Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
06:33:31 - 03/28/2024

Dakota Performance
FromMessage
Turbofreak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/02/2002
00:30:07

Subject: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
YEEEEHAAAWWWW!!!!!!!

This thing is pretty nice....
2002 RC Sport Plus Atlantic Blue with 4.7L/5 spd/ 3.92 LSD/ HD service group. Leather wrapped steering wheel and 40/20/40 charcoal? interior.

I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!!!

This is my first manual transmission ever, so I am learning..

I waited 6 weeks for this truck to come in after special ordering it.

It seems to have been worth the wait.

Here is my question... It feels pretty strong in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, but 1st gear just winds out quickly, but not with very much acceleration. It runs very nicely in 4th though..

How long does it take to break one of these engines in? I have been driving around in 4th gear, even at 70+ mph, just to help break the engine in. I have also varied the rpm greatly, and accelerated from a low mph to a high mph in 4th gear, so as to hopefully break the engine in right.

How many miles do I need on it before I can expect it to pick up some more power?

It has 435 miles on it tonight after driving in.

Thanks ALL!!!
Ryan



Todd W
GenIII
 User Profile


5/02/2002
00:45:57

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
Don't just run it in 4th gear. Drive it like your going to drive it, since the computer is 'learning' how you drive your vehical. After 3500 miles it should start to settle down and the teething should be over. :0)

You want some more power? Cold air intake right off the bat. Simple to do, make your own. :0)



'00 RC Sport, Forest Green, 3.9L, 5-speed 3.55, Airaid Intake with relocated IAT, Autolite 3923s, Ported Throttle Body, Borg & Warner Cap/Rotor, Accel Coil, JBA 9mm Wires

'Do not trifle with me--I am a master of Chop-Off-Obnoxious-People's-Heads-Do!'

Wiley
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


5/02/2002
02:28:31

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
O M F G!!!!!!
DO NOT "Drive it like your goin to drive it"
Vary engines speeds in all gears but less than 4000 rpm at not more than half throttle at any time. Do mostly city driving and try to avoid 5th gear if possible. Do not overload it at all. Do this for the first 500 miles or so, then change the oil. Then you can push the motor more just try and be nice to it until about 1000 miles, then your good to go.

The reason for all of this is simple. All new motors, specially the 4.7 which runs very tight build tolerances, are tight to begin with. The parts you are looking out for are the rings. The rings on a new motor do not move very easy within the cylinder. Thats what mostly makes a new motor feels sluggish. So if you go punching the gas and filling the cylinder with fuel and air, the pressure from the combustion cant move the pistons as fast as they SHOULD go. The excess pressure has nowhere to go except PASSED to rings, which leads to premature ring failure, a poorly running motor, and an eventual compression loss and oil burner.



Todd W
GenIII
 User Profile


5/02/2002
10:10:18

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
Thats not what the Dealer told me when I got my truck. I asked, since it was the first new truck I purchased. They didn't tell me to change the oil at 500-1000 miles, but I -do- recommend that since my oil was pretty dark by then.

I was told at the time to drive it pretty much normal (this does -not- include beating the crap out of it), -including- some WOT launches, and to vary speed. Yes, city driving is best, since at highway speed your going to get up to speed and usually stay there. I also don't recommend avoiding 5th gear, your not going to run the RPMS up to high in 4th, but your also not going to be breaking 5th gear in. Let's face it, the transmission is new too.

I followed the dealer, and besides a stint where the computer decided to run rich, I've had no problems with the truck whatsoever.



'00 RC Sport, Forest Green, 3.9L, 5-speed 3.55, Airaid Intake with relocated IAT, Autolite 3923s, Ported Throttle Body, Borg & Warner Cap/Rotor, Accel Coil, JBA 9mm Wires

'Do not trifle with me--I am a master of Chop-Off-Obnoxious-People's-Heads-Do!'

Crusty
GenIII
 Email User Profile


5/02/2002
10:21:41

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
Just drive the damn thing. It has a warranty...

2002 CC 4x4 4.7L 5spd 3.55 LSD
Anyone have a white or chrome grille for sale?

xplikt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


5/02/2002
10:43:33

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
It's not just the engine, you have your differential, the trans, and everything else to break in too! I agree though, just drive it, but do not race the engine...not yet anyways. I'm at 5600 miles (mostly highway) and this truck is doing pretty damn good so far.

Good choice on the combo you got BTW!

This truck has a really really easy stick, so learning isn't hard on this truck. I hadn't driven many manual before I got mine either, I mostly drove work truck and older vehicles where the clutch was loose as hell anyways.



don n
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/02/2002
16:48:11

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
i have run in many new vehicles, and found that 18,000 miles is magic # for complete breakin. if ur gonna keep the truck thru high mileage i think slow break in is best. if ur just gonna use the heck out of the veh then do what ever u wish with it someone else will wind up with a problems. rings are very important to break in right. just my humble opinion with alot of exp on break in. also dropping oil after 4,000 is good idea as metal chips from new engine are prevelant and need to be disposed of.



justin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

5/02/2002
18:14:01

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
Did you get one of those charcoal on the bottom half and tan on the pillars and headliner? I see they do this on the new Ram also.. Very cheap!!



xplikt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


5/02/2002
18:17:32

RE: I got my truck last Friday!!!
IP: Logged

Message:
Haha, I got that, not too bad, but I wish it was ALL charcoal..



   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.