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RI dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
00:49:25
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 Subject: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Hello everyone,
I need to do a tune up on my '99 5.2L, I'm a little late at 35,000 miles. I'm a novice at most mechanical things, but can't afford the rediculous prices at the dealer. I've done some research on this site and what I found is this.
Use Autolight 3923's
Borg Warner cap and rotor
JBA wires
and unplug the neg, and turn the key into the start position for 20 secs to reset the computer.
Only thing is I really have no idea what I'm doing and I'm afraid I'll mess something up. Any suggestions, or comments for a first timer?
Thanks a bunch!
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H60framer
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
05:26:08
|  RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Don't sweat it man we've all been there. Here's the start, the Autolite 3923's is an upgrade from the OE plugs. If you ask a parts counter for plugs for a 99 Dak 5.2L there gonna give you Autolite 5224's. Change out your wires atleast, but but it's up to you if you want to change out you cap & rotor. I hadn't changed out mine yet and I'm at 65,000. I can give you the basics but you need to figure out what you want to do just a tune up or add upgrades while your doing a tune up.
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RI dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
14:29:25
|  RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Hey thanks for the encouragment H60framer. Well I don't have a ton of money to spend, but I figure while I'm in there I might as well upgrade as much as I can, but like I said I'm not too sure what I'm doing, so I don't know how complicated its going to be. To give you a a bearing on my capablities, I can do any car stereo installation, I put in a K/N air filter charger, and a buddy helped me with the flowmaster dual exhaust. So I'm pretty limited in knowledge but am eager to learn. So I'm baiscally at the mercy of what people tell me. Thanks again.
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randy
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
17:47:58
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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its all pretty self explanatory once you start on it it will be easy.I'm not sure why you would have to reset your computer though
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H60framer
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
03:27:42
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Here's the start, get yourself a Haynes repair manual from any auto parts store because Chilton doesn't make one for our year and model truck. Be sure you get the one for Dakota/Durango. Then go to my web page http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/mygallery.asp?id=3743
and cut me an e-mail and I'll hook you up with the parts list and other things you want to know.
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b1llyw
DakotaEnthusiast
4/01/2003
06:25:16
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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I change plugs/cap & rotor every 15K. I like Bosch copper plugs, 7557. Napa brass cap & rotor, MO26 and MO29. For wires, I've run MSD's. I'm waiting on a set of Accel Extreme 9000's but haven't gotten them yet.
If you've got 35K and you haven't done it yet, I would also flush and fill tranny fluid (auto or manual), transfer case if it's a 4x4, differential fluid (rear and front if it's a 4x4, just rear otherwise obviously).
Even though your mileage is low, since it's a 4x4, I'd also flush and fill your coolant. I normally do that every two to three years.
Bill White
2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92 LSD
1995 CC 4x2, SLT, 318, 5 spd, 3.55 LSD
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Tim
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
12:46:53
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Definitely take the extra few minutes to do the cap and rotor - you'll see why when you remove the old ones. The cost is negligible anyway. Good luck and have fun!
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
13:22:22
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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RI Dak, Are you actually in RI. Depending on where and schedules I may be able to lend a hand, I live in Danielson and work in Attleboro.
Chris
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RI Dak
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
15:04:02
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Thanks for all the advice everyone, I'm going to go out and get one of those manuals, and then I'll drop you an e-mail H60framer. b1llyw, I did flush my transmission last year, but not the transfer case, it is a 4x4, don't think the coolent has ever been done either. Chirs, yeah I go to school in Smithfield, but I am from Block Island. I think my pops is going to give me a hand when I go home next in two weeks, thanks though.
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Timberwolf
GenIII
4/01/2003
15:22:19
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Hey Rl. The guys you hear talking about the 3923 plugs mostly have done mods that are causing predetonation(pinging). If you are not pinging, just get the recommended plugs. You'll get better gas mileage and emissions will be less. If you are pinging, try the 3923's along with a 180 deg Tstat. Changing the transfer case fluid is a breeze. Just put an oil pan under it, take out the top and bottom drain plugs and drain. You'll need to get a pump to hook to the fluid can to fill it back up (about $3 at Autozone). Fill it with a good synthetic Dextron transmission fluid, or Mopar ATF+. It only holds about a quart. Should only take about 20 min.
"I'd rather be fishing"
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b1llyw
DakotaEnthusiast
4/01/2003
15:34:34
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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RI Dak, I'm close by too in New London, CT if you ever need a hand. We can have a group "tune-up" party, lol.
Bill White
2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92 LSD
1995 CC 4x2, SLT, 318, 5 spd, 3.55 LSD
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RI dak
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
15:35:30
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Now that you mention it I have had some pinging problems, not recently, but in the past. Thanks for the tips on on the transfer case as well. Is the 180 deg Tstat nessasary? If so how much does that go for? Thanks
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b1llyw
DakotaEnthusiast
4/01/2003
15:42:22
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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I'd get the 180 t-stat no matter what. Magnum motors are happy in that temp range. The part number you want is Robert Shaw GT755-180 or Stant 65358. Here's a link to a page on my website where I've parked a bunch of part numbers for different stuff.
http://www.bionicdodge.com/handy_part_numbers.htm
Bill White
2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92 LSD
1995 CC 4x2, SLT, 318, 5 spd, 3.55 LSD
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b1llyw
DakotaEnthusiast
4/01/2003
15:43:57
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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Oh yeah, the t-stat should be about $6. Don't forget to get a new gasket too.
Bill White
2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92 LSD
1995 CC 4x2, SLT, 318, 5 spd, 3.55 LSD
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RI dak
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
18:19:56
| RE: first timer...tune up...novice..help!
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I bought the Haynes manual today, things don't look all that bad, I want to make sure I do it all while I'm in there though, anything else you think I might want to consider besides plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and Tstat, and differential fluid. I've never replaced the drivebelt...so that might be another project within itself. Thanks
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