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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2009
10:39:52
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 Subject: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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let me start off by saying i have a 1993 dak and love it, went to get a New one, got the Dak big horn 8 cyl ext cab ( four door ). well this has to be the worst vehicle ever. It rides on the highway like on Jello, and i feel it is very unsafe, i have read that i need to change my NEW suspention, ok.. any sugestions would be greatly apprecheted B4 i sell this pig. and bty what a shame Dodge put thier great name on this truck. Thanks all Jim
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2009
07:10:05
|  RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Kinda looks like you're stuck with it, Jim.
You'll loose your butt trading it in on something
else and even selling it on your own you'll loose
money.
I never heard of a "Big Horn" Dakota. I thought
only the Ram had that.
I gave up on Dakotas after I sold my 02. The new
style from 04 on looks way to cheap for my liking.
I now have a 04 Liberty with that WAY WAY
underpowered 3.7 V6. What a gutless wonder. Eats
gas and goes no where.. lol
Good luck..
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Mark
Forum Moderator
7/20/2009
07:57:01
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Jim: I have a '93 and love it as well. I had it since 1996.
RadioMan: My neighbor has a liberty around the same year as yours and feels exactly the same way. They said it isn't even good in the snow.
-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2009
10:45:53
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Sorry you're not liking the new Dak. Have you tired adjusting the air pressure in the tires? Somtimes that will make a difference in ride quality. Could just be the original tires aren't too great. I know my '00 QC came with some crappy Goodyear Wrangler S/T's and they were toast by 25k miles. Other than that my Dak's been great.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2009
17:46:06
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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the should have got a Diesal Mark. The CRD Liberty is a differnt story.
Also My '94 is broke so at least you still ride in yours. The 05's arn't that bad. I just might buy one of them If I can.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2009
19:00:01
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Thanks all for the support, i will try and lower the air pressure a bit. But like the firestone problems, be careful with the tire pressure, that was the cause ( under-inflated ) BTY the Dak comes with Goodyear Wrangler SR-A's is that a crappy tire? BYT, i hope I didnt sound like I was totally bashin the Dak,, i love it just not the ride, i feel like i am going to go airborn when going 65 and hittin some bumps in a row.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2009
20:07:47
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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"i feel like i am going to go airborn when going 65 and hittin some bumps in a row"
Mine did that when I first bought it. It was 3yrs with 19k on it. I think after I got rid of the Goodyears(I called them Badyears) it didn't do that anymore.
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super bee
GenI
7/21/2009
03:24:30
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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but on the new vehicles if you under inflate too much it sets off the Check Engine Light because of the tire pressure monitoring system they put on them for emissions reasons
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) Powertrax "traction system", 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/21/2009
07:27:42
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Shouldn't need a whole new suspension. Many of us have had this issue, RCs seem to be the worst. Stock rear shock valving doesn't work well with an unladen truck. If you can lower your rear tire pressure to around 30-32 without triggering the TPMS, that should help. Premium rear shocks (aftermarket) also helps.
Had no idea this was what you were talking about when you said it rode like Jello. I thought maybe the new ones had too soft a suspension when you said that - but it sounds like the spring rate can be too harsh in an empty truck the way it is being described now. That's a problem we've been seeing for a decade. Fairly easy fix, too bad the factory doesn't spend a little more on the shocks.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2009
09:37:53
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Super bee, I totally forgot our government had mandated that TPMS on the newer vehicles. They're tying to save us from ourselves. I say let Darwinism take over and the fittest will survive.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2009
11:26:50
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Thanks again all, for the help, i am going to try and lower the rear pressure a bit. I'll let ya know. i can't wait to get my memborship name so i can post both of my Dak's side by side.
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2009
17:05:24
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Hey Jim there is always the Ford Sports Trac LOL.
Better inside room, and less room for plywood in the back; or what ever you will be hauling. But you see quite a few of them on the road.
Good news is unlike the Ranger, it comes with a decent V8 with up to 292 HP and a 6 speed automatic.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/sporttrac/
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2009
19:01:22
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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STS, Funny you say that ( Sports Trac ) i was very instrested in getting one. But then found out that the Engine is made in Germany, and the transmission is made in france, SO, there was NO WAY i would get it. But thanks for the thought,,lol
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2009
09:35:07
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl-Update
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so i was told by a good Mech, to try and put some weight in the back, Also, Mentioned by Kowalsi ( thanks ) anyway,, Dak seems to Keep tight onto the road MUCH better. But still have, ( what seems to be - Left front Jiggle) Hope it is just a tire out of balance.
Jim
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/23/2009
14:41:43
|  RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Weight in the back will work for sure, but if that's the best he had to offer, I wouldn't call him a good mechanic. We're aware of that, but prefer the other solutions as they aren't as detrimental to milage.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Jim Gaff
Dakota Enthusiast
7/23/2009
19:16:16
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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No I understand that ( other solutions ) I am going to take it back to the dealer. Wish me luck...lol we ( mech & myself ) are thinkin maybe its a bad ( unbalanced - or just a bad tire ) i have noticed also, that the left side is slightly unfirm. Maybe some 'Gas" has leaked out - accordin to the Mech, as soon as i can i'll take a Pix of my Dak's. ps. notice i had to change name from Jim to Jim Gaff - as that i am a member now.
1993 Dak Club Cab - 2009 Dak Big Horn ( 8 Cylinder )
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2009
19:46:10
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Jim, I forgot to mention in my other post here that I had to change my front shocks @ about 20k miles, just after I bought my truck. The passenger side shock just blew out. Squirted oil all over the underside of my truck. I don't blame that on Dodge. That one goes to whover built the shocks for them.
So, check under there for a leaky shock. You never know. Good Luck!
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Jim Gaff
Dakota Enthusiast
7/23/2009
19:49:37
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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THanks Daddio, i did,, but it looked dry, My Mech told me ( Well,, SHHHHHHHHHHH - lol ) to dribble some clear oil on the shock shaft just B4 headin to dealer. I did read someone also posted that changin my rear shocks is in order, we'll see. I just want it to ride like my 1993 Dak,,, lol
1993 Dak Club Cab - 2009 Dak Big Horn ( 8 Cylinder )
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2009
20:34:16
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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That might work. That's one thing i couldn't figure out is why they never put any kind of cover or boot to protect the shaft on the front shocks. Even the new Monore Reflex shocks I put on the front didn't come with any.
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2009
17:38:15
|  RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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Now that’s a surprise! Say the engine is made in Germany?? Of course I knew that some of the components from Cadillac are from there but Ford the company that is the last truly capitalist company still standing in the American Auto market?
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calikota
Dodge Dakota
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7/25/2009
13:38:37
| RE: 2009 Dak big horn 8 cyl
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re: "i feel like i am going to go airborn when going 65 and hittin some bumps in a row"
=
axle wrap
I have the same problem, the only thing that works is to slow down when you see an uneven surface coming up. Weight always seems to work, but I really don't like to waste my gas hauling unnecessary weight. When it is weighted down it seems to ride like a Cadillac.
You may want to try this;
http://www.activesuspension.com/
Watch a few of the videos, at first it seems like its geared on to vans and towing, but its supposed to minimize axle wrap with unladen vehicles.
Good Luck
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