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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
00:42:01
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 Subject: improvement
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i have a '95 dakota 4x4 with a 318 magnum, completely stock. i live in muddy and snowy minnesota. i want to improve the off rode capability of my truck. what's the first step i should take?
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Super bee
GenI
4/08/2006
08:55:36
|  RE: improvement
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mud tires
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
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Super bee
GenI
4/08/2006
09:10:46
| RE: improvement
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btw, where in MN?
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
11:03:22
| RE: improvement
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Martin County, southern Minnesota
if i put bigger tires on, how much will that affect the accuracy of my speedometer?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
13:46:31
| RE: improvement
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The most important variable in the traction formula is tires. No question about. Always start there, regardless of whatever changes you plan on making. Ask any ralley driver how important that is.
Taller tires will decrease your final drive ratio. If it's already pretty weak, it will only get worse. It will affect your speedometer by the same percentage you change the diameter of the tire.
Wider tires will help in the mud and dirt, but sometimes creat a toboggon effect on packed snow.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
14:55:03
| RE: improvement
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thanks,
what gear ratio comes stock with my truck and what gears should i put in to accomadate for larger tires?
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
16:21:30
| RE: improvement
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You've likely got 3.55's but it's possible you have 3.92's or even 3.21's. There was a tag fastened by one of the rear diff cover bolts to your rear differential when it was new(maybe gone now) that had the gear ratio on it. You could always jack up the rear of the truck, put it in neutral, and compare the turns of the drive shaft to the wheels. As far as gearing goes, I would recommend 4.10:1 gears with 33" tires. If you want 31" tires, the 3.55's are fine and I wouldn't change them, but if you had the 3.92's that would be better.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
16:57:18
| RE: improvement
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if i put in a no slip diff, does that affect my ratios or does that maintain what is there already?
also, what is the best for the buck locker for my truck? i still need to be able to take tight turns at decent speeds
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
22:28:54
| RE: improvement
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Installing a LSD or locker will not change your gears. I am currently running a Powertrax no-slip locker with 4.10:1 gears and 33X12.50 BFG Mud Terrains on my '92 Dakota. The benefit of the Powertrax is that it is cheaper than a conventional locker (like Detroit), and easier to install because you do not remove or even touch the ring and pinion. Now the Detroit is a stronger set up, but I have yet to have a problem of any sort. The Powertrax can rather easily be installed yourself as well.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2006
01:43:46
| RE: improvement
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i was actually looking at that exact locker
what is the biggest tire i can put on with no lift or anything?
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2006
09:24:55
| RE: improvement
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When I first bought my truck, I immediately threw on a set of 31X10.50R15 Goodyear MTR's with stock 15X6 wheels(the wheels are 1" too narrow but I felt it was fine). If you install an aftermarket set of wheels with less positive offset you will definitely run into issues with tire clearance at the rear of the front fender. My 31" tires just touched the frame(in the front where it is nice and smooth) at full steering lock. I didn't even realize they actually rubbed until I was working on the truck later. I now have 33X12.50 BFG's with Gen III 15X8 wheels with no lift other than cranking the torsion bars. I did have to do some cutting to clear the tires though. I am just about to install a 2" body lift so I can lower the torsion bars back down. Here are some pictures of my truck as it stands now. http://spaces.msn.com/stuartmoser/photos/?_c02_owner=1
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2006
19:47:22
| RE: improvement
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are there any performance upgrades, such as intake or exhaust, that would help me out with off roading?
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2006
20:55:37
| RE: improvement
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Vortech makes a nice supercharger for our trucks, but that's about $4000 American. You've already got the 318 so you've got plenty of torque. Intake and exhaust improvements will create marginal hp gains, but I doubt you would see any real benefit off-road. Using low range is a good idea in many situations. Myself, I haven't bothered with these mods because I don't really think the cost is really worth it. Also, I've been driving vehicles with loud exhausts for too long. My Dakota is the quietest vehicle I own, even with the M/T's. Some others may disagree with me on this one though. Horse power and mileage gains might be worth the price to some. Personnaly I would rather spend the money on recovery equipment and traction enhancing aids(tires/lockers). Shortly after I bought my truck(with stock tires) and right before I bought my winch, it took me 6 hrs and 3 other trucks to extract my truck from a little mishap.
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