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Cameron
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
02:42:32
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 Subject: need help please
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Message:
I own a great looking dodge dakota long box 1987. I just put on brand new monroe sensatrac shocks to hopefully get a smoother ride, but I think it rides even stiffer now. The problem is that I want to use the truck to show off my business logo and I want to use it for pleasure,but this truck is no pleasure to drive. With that empty box jarring it is literaly killing my neck.I love this truck in so many ways, I do not want to sell it but I will have to if I cant find a solution. I know nothing mechanically, but could I get a shop to take off one of the leafs in the back? I guess I could drive around with 500 pounds of gravel but that seems strange. I would rather sell the truck than damage it using it for work (hauling rubbish).looks wise, this truck is a 10 out of 10 considering the year. any advice you can give me would be appreciated. thanks.
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
06:08:53
| RE: need help please
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Message:
try less air in tires or different tires[michelin tires have a softer ride]this will help some
shocks won,t always help the ride,but should help handling
you could put a few hundred pounds of weight under the truck near the rear,this will help and not take up bed space
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cuzindoug
GenIII
9/13/2005
09:24:26
| RE: need help please
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Message:
I second VERN, try put a little extra weight were your spare tire rack is or if you don't ever use your spare tire, replace it with a metal/heavy material donut. I had to do this when the lumber I was hauling didn't allow the 60/40 (tongue/trailer) weight distribution.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Cameron
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
20:02:13
| RE: need help please
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Message:
thanks guys. today I put in about 650 pounds of dolmite lime bags. It does improve the ride quite a bit.I am going to keep my truck.
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93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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9/13/2005
21:39:32
| RE: need help please
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Message:
Take the rear springs off and pull a leaf out., its not too hard to do yourself or have some shop do it, it will help alot if you dont want to sacrifice gas mileage and performance with extra weight.
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Cameron
Dodge Dakota
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9/14/2005
01:57:31
| RE: need help please
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Message:
93dak4x4, I called a place today and they can do it for about 250.00 Canadian.(plus tax) I do wonder however, If this will have the same feel as adding weight. Does removing a leaf have a different ride feeling than adding wieght?
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cuzindoug
GenIII
9/14/2005
10:19:05
| RE: need help please
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Message:
Taking out a leaf spring with "soften" the ride because you don't have as much ridgity. The only draw back is it also lessens the amount of weight you can carry in your box. Depending on which spring they take out will depend on how much it softens the ride and how much it reduces your payload capability. But like 93dak4x4 said, you won't have the power loss and MPG loss as when you add weight to the bed. If it only costs $212 American then do it as long as you aren't planning to haul anything heavy. You'll probably make back the money(gas) in the long run.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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