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mallen94
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
20:35:36
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 Subject: Rear end skipping
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Has anyone had trouble with the rear end of their truck skipping? What's happening is if I hit metal on the road (manhole cover or a bridge seam) the tires spin and the truck takes off sideways when I hit pavement. I've got Yokahama Geolanders all around. I'm running a factory 4.7L with a 5-speed. I'm told that you can get aftermarket traction bars to keep the rear end down but has anyone used one with success? My shocks are good.
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Slow4x4Dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
03:01:25
|  RE: Rear end skipping
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Happens to me all the time. I have a 2002 3.9 5spd 4x4 CC, and everytime I hit a bump, it doesn't do it on potholes, only bumps; I'll turn sideways a bit. I sort've got used to it, but it gets a little bit dangerous when I take this 1 turn and there's a bump where a bridge meats. I have 265 Michelin LT4 tires, and my shocks are also good.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
12:56:28
| RE: Rear end skipping
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Traction bars won't change anything, that's not how they work.
This is a common problem in pick up trucks, always has been. It's gotten a lot better over the years, but it persists. Anybody who's spent time in an early 70's or older 3/4 ton truck knows what I'm talking about.
It's just the way the suspension is designed. There's no weight on the back, so the truck actually rides up on top of the arched springs. When you hit a bump, instead of compressing the spring, it pushes the spring up, and the rest of the truck goes with it, and brings the tires along for the ride. If you've added aftermarket stiffer shocks, it makes the problem worse.
It takes a little bit more force to get the spring action started than it does to maintain it. If you add a little weight to the back of the truck, it will set the suspension down in to the springs. That should pretty much resolve the issue.
Also, keep your tire pressures reasonable. In an empty truck, you don't generally need 45psi.
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n
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
22:14:22
| RE: Rear end skipping
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I've noticed that this seems to be less true with the R/T.
Possible differences are a lower CG and lower profile tires. I can't confirm, it just seems to be that way.
I've have found that a steering dampner up front helps there.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
19:03:16
| RE: Rear end skipping
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I had the same problem with my 2003 QC, and found the following to help considerably:
1. If you run the truck with the bed usually empty, try letting a few pounds of air out of the rear tires. I dropped about 3 psi out of mine.
2. You said your shocks were good. What kind are they? I recently replaced my stock ones (which were also "good" and low mileage) with Monroe Reflexes--it made a huge difference. BTW, Monroe is running a "buy 3 and get one free" sale through the end of October.
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mallen94
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
20:08:51
| RE: Rear end skipping
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Thanks for the advice, I run the tires with a pretty high pressure to get better mileage out of the truck. It sure can be an adventure driving that truck though. My brother had it out for a spin and went across a metal plate at a train crossing, the truck kicked about 18 inches, the cop behind him thought it was a neat trick! I guess I'll toss a couple sandbags in the back to keep it down.
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/21/2004
08:13:16
| RE: Rear end skipping
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You're stock shocks might be "good", but they aren't well suited to the spring rate of an empty truck. R/Ts are better because they are more softly sprung. The suggestion to lower rear tire pressure was a good one, why not try it ? Adding more weight won't help you get the better milage you were after when you aired up the tires. Better shocks will help too, even if you think yours are still "good".
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2004
22:06:56
| RE: Rear end skipping
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That's probably a major source of your problem. Air pressure makes a huge differance.
Drop some air pressure; get down to about 10-15% less than the max listed on the sidewall. Drive around town for a bit and see how it handles. If it's better, try leaving it at that for a while. I bet you won't notice much of a differance in mileage - if any.
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