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Miscellaneous Truck Questions
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My wife and I had that problem. Changing from summer to winter tires. Buy an extra set of rims or not. Use studs or not. Two wheels or four wheels and even more rims. Then we made a decision to live where we'll never see another snow tire as long as we live! Now we complain about how cold it is when the temperature is below 50.
Rich
Just ordered my 2000 Silverado LS 1/2 ton. Dealer strongly recommended the All Terain 265/75's with the Z85 firm ride suspension.
Drove several versions - and this was the smoothese combination. I have heard that if you plan to drive <60% of the time off-road or on rough terrain, stay away from the Z71. Regular highway / local driving will not give you a generally smooth ride on the 99-2000 z71 suspension.
Unfortunately, I ordered and drove only 4x4 so I cannot speak to the 2WD issue.
Take care and good luck
Have you or anyone you know used a baby seat (rear-facing) in the rear bench of an extended cab p/u? Can this be done?
My wife & I are considering switching from an SUV to a p/u & we're expecting our first child in early 2000.
Any particular model suggestions for a p/u would be welcome as well as any comments about a p/u & baby seats.
Thanks!
You can put a baby seat in a the back seat of a pickup, as long as the back seat is front facing. This is generally not a problem on full-size pickups, but pretty much limits you to only the Dodge Dakota in the compact segment. The Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier all have side-facing rear seats. You cannot safely put a baby seat in a side-facing rear seat.
HTH,
The Merg
The Baby Seat will fit fine in a Full Size Extend Cab Pick-Up Truck. It is a tight squeeze in a Compact Extend Cab but it will fit as long as your youngster's legs don't start growing like crazy. If you have problems with installing it, you can usually drop by a local Firestation and the guys there love to help and show people how to install them correctly. My Brother in Law is a EMT with a Firestation and he does this all of the time.
Big Al
I KNOW that you don't want to hear this but.... Having been there about 30 years ago, I would stay with the SUV. It isn't the infant seat issue but rather all the "other stuff" that seems to come along with the baby. I went from a Camaro to a full sized station wagon within 3 months after the bundle of joy arrived. The "other stuff" easily filled the space between tail gate and second seat. Don't worry, about the time that your youngest is about 15 or 16, you can start thinking about a truck again.
Rich
Phil, if you can afford it, get a truck! If you can't stick with the SUV or a wagon you and the family will not regret it ("family considerations" need it!!)
LSC
Also, does anyone know of any corrosion (rust)
problems with any particular kind of nerf bars? I
live in Kentucky and they salt the roads
when it snows. I know that certain metals corrode
when placed in contact with each other, especially
when exposed to salt water. Has anyone had a
problem with this? Does it risk voiding the
warranty?
Supercab 2.3l for a '99 or '00 Nissan Frontier
Desert Runner or Toyota Tacoma Prerunner with
the DOHC V-6. Any ideas? Don't want a
full size, have had them, been there, done
that (Refer to profile) Don't want no stinkin
S10 or Dakota, Mazda, Hombre...
Thanks - Amora (Babyboomer)
There is a posting in the DODGE RAM II topic that goes into great detail concerning differentials. Don't want to repeat it here because it's very lengthy. It's posting #118. Hope that helps...
Brett
I live in Ontario where weather and salt are also problems. I went with stainless steel nerf bars as well as stainless steel wrap around brush guard / push bars. Sure they cost more, but they will last forever.
If you get chrome it will chip and corrode, cost of a re-chrome makes no sense.
If you get body matched, again the paint will chip and corrode, easier to sand down and re-paint, but still an expense.
You also need to make sure that you get good quality steps on the nerf bars.
Not sure whether you are looking new truck or existing, but I would seriously recommend rustproofing the underside if there is a lot of salt about. It ain't that expensive, adds life to the truck and $ to the resale value.
Your hot running diesel sounds like a ineffective fan clutch or a thermostat that doesn't open all the way. At first I was going to suggest a good radiator shop but on second thought doickle is is right. Take it to a Cummins shop.
