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General Dakota Board
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Big Jon
Dodge Dakota
7/08/2001
17:12:29
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 Subject: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
How well does the 3.9L perform in a 4x4?
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
7/08/2001
19:23:55
| RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
What model year Dakota are you referring to?
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Big Jon
Dodge Dakota
7/08/2001
20:43:18
|  RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
Any model year, but mostly 2001.
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fast80cc
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
02:46:23
| RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
I just bought one (Reg. Cab, 5 speed, Limited Slip). Despite the general consensus on this forum, the 3.9 in a 4x4 is powerful enough for me. I'm only an off-road "novice" though. The serious off-roaders seem to have mixed comments about how much HP counts and how important gearing and/or driving ability is. There seem to be several, relatively cheap options (V8 throttle body, Gibson Exhaust, Intense Performance Intake) that can add another 20+ HP to the 3.9L. I haven't made any mods. yet (only have 1000 miles on the truck), but will do so shortly. I suspect that the 3.9 would be fairly unsatisfying coupled with an auto. With the 3.55 (standard) gears and a 5-spd. it's got enough torque (225 ft-lbs) to move a RC 4x4 pretty well. The 3.55 has the disadvantage that 5th is a true over-drive. You don't have much power at normal freeway speeds because you're outta the torque band. A downshift to 4th and 2500-4000 rpm move you from 65 to 80 reasonably fast. The forum guys seem to recommend the 3.92 option. I drove one, and 1st is a REAL pain in bumper-to-bumper commute traffic. You've gotta shift out of 1st at < 15mph. My wife killed that option. She said the RC 5-spd drove "like a car" with the 3.55, but felt "like a truck" with the 3.92. I think if you're looking for 1/4 times and want to go street racing, you'll be happiest with a 2wd, RC, 5-spd., 4.7L. I found that the 4x4, RC, 4.7L, 5-spd. combo was simply so rare that it'd be a special order (i.e. I'd loose the dealer incentives AND it'd cost a bunch more $$$). I would have gone with the 4.7L if it really only cost the extra $590. I actuality, it would have cost me > $3,000 extra. I have to admit, I'm pretty pleased with the 3.9, 5-spd combo. BTW: Get the tire and handling package (or sport+ group) option. The tire/wheel upgrade is worth the extra $390!!! With the 3.9 and LSD, I have a hard time breaking those 235's loose. I know the 4.7L guys talk about burning rubber in 1-3rd! I could def. chirp 1-2 in the non-LSD 3.9 I test drove. I also haven't noticed the dreaded pinging problem that the 3.9/5.2/5.9 owners typically complain about. Maybe they've done some PCM mods. to help with this??? If you want a good, inexpensive, 4x4 (I paid $17,200 with A/C, CD Infinity, Tire&Hand., LSD, skid plates, sliding window, bed liner options), the 3.9 is probably good enough.
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lil red dak
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
19:09:54
|  RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
3.9L 4X4 performance is an oxymoron.
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Dano
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
19:16:09
| RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
17,200 wow i got mine (01 dak CC 4x4 SLT 4.7 tow package trans cooler, pwindows,pseats, bed liner,sliding rear glass,cd tape infinity ,skid plates, 16in tires and alum wheels,overhead convienience,a/c )for 27,000.Isnt base price 20k on the 4x4's. I drove the v6 and had to have the V8.It didnt seam the six had enough power it was over worked at low speeds.I chose the 4.7 auto and i love it. Im getting a little over 18 mpg on the highway.Should go up when i get the cap installed.
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fast80cc
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
20:40:31
| RE: 3.9L 4x4 Performance
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Message:
Yeah, that >$20K (more like $25k+) for your configuration was what kept me with the lowely V6. The base invoice price was in the $16k range (got $2300 in incentives, $300 over invoice). I found that the 4.7L 4X4s all had lots of options (like yours) and couldn't find any with a 5-spd. The CC seemed to add about $2k as well (over the RC). Well anyway, I'm just basically cheap (and have high mortgage payments)! I'm pretty sure my little V6 is about as fast as the V6 Tacoma's and S-10s. It's probably faster than the base model full-size F150s and Sierras (with the V6). I REALLY wanted the 4.7L but for just hauling stuff (and myself)around, guess I'll have to settle for being a bit underpowered. Actually, the 5-spd. really helps. I drove a 4.7L, Quad-C with auto, leather, loads of options (something near $30k!) and was not that impressed. Add all that weight and an auto and even the mighty 4.7L starts to breath hard! Now those guys with the RC, 4.7L, 5-spds... We'll lets just say I'll stay FAR aware from them! I'm hoping about $700-800 in simple mods. (intake, TB, exhaust) will help a bit. I think if you want an auto, you've gotta go with the 4.7L. Your absolutely right, the 3.9 and auto just don't mix! Below about 2300 rpm, the 3.9 has NO power. It seems to pull pretty well once you get close to it's torque curve peak (at 3200 rpm). I've only got 1000 miles on it, so I'm not sure exactly how high I can rev. it yet (been keeping it under 4000 rpm).
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