Stock Dakota shocks suck. Invest in a decent set of aftermarket shocks.
The difference is phenomenal (at least it was on mine). Also, a pickup is
very light in the rear, just keep that in mind.
80mph is NEVER good for fuel mileage. Try taking it down to 65 and report.
What gears do you have?
Those numbers actually sound about right for around town driving.
Just keep in mind, a Dakot is a heavy, un-aerodynamic, steeply geared
vehicle. They were never meant to be fuel efficient.
Brian
'99 CC 5.2L 4x4
>From: james.zito@ps.ge.com
>Reply-To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>Subject: DML: Design flaws or just things I am noticing since this is my
>first MOPAR?
>Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 12:56:39 -0400
>
>
>OK have been mostly lurking for a while but I guess it's time to ask some
>questions.
>
>Vehicle 2003 Dakota Club Cab 2WD V-6, purchased in Jan has almost 11k on
>the
>clock.
>
>a. Although the AC does blow cold it feels like there is almost no air
>coming out of the outboard driver's side vent, the other 3 vents blow LARGE
>volumes of air.
>
>2. The truck handles very badly when traversing lumpy roads. It nearly
>went sideways when I took the 287 exit of 95 south. The bumps seem to
>override my steering input. This is the only vehicle I have driven that
>has
>this behavior.
>
>iii. The mileage is terrible. Best tank of gas was 20 mpg doing 80 on
>cruise control on the NJ turnpike. Generally getting 16-17 mpg lately has
>dropped to about 15mpg. Is this just because the truck is set up to
>operate
>about 500 rpm under the torque peak? Or is the engine just that
>underpowered for the weight of the truck.
>
>Jim
>no cute signature line yet
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:46:39 EST