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Lucas_Harman
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2003
17:01:10
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 Subject: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Truck- 99 Dak 318 4x4 ATX Club Cab with Sport Package
I use this truck almost every other weekend for towing my race car. I am looking for better parts to stiffen the suspension in the rear to reduce squatting. I also would like to help the performance of the truck without killing gas mileage. which mods would help me for towing. I tow a 16 foot car trailer with a 2000lb racecar.
Thanks!
Lucas
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truck
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2003
17:23:27
|  RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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your best bet would be to get a truck and get rid of that toy
RAM
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Lucas_Harman
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2003
22:35:48
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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wow, what a nice reply from one enthusiast to another. Due to certain financial burdens, I am stuck with this truck, plus I like it and don't really want to get rid of it.
now, if anyone wants to give me reasonable discussion as I thought I could get from this forum, I'd appreciate it.
truck, KMA
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Crusty
GenIII
5/26/2003
22:45:42
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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First thing to get rid of the squatting get some airbags like fullsize rigs have. Then re-gear to a lower ratio like 3.92 or 4.10 even. that should help.
Exhuast, Intake etc will make less of a difference than the gearing but will help with mileage.
2002 CC 4.7L 3.55LSD
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ben rollins
Dodge Dakota
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5/26/2003
22:53:26
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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to "truck" i will punch u in the face.
air bags cost too much, just get some hellwig leaf springs, those will work perfect.
hey crusty, what the hell is wrong with u? a lower gear ratio like 4 10 will make his gas milege worse. if u have the 3 92, go to 3 55
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jimbo maui
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
01:59:21
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Crusty was right, 4.10 would be better, it won't help gas mileage but it would give you alot better performance for towing.
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Lucas_Harman
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
07:48:31
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
thanks for the help guys, I am looking at getting a set of the Hellwig springs.
How do the aftermarket chips fair up for our trucks? I have heard mixed emotions about the jet chips. Is there a certain stage jet that would give me a decent hp and tq gain? Or is the MP pcm the best bet? Where is the best place to shop for these?
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
08:06:13
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
Try the roadmaster active suspension system, I have an '03 with these and with 1600# of blocks in the bed it was barely sqwuatting, still had plenty of supension left... I am sold on them.. Plus at $200 they are a deal...
Also lowering your gears will help but may not be practical ($$$)... maybe pick up a shorter set of tires off another dakota for cheap and put these on. THe shorter the tires the lower (effectively) your gearing is... I noticed a big difference going from my 00 2wd CC (255/60/15) with 3.92, to my 03 4x4 (245/75/16 (or whatever they give you now) with 3.92...
Chris
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CThomp
*GenIII*
5/27/2003
08:08:04
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Better than the hellwig springs would be the Roadmaster Active Suspension. Definitely upgrade to 4.10 gears (unless you already have 3.92's) and get some good shocks. OEM ones are weak. You can get the Active Suspension right now factory direct for $168 shipped. I think 4x4 costs less than that. Might want to give them a call though to confirm the price. Powertrax now makes a self contained no-slip differential. I think those are around $400.
You aren't supposed to tow anything with the MP computer. You'll screw your engine pretty good if you do that. Jet chips suck. Hypertech makes a programer that will probably do you some good while not hurting your mpg's. Superchips also makes a programer now that might be better than the hypertech though I think it costs a little more. Look around the net to find the best prices on these.
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99Dak5.2L4x4
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
10:43:14
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Lucas,
I have a 99 Dak and I tow a 22ft boat quite often and a 2 horse boat trailer and the biggest improvement I saw to towing was by adding some really stiff shocks. I bought the Rancho RSX whiche jar my kidneys from time to time but it really made a difference.
I also have the stock 3:55 gears and 32 inch tires. I'm fixing to put some 4:10s on as soon as I get some money. I typically only get 13-14 on the freeway and 10-11 mpg in the city so gas mileage can't get much worse. I think the gears are going to help me the most.
The KN FIPK that I have didn't help much till after the 2800 RPM range for freeway driving.
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kick
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
12:26:36
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
Ben Rollins, I will kick you in the nuts.
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doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
12:42:56
|  RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Has anyone else had any good/bad experiences with the "Roadmaster Active Suspension" system? I went to their web site and it sounds a bit overblown, but for less than $200, it might be worth it.
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Lucas_Harman
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
12:55:27
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
The Ranchos sound good, but does anyone have any experience with the Bilstein Heavy Duty Shocks? They are the same price as the Ranchos and I just want to see what all is available.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
15:31:12
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
Another vote for Roadmaster here, been pulling about 3000 - 3500 with a 4.7 with 3.55's in hilly New England, you can do fine with that gear. (not that lower gears wouldn't pull better)Got a good deal from Mr Bob's Distributing a couple years ago, check 'em out. Better weight handling and control without an overly harsh feel.
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xplikt
GenIII
5/27/2003
15:53:24
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
Fukk that, the Roadmaster is 168 bucks now. Dammmit. What a bunch of crap.
I love my Roadmaster and it was worth every 200 dollar bills I spent on it. SUPER easy to install too. You can't go wrong with it. Mine rest less than a foot off the ground and I drug them through mud, snow, slush, etc all winter and they are still holding up as good as new.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator
R/T wheels on 275/40/17 Dunlop 9000s
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Lucas_Harman
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
16:19:13
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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where can I get the Roadmaster for 168?
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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5/27/2003
17:27:41
|  RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Yes , I`m interested as well. Please tell me where I can get it for $168.
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Daddy-D
*GenIII*
5/28/2003
11:23:27
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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I got my Roadmaster directly from the mfr for $150 + shipping.
It was amazingly easy to install and set up.
'98 DakSport C/C 3.9 2WD A/T
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CThomp
*GenIII*
5/28/2003
12:11:27
| RE: make my truck a better tow vehicle
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Message:
I got mine from Roadmaster itself. If enough of you call for the same price i'm sure they'll keep the deal around. Its all about moving product.
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