| From | Message |
04sport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/27/2005
21:59:09
|
 Subject: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
I recently installed 4.10's in my '04 CC 2wd 4.7 5spd and just started running it hard this weekend. It has great pickup no matter what gear you are in and when you downshift, especially into third, it really takes off. But the problem is now I can't launch it from a stop without spinning the whole way through first and second. I have brand new Kumho Ecsta 711 tires on the back (255/55R17) which have given me great traction even when I spray off the line. If anyone has some helpful ideas/manufacturers it would be much appreciated.
|
Science Guy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/27/2005
22:22:17
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
what did you expect? youve lowered the gear ratio on a truck. a truck is natually light on the back end. ok, you get the idea. about all you can do to get some traction is try different tires for best results, and lower the pressure of those tires for additional traction. i wouldn't drive around all the time with lowered pressure because youll wear them out prematurely and handling will be affected too. or you can run around town with sreet legal drag radials. traction bars may help a bit, but wont cure your problem. bottom line is you either need slicks or weight. i have nitto tires which i lower the tire pressure to 22 lbs when im at the drag strip. i have a light modded 99 cc with a 5.2 motor and still spin the tires a turn or two before they bite at the strip. i think i have 3:55 gears in the rear end.
|
DAHEMIKOTA
GenII
 
2/27/2005
23:38:04
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Don't spray it off the line. Put an adjustable delay in the NOS system. You have to learn how to drive a vehicle that has power out of the hole. It sounds like you are slamming it with everything it has out of the hole.
|
iLUVfatCHICKS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
01:07:55
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
i wore out a fat chick prematurly, and she had full pressure. didnt spray nos, i used "i cant believe its not butter"
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
10:30:26
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Chassis tuning for traction can be a tough issue, just ask any drag racer.
Sounds like you have pretty good tires, but you might want to check and see if they are over inflated. The chalk test will get you pretty close. But use a tire temp gauge, don't guess.
Get some good under riding traction bars. Take a look at how Shelby designed them for the Mustang, and do the same thing. Skip the universal bolt on slapper bars. I don't know that anybody makes them for the Dakota, so you'll probably have to make them yourself. I suppose you could just buy the Shelby Mustang bars, and add an extension. If you can weld, you can get the whole thing for <$150.
And pay attention to your launch. You can't drop the clutch and hit the nitrous at the same time. You should even consider a two stage spray.
|
racer dee
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
10:37:02
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
launch it in second.
|
Mike S.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
13:23:40
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Sounds like you need a good set of traction bars. Caltracs and Slide o Links are both good sets. I've used both and I prefer the Slide-o-Links due too there ajustability. With my truck I can run almost the same 60 ft times with my drag radials as I can with slicks.
Mike S.
91CC Carbed 390 w/nitrous
7.47 @ 94.23 (1/8th)
|
Jake D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
14:52:34
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
What was gear ratio and the original tire size as equiped from the factory?
From that, we can figure out the new effective gear ratio.
|
Riv
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
16:20:46
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Actually lakewood does make a set of traction (slapper) bars specifically for dodge dakota's. I've got caltracs though.
|
04sport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
19:48:04
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
From the factory the truck had 255/65R16's and a 3.55 rear end. And so far it has worked great spraying off the line. Sure it spun some but still launched hard. I ran three tenths faster spraying off the line versus spraying after shifting second.
|
Jake D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
21:02:59
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Mother Dog Turds, Mabel!
Here's what you did.
Remember, this "effective change" is relative to the stock setup.
When you changed to the smaller 255/55R17 tires (diameter 1" less than stock), it had the same effect as keeping the stock tires and wheels, and changing your rear end ratio to 3.68.
With that in mind, putting in 4.10's and keeping those 255/55R17 tires, is as if you kept your stock tires and wheels, and changed your rear end ratio to 4.25.
Well done!!
So....easy on the noise pedal, those tires will spin much easier now.
|
JB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
21:12:24
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
4.25's!! No sh1t?
Dammit man! Get yourself a limited slip/locker. Get yourself a good set of slapsticks. Actually, ladder bars would be better.
|
04sport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2005
21:44:16
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
It is already a limited slip, if it wasn't i'd kick my own a$$ for spending money on a ring and pinion. I was aware I'd lose traction, just wasn't expecting it to be this bad. Any good drag radials/tration bars I should know about? Also if I lower the truck(say two inches all around) what kind of effects will that have on traction? Thanx for the help so far.
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2005
00:11:26
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
If you lower the truck the same amount front and rear, there won't be any change. If you lower the rear, but not the front, then traction will improve because CG has moved to the rear a little.
You might also consider drag shocks. Although they are often not very road friendly.
Softer rear springs would help, too. But then, you won't be able to carry much. Is your front sway bar disconnected?
|
Jake D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2005
00:25:24
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Stock width tires are really not the best for competition.
305/45R17 (28x12x17) are same diameter, but 12" wide, vs the 10" wide 255/55R17 (28x10x17) . You would only need two. That would get you better traction.
As for traction devices, I can't add much. Keep searching, and keep asking for opinions from those who have them to decide what's best for your application.
If your truck suspension height is still stock, and you intend to keep the tire/wheel combination you have now, consider lowering 2" front and rear, to aid stability.
Good luck, and I hope I was able to help.
|
04sport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2005
18:21:14
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the help Jake D and .boB. The factory sway bar is connected. I would like to stick with the RT rims thus my reason for keeping that wheel/tire package. I plan to lower it 2 inches front and rear. As I have never lowered any of my vehicles before I am unaware of all the effects.
|
Dr Traction
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2005
19:47:00
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
just 4 link it with adjustable coil over shocks and run slicks. Problem solved!
|
Uh Yeah
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2005
23:41:45
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
Easier said than done, there, Dr. Fraction.
|
Dr Traction
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/02/2005
00:01:26
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
no, its very simple. you take your checkbook to a reliable chassis shop and ask for it. a few people responded and addressed weight transfer. thats a start. however, you can only get so far with springs and traction bars. you guys want to spray and or boost to squeeze out 350 to 400 plus horsepower in a truck and you wonder why you blaze the tires at the starting line. get real or get traction.
|
iLUVfatCHICKS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/02/2005
00:30:07
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
put 2 fat chicks in the bed, better than any traction bars, cheaper than slicks, automatic lowering, and best of all the crowd will love you, cause i love me some fat chicks.
|
01 koda 5spd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/02/2005
21:43:33
| RE: Traction
IP: Logged
Message:
What you could do is go to a parking lot at night and steal 2 or 3 of them cement parking blocks that should help you a little, just dont get caught
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
