| From | Message |
mbrown
Dodge Dakota
12/17/2001
12:40:52
|
 Subject: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
hi all
i have test driven new 4.7/5spd/4wd/3.92 quad cabs with and without the tire and handling group and would like to pass this along to anyone thinking on ordering a new one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
spec differences:
the tire and handling group on 4wd bumps up the 235x75x15 tires to 260x70x16 and the width of the rims increases from 7 to 8 inches. a rear stabilizer and fender flairs are also added
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
findings:
1. the 260x70x16 tires on the 4wd with tire and handling group KILLS acceleration compared 235x75x15 stock tires. it did not seem like the same truck
i think the reason is the 260x70x16 is 1.9 inches taller in diameter than the 235x75x15. this effectively reduces the 3.92 to about 3.66 if i am doing the math right.
if you order a 3.55 with the tire and handling group the larger diameter tires would reduce this effectively to 3.22 YIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES
if you want to street/drag race, the tire and handling group might not be for you and there do not seem to be many high rated 60 or 65 series tires to bring the effective ratio near or back to 3.92.
>>>>
2. the tire and handling group equiped 4wd dak rides far harsher over normal road bumps/pot holes than vs std equipped dak.
i really dont know why but this might be due to the extra weight of the 16 inch tires/rims vs std 15 inches.
there might be stiffer shocks in the tire and handling group but the brochures do not state this.
you might get complaints from wives, girlfreinds, moms...whoever if the roads where you live are rough and have lots of pot holes
>>>>
3. the tire and handling group sway bar does control roll in turns vs stock equipped daks w/o sway bars. this is a good improvement
>>>>
bout it...thanks for all the info you post...have a good and safe holiday season
mike brown
harrisburg pa
|
Dave Mitchell
Dodge Dakota
12/17/2001
16:50:45
|  RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
Harsher ride with the Tire & Handling group?
With same tire pressure, the wider tires spread the weight over a greater area causing a harsher ride?
Just a thought...
|
joe
Dodge Dakota
12/17/2001
18:01:20
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
I sure it doesn't make a difference, but the tire size should be 265/70 r16
|
TomM
Dodge Dakota
12/17/2001
19:21:14
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
I've had my '02 4.7 RC 5spd 4x4 3.92 LSD with HD load, Tire & Handling, and tow packages for 1 month and have put 1,000 miles on it.
Harsh ride has settled down, not as jittery on rough roads. Due to the high center of gravity, I haven't pushed the truck hard enough in the corners to determine if the rear sway bar is really helping. Biggest problem is keeping the tires planted during 1st & 2nd gear WOT runs. Hate to think 3rd gear would be an issue if my tires were smaller. Just my thoughts.
|
Will
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
08:27:57
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
A thought...
I didn't think a dealer would just have a 3.92 rear sitting around on the lot in something besides an RT since it isn't standard and gets slightly less mileage. Not to mention one with handling package and one without. I'd double check to make sure you've actually been driving 3.92's.
|
Will
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
08:27:52
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
A thought...
I didn't think a dealer would just have a 3.92 rear sitting around on the lot in something besides an RT since it isn't standard and gets slightly less mileage. Not to mention one with handling package and one without. I'd double check to make sure you've actually been driving 3.92's.
|
mbrown
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
08:58:00
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
hi all
thanks for your notes
i am 101% sure what i drove but here are the details. the diameter diff in the tire/handling group tires and standard tires is as stated in my post above though as noted i did type the one size incorrectly.
etown dodge in elizabethtown pa knows what to order and stock on dakotas so having one or more 4.7/3.92/5sp with and without the tire/handling group is not exceptional. i am guessing they sell 20-30 dakotas a month!!!!
first time i was there they had 25 dakotas and four were 5 speed/4.7s. this was the time i test drove 4.7/3.92/5sp without the handling and tire group.
last saturday i went back to specifically drive the 4.7/3.92/5sp with the handling and tire group and most of the dakotas that were there on the first visit one were gone.... but they had least three of the quads equipped with the kit
i stick by my comments in the original note....and will tell you if you are interested in drag racing and acceleration and buy 4.7/3.92/5sp with the handling and tire group.... you wont have a chance against the same truck equipped without the handling and tire
see my original post above related to gearing changes the tire diameters make
thanks for your comments and if anyone wants to call me try 717-972-1254 late evening
mike brown
harrisburg pa
best
mike brown
|
Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
23:16:13
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
I agree that the 16" tires are to tall for drag racing. I put 235/75/15's on my R/T for the winter and they are a full inch taller then the 255/55/17's that came off. If you do get a 4.7-5-speed-3.92 for racing save the $400 you'd spend on the 16's and buy the 17's (actually if you were serious about drag racing buy the 15" centerline convo pros). The 17's are about $500 from the dealer, but you'd still have to buy fender flairs and tires (at least then you could get the Nittos -vs- Goodyears as well). Or buy the handling package and buy a 55 series 16" tire. Remember that the 2wd regular cab with the handling package does NOT get the rear sway bar so your not missing out on anything there. I remeber always kicking myself for ording my old neon with the aluminum wheels. Not only were they really ulgy in 98 but I could have taken the money and got some 16's and kept the 14's for snow tires. As it stood it cost $60 a year to swap the snows off and on the factory rims.
|
asamek
Dodge Dakota
12/19/2001
09:27:09
| RE: 4.7/3.92/5sp with/wo tire/handling group
IP: Logged
Message:
Mikey???
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
