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cbsdakota
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5/20/2001
15:41:10

Subject: Limited slip upgrade
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I currently have a 3.55 single traction rear end. I want to upgrade to a 3.93 limited slip. I saw two units in Summit but one was full posi and one diverted all the power to the wheel with the most traction. I like the factory type limited slip because only one wheel gets power unless you break it loose. Then the other wheel grabs. Where is a good place to get the 3.93 ring gear and the limited slip unit. I saw a limited slip in the Mopar Performance catalog. How much is that one. I've heard of Randy's Ring and Pinion. Any others?



cbsdakota
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5/20/2001
16:21:34

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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I went to Randy's site and used his RPM calculator. According to it, going to 3.93's will only change my RPM's by about 300. Not bad. Anyone out there able to tell me if they've felt the difference. On one of my other Dakota's I went from stock sized tires to 235/60's and felt a difference. (And that was with 3.21's!) Anyways, I am definatly going to get 3.93's!



Ryan Kane
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5/20/2001
20:46:22

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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A limited slip diff is a nice upgrade. DO NOT get a full locker in the rear! Your tires will wear sooner and it won't turn very sharp, always fighting your turning demands. Limited slips kick in when you need it only. Basically, offroading will get you 3-wheel drive, rather than the stock offroad 2-wheel drive.

NEVER do a limited slip or full locker in the front!



ram41569
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5/21/2001
05:28:10

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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Still waiting for my 2001 Quad w/4x4 5.9 and don't really know how the 4 wheel drive system works yet but if the front dif. is not locked in 4 wheel all the time why can't you put in a limited slip in the front drive Ryan.



Hawkeye
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5/21/2001
07:37:05

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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The reason you dont want a lsd in the front on our trucks is because the front dirveshaft is always turning and would wear your tires quicker and made it harder to steer. If you had a older manual hub setup then you could run a lsd or locker up front because the driveline is not connected to the front tires until you lock the front hubs.

'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD

Ryan Kane
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5/22/2001
12:16:44

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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If your 4x4 Dakota is "stock", then when you engage the four wheel drive, you are really only powering the rear right wheel and the front left wheel, and basically it becomes a 2x4 in actuality. If you were to use a full locker in the rear, then both rear wheels and the left front would be powered, making a 3x4. That is PLENTY of traction, more than enough to do fun offroading.

However, if you were running a Limited slip in the rear, then the rear left tire would only become powered "when needed", or when the rear right tire started to spin. So, think of it as another 2x4, but can become a 3x4 "when needed" (on a part time basis), which is what I am running in my '89 "4x4".

NEVER NEVER NEVER put a lsd or full locker in the front! If 80% of your driving is on the street, as most of us do, then you only need a LSD in the rear, and nothing more.

A "true", working 4x4 involves ARB lockers in the rear and the front tires, which will power all four tires at the same time, at the push of a button. These are only possible if you are running straight axles in both the front and rear of the Dakota, and is a waste of money unless your life is outdoors and rock crawling, and banging up your Dakota. I know ARB does not make ARB lockers for Dakota's anyway. Their big market are for Jeeps rock crawling and other trucks like Toyota that crawl over rocks. Pretty boring if you ask me.



CyberWolf
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5/22/2001
14:16:14

RE: Limited slip upgrade
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Rock Crawling is Boring? Have you ever been? Besides my Dak I have another truck that is built strictly for rock crawling. It is a lot of fun in the right area. You do tend to get a lot of damage though. My last big trip I put my radiator into my fan, broke a body mount, crushed a front fender on a tree, broke a leaf spring center pin, and got 4 more big dents. Oh well, its all in a good days fun.

As far as the LSD and locker deal goes, you have to keep in mind how much of your driving will be offroad. Most people dont even do 1% of their driving offroad. LSD is the best choice then. Like Ryan said, If you do 80% or more of your driving offroad you might consider a locker. As far as a good place to get a ring and pinion, try Drivetrain Warehouse @ 1-888-432-7656. They can also help you with just about any question you have about rear or front ends. Also, if you have never set up a ring and pinion, leave it to a pro. About $250 for the labor is about right.



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