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Pickups Pickups - Archived Discussions Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - III 
475 messages, Last post on May 29, 2000 at 1:14 PM
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This topic is a continuation of TOPIC 1685.... Dodge Dakota Crew Cab - II. Please continue these discussions here. Thanks! Front Porch Philosopher SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host |
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| Anyone know when the deadline to order for model year 2000? When will you be able to order 2001 Quads? Will there be any changes in the 2001's? | |
| Don't know about the changes, but I think you may have missed the 2000 order deadline (could be wrong). I just ordered last week, and they told me July for 2001 orders. | |
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Not quite sure what you read into my statement about daytime running lights on Quads and helmet use on bikes, but I believe you were getting something from it that was about 180 degrees from what I intended. The daytime running light issue is one thing. What I said about helmet use: To wit "Helmet use is, in my opinion ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY from a common sense and financial point of view." Key word here is 'USE.' I meant that MY position is to USE helmets, and that I consider them MANDATORY (common sense and government be hanged). I did not say LAW, I said USE. Big difference. My feeling is that - as I went on to say - an individual's insurance should be at risk (or his pools) not MINE, if he/she wants to ride wthout a helmet - fine. I think (hope) we agree entirely about the freedom of choice here. I don't want government interference either. The next paragraph was meant simply to point out the lesser of two evils. The States and Feds have implemented and supported the helmet law statute(s) so long that - I believe - to remove it wholesale - would be just about as bad a policy as having instituted it in the first place: Way too much confusion - too many unqualified (no skills) riders entering the market now, and could be a total financial disaster for a larger state to (completely) repeal the laws. I also believe that - at least in Texas - the extra insurance required to ride without a helmet is a very good compromise. It allows those who passionately believe in their freedoms to ride without a helmet to do so. Those who don't want to provide for those future (helmetless) injury victims stay in their own (lesser) risk pool - so they can afford to ride. Unfortunately, there are many abusing this extra liability clause - and raising my insurance - which directly affects my 'freedom.' You made a great point about "Where does it end?" Essentially it won't - the Feds are (seriously) considering forced implementation of air bags for bikes! What a joke! I support your (much) "less government" stance, I guess the wording I used looked sort of 'Nazi.' My apologies for the confusion... BTW - Was it you who said that the T & H package actully raised the truck? It does, went out today and measured a 1" to 1 1/2" height difference - higher on the T & H equipped vehicles. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to have better handling in a taller truck. I'm pretty sure it does though - must be the added rear sway bar and wider stance with the 8" wheels / fatter tires... interesting. |
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I took delivery on Saturday of Green 4x2 QC 4.7L, Auto, 3.55, 4W ABS, Anti Spin, Sport plus pack, Power Conv group AM/FM CD and towing pack. I could note be happier with it. Installed the colored matching wheel flares on Sunday and I am getting a liner and an ARE color matched tonneau cover on Wednesday. Last thing to do is install a 1 in 2 out muffler (thats not too loud) so I can see two pipes sticking out the back. If I can't find a quiet muffler I will stick with the stock exhaust. Anyone install a muffler like this yet? |
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To modify the intake, first remove the "black box" that is currently between the airbox and throttle body. You'll then need a 3" 90 degree street elbow, female at both ends and short piece of 3" pipe. At the throttle body end, I sanded down the outside of the elbow so that it would fit inside the groove of the gasket that is on the throttle body. Next, for the clamp to squeeze the pipe tight, you have to provide some relief in the elbow. I did this by cutting approx. 8 slots about 3/4" long about 1/8" wide. Next, cut a short piece of 3" pipe, leaving enough to go into the flexible pipe about 3". Tappering the end of the pipe a little will make it easier to get it in the flex hose. I did a dry run first. Then used rtv to secure the elbow and pipe together. Then painted it black. mask off the first couple of inches so that the pipe will fit in the flex hose. I used krylon paint and for some reason it took forever! to dry. It was still tacky after 8 hours but dried once the engine heat cured it. That's it. WARNING!!! After you first start the truck, the rpm's will drop off and it will almost stall. Then, the rpm's will kick up to keep it from stalling. I nearly took out the sidewall in the garage the first time it happened. It did this for about 3-4 starts until the computer adjusted to the mod. Everything is fine now. I didn't notice any improvement in mileage but it sounds great when you punch it. I have since added a k&n filter. Last tank went from 305 to fuel light to 321 to fuel light. This translate into .8 mpg increase. BTW Has anyone replaced just their muffler, would like to keep as much as the old system as possible $$$. Thanks, Scott |