Rich
All thoughts are very welcome. Thanks
It seems to work well on the interstate in drive rather than tow-haul. Am I defeating the purpose by not using tow-haul full time? While towing this past summer in drive, my transmission fluid on a 90 degree day with A/C running never exceeded 185 degrees. My engine temp never went past 190 degrees. When I dropped my transmission into the tow haul mode, my Transmission temp went to 200 degrees and my engine temp remained the same.
paperwork for ordering my new Ranger (YEAH!). I
have decided on all the options I want save one and was wondering for some input on it.
I can't seem to decide if I want the normal 3.73
Axle Ratio of the 3.73 with Limited Slip. I am not going to be doing any off-roading. The reason I am thinking of getting it is for bad weather (snow, ice, rain slicked streets). Would this be beneficial? I live in the DC area so snow usually isn't that big a deal, but the roads can get slick in the winter time. If anyone can help me out before I go to the dealer to fill out the purchase order, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
The Merg
good luck
Much Appreciated,
John
Tk
Thanks,
BP
I just recently purchased a new Quad Cab with all the bells and whistles. Granted I don't even have 1000 miles on it yet but it seems tight. I haven't heard any noises to speak of, the 4th door is great! Hope that helps, enjoy whatever you buy!
Bryan
Thanks a bunch for your help. I've been hearing very similar things from other people and, frankly, one of my greatest reservations about the truck has largely been cleared up.
Thanks again, and enjoy your trucks!
-Brian
fifth wheel. I've looked extensively at both Ford and Chevy and have resolved most questions but a few remain. To wit:
1. I prefer an automatic (bad knees) but keep hearing anecdotal evidence that Dodge puts out a crummy 4 speed. That it's rated to pull 4,000#
less than a Ford automatic seems to confirm this.
Comments?
2. Ford offers dual alternators on its PS. Might
they be worthwhile?
3. Will Ford's 3.73 or Dodge's 3.54 axle ratios work well with their respective diesel engines to
satisfy my towing requirements or should I go with
the 4.10 ratio?
4. Both brands offer "Heavy Service Suspension
Packages" and "Camper Packages" that provide front and/or back HD springs and stabilizer bars. Should I consider these options or is this overkill and likely to make for an uncomfortable ride? Thanx!
I'AM LOOKING AT BUYING A NEW EXTENDED CAB,4X4, V-6 TACOMA, RANGER, DAKOTA OR FRONTIER.
WHEN I LOCK IN THE HUBS ON MY OLD 1983 F-150 (WITH LIMITED SLIP)ALL FOUR WHEELS PULL IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE HIGH OR LOW. WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR WITH THE ABOVE MENTIONED. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE COMMENTS COMPARING THE V-6 ENGINES AND OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THE FOUR CHOICES.
THANKS
ANDY
Andya2, any 4x4 truck you order, I would get the limited slip option. In my opinion a 4x4 vehicle is pretty much worthless unless one is installed(as described above). Without any added traction assisting devices(limited slips or locking differentials) a 4x4 truck is really a 2-wheel drive truck when things get really messy, one front wheel turning, on back wheel turning. Look around at some of the other listings her in the pick-up section, more than likely there will be more information out there then you will ever need. Also, go to a local bookstore and read the latest issues of "OFF-ROAD", "FOUR-WHEELER", "FOUR-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD". These magazines review various trucks and give it to the reader straight up, the good, the bad, and even the ugly.
My new truck will have a limited slip installed in the rear to help out with these Ill. winters. Plus with her family located in central Minnesota, holiday visits will most likely need all the traction we can get. hope that helps
looking for opinions about towing
We use a 95 1500 with our 5th wheel, mileage about 7 mpg, want better
any ideas?
Then I always regret not going with the V-8
The gas milage is almost the same as with the V-6
I wish some people would jump in and give us some information on were to look for failure rates on transmisisons.
Thanks
automatic is of rather recent design and can easily handle the output of the Powerstroke. I guess the fact that Dodge's own literature cites
its auto's tow capabilities as 10,200# (3.54 rear
end) and 12,200# (4.10 rear end) while Ford's auto will pull 13,800# (3.73 rear end)ought to tell a guy something. I guess I actually prefer the Dodge overall but will probably end up with the Ford because of the transmission.