires (Bausch 7mm...nothing special), distributor cap/rotor with the brass inserts, and removed the spark plug shields...one of which was so rusted into place I barely got it out after 3-4 hours of prying and thought I was gonna have to call a tow truck just to have it taken in and fixed. Also, when I first started my truck up after doing all that today it was not running right at all...it was definitely not running on all cylinders. I shut it off thinking I had switched the firing order around, but my friend told me to restart it and give it a sec cuz he thought it sounded like it was improving. Sure enough after I gave it about 15 seconds it ran fine...I revved it up and still nothing. Was that just my computer learning the new stuff or is it possibly a bad connection that could lead to intermittent problems? It never once tripped the MIL light either.
Josh
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daffydak
GenIII
5/29/2004
01:47:28
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
Yeah sf522d is the correct # for splitfires in the stock heat range... how do you like them? They made my 3.9 run alot better, ESP under tq converter lock. I could lug the engine and accelerate pretty good, without coming out of lockup.... I’m thinking about trying them in my 4.7L, the plugs look pretty easy to change (except removing the coil paks one by one LOL) hot plugs will be ok, ESP since the 4.7 has a knock sensor :-)
Speaking of maintenance, i know this is gonna sound dumb but...
I can’t find the oil filter on my 4.7!! I couldn’t look really good, because of the skid plates blocking my view. Shouldn’t it be on the pass side? i want to get that castroil GTX out of there (yuk!) and replace it with AMSOIL!!!
Thanks
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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GB2000
GenIII
5/29/2004
02:08:38
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
I didn't notice much of a change...yet. I wasn't really paying attention to how much better it ran...I was too scared I messed something up and was listening for misfires and stuff when I got on it. I'll report back when I get a chance to really test it.
I need to readjust my tv cable as well...it's a lil too tight. My shift points are still super sh!tty as well. Even after adjusting my tv cable, it still tries to shift right at 3500...unless I really bury the pedal. I'm gonna figure it's a sensor or something. How do I let out slack on the tv cable? I know how to tighten it, but haven't ever loosened it before?
Josh
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daffydak
GenIII
5/29/2004
06:15:20
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
the same way, just hang onto it (in a diff direction though LOL). i take it you did not leave a mark on it, where it was from the factory. thats what i did, because i allways mess something up one way or another..... i'm almost afraid to tinker with my new dak, but i will get my courage up :-) the second day i had it, i had a dynomax super turbo installed (too quiet)
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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GB2000
GenIII
5/29/2004
09:17:46
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah I didn't leave a mark...you really think I'm smart enough to do that?! =P
I almost always mess stuff up...kinda sucks when you can't fix the problem too. lol
Josh
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GB2000
GenIII
5/29/2004
15:16:02
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
IP: Logged
Message:
Readjusted the tv cable I think...installed the shocks too. They are super easy to do, but reaching those upper bolts are a real pain in the ass...luckily my friend was willing to come over and he did most of it for me since he's pretty mechanically inclined. At the moment the back end sits a bit higher, but I'm sure it'll go down once they wear in some. They are considerably stiffer than my old ones, which is cool and hopefully that means I won't need helper springs when I haul my four-wheeler to Indiana next month. Oh yeah, the brand of shocks I got are Gabriel I think...my friend says they're a pretty decent brand I guess...I figured they were just another basic shock. Ah well...not too important to me. Of course, the best thing out of all this is...I can't afford gas until Friday and I'm down to half a tank already...lol. Guess I better get one of the old bikes out of the shed. =P
Josh
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dingo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/29/2004
22:57:34
| RE: Shocks, plugs, wires, etc...
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Message:
daknblk
Sorry John for not answering sooner. Yes I did,
Be-Cool stocks the Robertshaw 180 T-stat, also available through Jegs works great, truck runs smoother.
Thanks for help
Cheers
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