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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
20:41:30
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 Subject: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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04 Quad 4x4, 22K, 4.7/45rfe, SPort plus.
LAst thousand miles or so the ride has gotten noticeably rougher and bouncier. When I first bought the truck it rode like a sports sedan. Taught, controlled, but never EVER particularly jarring. Now in some situations it feels similar in quality to my old regular/cab long bed Ranger that used to jump a foot to the side when I took corners at speed. The Dakota isn't as bad as the Ranger was yet, but it's getting there. The rear end hops a bit over bumps that didn't used to upset it and road irregularities are felt through the front end a bit more. I'm thinking when I replace tires and wheels I'll get the Eddlebrock IAS shocks too. Anybody have experience with them or any other aftermarket shock as a replacemenT???
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
21:38:47
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Every truck I have ever owned did that (rear end hopping) when cornering aggressively.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
21:51:44
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Search these forums for discussions on Monroe Reflex shocks.
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
22:05:20
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Every truck I have ever owned did that (rear end hopping) when cornering aggressively."
Please dont mistake me for one of those types who ran out and bought a truck cause it was cool now wants to complain about the inherent shortcomings of such a vehicle. I have actually never owned a car and know trucks will ride rougher than sedans. That is absolutely understandable. If my Quad had ridden like this from day one, it would be completely acceptable to me. However, there has been a noticable deterioration in ride quality over the last few months. IT almost never used to be upset by broken pavement before. IT started out riding VERY smooth, which makes sense since it's heavier than most compact trucks and it has a better weight distribution. On the other hand, my old reg cab/long bed Ranger weighed not more than 3000 pounds and hoopped around like a grasshopper on bad pavement. All I'm looking for is to make the truck ride like new again.
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solver
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
22:16:46
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Edelbrock IAS.
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Jeff
GenIII
12/07/2004
22:17:47
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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tire pressure and weather interacting with each other usually get my truck feeling different with the seasons.
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
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me too
Dodge Dakota
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12/07/2004
23:05:16
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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another happy edlebrock customer.
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modain
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2004
17:56:54
|  RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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At 62K miles I replaced the factory shocks on my 2001 Durango with Monroe Reflex shocks. No longer do I skate across the freeway when crossing two particular expansion joints on a curved section of the road. Very happy.
My 2002 QC Dakota still has the factory shocks at almost 50K miles. The ride quality has loosened a bit. Probably the same ride degradation Eddy has been experiencing, but only after 22K miles seems a bit short to me. Although, OEM shocks are meant to ride really nice but not for long. Maybe they are due...
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cool
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2004
19:11:02
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Mine only lasted 25000 on my 02 Quad. Was starting to really not like the truck. Replaced them with Edelbrock IAS and now it rides better than when it was new. I can't comment on the Monroe's, but a good quality shock will make you very happy with your truck again. If you replace them post with your results.
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Jimmer
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2004
19:57:08
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Edelbrock IAS.
Ditto- all the way around. Worth the money
I also recommend dumping the stock Good-for-a-years. There are a lot better riding tires out there.
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modain
Dodge Dakota
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12/09/2004
15:06:30
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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I concur with dumping the OEM Good-for-a-Year tires. I thought they were OK until recently.
My Durango has General Ameritrac tires on it (previous owner put them on) and it handles great in the rain. They ride very quiet and smooth. They look good, too.
The Dakota's tires (still the OEM Eagle LS) have plenty of tread to be legal, but they are cracking at the tread edge and in the tread valley (between the tread ridges). My tire guy says they are shot and won't rotate them in this condition. They handle horrible on wet pavement. It doesn't take any effort at all to break the rear loose on a turn.
I have a coworker with a 2002 Durango that has half of my miles and his tires are showing the same cracking, just not as advanced. Maybe it's directly related to the rubber compound and exposure to sun and air, and not only mileage wear.
=========
2002 QC SLT+, 4x2, 4.7, NV3500, 3.92 LSD, loads 'o fun...
2001 Durango SLT, 4x2, 4.7, 45RFE
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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12/09/2004
21:23:40
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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The "heavenly" setup on my '01 RC 2wd 4.7 5-spd includes Edelbrock IAS shocks, R/T rear swaybar, and Michelin LTX 255/55/17 on R/T 17x9's. Of course, 3" control arm drop and 2" drop rear blocks didn't hurt either.
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Jimmer
Dodge Dakota
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12/09/2004
21:52:31
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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I descided to go with the ContiExtremeContact 255/50R17 on my 00 R/T Dak. The IAS's and new Moog ball joints made all the difference.
I figured if the Conti's are good enough for OEM Benz's then they're just fine for my DAK. They have a nice footprint. Good low-pro look and great handling wet or dry. Mileage is also a +.
Next step is to firm up this 46re.
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cool
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2004
23:38:26
| RE: Did your ride/handling deteriorate???
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Eddy, did you ever replace those shocks?
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