Oh yeah, I drive mine 6-7 days a week. Course, I average only 16.5 mpg
:( But hey, works for me. I just love driving through the mountains towing
a load in my trailer and bed loaded down. Lanes open up, and some cars try
to get around, and I just punch it leaving them behind.. muahahahaha.
Have to say, I gotta give Ford props on the Lightning (I know I know, it's
ugly, and it's a Ford.. but..).. It's faster then any stock Dakota easily,
and can tow more then a dakota (I think it's rated at 8000lbs??).. Well, it
can tow more based on the rating.... Still prefer my Dakota to one, would
never trade my Dakota for a Lightning
Ken Allgood
97 CC SLT 5.2L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Pitz" <dakota@billpitz.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 8:15 PM
Subject: Re: DML: 2004 Dakota update!!!
>
> On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 19:56:48 -0400, kenallgood@cox.net ("Ken Allgood")
> wrote:
> >If memory serves me correctly, the dakota DID start out being marketed as
a
> >"mid-size" pickup. It wasn't selling a whole lot (compared to S10's,
> >rangers, etc), so they started marketing it as a compact. Personally, I
use
> >mine to tow a load with a 10' open trailer when moving people, or mulch,
you
> >name it. I've also taken it to the track where I run mid-upper 15's with
> >the 5.2L. I've made numerous mod's to it (bolt-ons), but kept the towing
in
> >mind while doing that. I did occasionally have pinging wihle towing with
> >the Hypertech PCM, but I think with the addition of the headers and M1
> >intake, that no longer happens. I can go WOT with a load, and have no
> >problem with spark knock. It's a fine line I have to walk in doing mods,
> >but in the end, I get the best of both worlds. I've had to scratch any
> >thoughts about lowering it, etc due to needing to tow heavy loads at
times,
> >and occasionally using the full 1 ton capacity payload. I'm still
working
> >on getting it into the 14's, keeping it NA, and not taking away from it's
> >towing capabilities either. I think Dakotas do very well as a mid-size
> >pickup that you can drive as a sport truck, or use it to do heavy
hauling.
>
> Amen to that.
>
> I had a very hard time even considering the "alternatives" from Ford,
> GM, Toyota, and Nissan because all of their Dak-sized trucks really
> are compact trucks... and no V8 option on any of them!
>
> For the most part, my truck is my daily driver. I do, however,
> frequently use it to tow a 21' boat up a fairly steep windy road to
> the lake. And that's when I remember how much I love my truck. :-)
>
> -Bill
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:46:46 EST