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pacethis
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2005
14:46:56
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 Subject: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Hi all,
I'm new here, and need some advice.
I recently sold my 03 Silverado to purchase a home and replaced it with a 98 Dakota. It's really quite nice, a 2wd, regular cab, short box with a 5 speed and a 5.2L V8.
While I don't tow often, I do occasionally need to tow with it. My trailer is a full size (prob. 2000#) and average load on it is usually 3200#.
I'm told I'm well within it's towing capabilities at less than 5500# total, but when all hooked up, the trailer was much too low to the ground. On my first tow, my chains were eaten half through and I now need to replace them. I've been told I can reconfigure my hitch (it's a typical drop hitch) by putting the ball on the underside to make the trailer ride a little higher.
Still, the rear of the truck seemed very low when towing and I'd like to make this better if possible.
I've been told I can either change the rear springs, or add to them to increase the load capacity of the bed. Is this a good idea? Any suggestions on where to go or what to use? Should I change the shocks on the rear as well (or even all 4?).
I really love the truck and it's only got 45k miles on it. I have considered the possibility of just getting a 1500 instead, but I'd rather fix this one to work if possible.
Thanks!
Josh
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Cowboy1_1
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2005
15:05:17
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
Pacethis,
I would just get a set of helper springs in the rear and you should be good to go. If you think your shocks are bad ,replace them couldn't hurt.
you can put the ball on the underside of the drop hitch. I just put helper springs in my 99 Dak EC 5.2 4x4. It made a world of difference pulling my horse trailer ( 5500#total horse/trailer).
Cowboy1
99 Dak EC 5.2 4x4
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2005
15:07:51
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
try this: http://www.activesuspension.com/
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Idano
Dodge Dakota
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10/05/2005
17:18:33
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
You could get a step bumper rated as a class 2 hitch. Westin makes a diamond plate model that's rated for 350lb. tongue, 3500lb. trailer.
http://www.aztrucks.com/Product.asp?Product=185
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97 dak
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2005
22:34:23
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
you could try air helper springs or air shocks, i bought a pair of air shocks that air rated at 1100 pounds max,they work well or the air helper springs are rated at 3000 from firestone.
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/2169D.html#ITEMIMG
or
shockshopusa.com
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2005
00:59:05
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
If you have the trailer loaded correctly, 10-15% of the total trailer weight will be on the tongue. 300-400# should make the tail drop all that much. If possible, you should shift the trailer weight to the rear a little more. If that's not possible, you'll need to modify the suspension to handle it.
Shock absorbers are not designed to hold the weight of the vehicle and the load. Jacking up the rear with air shocks will transfer the load fron the spings to the shocks and shock mounts. Take one look under there and you'll see why that's not a good idea for trailer towing. They also have a nasty habit of springing a leak when you least expect it.
Helper springs or replacement springs are much better. They keep the weight where it needs to be, adds the additional weight carrying capacity, and improves handeling while towing. The advantage of the helper spring is that they only work when there's a load. When the truck is empty, you won't much of a change at all. Replacement springs are stiff all the time.
The active suspension mentioned by daddio is probably the best solution. But it is a little pricey. You get what you pay for.
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Jmurph
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2010
16:42:14
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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Message:
I have a 99 GMC Sonoma
Same problem, load carrying capacity of the suspension is not very stiff. Shocks don't help if you replace them. I would only replace if they are rattling. I did try air shocks and they did help but any bigger load (a load of mulch) sags anyways and is not good on the bolts that attach your shocks. So, then I tried leaf spring helpers, a huge improvement in load capacity and it is attached to a part of your truck that is meant to take the load. I definitely recommend getting the full leaf though, not the 1/2 leaf that just raises the rear, it doesn't seem to be as good of a concept.
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2 questions
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2010
17:08:53
| RE: Upfitting a 98 Dakota for better towing?
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#1 Why respond to a 5 year old post with a question?
#2 Why post on a Dodge board with questions on a
GMC?
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