>From: tims
>Subject: It's Here!
>Date: Tuesday, December 26, 1995 10:16AM
>Just in time for X-Mas.. my 96 SLT Ex.t Cab 4x4 v8 Dak arrived.
<grin> Nice X-mas present!! I got mine just before Thanksgiving... and I
was definitely giving thanks!!
>We went down to the dealer, finalized the paperwork, then took it for a
>test drive. Everything is great.. 'except' what the h*** is up with
ChryCo
>and their driveline/suspension components?!?! There was a fine layer of
>surface rust/corrosion on the leaf springs, the rear diff, the rear hubs
>the metal brake lines (going into the rear wheels) the driveshaft and even
>a bit on the front 4by x-fer case? We checked other Dak's on the lot and
>they all looked to have the same 'problem' The new RAMs did not.
Every Dakota I've looked at, either out in the real world, or on the lot has
had this same problem... The first day I got mine, most of the areas you
spoke of, as well as the front brake calipers, had the same rusty
appearance. I'm not sure how much the wirebrushing/grease will help, but
I'd like to know how you make out, because I may make a point of it when I
bring mine in for it's first checkup (Jan. 2nd). I also read the last
review of the Dakota in Consumer Reports (they didn't like it, but then
again they don't like most cars, except econoboxes), and even they had
referenced the undercarriage rust.
>I spoke to my father (who has the last year of the pre-redesigned RAMs)
>and his exhibited the same problem.. Where on earth do they store these
>parts? Everything else about the truck is perfect.. except for this.. I'm
>having the dealer wirebrush/clean this stuff off and put a light coating
>of grease or something on it to help prevent reoccurrence.. I know down
here
>in the desert we don't have to worry much about rust ('It's a DRY heat!')
>but still.. looks pretty poor on a brand new $20K vehicle..
>anyone else notice this?
I certainly agree with you as far as appearance aspects go, but
unfortunately, I live up in New England where the weather is notoriously bad
in the winter, so I'm afraid my truck'll get rusted underneath no matter
*what* I have done to it... I've heard that aftermarket undercarriage
rustproofing won't help very much so I haven't done anything to mine except
try to keep it clean and in the garage when not in use <grin>...
Ned Vogler | ----------------------------
Network Administrator | _ _ _ _ _ _
Rockville General Hospital | |_` |_` _ |_| |_| |_ |_| |_`
(nvogler@rghosp.chime.org) | ,_| | | | |_ |\ ,_|
'96 Dakota SLT V8 5-sp 4x4 Club Cab |
'84 Nighthawk 650 '85 Honda XR-350R | ----------------------------
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|_/\________/ _ \__| \__/ \____/
| \___/ | Five Time World Champions
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| | \_| 1994 DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPS! siXXX!!
__/ \__ Current '95 Record: 11W 5L
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