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Off Road
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Hubba Bubba
Dodge Dakota


7/17/2001
13:15:15

Subject: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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I just got a new Dakota quad cab. I got it with as many options as I could. 5.9L, limited slip, skid plate from the factory. I got bigger tires (Bridgestone) which lifted me up 1/2 inch 1st thing. Then I got a brush guard. I have my Hi-Lift Jack to get me unstuck. Now I seem to have run out of options. No lift kits yet and no tow hooks available. Any suggestions to what I could add to my new truck to make it more off road friendly? On my list are extra lights to put on my brush guard. That just makes me see better at night though not offroad driving. I do mostly desert offroading in the winter and mountain offroading in the summer.



Jason O.
Dodge Dakota


7/17/2001
16:47:56

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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1. Maybe a rear locker
2. optima yellow top
3. CB radio
4. Tow strap
5. fire extinguisher (sp?)
6. aftermarket shocks
7. and a camera to take some pictures of all the great places you will see in your new truck :)



TigerDak
Dodge Dakota


7/18/2001
12:42:30

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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Dont forget a full sized spare tire! And a shovel.



hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota


7/18/2001
13:59:07

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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What does a rear locker do that the stock limited slip won't do. Aren't they very similar in that they divert power to the tire with the most resistance and not the tire that is spinning? What is an optima yellow top? After market shocks sounds good! Thanks for the reminder...I still have the stock tires on the spare! Everything else I got covered. What is all this talk about straight solid axles? I cannot understand why everybody is moaning about IFS? It seems to me that you would want as many tires on the ground getting traction vs a few as what a straight axle would give you on bumpy terrain. For desert washboard roads I would want IFS vs. the straight axle. What are the advantages for a solid axle?



y22man
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2001
16:15:51

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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a locker makes the 2 tires to turn at the same rate no matter what. With a LSD helps divert power to the tire with the most traction in most caes. If you lift a tire with a LSD it will help but if there is to much resistance on that wheel on the ground it will not turn. Now, Do you need a locker most likly not. A LSD will put your truck every where you need to go. With a Locker you can go to many metal bending places. Stay with the LSD. Solid front axles are simple. They have fewer things to go wrong. Look at a Full sized ford compaired to a Chevy. Ford is nice and simple. 4x4ing is hard on your truck. And the less to go wrong better. Stright axle is better to lift as well. If you wanted to lift.

Jay



TigerDak
Dodge Dakota


7/18/2001
18:48:58

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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Its easier to lift a truck with a solid axle, and is also easier on the wallet, by a couple thousand dollars probably. I however do not enjoy straight axles that much. I can get all the lift I will actually use with an IFS system. Also more comfortable.

Hummers are IFS, and so are the big Baja trucks. I think OEM IFS systems arent that much to brag about, but you should see the custom IFS setups on those big Baja trucks. They kick axx! Rock crawlers are straight axles.



hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota


7/19/2001
16:12:16

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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So the advantage to a straight axle would be that there are less mechanical parts? Less mechanical parts = less areas for failure? I think the IFS is the ticket for the type of wheelin I do. My theory about rock climbing is go real slow. I can live with IFS. Both probably have their advantages/ disadvantages.



hubba bubba
Dodge Dakota


7/19/2001
16:23:18

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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So the advantage to a straight axle would be that there are less mechanical parts? Less mechanical parts = less areas for failure? I think the IFS is the ticket for the type of wheelin I do. My theory about rock climbing is go real slow. I can live with IFS. Both probably have their advantages/ disadvantages.



Churn4x4x420
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2001
03:17:22

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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another advantage to a solid front axle is your tire angle stays the same w/ heavy loads. when you tow heavy loads your IFS goes from this -- to this /\ (exagurated) which will cause tires to wear wierd. at least that's what i was told by a friend of mine that owns a construction company.



Jason O.
Dodge Dakota


7/20/2001
15:17:05

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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One big advantage a solid axle has it articulation. Its much easier to get loads of suspension travel out of a solid axle than a IFS.
Another thing is that a solid axle increases ground clearance when going over a bump/rock. etc.
The IFS moves but the center section of the truck stays low and can be hit eaiser when climbing. PLus a soild axle will give better leverage on the tires for traction.

Having said all that there are pros and cons to each system, they are suited for differnt types of off roading. But then again with time and $$ you can do just about anything with any configuration



Dick
Dodge Dakota
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11/22/2003
22:09:06

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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What type of IFS does Dodge have? I-beam or a-arm? they both rock and they both offer as much ground clearance (if not more) than a straight axle. And remember, its the size of the tire that provides clearance not the lift. the lift allows for larger tires and the tires allow for clearance. You can sit 8 feet in the air on your rancho piece of crap lift and still bottom out on a pebble.



less
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2003
00:50:49

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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ya can also be the epitome of an imbecile and drag up a dead post from 2 years ago.



Dickless
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2005
14:24:37

RE: Offroad wish list 4 new dakota?
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Actually, dragging up two-year-old dead posts roxx!



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