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Mike98
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2008
23:54:11
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 Subject: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
My truck has always been really "bouncy" on the freeway. There are some sections of road that really resonate with my suspension, so much so that I have to use the cruise control because my feet bounce too much to keep the gas pedal steady.
Has anybody found a way to dampen the bounciness of an unloaded Dakota? I installed Edelbrock IAS shocks, they helped around town but didn't do much for the highway.
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/16/2008
15:41:47
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
They're notorious for the rear end stepping out, especially after hitting a bump on a turn - due to the stock shocks not being well matched to the unloaded spring rate. Tire pressure also factors into spring rate; what pressure are you running the rears at ? Even my light shortbed, which is the worst body style for this, was never as bad as you describe though - so there may be something else wrong.
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Mike98
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2008
21:16:08
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
I'm running 35 psi in the tires, which I thought was about normal. The tires and the shocks are all pretty much new, I was hoping that would fix it.
Most of the time it isn't that bad, but there a particular stretch of freeway near my house that really makes my truck bounce. I can see the bed hopping up and down relative to the horizon in my rear view mirror, it seems to be worse than the other pickups on the road.
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MyDakotaSucks
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2008
11:07:49
|  RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
Dude.... Its a truck, not a caddy!
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/17/2008
17:51:51
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
You don't have to have a caddy to expect better handling; or shocks that are decently matched to the spring rate. Try airing down the rears to 28-30 psi.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2008
19:42:31
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
my rears are aired up to 50 psi and i dont notice that big of a bounce. I'd say your shocks are too stiff.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2008
22:28:23
|  RE: Suspension improvement?
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Shocks make the difference. I have air shocks on mine. I air them up to 100psi when I haul my phat a$$ family around.
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/18/2008
14:40:37
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
jayb - don't you have a gen2 ? It seems to be the gen3 RCs that are the worst for this. If I run the rears at 50 I'll get the bounce back a little, even with the premium shocks. I would assume "Mike98" would be talking about a '98 gen3, but he hasn't really said. Might not be making an even comparison there. He seems to describe the problem as worse than most though, so there could be something else going on too. Maybe a bent shock, that is sticking.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2008
19:40:12
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
yes i got a gen 2.
I would think my truck would bounce more than a gen 3 because mines lighter... perhaps not.
If its a bent shock, you should be able to tell by just looking at it.
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/19/2008
07:25:47
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
If the lighter truck was using the same shocks and springs I'd expect it to bounce more; but gen 2 has different springs, and I'd suspect different shocks. This has to do with the stock shock's damping rate not being well matched to the spring rate in an unloaded vehicle. The light weight alone doesn't matter - think of light sports cars or even motorcycles - they don't tend to have this problem since the shocks are better matched to the unloaded vehicle's springs.
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t m gilbert
Dodge Dakota
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4/19/2008
14:45:16
|  RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
03 sxt 3.9m rc no mods(other than rhino liner window/fender flares bug shield tail light covers need tb) I have same prob on I5 sharp bumpy curves. I think I should try antisway bar kit. Help.
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/20/2008
07:57:56
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
t m gilbert - Did you already try premium shocks, and airing down the rear tires ?
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t m gilbert
Dodge Dakota
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4/21/2008
03:14:53
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
still looking 4 sea/tac daks. 03 sxt no mods drill/slot front rotors, front ceramic pads, need tb.255.65x16.8. what can you tell me about prem shocks & airing down rear tires? thanx!
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/21/2008
18:04:03
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
It works. My truck already had an antisway bar.
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Mike98
Dodge Dakota
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4/21/2008
20:45:22
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
Well, I drove a lot of miles this weekend and tried out some various tire pressures. Lowering the pressure made a mild improvement, although anything less than 35 (original pressure) looks too low, I don't think this is the answer.
The latest trip seemed to be worse than ever, I'm wondering if something is terribly wrong. My truck's always been, well, truck-like on the freeway - but this is ridiculous and probably unsafe. I'm going to get somebody to drive beside me and watch it bounce around to see if somethings loose or broken.
I just got the wheels balanced and aligned, and the shocks are only two months old - and they still pass the "push down on bumper" test. Maybe my springs need to be replaced, then?
Oh yeah, and yes my truck is a '98 gen3 2WD club cab. And come to think of it, I did add a trailer hitch and truck box recently, maybe the extra weight is somehow making it worse instead of better.
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/22/2008
18:21:24
| RE: Suspension improvement?
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Message:
How low did you go ?
Do you understand the "push down on bumper test" has nothing to do with the compatability of the shock valving with the spring rate ?
The extra weight should make it better...
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