Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
10:11:27 - 03/28/2024

General Dakota Board
FromMessage
Brandon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/31/2007
10:26:06

Subject: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
I have a 03 3.9L which is being swapped for something much bigger. Is my driveshaft and rear end strong enough to hold 350HP to the wheels?



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/31/2007
12:52:18

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
Guessing you have the 8 1/4 rear. If so, you're at the high end of tolerance for a street-tired setup. It'll hold, just don't go to the track and put on slicks without some beefing. Ditto for driveshaft.



911mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/31/2007
14:03:22

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
as with anything mechanical, it will hold 'till the second it breaks!

a tractor-trailer truck with a 500HP engine can pull a heavy load uphill without a problem,
but dump the clutch by accident when taking off
from a standstill and the driveshaft will turn into a pretzel.

invest in a stronger driveshaft if your not sure.
when it fails at speed, nasty stuff can happen:
i've seen them ripping thru the floor or locking up a rear axle
(wrecking a nice street/strip car in the process).



911mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/31/2007
14:07:59

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
installing a driveshaft 'loop' is very cheap insurance on any high-perf street/strip vehicle.

http://www.corral.net/projects/deepfreeze/dfdriveshaftloop.html



Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/31/2007
17:25:18

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
Here's my question, how do you know if the drive shaft is about to fail? Does it shimmy or just do you fell a sudden jerk.



Kota Kid
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

1/31/2007
18:15:48

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
A good way to tell is if you see it pass you on the drag strip, or see it fly through the floor of your bed, its probably broken.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


1/31/2007
18:34:47

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
If you manage to get enough grip on street tires to actually overstress the shaft, you will see it develop wrinkles as it is literally twisted beyond tolerances. Also, if you manage to get it to hook up that well, I wanna see what you did for rear suspension mods.



911mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


2/01/2007
03:03:20

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
I once witnessed a brand new (1 week old) stock Dakota with a pair of drag slicks completely break off the tailhousing section of a NV3500 transmission during a 1/4 mile launch,

high revs + clutch dumps (with stock factory components) = trouble

slicks were removed, rubber cleaned out of rear fenderwells, truck towed to the dealership and the transmission was replaced under waranty,
never saw that truck at the strip after that..






gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


2/01/2007
19:26:31

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
Which is why I said, in my first response to not go to the track put slicks on.



STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


2/02/2007
16:35:14

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
I can only guess you would hear a type of whining
noise Joe.



Mikey
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


2/05/2007
17:48:59

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
I'm not sure where to buy them but I saw them advertised in a magazine that I read one time.
There are shearpins that you can buy for driveshafts, so the only thing that will happen is you will shear the pins from the trany or the transfer case.
Just put in new pins and you are good to go,no more twisted driveshafts.
Problem is that I can't remember who sells them.

Just my 2 cents.



hemichuck
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

2/06/2007
13:50:55

RE: Strong enough?
IP: Logged

Message:
I've been running a 4 inch stroke 5.9 magnum (400+ci) in my 92 Dakota with the stock 8 1/4 posi for a couple of years.268000 miles on it and its still kicking,seems pretty strong to me.I would agree with not running slicks(H.P.and slicks will break any rearend)but its OK for general performance.



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.