Gary Hedlin wrote:
>
> So in closing, let's not forget something.... The Gen4's were designed
> more for a work truck. They did that job well.
Sup Gary :) Sorry dude - I gotta do a 180 on this one. The Gen IV's
in my opinion were not designed to be a "work truck" Yeah they have
higher tow ratings and payload ratings - but thats about it. I took a
4.7L Club cab 4x4 auto out for a spin, in Mineral Grey ( *spits* -
Graphite Metallic is a superior color) and I had very mixed feelings
(see my original post below)
http://archives.dakota-truck.net/0409/0789.html
I crawled under the truck my local stealer had in the show room and
scrutinized the front suspension. I was dissapointed. There are lots
of low hanging dangley parts that would get eaten up easily with any
mild trail riding. A small rock could hammer the crossmember to bits.
Compared to a Gen III - the Gen IV may as well be a passenger car. I've
rarely seen a 2wd and a 4wd truck have the same ride height as the
Dakota does. The only others that I can think of that I've seen have
2wd/4wd ride heights the sam, are Ford Exploders... perhaps the
Cherokees (both the grand and the classic). Even the Gen I Durangos had
different suspension heights between 2wd and 4wd - naturally as they
were based off the Gen III Daks which obviously had height differences.
Petersens 4 Wheel blew up the front differential - litterally broke the
case in two - during their 4wheeler of the year test, back when the
truck first came out. Now for a stationary non-load bearing
differential, (one that does not articulate with the axle and is
subjected to no suspension weight issues - such as a live solid axle) -
to physically break it in two would seem to indicate it does not have
the durability and strength that a "work truck" would need.
I've put Christine through stuff that would probably snap a Gen IV in
half. She has been a snow plow truck virtually all of her life, I've
hauled more than 3000lbs of concrete rubble in the bed, and wheeled her
with vigor. I consider Christine a far superior work truck than any Gen
IV. AND!! You can't even get an 8 foot bed in a Gen IV!
The Gen IV has a cushy suspension, creature comforts, and a carlike
ride... "so in closing" heh - in my opinion I consider the gen IV Dak to
be targeted at the SUV soccer mom crowd who want a cushy truck to tow
the boat/snow mobiles/ATVs/bicycles on a weekend get away with 5 people.
I step down off my soap box...
-- ------------------------------------------------------------- Rocks are for skipping... I'm all about the mud 75 Honda CL360, 89 Dakota, 89 Dakota 4x4, 95 Dakota 4x4, 96 Neon, 01 Ram 4x4 http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/ AIM & Yahoo: SilverEightynine. . .------------------------------------------------------------------. | Make your plans NOW to attend the National DML Meet in Colorado! | | Date: July 15-23, 2006 - More info: http://meet.dakota-truck.net | `------------------------------------------------------------------'
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