Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Performance and Towing Mods
42 messages, Last post on Oct 17, 2007 at 7:18 PM
You are in the Dodge Dakota Forum. Your Host is kcram
|
Replying to: steak2k1 (May 07, 2007 7:08 am) |
|
|
Most people here seem to agree with DC: tow with overdrive off in hilly conditions. Some people have warned about overheating the torque converter if you tow in overdrive. But what about the lockup system? If I run at ~70mph, I'm spinning about 2500rpm (2002 Quad Cab, 4.7L, 3.92 rear end). Give it a little gas, it spins up to about 3100rpm, I assume this is the torque converter unlocking?? Give it more gas, it shifts into 3rd (3500rpm to maintain about 70mph). So is the danger of towing in overdrive that it unlocks and locks too much? If it stays locked is it bad to tow in overdrive? Thanks for any input. -Eric
|
|
|
Replying to: bowdin (May 17, 2007 7:29 am) Now that I've moved up to a 4500 lb travel trailer, towing in OD is out of the question. The reason is the load is great enough, the transmission won't shift into OD, except when going down hill. When the OD is on, the torque converter will not lock up in 3rd gear, hence a lot of heat is generated due to the torque converter slippage. When the OD is off, the torque converter will lock up in both 2nd and 3rd gears. It just depends on how much you are towing. |
|
|
Replying to: sunburn (May 17, 2007 6:08 pm) The manual says "overdrive off in hilly conditions." But the definition of hilly depends on whether you live in Kansas or Colorado. So (in marginal situations) is there a transmission behavior to look for to indicate when to turn overdrive off? -Eric
|
|
|
Replying to: bowdin (May 18, 2007 4:35 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: sunburn (May 18, 2007 4:14 pm) Besides, ordering direct from the factory is CHEAPER than purchasing off the dealers lot and I got the options I wanted. This is because the dealer has a GUARANTEED sell when you order from the factory. The dealer's purchaser purposefully orders cars for the lot which have options with the highest markup. This be because they still have to SELL the vehicle. (And brush the snow off of it all winter!) |
|
|
Replying to: sunburn (May 08, 2007 5:36 pm) The first one or two years of the 4.7 in a Dakota they used a 47 or 48mm throttlebody. In 2002 or 2003 that was increased to a 50mm. The camshafts are different for each year up to 2003. The 2003/2004 camshaft duration was changed to 243.5 degrees intake, 253.7 exhaust. I think that fuel delivery and timing algorithm changes permitted a decrease to valve overlap (17 degrees) for an increase in low end torque and improved idle. Likewise since '04 they've changed camshaft profile and fuel delivery some more. The mere fact that the 545RFE transmission has five normal forward gear ratios and considerably less parasitic losses than the previous "RE" series transmissions could explain part of that 1 MPG difference. Top gear ratio for the 46RE is .69, and .67 for the 545RFE. Pretty close but a slight advantage for Dodge's newer automatic. The intermediate second gear on the 545RFE might actually contribute more to better gas mileage. Starting in 2007, Chrysler is phasing in Variable Line Pressure (VLP) to its automatic transmissions. This will significantly reduce parasitic losses. In think the RFE will get VLP in 2008. On my son's last leave I rented him an '05 Dakota Quad Cab, 4x4. It had the same axle ratio as yours. He was able to average 16.6 for the two weeks he had it in very mixed driving. Best regards, Dusty |
|
|
Replying to: sunburn (May 18, 2007 4:14 pm) Regards, Dusty |
|
|
Looking at adding a chip, air intake and upgrade exhaust all to gain more towing muscle. Is the result worth it and what are the most reliable products?
|
|
|
Replying to: marker2 (Oct 16, 2007 5:47 pm) For me, A Borla exhaust was the only way to go. Here in Vermont, most exhaust systems last about 3 winters. Since I expect to keep my Dak over 12 years, I installed a Borla the first year I owned it. It still shines like the spoons in the kitchen drawer! |
|
You are here:
Forums
Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Performance and Towing Mods
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Dodge Dakota
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
