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CBX133
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2004
22:49:48

Subject: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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Hey guys I was in the market for a car, and my work got a 01 Dakota Reg cab R/T. got 58K on it, a lil high for that year but not too bad. I just wanted some people's opinions on how well this truck will work. Is it a good truck to get and what are some things i should make sure the recon team does before i get it. Just wanted some opinions on it from some people that might know wtf they are talking about. I drive the 4.7's all the time and they are good motors but I have never really had much time with the 5.9's. Thanx to anyone that helps out. Peace

-Sam



matt blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2004
02:22:20

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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Sheit..its still a baby. the engine/heads and tranny are just starting to break in! Ive got an 01 R.T ( my second R/T!) with the same amount of miles, so forgive me my the oncoming RANT Im about to launch into...I would highly recommend this vehicle, its a truck with the Soul of a high performance car! The main things I would say for the recon team, I'd have them check all the normal things, fluid condition, upper control arm bushing condition they sit pretty close to the exhaust manifolds, BRAKES the front rotors wear out fast on these trucks, their too small for the weight and power of this truck, they're the same ones on the other Dakotas...by 60K their about ready to get replaced or turned, I'd highly recommend crossdrilled or slotted if you plan on any high speed driving.... I just got my crossdrilled&slotted off ebay via Master power brakes...$150 shipped, damn good price...
get a tranny cooler, if it doesnt have one, its cheap insurance for the tranny. cheap mods are great mods! autolite 3923 sparkplugs, 180 thermostat, IAT relocation, brass cap and rotor, (K&N FIPK is great!) yank the clutch fan off you dont need it, the elec fan works good on its own.. you'll need a 1 7/16th wrench... none of these affect emissions either! if you don't have to worry about emissions, I'd highly recommend the M-1 intake.

Check out KRCPERFORMANCE.com DakotaRT.com.
www.intense-dakota.com/tips_and_tricks.htm
search the forum, many good points on R/T's here!

OH YEAH< watch that damned rev limiter!!! at 5200 rpm theres a fuel cutoff, to protect the valvetrain... its a pain in the 1-2 shift.. many trucks are having that problem...but increasing airflow and ignition seems to prevent this..




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5/20/2004
08:30:10

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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5.9 is going to be Rough on your pocket
with fuel going UP the way it has..
Do you NEED that HP ?
Towing something ?
For a " daily driver " ????



Nitro Junkie
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5/20/2004
09:31:10

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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if gas cost isnt an issue , go for it. I keep my R/T in the garage , its only a sunny day driver.
My brother on the other hand has an R/T and uses it as a daily driver and he drops close to $60 a week in gas ! And he only lives about 10 miles from work !

Oh , and make them check the ball joints ! Odds are they are worn out.

2000 R/T
Belltech 2

CBX133
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2004
03:05:06

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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Thanx for your input.. Basically, im getting a new vehicle becasue my old one has bad head and im waiting for them to get it workin again. So if i got this truck it would be a sort of trade between the 2 i guess. I drive anywhere from 700-800 a month but it would be divided between the 2 vehicles. And that car gets 21mpg so it helps on the pocket. I really love the rc R/T and always have and it seems like an awesome truck to get a hold of for strait bragging rights. Myu family is sort of a pickup truck group and i have a slightly modded 4dr Stratus..Lol. So i would love to claim teh rights at the biggest motor in my family..just dont want to buy something thats gunna fall apart right away on me. Thanks guys



matt blough
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5/21/2004
03:39:11

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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Mines slightly modified, and I get about 20mpg, you just gotta stay outta the gas MOST of the time, and it'll get decent mileage....



cbx133
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2004
21:07:48

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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Matt, you have a RC R/T correct? 20 seems like a high number for the 5.9 isnt it? cuz im not one who guns it constantly..but of course i get on it a little sometimes..but im not gunna race the thing all the time so I dunno what kinda gas mileage i would get. Also, I test drove it jus a little bit ago and it has a slight creaking noise from the front end when you go over dips or small bumps. Usually when your going slow, so I'm not sure if you know of this problem. I tested the 0-60 and got a mere 9.3 at a slight curve in the road. What is normal for stock and what will it turn into with small mods? Thanx for all your help..

-Sam



matt blough
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2004
21:36:19

RE: 01 Dak R/T Rc.., Need opinions!
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yeah, its an 01 RC R/T, most of my driving I am pampering the gas, only 'racing' others when I get the urge, as I live in South beach and its pretty crowded with tourists on foot...most of my driving is either higway, or slow cruising. Ive done mods to improve fuel economy and HP... FIPK, 180 thermo, TPS adjustment to .7V, add-on tranny cooler, IAT relocation, removed clutch fan, use Royal Purple oil, etc..
MOST people dont realize that performance mods when used properly not only up the HP, but can also improve Fuel economy.... IF you have more energy, but use it wisely, it takes less fuel to do so... I started out at 17mpg, now I am at a steady 20... on long trips ( I live in Florida, so its pretty flat) I can get 22-23... The hardest part of High horsepower is staying out of the Gas!
that slight creaking is one of 3 things...ball joints, sway bar bushings, or the upper control arm bushings...the last being the most likely, as Dodge did something prety dumb, and put them within 6 inches of the exhaust manifolds... they get too hot, and start to crack up. Polyureathane bushings from energy suspension will run you about $50, their visible with the hood up, if their all cracked up, that might be the cause of the creaking noise.



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