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Comments
Or perhaps the air blend door is not postioned properly thus allowing too much cool air into the mix.
An engine-block heater makes for easy starts and warm air from the heater vents quickly. I place the obligatory cardboard-over-the-radiator to keep from overcooling the engine in below-0f weather. My 2000 Dak built spefically for me in Oct of 1999 makes plenty of heat.
Now, if I could just keep that #$@& AC compressor from kicking in when the windsheild defroster is selected....
Has anyone here put on protective door mouldings on their QC. I'm talking about the black strips that come on the SLT package about 2/3 down along the doors. I have a QC sport and already suffered my first ding. I would like the same strips but thought I heard they were terribly expensive. If anyone has applied these could you please give me info on where to purchase. I tried to call a couple companies in the past and ended up in dead ends. Also how much should I expect to pay? Please keep any responses on where and how to purchase from actual experience. I think last time it was a "I heard you could" and that led to my problems.
Thanks, and happy quadding.
Tom.
Also, should I buy raybestos and have them put on at a shop or will they(or a dealer) have them and I just need to tell them what kind to put on?
Thanks,
Slog
I suggest you get in on one of the "group buys" for powerslot rotors for your Dakota. I beleive there is one going on right now at Dakota group buys
When it comes to pads, there are basically 2 choices. (Ceramic or carbon-metallic) The carbon-based pads are VERY effective and the brake material of choice for all serious braking.
The Ceramic-based pads are relitivly new and are not as effective in braking but produce virtually NONE of that black dust on the front wheels. You could also go with carbon-kevlar if you so desire.
Here are some links to brake pads;
http://www.hawkbrake.com/
http://www.performancefriction.com/
Here is a great discussion about rotor and pad break-in
and
http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b021202.htm
Rick
Regarding the Dakota being discontinued.....I actually think it is kind of neat that I'll be driving the last of it's breed. Such a tough looking truck! Makes me want to hold on to it a long time even more now. Just hope the truck cooperates. Will this have any affect on parts availability?
I understand why DC would do it. I hope the new "baby Ram" will come in a 4-door. With my kids, it's the only way I can keep a truck in the garage.
I'll take it as fact when DC issues a press release.
Thanks
Robert
Bookitty
Robert
Wow two and half years with this board. That's longer than most relationships isn't it?
Anyway, nothing really to complain about (except the fact that I don't have the time to wash it properly every week).
You might want to check your shoes. Since it is summer (August) weather right now. You might be wearing thin sole shoes and not the thick soled hiking boots. So you have to push farther on the pedal to make it go. Don't laugh... I can feel the difference.
Here's a question that hasn't been asked yet. In the owner's manual, it states that you should not "skip gears" with the 5 speed tranny. It doesn't say why. I occasionally skip 4th on the 3 to 5 upshift if I'm on level or down hill. I skip the same way on most downshifts.
Any reason why no skipping? I can understand if you're under load, but when you're not, is it going to hurt the tranny?
I used to skip all the time with my Bronco II. Now it lacks power so I use 4th.
I'll keep checking in and provide my input. Edmunds boards are great in getting actual user input. It helped me to decide which vehicle would be best for me.
Cheers
end ratio did you order? Although I tow only on a rare occasion (5'X 8' HD utility trailer) it is difficult to realize that something is in tow until you look in the rear view mirrors. I will be flat towing a Jeep Wrangler in the near future,
and already have the tow brackets installed on the
Wrangler. That will be a test for me, as I have never "flat" towed another vehicle (forget about the rope or chain thing done as a teenager). I am certain that you will truly enjoy your Quad. This is a great forum in which to gain information. The members are great people and extremely helpful, providing both experience as well as superior technical knowledge.
Bookitty
What are you planning to do for brakes? I had this interesting widget in the tow bar which applied the Miata's brakes as the truck slowed down, worked really well.
twj
Toby, I have no other braking system other than the Quad's, and of course prayer. According to the manuals provided by Jeep and Hidden Hitch, the rigidity of the tow bar eliminates the need for braking other than provided by the prime mover. I will know much more when I hook up the Wrangler and attempt to stop (this is where the prayer comes in).
Bookitty
The widget I used (i've gone back and looked it up) is called the Auto Stop, by Blue Ox. p/n BX8894. I was very pleased with its performance. It's pretty simple -- as the coupler retracts into its housing, a cable is spooled up inside the mechanism. The cable runs through a stiff housing which is threaded into the towed vehicle. You drill a small hole in the floorboard behind the brake pedal and pass the housing through, then the thin cable comes out and is looped onto the brake pedal arm. When the cable is retracted onto the spool, the brake pedal is depressed, slowing the vehicle. Works really well.
The best part is that when you're not towing the vehicle, the cable and its housing remain in place -- you just disconnect the coupler's cable union and tuck it out of sight.
twj
Bookitty
Truck has 8300 miles on it now. Runs great. No complaints.
Bob
I found other setups with all the same options but with a 3.92 rear. I choose the 3.55 as I have only one son and a dog +wifey. So the trailer I'm interest in would be the sub 22Ft variety. This set up provides for 4,900 lbs on this truck and I felt it a good compromise between towing a moderate sized trailer and fuel mileage when not towing.
So, I'm actually on day 2 and I love that rumbling sound :-)
Later,
Chris
By April 17 '02 the QC was in my possession for 13 1/2 months. Unlike many other owners reporting on this forum, my usage is very low having rolled up only 6167 miles during this period. Many of my trips were very short and consequently I have chosen to use the short interval maintenace schedule. Although I am not especially heavy on the accelerator, the QC has averaged just 14.86 MPG. Hopefully there will be some improvement as more break-in miles are rolled up.
The only problem experienced thus far was a CD player that did not work properly when the truck was delivered. The dealer immediately changed it under warranty.
My hunting camp has some terrible off-road roads that are quite steep. I find that using the engine for a brake while descending is not handled nearly as well by the Dak with auto when compared to the 5-speed Montero which was my previous vehicle. The lowest drive range with 4 wheel drive low is much too slow, and the next highter drive range requires continuous heavy braking. Perhaps this is only a matter of manual versus auto transmission. Any comments on this subject would be appreciated.
As a Lurker on this site, I do not read every day, but catch up every few days as time permits. I claim no particular mechanical knowledge relating to trucks, their power plants or systems. Therefore I will continue to limit my input and read to learn from those who do have a better knowledge of these subjects. And I thank you all again for a continuing flow of information.
Ken
Bookitty
Bookitty
Bookitty