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Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota - FAQs
241 messages, Last post on Dec 31, 2007 at 3:13 PM
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I have been trying to source a 180 deg TStat for my SLT Dak. Reason is: I am pulling 22' trailer 4200 lbs loaded weight and am going into Cdn Rockies twice this summer. (Am using a Reese 750 WD w/Dual Cam Sway Cntrl). 4.7L motor is std 4.7 - not the high output. I have done following to increase HP as methinks I am gonna need a bit more (-% KN Cold Air Intake/Filter Magnaflow single 3" free flow Cat Back exhaust As of today, Im using synthetic oil Mobile 1 Will run Premium Fuel when towing - no detonation/pinging. There is no chip programmer avail as of yet..superchips says end of summer..Read middle of winter maybe.?? and I have heard from many that the "jet" modules are not worth the $$. Anyway...I would like to know why a 180 Tstat is not available for this motor.? Could it have anything to do with proper sensor readings being distorted by the lower engine temp..?? My thinking was that using a TStat  180 as opposed to OEM 195 would be simply easier/better on the motor whilst towing (less heat - less energy loss) As well I have read that diff oil SB synthetic..?? really.? Any other recommendations re: Towing would be appreciated. Also have read here not to tow in OD. Why.? Given a good reason, I gather that one should use the Tow/Haul button at all times when towing.? Lots of Questions I know...bear with me.! Rgds and hello to all. stk
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Replying to: steak2k1 (Jun 21, 2006 2:03 pm) You also did not mention which final gear ratio you have. This may affect towing performance. Another key element you did not mention was if you have the factory-installed towing package or not. Some of the items included in the factory package are not readally apparent. (like the additon of power-steering cooler.) If you are not ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN about your gear oils being synthetic... change them all to the approprate RedLine lubes. (Yes - RedLine is expensive... this is because it is 100% high-grade synthetic base stock...beyond even Mobil1!!) Not only is RedLine perhaps the best lubricant available, I realized 2-4 MPG better just by changing from dyno-oil to RedLine. (xfer case, front/rear diff and Manual xmission) As a bonus, RedLine saved my rear diff when all the lube leaked out of a failed seal due to its ability to lubricate under those conditions. The factory towing package is supposed to include synthetic lube in the rear diff. Folks that have added a hitch WITHOUT putting in synthetic have fried their rear diff. Some folks WITH the factory towing package have fried rear diff. because factory put in dyno-lube. It is better to put in RedLine to make CERTAIN. As for the thermostat, the cooling system on the 4.7L semi-hemi V8 is a "bypass" type system. (thermostat is mounted low on engine and actually MIXES hot/cold to ensure engine is correct temp.) I would not mess with what is in there.
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Replying to: bpeebles (Jun 21, 2006 4:03 pm) I do have automatic trans, had the rear diff changed with a synthetic 75W-90 (GL-5 rated),& with the Mopar additive and just did an oil change albeit with Mobile 1 synthetic oil. I have had the transmission serviced as well...all in the past 30 days. I think I am gonna leave that alone for now. I do have a class III Reese receiver, Tranny cooler & all the electrics reqd for trailer. I do not believe that this unit has a power steering cooler..never heard about one of them.? Like to know what/why/how etc one requires that particular hardware. splain please..? (-% Interesting on the Red-Line Lube. & On that note, I saw on the web site (thanks for the link) that it looks like good product. When I go to change fluids/gear oils, I will give it a try. Understand re-TStat. I shall leave it alone..explanation clear and succinct. I believe that the Gear ratio is 3.55 for no other reason than I did not specify the higher ratio when the unit was bought. I have no issue with spending coin on preventative maintenance/permium products...the alternative is just not worth the savings or the time wasted. ( I used to wear $ 35 dollar shoes..they wear out and are not comfortable. Now it's Clarks or Ecco's. Pricey they are but they last damned near forever and by God your feet feel comfortable.) Many thanx, Stk
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Replying to: steak2k1 (Jun 22, 2006 7:34 pm) It is simply a small radiator inline with the return hose that is connected to the plastic overflow tank. If you wish to add one, then the biggest problem will be locating a place to mount it. Since there is no pressure in the return line, a couple hoseclamps is all that is needed to plumb it in. Any small radiator like a xmission cooler would suffice... it just needs 2-3 passes of the pipe thru the core. The one on the factory 4.7L is actually mounted just beside the PS pump. (on the engine). Perhaps you could look under the hood of some Daks with the factory towing package to see what it looks like. I dont have a PS cooler and prefer to not have one. The steering used to get 'stiff' when outside temps are below -15F. I beleive adding a PS cooler may "overcool" the fluid in my situation. Instead, I replaced my PS fluid with the RedLine PS fluid.... I never-again had 'stiff' steering in the winter. The RedLine base-stock can handle any heat that may get generated without breaking down so it is a good alternatave to having a PS cooler. |
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Replying to: steak2k1 (Jun 22, 2006 7:34 pm)
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Replying to: mike133 (Jun 23, 2006 8:09 pm) Other 05/06 Dak owners could confirm this..? I would like also to hear from anyone that has installed a fan-on-demand as opposed to one that is always running which is what I have in mine. Now it may be that due to the the way the motor is cooled with the Tstat being one that has a small bypass valve, one should not put in a fan-on-demand type. However if you have... Does it work well, What's the opinion out there.? Thanx, stk
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Replying to: steak2k1 (Jun 25, 2006 10:04 am) |
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Replying to: steak2k1 (Jun 25, 2006 10:04 am) My dak has an electric radiator fan also, it comes on when the AC is enguaged.
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Replying to: bpeebles (Jun 25, 2006 4:39 pm) As for the Tranny cooler: You are right mike. I do not have a full blown cooler for the trans...hope I can get one installed in the next 3 days. Don't want to be sitting in Golden, BC with a blown tranny..!!! YIKes..! I noticed that the AC cooler has two receptacles for a bolt on OEM Trans cooler. Will check it out in the AM for price and installation. ...and yup the fan is in fact an electro-static fan. Gonna leave that alone too. man oh man..the learnin just keeps coming.! thanx big time - glad I had a second look and glad for the comments/your query.!! stk
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