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Here in Canada DRL have been mandatory for some time, and I can honestly say it doesn't bother me one way or another. I haven't had any problems in summer with people coming the other way, but that may just be becasue of the setting requirements (about half the power of low beam). In winter the DRLs are useful for seeing people who refuse to put headlights on until it is pitch black - this is shown up by the older cars on the road that were produced before DRLS were mandatory and who can't be seen so easily. My Jag doesn't have them, but as I don't drive that in winter that hasn't been a big deal. As far as helmets are concerned - well I rode in the UK where they are mandatory, though I would have worn one anyway, an easy decision for me. When a guy pulled out in front of me I was very glad that I was - I wouldn't be telling you about it anyway. As a non American, and as someone who grew up outside of the North American culture, I guess this whole freedom of choice issue is a hard one for me to understand, and I am sorry if my post reflects that. I hope you all know me well enough to know that no attack is intended. |
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Hello again to all! Just a bit of rambling here as I gaze out the office window on that beautiful White QC... #1 - DELIVERY: The wife and I drove to the delivering dealership (200 miles away) in my current '95 Ram 1500 4X4 SLT on Saturday morning to take delivery of the QC 4X4 Sport (loaded, with 5.9L engine as in the Ram). The QC was in the detail bay when I arrived, and the sales guy and I went out to inspect it. All looked good, except that it had the "agate" interior rather than the "mist grey" that I ordered. Ironically, I actually preferred the agate! As we were going through paperwork, he handed the keys to me... on a "regular" fob. I asked him why there was no remote keyless fob... He turned a brilliant shade of red, went back over the order, and acknowledged that the factory had not included the remote fob... Went back to the service area, then into the General Manager's office, came out and indicated that everything would be taken care of within the hour. They took the truck accross the street, did some additional detailing, programmed a couple of remote fobs, and all was well. #2 - INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: I "negotiated" with my wife, and convinced her that I should be able to drive the QC the first 100 miles on the trip home. She'd always HATED driving the Ram due to its "tall" stature, imprecise steering and the "wallowing effect" of a full size 4X4. I jumped into the QC and off we went. Of course, I immediately noticed the "step-up" difference between the two trucks. But what thoroughly impressed me within 5-10 miles was the relative quietness and precise steering in the QC. There was NO DOUBT that I'd made the right choice with the Dakota platform. I'd read in earlier posts here that the 5.9L engine would produce some noticable valvetrain noise... But found that it was as quiet as the 5.9 in the Ram. In short, it was a PURE JOY to drive, and obviously had all the "guts" of the Ram and MORE. We met at a restaurant at the midway point to "swap" vehicles. She complained (as she always has) of the Ram's "wallowing." I suggested that she'd find the QC a lot more "driveable," but she remained skepticle. 100 miles later, we arrived home. She got out of the QC. I asked how the drive was. Her reply? "I'll drive this truck any day of the week!" The R&P steering is incredibly precise compared with RB steering in the Ram. There is virtually no body roll over uneven surfaces, and the QC Sport (without additional sound-deadening in the SLT group) was incredibly quiet compared to the Ram SLT. I'm delighted! #3 - VERSUS FORD: Out for supplies to clean up the Ram for resale Sunday morning, I happened upon a new Ford short-bed crew cab (F-150 chassis)in the parking lot... Very tall, odd-looking body lines, and from my personal perspective, quite "clownish" looking. Not to knock Ford, but I believe that DC took the better approach in designing the Dakota QC... The lines are much more "fluid" and it looks more like a "truck" than a Jeep. #4 - SILL PROTECTORS? I've obtained lot's of great tips from users of this service, and I'm coming back to the well again here... The QC is in obvious need of a good set of door sill protectors... Can anyone steer me in the right direction on that? #5 - WORTH THE WAIT: For those who've been waiting for QC delivery, you won't be sorry. It is truly a remarkable vehicle! And for those who might be tempted to "step up" to a full-size pickup due to the relatively high price point of the Dak QC, my personal advice would be to think twice. For what it's worth from a guy who's driven a Ram 4X4 for 5 years, the handling and comfort of the QC are well worth the price of admission! |
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| As a older fart, I can tell you with certain knowledge that the barrage of government regulations will never end. It is particularly bad under Democrat presidents. I guess the Democrats are hell bent on saving us from ourselves (unless it has to deal with drugs or morals). When Ol' Jimmy was Pres., Joan(his NHTSA administrator), a good girl friend of Ralph Nader, serious tried to pass regulation to get seat belts mandatory on bikes. As far as DRLs are concerned, their effectiveness are dependent on the location. In the plains and southern states, they are worthless. If we keep on like this, then we will all be driving with sirens and strobe lights on and having a man run in front of the vehicle to warn all the horses. | |
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well i have good news. after i hit 10,000 miles on my new dakota quad my mpg went from 15mpg at 70 on the highway to 17mpg at same speed. i havent posted in awhile getting ready to move to virginia and we are finally going up there this weekend to house hunt, but i will post when i can. 4.7, auto, 4x2, 3.92 and loaded with a rollnlock tonneau cover and fenderflares. robert |
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