Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Pickups / Dodge Dakota / Dodge Dakota Performance and Towing Mods



Dodge Dakota Performance and Towing Mods

46 messages,  Last post on Jul 03, 2009 at 9:36 AM

You are in the Dodge Dakota Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Dodge Dakota, Truck


Messages Page 2 of 5
1
2
3
4
5
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#8 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [philbergin] by steak2k1
Jul 21, 2006 (7:34 am)
Reply

Replying to: philbergin (Jul 21, 2006 7:09 am)

Not an expert mind you, but i would think you have what is called and "extended cab" or "club" cab. Now whether that makes any difference in towing ability, I would doubt very much..? Towing capacity is based on total wieght of the TV and trailer. so I guess what they are saying is that with a Club cab your trailer cap would be higher as opposed with a Quad cab..given that with a quad cab you would likely have 2 more persons in the truck and that would drop your towing capacity.
 
Is 3200 lbs the dry weight without Weight distributing/sway bars, propane, and MT inside.? With a 4.7..should be able to do it. consider loaded it would probably be around 38-4000 lbs.
 
Check on the drivers side door panel (near the lock), and there you should see a sticker showing your vehicles GVWR and towing capacity.
 
rgds,
 
Stk
#9 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [philbergin] by dewaltdakota
Jul 21, 2006 (8:49 am)
Reply

Replying to: philbergin (Jul 21, 2006 7:09 am)

Regular Cab:

 
Extended (Club) Cab:

 
Quad Cab:

 
Both the regular and club cabs for 2000 have only two doors. If there is enough room behind the front seats to have two mini/jump seats back there, then you have the club cab. Very little space and no seats = regular cab. The existence of a rear side window is also a givaway of it being a club cab over a regular cab.
#10 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [philbergin] by sunburn
Jul 21, 2006 (4:13 pm)
Reply

Replying to: philbergin (Jul 21, 2006 7:09 am)

With a 4.7L, even with the 3.55 gears, you should be able to tow a 3200 lb trailer. Is it a pop-up or a travel trailer?
 
A few of things to keep in mind: 1) Make sure you have a transmission cooler, if you have the automatic transmission; 2) Make sure you run 75W-140 synthetic gear lube in the rear differential; 3) make sure you have electric brakes on the trailer.
 
Your towing capacities are listed in the owner's manual. They will depend on body style, 4x2 or 4x4, engine, and gear ratio.
#11 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [sunburn] by philbergin
Jul 21, 2006 (4:45 pm)
Reply

Replying to: sunburn (Jul 21, 2006 4:13 pm)

Thanks for your reply. It is a regular trailer and weighs 3200 lbs, but I have to add in the sway hitch and other stuff, so it is probably closer to 4000. My book says I'm ok up to 5,000, so I guess I should be ok.
 
By the way, do I need to put the 75W-140 synthetic gear in the rear differential if I am running with a manual transmission, or is that just for automatics?
 
Thanks again.
#12 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [steak2k1] by philbergin
Jul 21, 2006 (4:48 pm)
Reply

Replying to: steak2k1 (Jul 21, 2006 7:34 am)

Thanks, that clarified it for me. 3200 is the dry weight, so I do need to add the extra for sway hitch and propane, water etc. But the book says I can haul 5000, so I should be ok. Thanks again. Phil
#13 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [dewaltdakota] by philbergin
Jul 21, 2006 (5:02 pm)
Reply

Replying to: dewaltdakota (Jul 21, 2006 8:49 am)

Wow, pics! Man, if I didn't understand it from the other posts, I sure get it now. Makes sense and now I know I have a Club Cab. Thanks a lot! Phil
#14 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [philbergin] by sunburn
Jul 22, 2006 (5:25 am)
Reply

Replying to: philbergin (Jul 21, 2006 4:45 pm)

The synthetic 75W-140 gear lube is required in the rear differential for towing, regardless of transmission type. That's buried in the owner's manual somewhere.
 
If you have a limited slip differential, you will also need to add the limited slip additive, if the gear lube doesn't already have it.
#15 of 46
Re: What type Dakota do I have [sunburn] by philbergin
Jul 22, 2006 (10:49 am)
Reply

Replying to: sunburn (Jul 22, 2006 5:25 am)

Thanks. I did take it to the dealer today and he recommended synthetic 75W-90, so I went ahead with what he recommended. He said 140 might be a bit too heavy. I guess it should work ok. He did do the slip additive as well.
 
Thanks again for your help.
 
Phil
#16 of 46
Re: 75X -140 Rear Diff fluid by steak2k1
Jul 23, 2006 (2:55 pm)
Reply

Replying to: sunburn (Jul 22, 2006 5:25 am)

I am wondering if there is something in between the 90w and 140W for the rear diff and in synthetic. I just put Redline 10W40 synthetic in for an oil change and it seemed quite a bit lighter in texture/viscosity than std oil at 5W 30.
 
It might be worth it to go with the heavier lube in the rear diff even though I just changed it a while ago as well..and like Phil, they put in 75W-90 synthetic with LS additive. I did pull 4300 or so lbs thru the rockies without a problem..but i would hate to lose a rear diff up in the mountains...Especially seeing as we are going again in a week for vacation.
 
rgds,
 
Theo
#17 of 46
Re: 75X -140 Rear Diff fluid [steak2k1] by sunburn
Jul 23, 2006 (4:06 pm)
Reply

Replying to: steak2k1 (Jul 23, 2006 2:55 pm)

Right now I'm running the Redline 80W-140 in my rear diff. The 80W-140 comes with the limited slip additive, while the 75W-140 does not. I was surprised that when I switched to Redline gear lubes (75W-90 front and 80W-140 rear) that I gained about 2 MPG on the highway (non-towing).

Messages Page 2 of 5
1
2
3
4
5
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Pickups / Dodge Dakota / Dodge Dakota Performance and Towing Mods

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Learn More

2010 Dodge Dakota

2008 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab Shown

More Pictures

DoMore

Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement